'Saving people's lives.' Here's how Mashpee students are taking on the global water crisis

Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

MASHPEE − Growing up on Cape Cod, Mashpee Middle-High School senior Charlie Jenkins, 17, said she feels like it's "kind of my job to protect (the environment) since I got the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place."

And climate justice begins with access to clean drinking water, she said.

"Water is a limited resource worldwide. It seems like when you turn on your tap, it's unlimited. In reality, you can only have so much," said Jenkins. "It's the opportunities I've gotten throughout life that make me realize not everyone has that access."

Jenkins, the president of the high school Key Club, and other club members gathered at Mashpee Commons on Sunday morning to hold their "Walk for Water" fundraising event.

David and Jen Araujo, of Mashpee, walk with their sons Ryan, 17, and Tommy, 4, in Mashpee Commons during "Walk for Water" fundraising event. "Walk for Water" was held Sunday morning. Mashpee Commons hosted Mashpee High School Key Club's fundraising event. Proceeds will benefit the Thirst Project, the world’s leading youth water activism organization. Participants were able to walk a one-mile or two-mile course through Mashpee Commons. The Thirst Project is a non-profit organization that works with the support of young people to end the global water crisis by building freshwater wells in developing communities that need safe, clean drinking water.

All proceeds from the event go to the Thirst Project, a water activism organization that works with young people to build freshwater wells across Africa in developing communities that need safe, clean drinking water.

The wells can typically provide clean water for 30 years and are accessible to 300 to 500 people.

Participants walked a mile or two-mile course through Mashpee Commons. The suggested donation was $20 for adults and $10 for students.

Before the event, Jenkins said the club is about halfway toward a $12,000 goal and has been raising cash for the project for about three years. Students hope to close the gap this year and potentially visit Africa to watch the well get built.

According to the Thirst Project website, waterborne diseases are responsible for more easily preventable young deaths a year than HIV, malaria, and all world violence combined. Small children typically do not have strong enough immune systems to fight diseases like cholera, dysentery or schistosomiasis.

Mashpee High School junior Ayesha Shafi, 16, holds a sign and collection container along the walk route. "Walk for Water" was held Sunday morning. Mashpee Commons hosted Mashpee High School Key Club's fundraising event.
Mashpee High School junior Ayesha Shafi, 16, holds a sign and collection container along the walk route. "Walk for Water" was held Sunday morning. Mashpee Commons hosted Mashpee High School Key Club's fundraising event.

"It's just saving people's lives. That's the idea that people today are dying because they don't have clean water," said club advisor Patty Riley. "People are dying today because they don't have clean water."

David and Jen Araujo, of Mashpee, along with their sons Ryan, 17, and Tommy, 4, were among the people walking the course. They moved to town about a year ago and saw the event mentioned in the district superintendent's newsletter.

"We just wanted to support a good cause," said David Araujo.

Those interested in donating to the fundraiser can send a check with "Thirst Project" in the memo to the Mashpee High School Key Club at the high school, located at 500 Old Barnstable Road.

Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mashpee students' Walk for Water wants safe drinking water everywhere