On Wednesday, our power was out for the entire afternoon and into the evening. We live rurally, and depend on water being drawn up from our own personal well by an electric pump. When the electricity goes, so does the water. So, when the power went on Wednesday, I knew I had to start rationing water before the tanks in the attic ran out. No toilet flushing; fill the sink to wash hands and face; no dish washing, etc. I thought: what a hassle it would be to have to go fetch your family’s water every day.
“Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on a single day – October 15.” (http://blogactionday.change.org/) Today, many of the world’s bloggers (including me) are blogging about the importance of access to clean, safe drinking water for almost a billion people, worldwide. Drinking unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation provided by water causes 80% of the world’s diseases, and apparently kills more people than violence, including war. Children are the most vulnerable.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
“In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year just walking for water. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which is unprotected and likely to make them sick. Time spent walking and resulting diseases keep them from school, work and taking care of their families. Along their long walk, they're subjected to a greater risk of harassment and sexual assault. Hauling cans of water for long distances takes a toll on the spine and many women experience back pain early in life.” (http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/)
When Zach or Max want a drink, I open the tap. In the worst case scenario, as when the power went out the other day, we hop in the car and go to a shop to buy water. We’re not so broke we can’t afford clean water – and it’s accessible.
“With safe water nearby, women are free to pursue new opportunities and improve their families’ lives. Kids can earn their education and build the future of their communities.” (http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/)
Empower women and children. Visit http://blogactionday.change.org/ to learn more and sign a petition.
Friday, October 15, 2010
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I have on my want-to-see list a documentary called Tapped, about the big corporations' endless efforts to bottle and resell to us a natural resource that should be free and accessible to all. Now, if I only I could get my kids to drink out of those damn Sigg bottles.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lory! Those stats are stunning, aren't they? Here's hoping "the powers that be" are listening and help make a difference! Yay to you for participating!
ReplyDeleteGreat to find you over my way, Lory! Looking over your posts, I'm definitely looking foward to reading more!
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