Intro

Dear teachers,

In 2008, the first Run for Water was a huge success with over 700 people participating in the 5k, 10k or half marathon and over $20,000 was raised to tap a well for a remote village in Ethiopia. In 2009, we doubled the number of participants and quadrupled donations by raising $81,000 for a second village in Ethiopia! Abbotsford’s Run for Water board members desire for the annual event to promote local fitness while also contributing to a dire situation in Africa.

We hope you can take the time to look through the website and decide that your school would like to participate in the 2010 spring event. There is an opportunity for your school to have your own Run for Water fun run. Our staff can offer support in scheduling and running the event.

We would also like to invite you to bring your students, staff and parents to the community event on May 30, 2010. There are 5k, 10k or half marathon runs to choose from.

The website will contain lesson plans for PE, English and Social Studies complete with B.C. Ministry ILOs for your use. While the lessons are targeted to grade 5 or 9 students, they can easily be altered for any grade level. Check back often, as we update the information to reflect the new year we will post it on our website. 

The cause: Roughly 80% of Ethiopians require improved drinking water facilities, and Abbotsford’s Run For Water partners with an experienced development agency, Hope International Development Agency, a group that goes directly to Ethiopia and taps into clean water springs for villages currently living without clean water. It has been calculated that $35 will give one child clean water for the rest of his or her life in Africa.

The lessons: Multi-media is used in the following lessons which uncover the truths about life in Africa. Students will learn that many kids their age spend a huge part of their day walking for clean water instead of attending school, thus living a life of unbreakable poverty. By participating in the lessons, the students have the opportunity to reflect on their own life while having the opportunity to contribute to this dire global issue.

Join us in this cause. Get your students involved in Run for Water.