Students launch Wells Project at ’SC

For the next 10 days, more than 200 USC students will drink only tap water as they participate in the Wells Project.

The money saved from not drinking other beverages will be donated to Rwandan communities to provide clean, safe water through Living Water International.

Water · Funds raised by the Wells Project finance the construction of wells throughout Africa. This well was built in a Ghana village. - Photo courtesy of Living Water International

The Wells Project, founded at Texas A&M University in 2007, was created to give college students an opportunity to improve the water crisis in Africa. The Wells Project has since partnered with Living Water International, an organization founded in 1990 devoted to providing potable water sources to African villages; the organization has established 30 chapters at universities throughout the nation.

Lindsey Caldwell, co-founder of USC’s Well Project, said USC’s chapter’s goal is to involve the entire campus in the 10-day event.

“We all agreed we wanted the Wells Project to unite the campus, not segregate or become an exclusive organization,” Caldwell said in an email. “As we are starting out, we have everyone from engineering students to Greek students to athletes.”

Different chapters each made a video to promote the project this year, and junior quarterback Matt Barkley represented USC.

USC Wells Project has set a goal of raising $10,000 this year, and 100 percent of funds will go toward the construction of wells in Rwanda.

Living Water International will drill wells in Rwanda with the funds raised and participants will receive a Wells Report that includes pictures and statistical information about the wells. The report will include coordinates so that participants can view the well through Google Earth.

Caldwell said she founded the USC chapter of Wells Project after hearing about the program’s successes elsewhere and decided to bring the project to USC to raise awareness of the international water shortage and provide a platform for students to help solve the problem.

“I heard about the camaraderie it brought to the campus and the sheer joy the members had when they reached their fundraising goals,” Caldwell said. “I wanted that for USC. I wanted students to feel like they were making a difference, [and could] unite campus and help change the world.”

Lainey Barkley, a sophomore majoring in human performance and a participant in the project, said she chose to take part in the Wells Project because it helps solve a severe global issue.

“By giving up something that is not a necessity in my life, I am being a part of bringing a necessity to someone else,” Barkley said. “It is also a good reminder, each time I deny myself a drink I want, that I have been given all I need and have everything to be grateful for.”

Heidi Ippolito, a senior majoring in cinema television and critical studies and a project participant, said it will be difficult to give up other beverages, but she is confident the project will have a positive impact on her life.

“Missing my daily coffee and tea will certainly be a challenge, but it is a challenge that I hope will remind me of my own blessings,” Ippolito said.

The Wells Project will set up information tables on Trousdale Parkway today and Wednesday. Participants will be selling shirts and food items and giving away wristbands and fliers. Participants also plan to raise awareness by carrying five-gallon jugs in a water walk from the Finger Fountain to the statue of Traveler.