By Afraa Kori
Berwick Primary School hosted a “Walk for Water“ campaign, providing students with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the challenges experienced by women and children who must often walk long distances to access water.
Held on 13th December, the event tied into the school’s unit of inquiry, where students explored concepts of conservation, sustainability, and responsibility as they learned about Earth’s finite natural resources.
They investigated how resources like water, soil, rocks and minerals are limited and unevenly distributed across the planet. After learning about disadvantaged communities that lack access to essential resources like clean water, students took action by raising money to support foundations providing water pumps to these countries. Throughout this unit, students developed global stewardship by considering how their choices impact the planet, advocating for responsible usage and creating action plans to promote sustainable practices at home and in the community.
By studying the struggles of communities without access to clean water, students were inspired to take action, raising $203 for Water Aid Australia. The funds will go towards installing water pumps in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better access to clean water.
The funds raised will contribute to meaningful changes, reminding students of the impact their actions can have on communities near and far.
Berwick Primary School Grade 4 teacher, Cindy Dussoye is proud of her students for embracing the importance of giving back and appreciating their own privileges.
“The students were determined to keep walking until they completed their 15 laps. The importance of the 15 laps lies in the fact that it totals 6 kilometres, symbolising the distance some people must walk to access water,” she said.
“It was a hot day and their feet hurt . The students were grateful however to be able to open a tap and get water. They were also grateful to have proper shoes on their feet, recognising how fortunate they were.”
The “Walk for Water“ event will now become an annual tradition at Berwick Primary School. By raising awareness and funds, the school aims to continue fostering empathy and global stewardship among students while supporting initiatives that address the global water crisis.
