While Southland youth enjoy the waning days of summer at community pools or the Disney water park, some teens have discovered that the water they share with others can save a life.

That's why as August temperatures rise into the 100s at California's El Centro Desert, members and supporters of Jovenes, Inc. delivered about 2,000 gallons of water into blue barrels scattered throughout the desert Aug. 21. Blue flags placed inside the barrels help migrant walkers crossing the perilous California-Mexican border locate life-saving water sources.

"We are bringing the sacred scriptures alive," said Claretian Father Richard Estrada, director of Jovenes' outreach to homeless youth, in reference to Christ's call in Matthew 25 to offer water to those in need.

According to Jovenes, about 350 people have died in the California, Texas and Arizona deserts, largely because of the heat. Estimates are that some 2,000 have lost their lives since 1998. The most vulnerable are children, the elderly and the injured.

During an Aug. 20 press conference Margarita Gomez, 20, talked about an earlier youth trek to an Arizona desert during which she discovered a woman with a twisted ankle who had been wandering in the desert for three days. She had left her children in Mexico to earn money for them in the U.S.

Admittedly, delivering water to migrants risking their lives in order to enter the country illegally is controversial.

But Father Estrada emphasized that he and Jovenes Inc. do not support illegal immigration. Their aim is to save lives.

Neighbors, friends and concerned residents dropped off water in one-gallon plastic jugs at Jovenes in East Los Angeles the evening of Aug. 20. Donations also came in from Our Lady of Solitude Church and Resurrection Church in Los Angeles. Teamsters Local 630 donated the use of their 53-foot truck to load and deliver the water.

Jovenes teen Oscar Ramirez, 19, immigrated this July through Tijuana. Ramirez said it was "solidaridad" (solidarity) with other young adults making the risky journey that prompted him to lend his hands in loading the truck with water.

Los Angeles resident Dionicio Sanchez and a friend arrived in a blue pick-up truck carrying more than 10 cases of water. Sanchez said he heard the pleas for water over the radio, and hasn't forgotten the day he crossed into the U.S., although it wasn't through the desert.

"Now it's our turn to help the people crossing," said Sanchez as he and Jovenes teens unloaded his truck.

Luis Gonzalez and a friend showed up in a tan Chevrolet pick-up truck full of Niagra water. When asked why they had decided to join in the effort he answered simply: "Because we're going to give water to Christ."

Johny Figueroa was among those who trekked to El Centro and placed the water in the barrels. "It isn't fair that one be here and allow another person to die in the desert searching for the American dream," said the 19-year old Honduran immigrant.