ONE WELL AT ATIME GATA raises $1,400 for Global Handwashing Day to help fund the construction of wells As a fall service project, the GATA social club partnered with Ghana West Africa Missions and the Rural Water Development Project to fund the building of wells in the Sudan and Ghana. GATA wanted to do its part to alleviate the need for clean water in developing countries. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Bank's Water & Sanitation Program partnered with several other organizations in 2001 to form the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing. The coalition intended to spread awareness about sanitation and resources such as clean water and soap. The steering committee established World Water Week in 2008 and celebrated Global Handwashing Day Oct. 15, 2008. To join the effort, GATA club members held a fund raiser and celebrated Global Handwashing Day. Gata service director sophomore Holly Jones said the day was a reminder of the privilege of having fresh water and the needs of people in developing countries. Instructor of Biology and GATA club sponsor Amber Hug pitched the idea to the club. Hug learned of the opportunity from Dr. Steve Moore, associate professor of biology and an acquaintance of Josiah Tilton, the Searcy-based Executive Director of Ghana West Africa Missions and sponsor of the Rural Water Development Project. Moore returned from his summer trip to Africa with a desire to contribute to Tilton's work. "[Dr. Moore] came back wanting to participate in Global Handwashing Day to celebrate our ability to have clean water to spread the disease while other countries still struggle with poor water sources," Hug said. He presented the idea to Hug, who arranged for him to meet with GATA to provide information about the project. Jones said when she heard about the project, she knew GATA needed to get involved. "Some people in the world don't have clean water to wash their hands, and we kind of take that for granted," Jones said. Sophomore Ginger Smith designed T-shirts with a world surrounded by a drop of water. Athletes' Choice provided the shirts at a discounted rate because the owners were in support of the project and wanted to contribute. GATA sold T-shirts for $10 and took up donations the week prior to Global Handwashing Day, Oct. 8-12, and the day of Oct. 15. The club raised $1,400, one third of the cost of drilling of a well. Club member junior Aulora Fay said GATA would continue to raise money in hopes of collecting the funding for one well. They recognized that involvement in the Rural Water Development Project made students aware of international needs and of their own blessings. "I am glad I got to be a part of [the fundraiser] to help give back to those who do not have the access to clean water that I take for granted," Fay said, expressing her appreciation for GATA's service project. Mallory Pratt/Savannah Lee On Global Handwashing Day, Oct. 15, GATA member juniorAulora Fay and sponsor Amber Hug sell T-shirts to raise funds for the organization. The T-shirts, designed by GATA sophomore Ginger Smith, featured an image of the world surrounded by a drop of water. Chaney Mitchell 74 I Social Clubs
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