GREAT KIDS: Local students help provide water to children in Uganda

DEEP RIVER, Conn. (WFSB) - A group of children in Deep River decided that they best way to deal with one of the planet’s biggest problems is to change the world—one donation at a time.

These sixth grade students at deep river elementary are celebrating something really big.

Their joy is tied to something much more monumental than no homework or even free Taylor swift tickets.

No these young people actually just changed lives for the better!

The students in Erin Baumgartel’s class were learning about water scarcity in Africa...How millions of children there don’t have access to clean drinking water.

“They were outraged they wanted to do something to help,” Baumgartel said.

So Ms. B, as the students call her--told the kids about a charity in Madison -- “Call to Care Uganda” that builds wells.

“Before I could even get the words out of my mouth to ask the students if they wanted to help...Every hand was in the air,” Baumgartel said.

Within days the children set a goal to raise $7,500 --enough to construct a well in a remote Ugandan village of where women and young girls walk two miles to get water every day.

“It’s almost impossible to believe that students have to skip school to go fetch something that should be a basic human right,” Baumgartel said.

The students hosted fundraisers--a car wash and bake sale -- and sold Taylor Swift style friendship bracelets that created a lot of buzz.

“It’s crazy how so many people in the community once they hear about what’s going on they immediately think like oh they want to help.”

And thanks to that help...The students reached their goal. And soon 754 people will have clean drinking water thanks in part to a lot of generous people and a bunch of truly great kids in Deep River.

“I feel like with this project I’ve been able to feel live I’ve been able to make a difference for the community of humanity really and that I’ve been a part of something and I’ve never really felt this way before,” Deep river student Wyatt Cozza said.

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