n Saturday, June 8, 120 people across the U.S. participated in our 15th annual 6k for Water event to help end the water crisis in Enkasurai Village, Kenya. Together, we raised $15,650 toward the water project. This will fund the first two phases of work including the hydrogeological survey to identify an aquifer and drilling a borehole.
On Saturday, June 8, 120 people across the U.S. participated in our 15th annual 6k for Water event to help end the water crisis in Enkasurai Village, Kenya. Together, we raised $15,650 toward the water project. This will fund the first two phases of work including the hydrogeological survey to identify an aquifer and drilling a borehole. The remaining phases which include equipping the borehole with a solar-powered pump, water storage, and training the community on managing the new resource will require an additional $34,350.
Thank you to every person who registered, walked, ran, or donated to this event. We are humbled by your commitment to care for others and stand in solidarity with our global community.
In Holland, MI we hosted an in-person event where 34 families walked together. After the walk, we gathered for a party which included a kiddie dash where kids over the age of nine were able to experience having to carry 10 liters of water, which is how much a nine-year-old in Kenya would be expected to carry, daily. There were also fun activities such as face paint, a bounce house, ice cream, and basketball.
Six kilometers (3.7 miles) is the average distance that women and girls in Kenya walk every day in search of water. Worldwide, women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours a day searching for water, which takes away from their ability to attend school or focus on income-generating activities to support their families with dignity. Access to water changes everything. In March our U.S. and Kenya team accompanied Enkasurai Primary School students to the river where they collect water. Girls often miss class because they are responsible for finding water for the school and their families. Wild animals and cattle also use this dam, increasing contamination and safety concerns. Drilling a borehole adjacent to the school will improve class attendance among girls as well as improve hygiene, safety, and overall community health. The Enkasurai water project will also serve over 3,000 people living in the community.
