Sequim High students met Friday, Dec. 11, to pool their funds and plan to spread the “Advent Conspiracy” among their friends. Mallory Maloney holds a $10 bill, representing the cost of providing one child with clean water for life. His co-conspirators are, from left, Hannah Apelt, Anthony Ignagni, David Lopes, Audrey Lichten, Quinn O’Neil, Sarah Berkes, Mackenzie Grinnell, Georgia Williams, Chris Lopes, David Richards and Spencer Chisnall.

High school youths at Dungeness Community Church believe that Christmas still can change the world, and they have partnered with the Advent Conspiracy (www.AdventConspiracy.org) to celebrate Christmas by raising money to build wells in countries where clean water is unavailable.

"More people die from lack of clean water than all the natural disasters," said David Lopes, a senior at

Sequim High and leader in the church's youth group.

"Ten dollars gives a child a lifetime supply of water."

According to the Advent Conspiracy Web site, more than 3,900 children die each day from water-borne illnesses that are preventable when a clean water source is available.

Raised $800 in '08

Last year the DCC youth group raised $800, according to Mallory Maloney, a Sequim junior. This year, he said,

"Our goal is just to get as many people involved as we can."

The teens have presented a promotional video to their own church and are encouraging their friends at school to contribute to the life-giving water project.

Each interested student gives money and asks friends to participate, too. Collection containers will be placed in classrooms for donations. They also are promoting their cause in newspapers and on radio to invite the public to participate.

Grass-roots effort

The Advent Conspiracy is a grass-roots movement with more than 1,000 churches in 17 countries participating as co-conspirators. In addition to supporting the drilling of wells, they encourage congregations to think of meaningful acts of kindness as an option to replace traditional gifts.

"This is a different way to celebrate," said Hannah Apelt, a sophomore at Sequim High.

Last year through Advent Conspiracy, $3 million was raised for relief projects providing clean water and medical attention in needy communities around the world.

For additional local information about the project, contact DCC youth pastor Wayne Yamamoto at 683-7333 or 461-3887.

Reach Sandra Frykholm at sandralfrykholm@olypen.com.