THREE AMERICANS EMBARK ON A 7,000 MILE, 2 YEAR JOURNEY ACROSS AFRICA IN PURSUIT OF CLEAN WATER
Non-profit organization Walk4Water makes an unprecedented journey to bring awareness and resources to those in need
(Chicago – January (29), 2012)– Walk4Water, a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and funds for clean water in developing countries, is set to embark on a two year, 7,000 mile mission across the country to achieve their goal. Led by 23-year-old Amy Russell, a group of three volunteers will become the first U.S. citizens to walk this far across Africa.
“4,000 children will die today from water-related diseases,’ said Russell. “We feel committed and compelled to help those who are in most desperate need of the most basic necessity of life. We’re raising awareness and funds, and trying to prove that ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist.”
About the Walk
The journey is equivalent to the distance of walking from New York City to California, and back to Chicago. The team, consisting of Russell, Aaron Tharp and Marty Yoder, will begin walking on January 27 in Cape Town, South Africa and continue through several countries including:
South Africa
Mozambique
Tanzania
Kenya
Ethiopia
Sudan
Egypt
Russell and the volunteers will walk six days a week, for about eight hours a day. The team plans to camp or stay with people that they meet along the way, joining with other grassroots organizations already working to create sustainable water solutions in Africa.
The Walk4Water team can also be tracked on their website with a GPS map for supporters to follow their journey. Their U.S. volunteer team will update their social media channels and website to include recent news, accept donations, and offer options for those at home to get involved in the mission.
Russell founded the non-profit organization, Walk4Water, while she was still in college at North Park University.
“Walk4Water was birthed out of an idea, backed by compassion for people, a passion for justice, and the decision to take a risk, knowing it is worth it,” said Russell.
According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, 1 in 8 people don’t have access to clean water.
About Walk4Water
Walk4Water is a non-profit organization that is run completely by volunteers to educate and advocate for clean water in developing countries. The vision is that one day safe water will be a reality for everyone, and serve as a building block to eliminate poverty as a whole. 100% of the funds raised are given to charity: water, an organization which donates all of its proceeds to support water projects in developing nations. To follow the walk across Africa, or learn more about how you can get involved, visit Walk4Water’s website: www.walking4water.org, Facebook: Walking4Water, Twitter: @TeamWalk4Water, Blog: Walking4Water or Picasa: Walk Africa for pictures throughout the journey.
###
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
