Kelowna’s World Vision Walk for Water to benefit thousands of people in Africa
Every $50 raised provides clean water to 1 new person; 700 people participated here
Thousands of people in Africa will have access to clean water thanks to the 700 people who participated in the World Vision Walk for Water on Saturday.
“We want to get the message out that we can make a difference in the lives of kids, and clean water is one of those basic fundamental building blocks for helping kids have a healthy future,” said Michael Messenger, president and CEO of World Vision Canada, who was at the event on Saturday.
The six-kilometre run/walk represented the average round trip distance women and children and Africa have to travel for water.
“By having people participate, not just giving money, but participating in something like this, it can really help people step into the shoes of an African child who may have to walk a six-kilometre round trip to get water a couple of times a day,” said Messenger.
To drive home the message even more, 40-pound jugs of water were on site if anyone wanted to carry them on their walk.
Around 1,400 children die every day from preventable diseases caused by dirty water, said Messenger.
“We see a world where everyone has access to clean water; that’s our goal at World Vision, and events like this help us achieve that,” he said.
Every $50 raised provides clean water to one new person, said Leo Tang, event director with World Vision.
Saturday’s event raised $250,000, which will be used to build wells in Africa.
“That’s enough to provide clean water to 5,000 kids in Africa,” said Tang.