Junior Mallori LaCourt has chosen a CAS Project Fundraiser called Water Wells for Africa.The purpose of the project is to create wells in Africa where needed for communities and villages.
A CAS project is required of IB Diploma students, such as LaCourt. This year CAS projects have been featured multiple times in the Tritonian. Some are fundraisers, others collections, and still others an extension of the student’s interests.
CAS, which stands for Creativity, Activity and Service is part of the IB program’s directive of combining academic achievement with service.
“I had originally gotten into the project in December,” explained LaCourt. “I visited some family in Arizona . My aunt, who is a teacher, told me about this book about a man whose father had been infected with a waterborne parasite due to unsafe drinking water. He had been saved by his son, who left home for the United States and returned with safe drinking water for his village and to save his father.”
Inspired from reading the story of Salva Dut, Lacourt started this CAS project to help WWFA.
After researching that unsafe water is a widespread problem, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, she wanted to take the initiative to make a difference.
The main idea of this fundraising project is to raise money to build wells for communities there.
“To build each well takes $9,000, so my main goal is to raise at least $9,000 to support one well,” Lacourt said, “but I would love to be able to raise more money and do the most that I can. All the money goes straight to the cause. It covers the materials directly needed to drill and create the wells.”
“I support WWFA through a donation page. I go around to people in my community and raise funds by spreading awareness and asking for donations,” she continued.
English teacher Carolyn Brown donated to the fundraiser because she has made multiple trips to Africa due to her son’s work with the government.
“The most heartbreaking sight is seeing people fill their yellow water buckets with muddy water and then walk back to their villages. Someone told me the average African living in poverty walks six miles every day to get water,” said Brown.
This project is motivating LaCourt to succeed the best she can. The funds directly support the construction of wells and the education of how to maintain them.
LaCourt emphasizes the importance of community involvement.
“My project is directly supported through my community which just goes to show how putting yourself out there can impact such a large cause so far away!”
If you are interested in donating, this website brings you to the page: https://wishingwell.waterwellsforafrica.org/MalloriLaCourt
