JACKSON, Tenn. — March 20, 2009 — Villagers in Sudan can thank a 51社区 student for supplying them with fresh water.
Joshua Guthrie, a high school sophomore who鈥檚 also dually enrolled at Union, launched a campaign late last year called 鈥淒ollar for a Drink鈥� to raise $8,000 for a freshwater well in Sudan.
His efforts were successful. Guthrie raised more than $11,000 for the project, and the well was recently installed by Baptist Global Response, the group with whom Guthrie worked.
鈥淚t really shows that God can work wonders in ordinary people,鈥� Guthrie said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 taught me that as long as you take that first step and trust in God, then you will get somewhere if it鈥檚 part of his plan.鈥�
Guthrie's well in the Sudanese village will be used by about 6,000 people. Prior to its installation, the villagers often had to walk several hours to get fresh water, Guthrie said.
Since Guthrie raised more than the cost of the well, the extra money will go toward another well that BGR will build. Guthrie said more than 12 million people in Sudan lack adequate access to clean water.
Guthrie said the Rebelution, an organization run by Alex and Brett Harris, played a large role in helping him meet his goal. The Harris brothers promoted the project on their blog and donated $1,000 in matching contributions from their readers.
Guthrie said he will launch another campaign Sept. 1, this time with a goal of $16,000 to fund two wells. Guthrie鈥檚 Web site is .