What would it be like to carry 5 gallons of water for 5 kilometers every day and still not have enough? Imagine spending up to 5 hours each day, collecting dirty water from streams and ponds and carrying it back home to your family?
More than 1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe water. Women and children, who are traditionally responsible for water collection, spend hours each day in search of water, walking long, steep and rugged trails. They carry water home in heavy pots on their heads or strapped to their backs. They make this walk multiple times a day, for up to 5 kilometers each day. The water, collected from streams, rivers, and ponds, is often contaminated. Illnesses from drinking unsafe water kill 5 million people each year, the majority of whom are children under age 5. Every day, 5,000 people die from preventable water-related illnesses.
Without safe water sources nearby, children are sick, malnourished, and make daily treks to collect water at the expense of going to school or studying. Young children are often left alone or under the care of another young child by mothers who must leave their homes to collect water for their families.
On March 3, we will be holding a carry5 walk for water charity event in Gilbert, AZ. Participants will be carrying 5 gallons of water for 5 kilometers in support of people in need of clean drinking water. Proceeds will benefit Water 1st International, a Seattle-based non-profit organization supporting sustainable, safe drinking water projects for the poorest communities in the world.
Please consider donating to this charity event.The money we raise
will benefit specific community water projects in India, Bangladesh, Honduras, and Ethiopia. A donation of $10, $25, $50, or whatever your budget will allow, would be most appreciated.
I hope you will join us in helping to change lives with the gift of water. For more information about Water 1st International and the CARRY 5 walk, go to www.water1st.org.
Thank you very much for your consideration and help!