Young Paul, a grade three student in Brockville, Ontario, proves that you’re never too young to share and care about others half a world away. Since 2006 Paul has been collecting change for WaterCan at his family’s annual yard sales. This wonderful tradition began quite by accident when a crock was mistaken for a donation collection jar. Year after year this lovely little crock garnered more and more donations, and this fundraising project was eventually dubbed “The African Well Project”.
Paul’s insatiable curiosity about wells and his growing understanding of their vital, life-giving importance turned Paul into a vocal proponent of WaterCan’s work. His infectious enthusiasm inspired the Anglican Church Women at St. Paul’s Church in Brockville to raise money for WaterCan as well. Together they constructed a model well at the entrance of the church to collect spare change for the “African Well Project.”
Various fundraisers, from fair trade coffee tastings to silent auctions have been hosted in an effort to support WaterCan’s work in eastern Africa. Paul and his friends even had tables at the Anglican Church Women’s Bazaar where they sold articles they had made and received. To date this collaborative project has raised over $3,000— one loonie, one quarter, one penny at a time!
