Dakota Wesleyan Education Students enrolled in Children’s Literature have been learning about culturally inclusive literature and the power of a single story. These future teachers recently participated in a book club with LBW fifth graders. The novel they read was A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, a dual narrative of two children living at different times in South Sudan. The novel centers around the hardships that families in South Sudan face in terms of access to clean water. From this story, a service-learning project was born.

Tressa Wede, DWU Education Department Professor, said, “The DWU/LBW reading partners spearheaded this project. We had a team of students responsible for creating posters and advertising materials, a group that recorded public service announcements and a podcast, and another team wrote the school announcements and newsletter article”.

Students planned and organized a coin drive to run prior to their “Walk for Water” event Dec. 8th. Carrying gallons of water, this group plans to walk 3 miles total around the DWU Fieldhouse indoor track. They hope to simulate the daily trek that students in South Sudan and other countries must make to bring water to their family. Students decided all money collected through coin donations will be sent to South Sudan School in conjunction with H2O for Life.

“The collaboration and teamwork that evolved through this service-learning project was unparalleled and I think all involved have learned invaluable lessons as well as the power of a story,” said Wede.

– Submitted by Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD