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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

HGHRP Students Share Joy of Achievement with Avon Middle School


In October, the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project (HGHRP) raised $3,000 by hosting a walk to support Water for South Sudan, Inc. A group of 30 Avon Middle School students were top fundraisers in the walk, contributing $1,700 to the effort to build safe-water wells to transform lives in South Sudan.

On Wednesday, December 16, HGHRP student leaders Tony Filer, Katrina Vacca, Sally Seefried and Allyson Bonne visited Avon Middle School to share the news with the entire seventh-grade class that a new well will be drilled and dedicated in January 2015 in both of the schools’ names. They also distributed T-shirts that identified the students who participated in the walk as top fundraisers.

“When I presented the idea of fundraising money for the Walk for Water to support Water for South Sudan, I was pleased with the warm reception the kids gave to the idea,” said Kathryn Muratore who teaches seventh grade English Language Arts at Avon. At the time, her students were reading A Long Walk to Water by local author Linda Sue Park. One of the book’s main characters is Salva Dut, founder of Water for South Sudan and an alumnus of MCC. Both Park and Dut greeted students at the walk at MCC’s Brighton Campus.

“When they found out that their efforts would result in meeting the author and main character of the novel they were reading … they were uncontrollably ecstatic,” said Muratore. “I hope my students will continue their interests in reading, learning about the world around them, and working to help others.”

“Thanks to the Avon students and others who supported our fundraising efforts, the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project gave Water for South Sudan enough money to build two more wells next year,” said Filer, HGHRP president.

"The kids were so excited and had such big smiles on their faces when we told them about their name being on a well in South Sudan. It truly was a great moment for us and the kids -- something that the kids will remember for the rest of their lives," Filer said.

Since 2006, the HGHRP has raised $58,000 for Water for South Sudan. The fundraising effort provides opportunities for students and community members to take action in support of human rights. The current cost to build a well is $15,000.

Established in 1990, the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project is MCC's unique organization for telling the stories of the Holocaust and other genocides while transforming individuals to become advocates for human rights.

Rosanna Yule
Marketing and Community Relations
12/19/2014


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