|
In January 2008, CLP was contacted by a Boone County organization concerning a lack of safe drinking water in several communities of that area. As we investigated the situation, we discovered that there are several unresolved issues there: possible mine contamination, straight-pipe drainage conditions, severe poverty, and lack of public water infrastructure.
Now with the help of several partnerships, CLP has designed a project to help address the issues and to provide our synod’s youth with a strong learning/service opportunity. LYO in the FLOW brought a group of concerned youth from around the WV- W MD Synod to Charleston and Boone County WV for a Water Weekend, March 27, 28, 29, 2009. During this weekend, the youth and their chaperones camped out at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Charleston, traveled to Boone County, learned about these community issues through panel discussion, carried gallons of drinking water to families in need, and participated in other learning activities that address water quality issues in our region.
The partners in this project included the communities of Boone County, WV Commission for National & Community Service, the Lutheran Youth Organization of the WV- W MD Synod, Coal River Mountain Watch, Big Laurel Learning Center, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, and the Charleston Area Youth Environmental Network. CLP was awarded a Service Learning Grant to help cover costs of travel, activities, and water for the communities involved in this project.
While this is a very short term response to a great need in southern WV, CLP is proud to be able to assist in some manner. We also believe that the education that was provided during this adventure will help youth and adults better understand the complex issues surrounding community and industrial water, and the importance of clean water for our future.
|
