Sirius College students dig deep to build wells

Mariam, Zeynep, Selin, Zeynep, Fatima and Amenah. (Marco De Luca)

A group of Sirius College year 12 students is hoping their fundraising campaign goes very, very well.

Students from the school’s Eastmeadows campus are attempting to raise $10,500 to build two wells in Cambodia and Tanzania.

The students have dubbed their charity effort The Well Project and joined the Australian Relief Organisation, which builds water wells in impoverished countries, for the initiative.

Amenah said the students started their fundraising efforts in year 10, during a humanities class, with the intention of continuing into year 12.

Mariam said that it was an annual tradition at the college for year 12 students to focus on raising funds for a good cause.

“I think it is somewhat ingrained in your school’s culture and our religion, too, to help others in need,” she said.

The students have been running food stalls for their peers, parents and families. Year 7 and 8 students have donated vegetables grown in the school’s garden, and eggs laid by the school’s chickens, to sell.

Fatima said they were planning a  fashion show, involving the whole college, for August.

Selin, who is helping to advertise The Well Project and run its social media, said the students were hoping local businesses would help with donations of food and prizes.

The students said they appreciate the efforts of their teacher, Umran Topcu, in helping them with the project.

Details: instagram.com/wellprojectsc/ or facebook.com/thewellcampaign.sc/

Donations can be made to: BSB 063620, account 10983125, account name The Well Project.