Spring Break
'Two weeks' group strives for African wells
By: Travis Robinson
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News
"Preventable water-related diseases kill four children every minute," said 1000 Wells TAMU staff member Alyse Bowers. She said that it's such statistics that motivate many to donate.
"Last year, we raised around $2,000, but that was before we had anything really established - before we were an organization," said junior sociology major Bowers.
Being a young organization is the hardest part of fulfilling mission goals, said Co-director Henry Proegler.
"I wouldn't even consider us doing it last year. We were basically organized through Facebook. I think we borrowed a table from another organization in the MSC [for fundraising]," said Proegler, a junior finance major.
He emphasized that $1 will save one life. The 1000 Wells Project has built more than 50 wells to date and 1000 Wells TAMU hopes to add to that.
Proegler said most wells will cost around $2,500, while others can cost up to $25,000. "They'll do whatever it takes to get water [to the location]," he said.
Webber said the purpose of sacrificing everything but water has a two-fold purpose in addition to raising money.
"The purpose of drinking the water is to recognize that this is a necessity that the people in Africa don't have," he said. The impoverished group numbers 1.1 billion, according to 1000 Wells TAMU.
"I would like to think that we'll raise $10,000-$15,000," Proegler said.
But members admit that expectations can sometimes lead to disappointments. The organizations were in talks with Jars of Clay and Matt Kearney to come and perform at A&M. Proegler said both were supportive, but neither worked out because of scheduling conflicts. A benefit concert is on the agenda for 2009.
For 1000 Wells TAMU, raising awareness is as large a focus as money.
"Obviously we still want to raise money, but our focus this year is to raise awareness so that next year it can be bigger," Bowers said.
"We wanted to get as many organizations and as much exposure as possible," Bowers said. "Next year we're hoping to have a benefit concert, speak at Fish Camp and involve companies from the corps. We also want to involve the community - not just A&M."
Organizers also said that they welcome donations. Webber said that most college students have a hard time keeping track of, or giving up, many beverages.
"I'll probably just end up donating what I would give up because I'm addicted to caffeine," Bowers said.
"Last year, we raised around $2,000, but that was before we had anything really established - before we were an organization," said junior sociology major Bowers.
Being a young organization is the hardest part of fulfilling mission goals, said Co-director Henry Proegler.
"I wouldn't even consider us doing it last year. We were basically organized through Facebook. I think we borrowed a table from another organization in the MSC [for fundraising]," said Proegler, a junior finance major.
He emphasized that $1 will save one life. The 1000 Wells Project has built more than 50 wells to date and 1000 Wells TAMU hopes to add to that.
Proegler said most wells will cost around $2,500, while others can cost up to $25,000. "They'll do whatever it takes to get water [to the location]," he said.
Webber said the purpose of sacrificing everything but water has a two-fold purpose in addition to raising money.
"The purpose of drinking the water is to recognize that this is a necessity that the people in Africa don't have," he said. The impoverished group numbers 1.1 billion, according to 1000 Wells TAMU.
"I would like to think that we'll raise $10,000-$15,000," Proegler said.
But members admit that expectations can sometimes lead to disappointments. The organizations were in talks with Jars of Clay and Matt Kearney to come and perform at A&M. Proegler said both were supportive, but neither worked out because of scheduling conflicts. A benefit concert is on the agenda for 2009.
For 1000 Wells TAMU, raising awareness is as large a focus as money.
"Obviously we still want to raise money, but our focus this year is to raise awareness so that next year it can be bigger," Bowers said.
"We wanted to get as many organizations and as much exposure as possible," Bowers said. "Next year we're hoping to have a benefit concert, speak at Fish Camp and involve companies from the corps. We also want to involve the community - not just A&M."
Organizers also said that they welcome donations. Webber said that most college students have a hard time keeping track of, or giving up, many beverages.
"I'll probably just end up donating what I would give up because I'm addicted to caffeine," Bowers said.
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