The Republic of Korea supports food security for vulnerable communities in northern Mozambique
WaterAid to host a run/walk in Maputo to celebrate Global Hand Wash Day and support rural community
10:11 CAT | 12 Oct 2018
File photo: Supplied
Just under half of all Mozambicans live their lives without access to fresh safe water.
The small remote community of Mulindas in Niassa Province, is home to 146 families. The community of Mulinda consumes dirty water from Muchimazi River, situated 4 kilometres away. It is the only water source available; the community has never had a secure water supply.
Belinha Luís, aged 12, lives in Mulinda. She is a pupil in Class 6 at Chaca Primary School. Belinha and her friends travel 8 kilometres to and from Muchimazi River, the only water source. In one day, Belinha makes at least 3 journeys to get enough water, and this causes her to skip school. Belinha admits “I know that at the end of the year I might flunk, but I don’t have any choice”.
WaterAid Mozambique, which has been running water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Mozambique since 1995, will be hosting its second charity run/walk in Maputo to celebrate World Global Hand Wash Day, and to raise funds to build a new borehole for the community of Mulinda. The first event was a great success, bringing a new water source to a similarly deprived community of Ziranguene, Niassa Province.
The event will take place on Saturday, 13th October, at 7:30am, at the Praça da Independência, Maputo. There will be a 10K race, and a 5K walk/fun run. Families, corporate teams and groups are welcome.
According to Florencio Marerua, Country Director at WaterAid Mozambique: “We are hosting this event, which follows the success of our inaugural event in 2016, to once again raise awareness of water, hygiene and sanitation issues and the plight of communities like Mulinda. This is just one of the many communities in which access to water is hindering development and restricting education, particularly for girls. By joining us on Saturday, 13th October, you can play your part to celebrate Global Hand Wash Day and help those who are less fortunate.”
Participants should register in advance at WaterAid, Rua Carlos Albers No.67, Monday-Friday between 10:30-15:30. The fee is 400 mts for the 10K race and 250 mts for the 5K walk. All further donations to the cause are also very welcome.
There will be trophies and a range of prizes to be won, kindly donated by the Polana Serena Hotel, Hotel Avenida, Hotel Terminus, Hotel Cardoso, Mundos, Sagres, Meat & Ocean Co., Campo De Fiori, Cotur Travel, Dana Travel, Tsamadhi Equestrian Centre, Natural Care Saúde & Nutrição, and more. All runners and walkers will receive a t-shirt, water and refreshments.
The event is generously supported by Agua da Namaacha (Water Sponsor), DP World, Hollard Seguros, Norconsult, Uni-Span and MMO (Mozambique Managed Offices). Partners include Club of Mozambique, LM Radio, AACM (Associação de Atletismo da Cidade de Maputo), Maputo Relocation, Tropigalia, CCFM (Centro Cultural Franco Moçambicano), MediPlus, AEISEC, AEFUM, Adedar, Output, Planet Travel & Tours and WICO Consultoría e Serviços,
About Global Hand Wash Day
Global Hand Wash Day began in 2008, when more than 120 million children around the world washed their hands with soap in more than 70 countries. Since 2008, local and national leaders have used this day to raise awareness of hand washing and to demonstrate the simplicity and importance of clean hands. Every year more than 200 million people are involved in celebrations in more than 100 countries around the World. Global Hand Wash Day is approved by a wide range of governments, international institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private companies and individuals.
About WaterAid
WaterAid is an international not-for-profit organisation, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. WaterAid has a presence in 28 countries, and began its Mozambique programme in 1995 www.wateraid.org/mozambique; www.facebook.com/wateraidmoz
Did you know?
- More than 289,000 children die every year from diseases caused by inadequate water and sanitation. This is around 800 children per day, or one child every two minutes.
- More than 844 million people (around one in ten) do not have access to clean water
- More than 2.3 billion people (around one in three) live without decent sanitation
Source: WaterAid Mozambique / Press Release
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