Something amazing happened just over a week ago. Seven members of the Bellingen community went on a shower strike for eight days to raise money for clean water systems in Kenya and Tanzania.
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The systems are installed by an organisation called Well Aware. Founder and CEO, Sarah Evans, spent the early years of her childhood living in the Kalang Valley.
All the wells installed by Well Aware over their ten years of operating are still working, which is pretty fantastic considering the industry average is only 40% of wells work after the first year.
To kick start the strike we held a dinner at the Kalang Hall and local band Juice Box supported the night with their beautiful tunes. We were overwhelmed by the support shown by business owners in Bellingen. VQM and Ken Thorne butchers, the IGA and Fullers fruit and vegetables provided the food for the night either free or at significantly discounted prices. Donations for a raffle were received from Relish Bar and Grill, Bellingen Pharmacy, Vivid, The Purple Carrot, the Sweets Shop, Bead and Crystal Heaven, Kombu, Weave, Outpost Hair and Kim McGee.
The night was a wonderful success and all money raised went towards clean water systems.
One in ten people lack access to clean water and women and girls spend up to six hours every day collecting water. When a clean water system is installed in a community there is an increase in girls enrolled in education of 58% and a decrease in the incidence of water ralated diseases like cholera, typhoid and diahorrea of 64%.
Over the course of the shower strike we raised $5462. The average cost to put in a clean water system that will last 25 years is $13 per person. So together the community has contributed to clean water for 420 people.
The total amount raised by Shower Strike around the globe this year was enough to provide clean water for over 24000 people.
We would like to sincerely thank the Bellingen Community for their support, both financially and for the many words of encouragement we have received. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of creating positive changes in our world.
If you would like to be involved in some way next year you can contact Kim on kimchilds3@gmail.com as we are always happy to have people involved.
