Indulgent treats are a reminder that many live without access to basic resources

    Several times over the last two weeks, Holyoke’s junior high and high school students enjoyed root beer floats on a hot day — the kind of hot day that makes you glad to have a cold glass of water readily available.
    While many were focused solely on the tasty treats, a few exceptional students had their attention on the fact that there are millions of people worldwide who do not have access to clean water at all. Those students were seeking to make a difference.
    Members of Amber Schroetlin’s transitional English class have spent the semester learning about various issues, such as HIV, poverty and human trafficking. They researched the problems and solutions and presented what they’d found to their classmates. They then voted on one to offer their real, hands-on support.
    The winning project was one that aims to provide clean water in Afghanistan, presented by Daisy Quintana.
    Quintana explained that she was moved when she learned that so many people don’t have access to clean water, a resource easily taken for granted by most. Not having clean water can lead to diseases and deaths that could have easily been prevented.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.