DHAHRAN, 29 March 2004 — “Safe water is now officially recognized as a human right; however, approximately 1.1 billion of the world’s poorest are denied this right. Every 15 seconds a child dies due to water-related illness. Establishing the right to safe water is the first step. Now we need to work out how to make sure this right is upheld,” said celebrity activist Bianca Jagger in December 2003.
This is the thought that over 210 children at the International Schools Group Dhahran British Grammar School had in mind as they began their annual walk-a-thon to earn funds in support of WaterAid (wateraid.org).
The children from DBGS’ reception year class through year six walked for 1-1/2 hours around a 500-meter course, sponsored in their effort by relatives and friends. At the end of the walk-a-thon the students were covered in stamps and stickers proving the extent of their participation. They were then awarded certificates from the DBGS administration, which they could show to sponsors in order to collect on the pledges made before the event.
DBGS Head Teacher John Chapman urged the students to do their best as they set off and he reminded them that, “When you drink that cup of water to refresh you during the walk-a-thon, remember those children who have no clean water.” Chapman also thanked the parents support group members who volunteered during the event and acknowledged Al-Gosaibi Services Company, sponsor of the walk-a-thon.
WaterAid is an international NGO dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. WaterAid works in partnership with local organizations in 15 countries in Africa and Asia to help poor communities establish sustainable water supplies and latrines, close to home. WaterAid also works to influence governments’ water and sanitation policies to serve the interests of vulnerable people.
“We chose to support WaterAid in our walk-a-thon because we wanted to fund an organization that had relevance to what the students were doing in school and to the country where they were living,” said John Power, DBGS deputy head teacher. “Anyone who lives in Saudi Arabia for even a short while quickly comes to learn how precious a resource water is. WaterAid will inform us how the money earned from the walk-a-thon will be spent. It is ideal when the students can see a tangible result from their effort. Last year our walk-a-thon raised over SR11,000 for WaterAid and I hope this year we will do as well.”
The DBGS students were enthusiastic as they set out to the starter’s horn. As the area around the starting line cleared, the mothers who had come out to help for the morning looked on in pride.
“My son is in Year Six at DBGS and I feel that the annual walk-a-thon is a lovely event,” said Jazz Kandola. “It is good for the students to learn about good causes and excellent for the children to do something educational outside the classroom.”
The students echoed that sentiment.
“It is sad how lots of people haven’t got clean water,” said Jodie Baines, a Year Six student. “We watched a video on the problem and we saw that there are too many people who are just too poor to afford clean water. It is so depressing. I went out and got as many pledges as possible so I could do some good and help those people.”
Sanjana Kumar, also a student in Year Six, added: “This is my second year participating in the walk-a-thon. It’s actually an enjoyable event and quite fun to be out walking with my friends. I believe that by raising money for WaterAid we are doing a good thing. Many people have to walk at least 2 km for water every day. We hope to earn money to fund water wells to improve the life of poor people in developing countries. I thank everyone who supported us in this effort.”
