The SWCA Synod Hunger Team has continued to focus on the Walk for Water campaign, which educates about a global water crisis that doesn’t always make the headlines. The truth is that the water crisis claims more lives each year than war. Globally, 1.8 billion people – that’s about one out of every four people – drink from contaminated water sources. Unsafe water leads to illnesses that claim the lives of 840,000 people each year, almost half of whom are children under the age of 5. What’s more, women and children spend hours each day collecting water. This keeps them from school, work, and time with family. This keeps families and communities from learning, earning an income, and contributing to the local economy.
ELCA World Hunger has a do-it-yourself track experience that teaches about the water crisis through experiencing what it is like to carry the water needed to live. Our Synod Hunger Team has taken this track and made it into a very easy to use kit that is available for any congregation to use. They can also help your congregation set up and run the Walk for Water.
If you are interested in learning more, you can check out the Walk for Water website or email Sheri Groenveld at sherigroenveld@yahoo.com.