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CHAL L E NGE
STUDENTS GI VE CLEAN WATER
A
lpha Chi and the McNair Scholars Program joined forces
in the fight to provide clean water to the underprivileged
areas of the world. The groups worked with Living
Water International, an organization that helped communities
acquire clean water and sharing the living water through
the gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfied the deepest
thirst. Living Water International partnered with universities
across the country to sponsor the 10 Days Challenge.
The 10 Days Challenge encouraged students to drink water
to give water by giving up all other beverages for 10 days and
donate the money they would have spent on beverages to
Living Water International. The national goal for this project
was $100,000. All the money raised at the 10 Days Challenge
booth went towards digging wells in the Ruhango district of
Rwanda, Africa. Living Water International chose six communities
lacking adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, and each area
received a well, water, and hygiene and sanitation programs.
Senior biology major and McNair Scholar Michelle Henry
interned with Living Water International during the summer of
2013 and learned firsthand the process of providing clean water.
I formed so many wonderful friendships and learned
about many different areas of the organization, Henry said. I
focused on water quality testing with a new portable laboratory
kit, capable of testing chemical, microbiological and physical
parameters. I was able to see God at work through my water
testing project and through the people in Rwanda.
Henry brought the idea of Harding sponsoring a 10 Days
challenge to Dr. Linda Thompson, director of the McNair Scholars
Program, who approved the fundraising effort and recruited
Alpha Chi and the McNair Scholars Program as sponsors.
Henry hoped that the fundraiser would help students to form
personal connections with the clean water cause.
[Bringing] clean water to those who need it means so
much to me, Henry said. I cannot imagine spending my life
in a better way than to partner with people to get clean water
and spread the story of the love of Jesus. I would encourage
people to find a cause they believe in, no matter what their
major is, and create a change.
Senior psychology and Spanish double major Delaney
Bivens was the Alpha Chi delegate at large in the fall and was
the officer involved in planning the 10 Days Challenge. Bivens
experience planning and learning about the organizations
efforts to provide clean water made her more aware of available
service opportunities.
As an officer organizing the 10 Days Project, I was part of
an amazing team that discussed how we could best reach out
to our campus, and then enacted these plans, Bivens said.
We hope to continue this and grow it in the following years,
making this campaign a regular event on Hardings campus.
There is always much good to be done.
Senior biochemical and molecular biology major Josh Moran
loved being involved in the 10 Days fundraising event because
it brought hope to people.
Personally, I hadnt realized how much influence water
had in other areas of life, Moran said. Of course I had
considered the issue of clean drinking water, but I didnt think
about children who are unable to wash their hands properly
for lack of clean water, contributing to disease and illness
rates and keeping them away from schools and education.
This organization brings the necessity of a healthy life, as well
as the Word of God.
Mallory Johnson
Senior Victoria Sams receives a commemorative token
from Alpha Chi sponsor Linda Thompson at Alpha Chis
induction Nov. 17 in the Reynolds Recital Hall. The
honors society inducted 45 juniors and seniors at the
ceremony. Matt Dobson
Seniors Michelle Henry and Delaney Bivens watch a
presentation on the 10 Days Project livestreamed from
Texas A&M University on Nov. 21. Directed by Henry
and sponsored by Living Water, the project brought
clean drinking water to the Ruhango district in Rwanda.
Matt Dobson
ALPHA CHI
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