Due to increased rate of dumping of dirt in the Community Rivers, students should carry out a river clean-up project (Crews, 2002). This involves removal of the solid waste dumped in the water and purification of the already dissolved materials (Crews, 2002).
Community clean up will also be included in the project, whereby students will divide themselves into different groups that will survey around the community cleaning up areas already infested by the shrubs.
It is also necessary for students to prepare for the procedures and the activities to be carried out prior to the project. Such activities include a public survey of the whole community, meeting for discussions and planning of schedules (Belton, 2010).
A map of the area should also be obtained, and the students should determine how to maneuver around the place. Students are to divide themselves into different groups, with each one having its leader to care the burden of care and control.
The project will also involve education of society on the necessary measures in order to reduce disposal of wastes in the river (Crews, 2002).
Thus, the students will have to perfect their communication skills prior to the event. Some of the projects that the organization has been involved in include:
- control of the buckthorn shrub,
- a fundraising project to provide books to the unfortunate students,
- clean up of the local lake.
The students were carrying out these projects with minimal supervision, and there was no follow up conducted to determine whether the stated objectives had been achieved, or whether any problems had been encountered in the project.
However, in this case, students will be working with professionals and advised on how to minimize on resources which are required in carrying out the project.
As a result, efforts will be made to ensure benefits will be maximized. Unlike in the previous projects where students have worked together as one, this project will require students to split into groups and work in teams (Crews, 2002).
This is because the river is quite wide and long. In order to undertake the work effectively, students can do so in groups.
One of the missions of the University is to support the community by collaborating in activities that provide compassionate care to the ill and needy, and maintain and improve the quality of life for all the persons.
This just agrees with the objective of this project, which is to improve the sanitation of the community by cleaning up the river. Thereby, through carrying out this project, the university achieve one of its missions (Crews, 2002).
Every project has its own challenges, and it is supposed that students will manage them effectively. Challenges, such as transportation as well as dealing with weather difficulties, will be met by using the available technologies as well as remaining patient (Crews, 2002).
The project will need a timeline of about a month to complete all the preparations required and carry it out (Calhoun, 2005).
During this period, students will also prepare the documents necessary for the project, including any note required for the community education.
Students will also carry out a research on areas of importance, such as other methods of wastes’ disposal (Crews, 2002). This activity will require very few expenses since materials needed to be implemented in the process are very few.
The only expenses on the project will include purchase of tools and equipment, such as rakes, spades, gumboots, and plastic bags required for the activity.
Other costs may include purchase of research materials and writing materials. Students may also decide to buy treatment chemicals if the river water is to be cleaned (Belton, 2010).
The proposed service-learning project does not involve a collaboration of various University entities as it is only for the students of Saint-Louis University. No other University entities will take part in the project (Swayne, 2006).
Efficacy refers to measuring item’s or project’s ability to produce the desired effects. Recently, water pollution has become a major contributor to a wide range of health problems and disorders in humans (Calhoun, 2005).
It has been documented to have serious negative impacts on wild animals, plants, and organisms living in these bodies of water, and the environment at large (Tripathi & Pandey, 1990).
The effect is negative not only to individual species but also to the natural biological communities. Consumption of this contaminated water can pose health dangers to humans, especially to those who are exposed to it, either directly or indirectly.
The usefulness of such a project is very advantageous considering the fact that water pollution has been categorized as a leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases. In addition, it accounts for deaths of more than 14000 people daily (Stewart & Webster, 2011).
Therefore, the project will reduce sicknesses and diseases, which trims down the mortality rate in the end. It will also help in ensuring that this water is safe for both human and animal consumption.
References
Belton, J. T. (2010). Protecting New Jersey’s Environment. New York: Rutgers University Press.
Calhoun, Y. (2005). Water Pollution. London: Chelsea House Publishers.
Crews, J.R. (2002). Higher Education Service-Learning Sourcebook. London: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Stewart, T. & Webster N. (2011).Problematizing Service-Learning: Critical Reflections for Development and Action. New York: IAP.
Swayne, L. E. (2006). Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Tripathi, A. K. & Pandey, S. N (1990). Water Pollution. Washington, DC:APH Publishing.