CANTON, Mass. — Fifth-grade students at the John F. Kennedy School in Canton raised $8,000 over seven years to fund a water well for a village in Malawi.
This fundraising effort, which ran from 2018 to 2025, now provides a permanent water source for a community located approximately 8,000 miles away from Massachusetts.
The project was led by teacher Kerry Griffin and supported by several years of fifth-grade classes.
An $8,000 donation was made to the nonprofit organization Water Wells for Africa to construct the well in a remote, rural area that previously lacked access to clean drinking water.
The fundraiser was integrated into the school’s science curriculum, where students learn about the water cycle, filtration, and groundwater.
“As an educator, it’s really moving for me to watch the curriculum in our classroom come alive with this Water Wells to Africa organization,” said Griffin.
To raise money, students collected rainwater from the school roof, filtered it, and used it to create tie-dyed shirts to sell. They also raised funds by selling lemonade during the school day.
Griffin’s fundraising was a significant challenge for the students.
“We knew that $8,000 was necessary to build a water well in a rural, remote, hard-to-reach community in Africa,” Griffin said. “We knew that the $8000 was a stretch because it is a completely student-driven fundraiser.”
Griffin emphasized that the project helped students appreciate resources they often overlook.
“I don’t think students think about the fact we have access to clean drinking water,” Griffin said. “I think that it is something that we take for granted and don’t realize that there are people in this world that don’t have access to clean, drinking water.”
The first students to participate in the program are now seniors at Canton High School.
Tony Sfeir, a former fifth-grade student, recalled the early stages of the project. “Just to know, though, that we’re going to do a project that’s going to help them in their community, it sounded really awesome, and we were excited for sure.”
Other students believe the experience broadened their perspective.
Veronica Lykov said the project helped her look beyond her own life in Canton.
Kate Budway noted that by highlighting global hardships, the project “definitely brought to light all the different circumstances and issues that people are dealing with, like this is something I never would have expected someone to have to go through.”
Since the well was installed, the Malawi village has seen a reduction in waterborne illnesses and an increase in local gardening.
Brittany Harris, a representative for Water Wells for Africa, attended a dedication ceremony for the new well, noting access to clean water improved school performance and reduced absenteeism.
Students used to leave class and walk a long distance to a river to get water.
To the students back in Canton, Harris said: “I want you to know you are making a difference to all these kids here.”
Water Wells for Africa placed a plaque honoring the John F. Kennedy school at the well.
Griffin is currently researching new project ideas for her students. She noted that because the well fundraiser was so popular, the school may repeat the effort in the future.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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