Pump It Up: Students Speak Out on the Need for Action

We asked Scarsdale Human Rights Club members to tell us about their experiences raising awareness for the water crisis in Africa. Here's what they had to say:

"I constantly am reminded of the atrocities that are occurring throughout the world, and I think that it is the duty of the student to help raise awareness and money to combat these issues."
-- Ethan Gottlieb, 13

"The feeling I got after we were done with our project for PlayPumps was amazing. I knew I had helped make someone somewhere happy, and maybe even could have saved a life. I showed myself that I could make a difference, which really kicked up my self-confidence, and I'm really excited to take another step forward and help raise more and more money."
-- Idil Baysal, 14

"I did doubt the idea of forming our own pump in school, and letting the kids pay for their own rides. I thought that many kids would be embarrassed or have no money with them to participate. I guess I was wrong. Extremely wrong."
-- Hannah DeBear, 14

"Making a difference in the world may seem like an enormous, impossible goal, but where would the world be today if goals such as these hadn't been accomplished in the past? They are possible."
-- Julia Hirsch, 13

"I hope that supporting PlayPumps will give more kids a chance for education, and make peoples' lives easier. I hope I can change the lives of people in a positive way, even if it's only one person, one family, or one village."
-- Nicole Chi, 13

This one event that I have already participated in has inspired me so much. ...If this was only the beginning, I cannot imagine how much more we can do together."
-- Ilona Balagula, 13

"My experience with the Human Rights Club has made me feel like I can help make the world a better place, because when I'm in the club I am making the world a better place and not just thinking about it and saying I'll do it someday. By taking action like this...it will help me prepare for helping the world out more, when I'm an adult, such as by organizing fundraisers, going to different places around the world to help first-hand, and much, much more."
-- Alex Fang, 13

"It feels rewarding and amazing to help other kids who don't have the same opportunities as me. ...I hope that my support of PlayPumps will help achieve better lives for children in Africa who aren't lucky enough to have clean water. I hope that children will have a chance to be children."
-- Micol Linfield, 14

"As an individual, it is somewhat hard to make a considerable positive impact. The success of this activity has made it clear that now, with the support of the Club, we can make a visible impact. Assuming we reach our goal of purchasing an entire pump, we know that we have made a lasting impact on a village in Africa, and that we have improved the life of a fellow human being, and improved the world."
-- Scott Jacobson, 13

"If the world needs help I know there is always something I could do to make the problems go away. I know I can make the world a better place."
-- Sara Mourabe, 13