The seventh-grade class in Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Maple Shade, has been focusing its energies on a cause much greater than the school community itself.

Motivated to assist those in the world without access to clean water, the class has mobilized to try to reach its goal of raising $1,500 to benefit a school with some 660 students in Uganda.

The service project was inspired through Ryan’s Well Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to raise funds for water projects to deliver clean, safe drinking water to developing countries.

“Ryan’s Well is a great organization and our students are very excited to be a part of the fundraising effort,” said Lynda Martin, the school’s marketing director. “They were fortunate to have an opportunity to Skype with the founder of the organization and ask him questions about the project.”

The foundation works to bring clean water and sanitation pumps to those who lack access to the amenity, and the organization was itself inspired by the drive of a young boy, Ryan Hreljac. According to the organization’s website, he learned of the need of water access in developing countries when he was in first grade. Inspired to help, the young man raised money from friends, family members and the local community until he was able to help fund the building of a well in Africa.

Ryan’s Well Foundation, according to its site, was founded in 2001, and has since supported roughly 900 water projects and 1,120 latrines that have brought safe water and enhanced sanitation to more than 825,000 people globally.

The involvement of students in Our Lady of Perpetual Help School came about through the Ryan’s Well school challenge program, through which students launch fundraising efforts while the organization provides them with photos, stories and other updates as to the progress of the water project they are supporting.

According to the foundation’s website, “the work of Ryan’s Well has become the story of countless people, young and old, from across the world who are inspired to take responsibility and make a difference either in their own communities, or like Ryan, in faraway places. Ryan’s story has made people realize that anyone, even kids in grade one, can make a difference.”

Martin said that the students are continuing in their efforts to meet their fundraising goals. Those who wish to learn more, and perhaps make a donation of their own, can visit http://bburlage.wix.com/olph7cleanwater.