Marian Catholic preachers sponsor well construction

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Marian Catholic Dominican Preachers (from left) Deana Williams, Gianna Patrizi, Trevor Thompkins and Kelsey Tierney hold one of the collection vessels used in their fundraising effort. | Supplied Photo

Updated: December 14, 2011 8:05AM

Marian Catholic High School Dominican Preachers recently attended the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference in Adrian, Mich.

As a result, the students started the “Clean Water Makes Cents!” project.

“Some of our time was spent learning about social justice,” said Dominican Preacher Gianna Patrizi, of Orland Park. “After seeing a presentation on the lack of clean water at Our Lady of Grace Dominican School in Kisumu, Kenya, we made it our goal to help sponsor the construction of a well there.”

“Along with several other Dominican high schools across the nation, we are trying to raise money for our brothers and sisters in Kenya,” said Dominican Preacher Deana Williams, of Park Forest. “The urgency of this project has accelerated as we have received word that the only source of water for the school is not functioning.”

“The students must search for a source of water at the beginning of each day,” said Dominican Preacher Trevor Thompkins, of Olympia Fields. “They cannot afford to buy water or have it hauled to them by trucks.”

A wishing well in front of the main office received donations from students, faculty and staff. The students also collected outside the entrance to the Leadership Center during lunch periods.

“The Marian Catholic community really came through for the first phase of this effort,” said Dominican Preacher Kelsey Tierney, of Tinley Park.

The funds pooled from among the American Dominican high schools throughout the year will help students halfway around the world receive one of the basic necessities of life: clean water.