Walk for Water

by Karen Meenan

We take for granted that everyone has clean drinking water available to them.  We are wrong.  Every day, women and children (particularly girls) throughout the world must walk an average of 6km to find water for their families, water which is often polluted.  The distance is long and water jugs are very heavy to carry.  

Fetching enough water for their families often involves multiple trips.  Consequently, children miss school, women do not have opportunities to engage in income generating activities, and girls and women are vulnerable to assault on their journey to find water.  The lack of water also makes proper sanitation impossible.  There are no toilets available, and local customs often require that women and girls not relieve themselves until after dark.  This constraint is both uncomfortable and unhealthy for them.  A community water-well would eliminate these problems.

There is an incredible opportunity that I would like to bring to your attention: the 5th annual Walk for Water, which is scheduled for this Sunday, June 2, beginning at the Oregon Convention Center.  Check in for the event is at 11:30 and the walk begins at noon.  Portland’s annual Walk for Water supports water-well construction in the developing world for communities in dire need.  Please join my family as we join others in our community on our walk for water.

For more information: http://www.walkforwaterpgi.org

Thank you,

The Meenan Family