2020 Lenten Snapshots

LENTEN SNAPSHOT #4

WORLD WATER DAY 2020

World Water Day is this Sunday, March 22. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water (United Nations).

While we are all trying to cope and stay safe during the recent school closures and social distancing, we would like to provide you and your family, friends and students with several meaningful activities you can do at home this week.

Using the Clean Water for Life video, here are several suggestions for multiple age groups. Of course, you can find the complete list of questions and activities for children and adults here.

Primary School — Grades K-3

• Ask a child to write a short story based on the video. They can imagine what it is like not to have access to clean water or how they could be a superhero, helping African students get clean water.
• Ask a child to draw and color a picture explaining the phrase “Water is LIFE” from the video.

Elementary School — Grades 4-5

• Provide a 5 lb. bag of flour or a gallon of water for the child to put on their head and walk around the room as a way to experience how heavy water can be to transport.
• Ask a child to brainstorm ways they can help solve the global water crisis. Create a poster, comic strip, timeline, short picture book, etc. from the ideas.
• Ask a child to create a poster, poem or essay to illustrate the critical need for pure, safe drinking water.

Middle School — Grades 6-8

• Have a child become the “expert” on the clean water crisis by researching certain aspects of the crisis such as disease caused from dirty water. Then ask the child to teach their family about what they have learned.
• Encourage a child to write a report on the importance of clean drinking water around the world — researching the countries that are most impacted by a lack of clean water, along with the effects on the health and economy of those populations.

High School — Grades 9-12

After watching the video, ask the young adult to answer the following questions: What is culture? How are cultures different between my friends? How does culture shape us and influence our behavior? How do cultural differences cause misunderstandings and problems between communities and countries? Have your child draw on their own experiences with traditions that are practiced in your home, favorite foods, religion, stories handed down etc., then write a compare/ contrast essay about cultural diversity.

Using a rain barrel can save you a significant amount of money in a season. For each inch of rain that falls on 500 square feet of roof, you can collect 300 gallons of water.  In most areas of North America, that means you can collect more than a thousand gallons of water a year to use in your containers, houseplants, garden, or even your lawn. Make a rain barrel following the instructions here.

During this Lenten season, we are most grateful for your support in helping our Sisters educate for life as well as provide clean water. Please know that the Sisters are praying for you and for all who are suffering from or challenged by these difficult times.

Making known God’s goodness with you,

Sister Marie Smith, SNDdeN
Clean Water for Life Volunteer