By: Jenny Kim
Four miles doesn’t seem very far. But try walking it every day just to get clean water.
Just under four miles is the average distance a person in a developing country must walk to get water. The Hershey High School Key Club is hosting a 3.75 mile Walk for Clean Water event on Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. This event is to raise money to end the clean water crisis for one village in s developing country, with 100% of the donations going directly toward the cause.
The HHS Key Club partnered with the Thirst Project to build a $12,000 well in the country of their choice.
The Thirst Project was first introduced to Key Club by the monthly letter sent by Kiwanis International. Kiwanis International is a nonprofit volunteer organization that stretches across 80 nations. The leaders of Key Club saw the Thirst Project’s cause and immediately jumped on the idea.
“Not a lot of people know about the global water crisis, and we decided we wanted to do something about it,” said Vathana Oukan, Key Club secretary.
To get this idea started, Key Club divided its committee into groups: publicity, public outreach, fundraising, etc. They reached out to the community through the school morning announcements, making a website, and getting sponsorships from local businesses such as the Hershey Fire Department.
Thanks to sponsors, Key Club was also able to get food, water, and games for this event.
“It takes a lot of work ethic, but it’s worth working for a great cause,” said Elizabeth Blosky, Key Club supervisor.
Although the walk is a time for enjoyment with friends and and family, it is all for the purpose of providing a source of clean water to a village of 500-800 people for many generations. According to the Walk For Clean Water website, around 663 million people do not have access to clean water.
“This is something I’m really passionate about and I wanted to help,” said Oukan.
Key Club hopes to raise at least $12,000 from the walk, but if not, they hope to do the event again next year. According to Oukan, she hopes that this becomes a yearly event that gets the community excited to help the less fortunate.
General information about the walk is on the Walk For Clean Water website. Packet pickup will start around 11 a.m., followed by a pre-walk ceremony at 12:50 p.m.. Registration is around $20. The walk will happen from 1:10 to 2:45 p.m.. Afterwards, Key Club will host a community fair full of activities.
Key Club hopes that everyone will attend the Walk For Clean Water event. The day will be full of games and activities all for the local community. Key Club wishes that even the non attendees would donate and spread the word.
“It’s amazing to see all the kids working so hard and selflessly,” said Blosky, “It’s truly awesome.”
