To acknowledge UN-sanctioned World Water Day, Project Concern International (PCI) set out to raise awareness within the San Diego local community regarding the global water crisis. Participants of the second annual San Diego Walk for Water carried buckets full of water for five kilometers to simulate the journey made by millions in developing countries every day to obtain drinking water for their families. The event generated additional funding to build at least two more water wells in the Babati District of Tanzania, bringing access to clean water to almost a thousand people who previously had to walk for hours for their water.
The crowd enjoyed presentations from local high school students involved in organizing the event, including some young women and men who grew up in Africa and have experienced the devastation from unclean water first hand. Erica Badu, a young woman from Ghana and a student at San Diego Job Corps, recounted her experiences of walking for water at the age of nine, encountering snakes and wild animals, as well as becoming very ill from typhoid due to the dirty water they drank.
Food, entertainment, and activities were enjoyed by all. Vendors included 31 Bits, Krochet Kids International, Evolution Fast Food, E Live Life, City of San Diego and the Smooth Jazz radio station 98.1. Fantastic live music performances were provided by TINKU, Francis Parker Band, Seth Pettersen, A Conscious Few and Gayle Skidmore. PCI also offered information regarding their health and humanitarian assistance programs in 17 countries around the world. Additional activities, crafts and games were provided for all ages and free prizes included gift cards and admission tickets to local restaurants, movie theatres and amusement parks (such as SeaWorld, In-N-Out, Baskin Robbins, Belly Up Tavern, UltraStar Cinemas, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza, Birch Scripps Aquarium, and many more).
The walk proved successful and created a unique opportunity to educate the public about the world water crisis. PCI plans to send the banner signed by all walkers to President Obama to urge government leaders and policy makers to take action today to help save the lives of millions.
