World Water Day 2006
More than 1 billion people world wide – 20% of the planet’s entire human population – lack access to clean, safe drinking water. According to the United Nations, this world water crisis leads to the death of more than 4,500 children every year and is a leading cause of poverty, disease, and social instability world wide. In many communities around the world, women and children must walk up to 6 miles a day to retrieve clean water for their families.
On March 22nd, there is a World Water Day Walk in Seattle. Some of us from the Pathways community will be going to participate in supporting the cause. It is a 2.8 mile walk around beautiful Green Lake Park.
If you would like to be a part of this, comment and we’ll make sure you’ve got the info. For more about World Water Day, check out www.worldwaterday2006.org.
March 9th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
What is the purpose of the walk?
March 9th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
This is a clip from the website: The Walk for Water on World Water Day 2006 is a symbolic act of solidarity and an effort to educate the public about the World Water Crisis. This year, with the help of Starbucks, Ethos Water, and leading non-profit organizations, we are initiating a multi-year effort to significantly raise the profile World Water Day and to highlight the extraordinary ability of every individual to make a difference.
Really the purpose for Pathways getting involved is to reach out and support a worthy cause in our world today.
March 9th, 2006 at 9:32 pm
I think that the bottom line is that a majority of the United States has no idea that so much of the world does not even have access to simple drinking water. If you get a ton of people to walk in cities around the country, people take notice, the news takes notice and that will hopefully lead to action. It’s a first step!
What would be awesome is that Pathways, in conjunction with the walk would sponsor the drilling of a well in a community in Africa!
March 10th, 2006 at 7:53 am
Dean
How do we go about sponsoring a water well??
Jan
March 10th, 2006 at 10:20 am
There are quite a few organizations out there that specifically drill wells for communities in need. We’ll do a bit of research and find out what we can do and post it here. I know that Jars of Clay works with an organization that is specifically geared toward providing clean drinking water. Check back in later and we’ll have some details.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:24 am
Here is a site for Blood:Water Mission and something they have going on called the 1000 Wells Project.
http://www.bloodwatermission.com/buildawell
March 10th, 2006 at 10:34 am
From the Blood:Water Mission FAQ
How much does it cost to drill a well?
A well can cost $1500-15,000 USD based on factors including soil condition, climate, and proximity to services. We give $3000 as a general cost, as more tend to be in the $1500-5000 range than the higher amounts. Wells are one example of clean water solutions that include rainwater catchment tanks, protecting springs, and sanitation improvements.
March 10th, 2006 at 8:08 pm
I am so intresting in this walk. I went to the jars of clay concert when they were here about a month ago. They talked about the Bloodwater mission i think it is a good cause. So josh count me in for i believe you said the 22nd of march
March 14th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
There are also opportunities in Honduras. I spoke briefly with John about this. When I lived there, we did water projects in small villages. I have the contacts and access to organizing a trip like this if anyone is interested. Basically it would involve a trip to Honduras to dig ditches, lay pipe and carry bricks to build a cistern, while staying in a village for the week and interacting with some loving people… . It is a life-changing experience and really drives home the fact that not everyone has access to clean water. It is one of my heart’s desires to take others on a trip like this… It will definitely take the step from awareness to action.