Sports, the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter followers, final examinations and summer activities might be what most 12 to 14 year olds have on their plates. For Mt. Laurel resident Matt Buchan and his friends Zach Spuler (Marlton), Jonmarc Rayesky (Medford) and Connor Hunt (Haddon Heights), raising $10,000 to drill a water well in Nepal changed their views of the outside world.
Joe Rayesky, Kevin Hunt and Bob Buchan own Granite Transformations in West Berlin.
“The boys know each other from birth,” Bob said, adding they also attend the same church as Paul Spuler and his son, Zach. The boys and their dads read “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations,” by Alex and Brett Harris.
The book’s story about teenagers rebelling against low expectations adults have for them inspired the group of fathers to challenge their sons.
“As a culture, we don’t place a whole lot of exceptions on what kids can do . . . If they just stay out of trouble we are happy,” Bob said. “This book is great for exploiting those myths.”
The group, Strength in Numbers, has raised more than $2,000 toward drilling a well. The boys have until June 11 to raise $8,000.
“If they don’t get it, they will still take whatever we raise,” Bob said, adding they are working with Charity: Water — a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.
Matt said this is the first time he has ever worked on a fundraising or volunteer project.
“I think this is really cool, what we are going,” Matt said, adding he would like to get involved in more projects after the Strength in Numbers project is complete.
Matt said this project opened his eyes to take advantage of simple necessities.
“The water they have now is filled with bacteria,” Matt said.
Disease, brought on by unsafe water, kills more people than violence ever year. Improving sanitation, hygiene and water supply can prevent more than 3.6 percent of global disease, according to World Health Organization.
Bob said the project would not only provide drinking water to the community in Nepal, it would provide some with jobs monitoring and helping dig the well. The boys are trying to raise money through car washes, a community yard sale and Chick-fil-A fundraisers.
They have also received donations from local businesses. Bob said they have received some results by using Facebook and other social media sites. They are trying to reach out as far as they can. Matt said there would be a car wash at the Sovereign Grace Church to help raise money for the organization. Some of the kids from the church’s youth group will also be there to help with Strength in Numbers’ initiative.
Bob said everyone could get involved in a project such as this one. It’s not a project for fathers and their sons to spearhead. Any parent can do this with their kids. It would help challenge kids and possibly eliminate the low expectations most adults have for them, he said.
“I think it’s really helped me be more confident. It’s made me really think about other people in other nations. Usually, I think about my day-to-day,” Matt said.
On April 26 and May 23 from 4 to 9 p.m. Strength in Numbers is having a fundraiser at Chick-fil-A, 220 Route 73 North in Marlton. Present the group’s flyer when making a purchase. For more information, to make a donation, to find out about more fundraising events or to download the flyer, visit www.my.charitywater.org/strengthinnumbers.
