Matt Siebert appreciates Canadians’ full access to clean water. Annie GallantBy Annie Gallant - Quesnel Cariboo Observer - February 20, 2008
How can a small group of teens in B.C.’s central interior make a difference in the world?
Bethel Church’s youth pastor Monte Harrop is guiding his dedicated youth group to do just that, bringing wells to families in Cambodia.
But they need the community’s help to raise the money to build the wells.
Harrop knew they needed to go beyond the church’s youth group, so members of the group took the project to their respective high school groups and a friendly rivalry ensued.
Grade 8 QSS student Matt Siebert had doubled his challenge by also assuming the role of leader of the QSS youth group.
“I didn’t know if they would listen to me, but they have,” he said with a humble grin.
Siebert carries strong beliefs in God and worship, but said the school group isn’t about religion, it’s about making a difference in the world.
Harrop said both high school groups draw students from beyond the Bethel Church youth and welcome anyone who wishes to join.
The plight of Cambodians came to light for the students when they heard about money raised to build a well in Ethiopia.
“As a result of that well, a road was built, because of the road, a school was built and because of the school a hospital was built, all in the space of about 18 months,” Harrop said.
“That inspired us to do something. I wanted to show the students they could make a difference and clean water seemed a good place to start.”
They search the Internet and found Hope International, an organization dedicated to working along side the poor, helping set up programs which enable the poor to cultivate their skills and knowledge to develop self-reliant communities.
Its website says HOPE International is motivated by the mandates for justice and compassion as demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ.
In its gift catalogue, Harrop and his enthusiastic youth discovered, for just $500, they could provide a well for a family, but in fact that well would serve several families in a village.
Now, both high school youth groups are busy organizing fundraisers as the goal to raise enough for several wells.
Whenever they have presented their project, Siebert said they’ve received strong support.
Hope International is prepared to send a speaker to the schools to help promote the project.
They know the well will provide much more than clean drinking water. Harrop said it can irrigate crops which will feed the families and maybe even provide a small income for them.
And children who are healthy and full have hope and prosperity.
“We could have done this with the church youth group but felt it would have a bigger impact on the community this way,” Harrop said.
Between the two schools, almost 30 students are involved in fundraising and many of the activities are right within the school. QSS school group has operated Tuesdays during lunch in room 100 for the past three years.
Correlieu began this year and meets Wednesdays at lunch in room 602. Harrop brings hot dogs to both groups.
Siebert was very moved by the need in Cambodia and hopes someday to visit the country and see for himself the value of the project.
“I’d love to talk to some of the families to know what they’ve been through and the hope the wells would bring,” he said.
Although the need is great in Cambodia, Harrop said the groups will stick with wells and raise as much money as they can for as many wells as possible.
“We’re teaching the students it’s a small world,” he said.
“We’re blessed to live in Canada.”
The students are prepared to work for donations and plan to carry their campaign through until June.
For information about the project or the students, contact Harrop 747-3116.
How can a small group of teens in B.C.’s central interior make a difference in the world?
Bethel Church’s youth pastor Monte Harrop is guiding his dedicated youth group to do just that, bringing wells to families in Cambodia.
But they need the community’s help to raise the money to build the wells.
Harrop knew they needed to go beyond the church’s youth group, so members of the group took the project to their respective high school groups and a friendly rivalry ensued.
Grade 8 QSS student Matt Siebert had doubled his challenge by also assuming the role of leader of the QSS youth group.
“I didn’t know if they would listen to me, but they have,” he said with a humble grin.
Siebert carries strong beliefs in God and worship, but said the school group isn’t about religion, it’s about making a difference in the world.
Harrop said both high school groups draw students from beyond the Bethel Church youth and welcome anyone who wishes to join.
The plight of Cambodians came to light for the students when they heard about money raised to build a well in Ethiopia.
“As a result of that well, a road was built, because of the road, a school was built and because of the school a hospital was built, all in the space of about 18 months,” Harrop said.
“That inspired us to do something. I wanted to show the students they could make a difference and clean water seemed a good place to start.”
They search the Internet and found Hope International, an organization dedicated to working along side the poor, helping set up programs which enable the poor to cultivate their skills and knowledge to develop self-reliant communities.
Its website says HOPE International is motivated by the mandates for justice and compassion as demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ.
In its gift catalogue, Harrop and his enthusiastic youth discovered, for just $500, they could provide a well for a family, but in fact that well would serve several families in a village.
Now, both high school youth groups are busy organizing fundraisers as the goal to raise enough for several wells.
Whenever they have presented their project, Siebert said they’ve received strong support.
Hope International is prepared to send a speaker to the schools to help promote the project.
They know the well will provide much more than clean drinking water. Harrop said it can irrigate crops which will feed the families and maybe even provide a small income for them.
And children who are healthy and full have hope and prosperity.
“We could have done this with the church youth group but felt it would have a bigger impact on the community this way,” Harrop said.
Between the two schools, almost 30 students are involved in fundraising and many of the activities are right within the school. QSS school group has operated Tuesdays during lunch in room 100 for the past three years.
Correlieu began this year and meets Wednesdays at lunch in room 602. Harrop brings hot dogs to both groups.
Siebert was very moved by the need in Cambodia and hopes someday to visit the country and see for himself the value of the project.
“I’d love to talk to some of the families to know what they’ve been through and the hope the wells would bring,” he said.
Although the need is great in Cambodia, Harrop said the groups will stick with wells and raise as much money as they can for as many wells as possible.
“We’re teaching the students it’s a small world,” he said.
“We’re blessed to live in Canada.”
The students are prepared to work for donations and plan to carry their campaign through until June.
For information about the project or the students, contact Harrop 747-3116.
No comments:
Post a Comment