from Celina-Marie Kuehne /
What it’s about and what it means:
Each year, all Austin High freshmen participate in a “Walk for Water.” Since 2015, it has been a tradition to advocate for the elimination of water supply problems for the people of Burundi in Africa. The goal is to show and experience what Burundi people have to walk daily to get fresh, clean water. In addition, the goal is to build a fund to help the Gazelle Foundation (a non-profit organization) implement water harvesting projects in Africa.
Several groups of students carry a 5-gallon water jug 3 miles around Lady Bird Lake. This is the distance people in Burundi must travel daily to access clean water.
My experience
We were a group of 8 students carrying the 5-gallon jug. The walk started at the school and went down to the lake, where the canister was filled with water. This was the first difficulty. How do I fill the canister?
We tried from the shore, but one student had to take off his shoes and go into the lake to dip the canister. Nevertheless, it was a lot of fun.
Then everyone was supposed to carry the jug individually for a short time, but we hung the canister on a tree branch, and two students at a time carried the tree branch with the canister. So we all worked together to find an easier way to carry it.
We had a lot of fun the whole way, but after the first mile, the jug got heavier and heavier. After that, we took turns carrying a lot to complete the route, but it seemed that the last mile was getting longer and longer. But finally, we had made it together!
What I have learned
So this experience was exhilarating and exciting. We had to work together and find a way together. We were able to help many families with this event because we collected money for the construction of water pipes and fountains. And we showed other spectators and guests how hard it is to live in certain African regions under the circumstances.
I am glad to live in a big city where the water comes “out of the wall.” So we only have to carry heavy water jugs when we buy them at the supermarket.
I now appreciate the luxury of always having fresh, clean water everywhere.
We could raise almost $5,000 for the Gazelle Foundation, which will help the people of Burundi. I am glad to have participated in this incredible experience. And everyone can be a part of this change!
Visit the Gazelle Foundation website!