A non-profit organization providing water wells and sanitation systems to schools in Africa

The George Walton Academy Key Club recently sponsored a project called “Change for H₂OPE” to raise money for a well to be built in Africa. The idea for this project came from Audra Marsh, a George Walton Academy senior and Lilburn resident. Audra decided she wanted to build a well in Africa last year when she heard a speaker at her church talk about the need for safe drinking water in Africa. “Through out the year, I would hear things on the radio or see things in the paper that would remind me of building a well in Africa.” This school year, Audra decided to collect money to build a well. Audra encouraged every student at GWA to take home a water bottle and, over the course of two weeks, fill it with loose change. The Key Club was asked to collect plastic drinking bottles. This was not an easy task as bottles had to be the correct size for quarters, washed, labeled and distributed. The Key Club collected bottles from football games, the cafeteria, band competitions – anywhere and everywhere. After two weeks of collecting loose change, the student body raised $8,017! A well in Uganda at the Awelobutoryo Primary School will be built with the money raised. The well will provide water for 1000 students and 2000 inhabitants of nearest village. The GWA Key Club, sponsored by Zach Farmer, would like to extend their appreciation to Athens First Bank and Trust for their support.