GOFFSTOWN — When Maple Avenue Elementary School music teacher Derrick Landano traveled to Haiti in February, one of the incidents that touched him the most occurred when he visited a school.

Landano had traveled to the country, ravaged by an earthquake in 2010, with a group of fellow teachers. The group brought an entire string orchestra with them to teach local children about music.

“I had a bottle of water with about an inch left in it, and the kids were just begging me for it,” Landano said. “It was one of the hardest parts of being there.”

When he got back to Goffstown, he shared with students stories about his trip, and mentioned the water bottle and how hard it was for Haitian children to find something as simple as a drink of clean water.

Landano's story affected fourth-grade student Lee Sperry in particular.

“It kind made me feel guilty, and a little bit sad,” Sperry said. “We, in America, take water for granted. We even have waterslides, and kids in Haiti can't brush their teeth with clean water.”

Sperry began to raise money so that water filtration systems could be installed in the school Landano visited. He asked family members to make a donation to his cause instead of giving him birthday gifts, and sent a letter to all of the Maple Avenue staff asking them to make donations as well.

Sperry raised about $625, Landano said, which was enough for systems in two Haitian schools, serving upwards of 1,000 children.

For about $300, the schools will have the system installed and will be trained on how to use it.

Landano was impressed by Sperry's efforts.

“It was incredible, especially for a fourth-grader,” Landano said. “I was totally blown away for him to take such initiative.”

The effort doesn't surprise Sperry's mother, Dana Seeley.

For Christmas, Seeley said, Sperry normally asks for donations to the local food pantry in lieu of some of his presents.

“He's a pretty thoughtful kid,” Seeley said. “He cares a lot about other people.”

Steeley credits the Maple Avenue's supportive school environment with encouraging the philanthropy of students.

Seeley said she knew that Sperry was raising money for Haiti, but was not aware of the letter he wrote to the school staff.

Landano, who helped Sperry write the staff letter, said he followed up repeatedly with teachers.

“He was adamant about collecting the donations,” Landano said.

Sperry said he hopes that other kids and parents see what he is trying to do and keep the effort going.

“Maybe they'll see this and want to help, too,” he said.

Sperry said he's glad to know that his efforts will help to make a difference a half a world away.

“It kind of feels good knowing that thousands of kids will be happy,” he said.

kremillard@newstote.com