Celebrating Move 4 Water
This summer, we set out with a mission – to save thousands of lives around the world by promoting safe water access. Over 16 years of working with water-stressed communities around the world, we’ve found that it only takes $1.50 to provide one person with safe water for a year. Every person we can give safe water access is another person safe from deadly waterborne diseases. If we could call on our friends and supporters to help us raise money through their own fundraisers, how many lives could we save?
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On August 10th, we kicked off our first ever Move 4 Water event with nearly a dozen fundraisers across Canada. H2o4ALL supporters and their friends swam, paddled, walked, ran and climbed to promote awareness of water scarcity in their communities and raise funds for future safe water initiatives.Â
Fundraisers included a community walk at Knotty Pines Park in Mississauga, Ontario, led by H2O4ALL cofounder Tim Muttoo; and the Paris Paddlers, a team led by the Tetley family who kayaked 14 miles down the Grand River. A water relay team led by Marcia Barnes made a goal to swim 4 kilometres, in honour of the thousands of children in Africa who walk 4 KM a day or more to reach a water source.Â
Several fundraisers were led by volunteers from our previous projects. A group of former DR volunteers organized a hike in Wakefield, Quebec. The team, led by former intern and DR volunteer Cale Howard, nearly doubled their fundraising goal. On the east coast, Stacey Scott led the Cape Split Climbers team to help raise funds for safe water access. Scott Noble, a longtime volunteer in our annual Cuba trips, made a goal to deadlift 600 pounds.
We even had participation from friends of H2O4ALL around the world. In Sacramento, California, Angie Garvie represented H2O4ALL USA in a triathlon at Rancho Seco Park, finishing in second place. Our partners at Kyempene Life Schools in Uganda helped organize a Walk for Water along with Children Alive Ministries and St. Jude’s Church in Kibaale. Groups from our client communities at Seeta Namuganga and Kibaale Village joined in to support safe water access. Finally, our partner communities in Kenya, led by Kenya liaison Francis Mutua, are planning a 5 kilometre walk in early September.
We’re proud to have brought together so many people with this event, and we’re looking forward to continuing Move 4 Water next year. If you took the time to volunteer or donate this summer, we can’t thank you enough. If you haven’t had the chance yet, there’s still time – you can make a donation at the link below. With just a dollar and a half, you can save a life.Â
