The TerraKids Team was recently invited to deliver water filters and bring their interactive, hands-on presentation to schools on an island in the middle of the Mekong River. There was much excitement among the families living on the island as we loaded the donated filters and our supplies onto several long-tailed boats for the trip across the river to the island. Several teachers from the school met us at the boat dock on the island and helped to bring the water filters and our items for the school presentation across the water to the island schools.
Previously, the schools on the island did not have clean water for their students. So students had the choice to drink raw, unfiltered water (that often contains ecoli), bring boiled water from home, or go thirsty. Students who drink the raw water are at high risk of being sick and missing many days of school, so having clean water in each school classroom really makes a difference in the lives of the students.
The TerraKids Team was able to visit each school on the island and deliver water filters to each classroom in addition to providing a 90-minute program about health and hygiene, safe touch, child rights and anti-trafficking.
The students were eager to participate as the team invited students to join them in singing songs that teach about these important topics. Students were also encouraged to volunteer to be a part of the anti-child trafficking skit, helping students to recognize risky situations and how to respond well.
As the presentation concluded, the students were excited to try out the new filters, enjoying having clean water in their classrooms for the first time.
Each student also received a coloring book with summary pages of the material that was taught in the presentation. Students took the pages home to share with their families.
We continue to be thankful for the generous donations that enable the TerraKids team to bring water filters to those who need it most.
