CHALLENGE STUDENTS GIVE CLEAN WATER Alpha Chi and the McNair Scholars Program joined forces in the fight to provide clean water to the underprivileged areas of the world. The groups worked with Living Water International, an organization that helped communities acquire clean water and sharing the "living water" through the gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfied the deepest thirst. Living Water International partnered with universities across the country to sponsor the 10 Days Challenge. The 10 Days Challenge encouraged students to "drink water to give water" by giving up all other beverages for 10 days and donate the money they would have spent on beverages to Living Water International. The national goal for this project was $100,000. All the money raised at the 10 Days Challenge booth went towards digging wells in the Ruhango district of Rwanda, Africa. Living Water International chose six communities lacking adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, and each area received a well, water, and hygiene and sanitation programs. Senior biology major and McNair Scholar Michelle Henry interned with Living Water International during the summer of 2013 and learned firsthand the process of providing clean water. "I formed so many wonderful friendships and learned about many different areas of the organization," Henry said. "I focused on water quality testing with a new portable laboratory kit, capable of testing chemical, microbiological and physical parameters. I was able to see God at work through my water testing project and through the people in Rwanda." Henry brought the idea of Harding sponsoring a 10 Days challenge to Dr. Linda Thompson, director of the McNair Scholars Program, who approved the fundraising effort and recruited Alpha Chi and the McNair Scholars Program as sponsors. Henry hoped that the fund raiser would help students to form personal connections with the clean water cause. "[Bringing] clean water to those who need it means so much to me,'' Henry said. "I cannot imagine spending my life in a better way than to partner with people to get clean water and spread the story of the love of Jesus. I would encourage people to find a cause they believe in, no matter what their major is, and create a change." Senior psychology and Spanish double major Delaney Bivens was the Alpha Chi delegate at large in the fall and was the officer involved in planning the 10 Days Challenge. Bivens' experience planning and learning about the organization's efforts to provide clean water made her more aware of available service opportunities. "As an officer organizing the 10 Days Project, I was part of an amazing team that discussed how we could best reach out to our campus, and then enacted these plans,'' Bivens said. "We hope to continue this and grow it in the following years, making this campaign a regular event on Harding's campus. There is always much good to be done." Senior biochemical and molecular biology major Josh Moran loved being involved in the 10 Days fundraising event because it brought hope to people. "Personally, I hadn't realized how much influence water had in other areas of life," Moran said. "Of course I had considered the issue of clean drinking water, but I didn't think about children who are unable to wash their hands properly for lack of clean water, contributing to disease and illness rates and keeping them away from schools and education. This organization brings the necessity of a healthy life, as well as the Word of God." Mallory Johnson Seniors Michelle Henry and Delaney Bivens watch a presentation on the 10 Days Project livestreamed from Texas A&M University on Nov. 21. Directed by Henry and sponsored by Living Water, the project brought clean drinking water to the Ruhango district in Rwanda. Matt Dobson Senior Victoria Sams receives a commemorative token from Alpha Chi sponsor Linda Thompson at Alpha Chi's induction Nov. 17 in the Reynolds Recital Hall. The honors society inducted 45 juniors and seniors at the ceremony. Matt Dobson 265
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