ADAM GREENBERG
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"Thirsty kids? Not on my watch."

6/2/2014

2 Comments

 
Today at school, a student in one of my classes was apparently very thirsty. 

Those of you who know me well, know I love two things when it comes to food:

  1. Bread.
  2. And water.

I'm a simple man.

I mean, she was really thirsty.
This girl's small bottle was upside down for at least 15 noticeable minutes (of only a 40 minute period), as she insatiably got what little she could from a lone ice cube melting way too slowly.

I felt bad for her.

(As I gulped from my own water bottle.)
Hey, she made me thirsty.

As her class participation was concerned, this was nothing short of that classic example we're all familiar with - the kid who does poorly in school because he can't concentrate for lack of adequate care to his aching tooth.

That she had a water bottle at all was striking to me. Generally, I've noticed most people don't drink nearly as much water as I do. Here in Korea though, it seems remarkably so. 

Koreans don't ever drink water.

When I ask how they are, "How are you today?"
sometimes students say, "Teacher, I'm thirsty." 
I say, "Go get some water."

But I know they won't. 
They don't ever go get some water.

Though I've heard different from a few friends at other schools, in both of my elementary schools there are no drinking fountains in the hallways. 

Actually, drinking water for students (and teachers) is rather inaccessible. The only place to fill up is in the cafeteria, the doors of which are locked around 3 PM, before school ends 1.5 hours later. 

Why?
For me, my routine is to make the journey from the lone back door through the cafeteria's kitchen - nods, smiles and surface-level "hellos" included, as the lunch ladies dry utensils from the day's lunch.

It's awkward. 
But my thirst propels me forward.

I digress.

I gave her water.

I wanted to give them all water.
I realized today, I want to give all children water.

I didn't want to make a scene of it, so I thought I'd discreetly take her empty bottle to the back of the room to fill it from mine; but she resisted and I couldn't communicate my intention without drawing further classroom attention to the bumbling.

I gave up and walked the room, joining in on the chant my co-teacher was leading, "Pencil-case. Pencil-case. It's my pencil-case."

Another minute of ice rattling against plastic.

I'm gonna do it this time. I opened my bottle at her desk and poured a lid-full into hers. She downed it.

I walked to the back of the room. 

A boy stretches his bottle toward me.

Reminds me of Burning Man 2008, when I spent the better part of four hours asking strangers if they were sufficiently hydrated and offering them water - a certain rarity in the desert of Black Rock City, Nevada.

For a few years now, I've thought I want to be involved in the issue of clean and accessible drinking water around the world. 

Surely, our next world wars will be fought over access to clean and affordable drinking water.

Sadly.

CORRECTION: Just learned one of my schools does indeed have water fountains on every other floor.




AdamGreenberg.com is the official website of some guy by the same name. Thanks for being here.

Adam's grateful his 20s were a debt-free decade traveling with intention through work with meaning.
Some of that work includes TOMS, The White House, teaching abroad, experimenting with art and business in the Gift Economy, and two proud terms of national service with AmeriCorps.
We have got to reform student loan debt for all.
2 Comments
Nikita Shiel-Rolle link
6/3/2014 06:16:20

Adam,
This was a great read. A really important issue. It is so easy to forget the importance of water and also how difficult it can be for many to access clean drinking water. I support the effort and would love to assist in any way that I can. Keep it up. Cheers to clean drinking water and quenched thirst!
-Nikita

Reply
Adam link
6/3/2014 12:25:24

Thanks Nikita,

Great to hear from you. Stay in touch.


Adam

Reply



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  • Hi, I'm Adam
    • ID >
      • Two Poems
      • Computer Drawn Art
      • SCUBA diving
      • Korean Ice Cream Review
      • Last Night's Dream
    • EGO >
      • A Bio-Story
      • Resume
      • What Others Say
      • "Ew, Baby Pictures"
      • Fun with facial hair
    • Issues >
      • Debt-Free Education >
        • Learn for Free >
          • Khan Academy
          • Coursera
          • MIT Open Courseware
          • Skillshare
          • Udemy
          • Highbrow
        • Earn Scholarships
      • National Service
      • Election Reform
      • Retire the Penny
      • Universal Basic Income
      • Net Neutrality
      • DVORAK vs QWERTY
      • Senior Citizen Driving Exam
      • Art + Creativity
    • Speaking
    • Subscribe
    • Search
    • Contact Adam
  • Work with Meaning
    • Alternative Business Models >
      • TOMS | One for One
      • iPhone Screen Repair | Name Your Own Price
      • "Adam, I Need A Website" | The Gift Economy
    • National Service >
      • Peace Corps Volunteer 2022-23
      • Peace Corps Volunteer 2018-20 >
        • HIV+ Positive Voices: Worldwide
      • AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader 2011-12
      • AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Member 2007-08
    • Leadership in Community >
      • Successfully campaigned for Emergency Window Hammers on Buses in South Korea
      • Started "AmeriCorps Alums" Kiva.org group lending $30,000+
      • I.M.P.A.C.T. Leadership 2007
      • S.T.R.I.V.E. Mentor 2006
    • Environmental Stewardship >
      • The Obama White House Council on Environmental Quality Intern 2009
      • BioTour on the 2008 Campaign Trail
      • aRc of Montara
      • Founded #CleanGwangju
    • Outdoor Education >
      • National Outdoor Leadership School Alumni 2016
      • Rocks + Ropes Facilitator 2011
    • Teaching Abroad >
      • Teaching English in South Korea
    • Activism >
      • PolitiCorps Fellow 2009
      • Young People For Fellow 2007
    • Work with Me >
      • Adam's Edits
  • Travel with Intention
    • And on a Budget >
      • Full-Time Travel on $15 a day
      • Budget Travel Tips
      • More Resources + Recommendations
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    • Tonight's Watercolor!
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      • Latest: #SydNYE 2017
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          • Malawi
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      • BioTour on the 2008 Campaign Trail
      • Skydiving
      • Free 7-Eleven Slurpee Day!
      • Denver 9 News Interview re: Tonight's Watercolor
    • Podcasts >
      • Adam's Interviews
      • HIV+ Positive Voices: Worldwide
    • Music
    • Korean Students' Drawings of Teacher
    • Early Published Works
    • Books on my Shelf
    • Motivating Quotes
    • Press
    • Published Articles
    • My Upcoming Book
  • Blog