A Richmond-based not-for-profit is once again hosting an event to give community members an experience on what it is like to get clean water in Uganda.
Acts of Water is hosting a free “exercise of empathy” event called Walk4Water in Steveston where participants will walk a total of just under three-kilometres, round-trip, with jerry cans full of water on Sept. 12.
Jeff Golby, CEO of Acts for Water, said the event is for people to experience a little of the hardship that one in four Ugandans have to go through each day to collect water.
“The experience is meant to give a glimpse of the hardship children in Uganda face, who typically walk that distance to fetch water, and develop empathy in a friendly way,” said Golby.
This year, he added, participants will be walking for the students at Nyamabaare Primary School.
Golby said students often miss hours of education due to long walking hours only to retrieve dirty and contaminated water that leaves them sick.
“By holding our ‘exercise in empathy’ right during back to school, we’re hoping kids and families better understand the challenges others like them are facing and compel action.”
Participants will meet on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Garry Point Fisherman’s Needle.
The event is sponsored by the Richmond Sunrise Rotary, local businesses and local churches.
For more information and to register, visit https://walk4water.ca/events/steveston-walk4water
