Local kids help fund clean water in Africa
The 743 young children enrolled in the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Before and After School Programs worked especially hard throughout the month of January, holding bake sales and jump-a-thons, reading for pennies, doing personal chores, selling lemonade, making crafts to sell, and undertaking a variety of other projects, all to raise […]
The 743 young children enrolled in the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Before and After School Programs worked especially hard throughout the month of January, holding bake sales and jump-a-thons, reading for pennies, doing personal chores, selling lemonade, making crafts to sell, and undertaking a variety of other projects, all to raise money to help children and families halfway across the world in Africa.
Today (Wed., Mar. 5) they celebrated by presenting a check for $1,800 to PlayPumps International, an organization that donates PlayPump Water Systems to schools and communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
PlayPump Water Systems are merry-go-rounds that pump water from the ground as children spin on them. The international organization’s slogan is: “Kids Play. Water Pumps!”
“We are so pleased to receive this donation from the children in Richmond’s After School Programs,” said PlayPumps International Program Manager Marissa Valdez, who came from Washington with PlayPumps International Program Coordinator Shudine Covel to accept the check. “We especially like to recognize the children who donate to our program, which aims to improve the lives of children and families in Africa,” she said.
“We are very proud of our kids who worked hard and were creative in their endeavors to raise this money,” said Roz Johnson, Deputy Director of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, which operates Before and After School programs at 19 Richmond elementary schools. “They’ve shown their ingenuity and creativity, they stuck to the challenge, and they’ve demonstrated their generosity. I think this speaks volumes for our children, as well as for our After School Program, and I congratulate them on their hard work and success.”
The Department’s Before and After School programs feature a blend of recreational, educational and personal development activities. Children participate in cultural activities, fitness and sports programs, and character-building exercises, as well as receive help with reading, math and homework. Registration is free; however a $5 fee is required to cover the cost of a t-shirt.
PlayPumps International’s mission is help improve the lives of children and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa. The organization is an NGO registered in South Africa and a sister 501(c) 3 organization in the United States. Through donations, like those made by Richmond’s children, it provides schools and communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa with an innovative, uniquely sustainable, free supply of clean drinking water.
For more information on PlayPumps International click here.
For more information on the parks, programs and services of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities click here.
– The information above was provided by Christy Everson, with the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
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