Academic Spotlight: 16-year-old wants clean water for birthday

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Luke LaDeur is asking friends and family to make donations rather than buy birthday gifts for him this year. | Submitted

Updated: January 26, 2012 8:11AM

Sixteen-year-old Luke LaDeur is hoping for the “ultimate” birthday gift. And if things go as planned, he’ll get his wish in January.

“This year, I want to make my birthday matter,” LaDeur said. “My birthday wish is not for more gifts I don’t need; it’s to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion people living without it.”

After receiving an assignment in his American studies course, the junior from Naperville North High School became passionate about water conservation. He read “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It,” a book by Robert Glennon, and decided to use his birthday as a platform to raise funds and awareness about the world’s water supply.

“All of my birthdays have always been about stuff,” he said. “Stuff I don’t want, stuff I definitely don’t need. And to be honest, I hardly even remember what I got last year.”

The teenager created a website, www.mycharitywater.org/lukeladeur, and hopes to raise at least $500 for the cause.

“Instead of asking for gifts, I’m asking for $10 or more from everyone I know,” LaDeur said. “All of the money will go to build freshwater projects for people in developing countries.”

North teacher Dan Iverson said LaDeur’s mission began while studying their unit on social activism.

“In the unit, we study those throughout U.S. history whose efforts were aimed at correcting wrongs and allowing our society to progress in the form of civil and human rights,” Iverson said. “We also have the kids engage in an individual project where they choose an issue they’re concerned about, research it, and devise a plan to engage in some activism of their own that they believe will make a positive impact.”

Iverson said LaDeur’s project is a good example of how students can make a difference.

“The project is fairly involved and lasts a couple of months,” the teacher said. “Luke’s project is an excellent one. It’s always fun to see what the kids come up with as they do their research and then apply their imaginations to possible solutions.”

Debbie LaDeur said her son’s class assignment turned into a real life lesson that inspired change.

“I really hope Luke can see what a difference he can make in the world by his passion to help others,” she said. “To know you can do this at 16 is so powerful for anyone’s spirit and drive. He truly has gained so much already.”

The North student said, through his fundraising efforts, 100 percent of all donations will go directly toward water projects. About 18 months after the campaign ends, the organization will show where and how every dollar raised was used to help.

“Almost a billion people in the world are living without clean water, but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water,” he said. “About 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won’t, but still have to walk hours each day to get dirty water for their families.”

On Jan. 18, LeDeur will turn 17. He will have many reasons to celebrate.