College Nine’s Global Action (CLNI 85) is a 2-unit class offered during winter quarter that allows students to explore the theme of International and Global Perspectives. The four different sections of the class work collaboratively to plan and implement a final project that addresses a relevant international issue. This year, the class worked with the Colleges Nine and Ten Provost Flora Lu to host a fun and educational fundraiser night about indigenous peoples of the northern region of the Amazon in Ecuador. Students wanted to bring awareness of the injustices indigenous communities were facing with oil companies overtaking their lands and poisoning their resources, especially their water sources. 

 

The benefiting organization, Clearwater, works directly with these communities through providing them with water filtration systems. A filtration system costs $1500, which includes all material, transport, labor and maintenance costs. This provides one entire family (3-13 people) with access to clean drinking water for twenty to twenty-five years if well maintained. The goal for the class was to raise enough money to buy one filtration system.

 

The final event “Life for the Amazon” was an enormous success! The event featured educational displays about Amazonian wildlife, the impact of Chevron and other oil companies, and more. There was a display of skulls from several Amazonian animals, fair-trade chocolate tasting, hand-made Waorani crafts being sold, and an Ecuadorian dessert! Through this event and other fundraising efforts throughout the quarter, Global Action raised over $2,000. Great job to all students and facilitators who were part of this amazing experience!