RFHS senior says ‘Doing (Well)’ will help others
“Everyone needs to have water,” says 12th-grader Kayla Rohl with conviction. “It’s a basic necessity.”
- Kayla Rohl
“Everyone needs to have water,” says 12th-grader Kayla Rohl with conviction. “It’s a basic necessity.”
Many other people in the world probably agree with Rohl, especially those who do not have access to clean, safe drinking water.
But not everyone is taking time to ensure or provide the precious liquid needed for survival.
That’s why Rohl has decided to do something about the ongoing problem that affects so many of Earth’s inhabitants — 884 million people worldwide at last count.
Last summer Rohl launched a fundraising effort she calls “Doing (Well).” She’s been selling water bottles to raise $5,000 to build a well.
All the money Rohl collects goes to an organization called Charity: Water, a nonprofit that brings clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
Charity: Water works with countries with the most need, partnering with small businesses in the area, and builds the well. The $5,000 will fund a well for a village with 250-plus people.
Some of the developing nations include: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, and others.
What prompted the young town of Kinnickinnic resident to take on the project?
Rohl said while surfing the Internet last June, she came across a site that focused on the lack of clean drinking water in some countries and the lack’s dire affects.
These facts disturbed her: One in eight people in the world doesn’t have clean drinking water; every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease; at any instant, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied with people suffering from diseases associated with the lack of safe water, poor sanitation and poor hygiene; in Africa alone, people waste 40 billion hours a year walking to get water that might not even be safe.
Rohl said, “Doing (Well) was started with the hopes of raising enough money to sponsor a well in an underdeveloped country. By funding a well, the people there will gain access to clean, safe drinking water without having to walk miles to get even dirty water.”
Upon reading about the world’s water crisis, Rohl decided to take action.
“I couldn’t believe there were so many people who didn’t have safe drinking water,” said the astonished teen.
Rohl says the whole experience was eye-opening. She’s learned a lot and has kept track in a large notebook what she’s encountered so far.
With the help of her family, which consists of mom, Sheila Rohl; dad, Chris Rohl; two older brothers and one younger sister; and her friends, she’s accomplished much.
Together they found a company that would manufacture the water bottles Rohl sells. Her parents provided the financial backing she needed in order to buy the bottles.
A logo that includes an old-fashioned water pump and the words “Doing (Well)” was designed, as was the bottle itself, which displays the logo. She now offers three different styles of bottles that sell for $10 each.
Rohl developed and created her own website, a first-time challenge for her. To access the site, go to www.doingwell2dowell.com. She also designed an informational flyer to help promote the project.
A T-shirt was designed with the Doing (Well) logo on the front and words explaining a world water fact on the back that encourages others to help.
With the help of one of her brothers, she wrote letters to area businesses and companies soliciting funds they would like to contribute.
Rohl’s sister began selling the bottles at her softball tournament, and Rohl began selling the bottles at RFHS, where she’s had the best success. She also has plans to sell the bottles at different locations in River Falls.
Rohl said she made sure to research income tax policies to be sure she would not break any laws. She was happy to learn she was doing all procedures correctly.
And she’s grateful for the help she’s received. “The whole family got involved,” she said.
If the name Kayla Rohl sounds familiar, it may be because Journal readers would have seen it in recent issues about the high school gymnastic team’s accomplishments at regional and state competitions.
Rohl was a member of the team during the last four years. She began her interest in the sport of gymnastics during the fourth grade and has been at it ever since.
In addition to the work she’s put into Doing (Well) and her contributions to the gymnastics team, Rohl has been busy in other sports as well. She’s taken part in track, volleyball and diving.
One would think Rohl might be looking forward to furthering her education in an area related to sports or some type of international study. Guess again. Rohl says she’s planning to begin a pre-med major after she graduates this year. Her specialty might be hematology.
“I like science,” she said, when asked why she’s chosen pre-med.
To date Rohl has sold about 115 bottles. At $10 a piece, she has a way to go to reach the $5,000 mark. Rohl would appreciate help in achieving that goal.
Persons interested in buying a Doing (Well) bottle or donating money for the cause can e-mail her at rohl.kayla@gmail.com or go to her website, www.doingwell2dowell.com
To learn more about the Charity: Water organization, go to: www.charitywater.org
Tags: education, k12, food, environment
RSS Feeds