EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Education is a key component at ClearWater Initiative and provides the bulk of our domestic focus. We partner with various schools and organizations to teach the next generation about the benefits of clean water and the hardships of a life without it. Beth Segaloff, Director of Education, has developed hands-on activities, projects and discussions to empower students to be all the change they can be.
In a ClearWater lesson, students learn the positive impact they can achieve by being socially aware and pro-active, responsible citizens. We encourage students to value respect, compassion, and empathy, as well as develop a commitment to our community.
Over the past year we have worked numerous classes in both elementary and high school as well as religious schools. Take a look below at some of our past work.
Glastonbury High School (June, 2011)
The students of Glastonbury High School have been terrific supporters of ClearWater’s work with their Drop in the Bucket fundraising efforts and continued involvement with ClearWater. In recognition of their efforts, Glastonbury has received the 2011 Challenge to Educational Citizenship award, given for school projects that demonstrate civic awareness and commitment to others.
Since the start of their Drop in the Bucket campaign, the students have raised over $6,000 for ClearWater’s projects. Glastonbury Assistant Principal Thomas Neagle said the award is great, but the greatest reward is getting a phone call or e-mail from other schools that want to replicate the program. Neagle also relayed that "It's nice to get recognized for what kids did and are doing. It brings public attention to the work you are doing and spreads good word about good work. Our kids understand the world is full of those in need and they pick one and do something about it."
St. Rita School (April, 2011)
The young students at St. Rita School in Hamden, CT, have amazed us with their generosity and dedication to ClearWater’s work! After learning of ClearWater and hearing Ben Sklaver’s story, the students chose to raise funds for ClearWater during Lent. By making various sacrifices, the students and school community collected $5,500 in just a few short weeks.
Following Lent, Laura Skaver attended a school celebration where students carried the American flag in Ben’s honor, sang, and read personal letters written to her about Ben. Praising the students on their terrific efforts, Laura told them that with their donation, they have “changed the lives of hundreds and hundreds forever. I can’t begin to express how grateful and proud I am.”
Unitarian Society of New Haven (April, 2011)
Beth Segaloff and Gary Sklaver celebrated Earth Day, springtime and ClearWater’s message of hope with over twenty people fromThe Unitarian Society of New Haven. Beth presented photos of life in Uganda and worked with the students to imagine a life different from their own. The students created posters to express their ideas about the importance of clean water. The young students were eager to learn about life in Uganda and have committed to raising funds through a community wide bottle drive.
Friends Seminary (April, 2011)
Beth Segaloff presented to approximately forty 11th graders as well as teachers and parents at The Friends Seminary. Our history with Friends Seminary spans two years. In 2009, two students began researching the global water crisis. After the death of our founder, Ben, they committed to partner with ClearWater. Their dedication continues this year through fundraising, raising awareness and educating their community. We are honored that the students were so curious, bright and committed to our cause to help those in need and thank Michelle Brock and Lissa Moses for the generous support and assistance during the event.
Blind Brook Elementary School (March, 2011)
Beth Segaloff and volunteers Lisa Krouskoff and Amy Blumstein conducted a program on March 10th at Blind Brook elementary school in Rye Brook, NY. Beth presented with a slideshow and hands on activities to reinforce the importance of clean water, commitment, dedication and giving back to communities in need. The students were empathetic to those without clean water and energetic about learning about life in Uganda.
The students have been reading books and other materials to gain an understanding of the value of water and the differences between their community and those in Uganda. The student council presented a check for $300 to Beth which they raised by recycling bottles.
Glastonbury High School (March, 2011)
Beth Segaloff celebrated World Water Day with 800 students at Glastonbury High School. She talked with students about the lack of clean water in Uganda, the ways in which villagers receive water as well as the daily challenges of their population. Much of the focus motivated students to become inspired, passionate and dedicated to an issue that they believe in.
Temple Israel (March, 2011)
Beth Segaloff and Danny Tack met with the “tzdaka in action” elective class at Temple Israel in Westport, CT. Beth raised awareness about the lack of clean water and it’s effect on the villages that we serve in Uganda. She led a discussion connecting ClearWater’s mission and the Jewish concept of “repairing the world”. Values such as empathy and service were addressed to challenge students to try to understand the stresses that others cope with on a daily basis. The students chose CWI as their organization and are planning a swim-a-thon to raise funds.
Jeffrey Elementary School (February, 2011)
Inspired by Beth Segaloff’s talk to the student council at Jeffery Elementary School in Madison, CT, the students were determined to spread the word. They relayed Beth’s stories about life in Uganda, the value of water and the importance of giving back to the entire student body.
The students were determined to help and raised funds at a community luau. As the staff relayed to us, “As we emptied the jug I was amazed and overwhelmed – 89 pounds of coins! …We had collected $1043 for ClearWater. Students brought in coins from their allowances and contributed their ice cream money with generous hearts and an awareness that reaches well beyond their classroom walls. It was so heartwarming to see! …It was a real success in so many ways.”
Avon Old Farms School (January, 2011)
Beth Segaloff and Tufts University student, Emily Paine, presented statistics regarding the water crisis, poverty, education and health issues in Uganda to roughly 400 students at Avon Old Farms, an independent all boys boarding school in CT. The students participated in hands-on activities; which challenged them to think about typical life in Uganda. Students were motivated to think about the fact that one person can make a difference in the world; to think about what may inspire them to commit and dedicate themselves to an issue.
Tokyo University (November, 2010)
ClearWater Chief Executive Officer and Hitachi International Affairs Fellow, David Abraham, spoke at Tokyo University's Graduate School of Public Policy on clean water issues in developing countries. The discussion outlined the challenges nonprofit organizations face in working in a post-conflict region and steps NGOs and local governments can make to improve water service delivery. This is one of several outreach events occuring in Japan in 2010-2011.
Yale University (November, 2010)
Laura Sklaver and David Abraham (via Skype) led a discussion regarding ClearWater's choice of technology to a class at Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science. The two discussed the conditions in which ClearWater works and the types of clean water technologies available. They also explained that ClearWater chooses simple technology solution beause we believe the people in the regions where we work must have the ability to maintain our investment. We have found that often the most effective solutions are the ones currently being used by local populations.
Glastonbury High School (October, 2010)
Beth Segaloff met with the senior class to accept a donation made through their “Drop in the Bucket” fundraiser. She spoke about CleaerWater and the importance of giving back to communities. She later met with members of the Student Council and Key Club to plan future education and fundraising opportunities. The partnership with Glastonbury High School continues. We are currently planning activities and educational programs during World Water Day 2011.
The Eagle Hill School (April, 2010)
At the Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Beth Segaloff and ClearWater volunteer Jennifer Kinberg led an assembly in conjunction with the school’s Earth Day celebration. 250 students ages 6 to 16 gathered to discuss the uses and benefits of clean water and to imagine life without clean water in Uganda. The students learned the value of water through sharing their experiences, observations and reflections, and participated in a larger discussion about how individuals can make a difference in the world.
Greenwich, CT (April, 2010)
Beth Segaloff and another volunteer; Jen Kinberg, presented during an Earth Day Celebration. We presented to the entire school with a slide show and activities. The presentation included the history of ClearWater , ways in which we use and receive water, the value of water the importance of making a difference in our world. The students were later broken down into smaller groups. Groups participated in a simulated jerry can activity: going to a stream, filling it up with water and carrying it to a garden.
Glastonbury High School (March, 2010)
Students at Glastonbury High School raised over $1,700 through their A Drop in the Bucket fundraiser. For a day, student volunteers sold little cups of water for a dollar apiece, encouraging their classmates to let their dollar "be a drop in the bucket." Contributions were directed towards construction of a well and filtration system that will provide clean water for a Ugandan village. Glastonbury’s student council plans to next host a “Dunk in the Bucket” fundraiser – and Assistant Principle Thomas Neagle envisions something even larger for the future. "We see this as a model or prototype for other schools to follow," Neagle said. "You start with one kid, one class, one school and then schools across the state and New England. You start making a dent in the worldwide crisis. We are citizens of the global world and we do care about others." The students’ efforts were featured in the Hartford Courant.
The Foote School (January, 2010)
At the Foote School in New Haven, where students had been studying Africa throughout the year, first- and second-graders watched a slideshow of ClearWater projects in Uganda, and talked about the difference between our communities and villages in Uganda and why clean water is valuable to us all. The students then created posters demonstrating the many uses and benefits of clean water, and had a great conversation about giving back to the world and how individual people can make a difference.
Chester, CT (December, 2009)
Beth Segaloff presented at Congregation Beth Shalom. She met during, “Breakfast with the Rabbi” and talked with teachers and religious school students. Beth gave a history of ClearWater and facilitated a discussion about the value of water and the ways in which we receive water; comparing to villages in Uganda. The students discussed ways in which one can “be the change you wish too see in the world” (Gandhi). We talked about T’kun O”Olam (repairing the workd) and how one person or group of people can make a difference in the world.
If you are a teacher or school administrator and are interested in a ClearWater event or workshop at your school, please contact us at education@clearwaterinitiative.org.