Tucson, AZ – 2009

University of Arizona students Walk for Water & raise $3,500

About 50 people participated in Tucson’s CARRY 5 event, raising $3,000. A local bluegrass band played to entertain the walkers, who each carried water – from 1 to 5 gallons – for 5 kilometers, the average distance walked by women in Africa who lack access to safe water.

Michael Barnes, a senior U of A hydrology, traveled to Honduras with Water 1st in March to see first-hand the projects we are supporting there. Inspired by what he saw, he decided to start a CARRY 5 Walk for Water in Tucson with the help of his fellow hydrology students, like Kristin Brandt and Lisa Wade, and family and friends.

Lisa Wade, a 22-year-old UA senior, said it’s all too easy, even for desert dwellers, to take water for granted when it comes out at a turn of the tap. “Here, people just have to walk to their kitchen, but some young girls in some countries can’t go to school because they have to walk five kilometers to get dirty water.”

With donations from friends and relatives they have collectively raised over $3,000 – and donations are still coming in. This is enough to provide water, sanitation and hygiene education for 43 people for a lifetime.

At Water 1st, we believe the global water crisis will be solved when we build a community of concerned individuals and motivate and mobilize them to take simple, effective actions. Thank you to Michael, Kristin, Lisa and everyone who donated and participated in this event to bring awareness to this issue and to support people in need of safe water supplies.