Act, Reflect, Connect Community Events, for a more just world

Lent Event is about communities participating in a common action of deepening relationship with God and our neighbours that culminates in sharing material resources with our brothers and sisters in developing countries.

But the 40 days of Lent are just the beginning of our journey that continues as we grow in our understanding of and engagement with communities living in extreme poverty. The Act, Reflect, Connect Community Events series is designed to continue on from Lent Event empowering Australian faith communities who are seeking to understand and do more about the injustice of extreme poverty.

Understanding the issue of clean water

Lack of clean water is perhaps the foremost problem for people experiencing extreme poverty compromising health, education and economic and gender equality. Lack of access to a safe and reliable source of water and adequate sanitation facilities is widespread. In the Milne Bay region of PNG for example, only 32% of the population have easy access to safe water supplies.

UnitingWorld is undertaking projects that give some of the world’s poorest communities access to safe water and sanitation:

A. Rural Water and Sanitation in Ponnai Village, Vellore, India
The project aims to improve community health and productivity by providing access to a safe water supply for identified villages. The project provides water pumps, tanks, drainage, hygienic latrine facilities, boreholes as well as community management and education workshops on sanitation, health and hygiene.

B. Water Harvesting in Muzarabani, Zimbabwe
The project addresses the need for accessible water supply through the installation of water tanks. Local people are trained in tank construction and build the tanks themselves. Brick making moulds are purchased to as well as wheel barrows, shovels and hand tools. Training in water management is provided.

C. Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Milne Bay and Central Province, PNG
The Rural Village Water Project aims to improve family and overall community health and productivity by providing access to a safe water supply. Access to clean water is provided by local teams through appropriate systems. Workshops and training are also provided to raise awareness of hygiene, sanitation and health.

Act by Giving Clean Water

Women and children in the developing world typically walk long distances to collect water each day.  The weight of water carried by those who walk for water each day is commonly 20-40kg. As an act of solidarity with those who walk for clean water, Lent Event recommend you organise your community group to undertake a 4km or more walk to raise awareness and funds for communities without clean water.

Steps for organising your community Water Walk:

1. Choose the date and the route for the walk. It is suggested that groups understake a return walk from the church to a local park that has at least one working tap.
2. Customise the promotional materials provided to encourage participation in your event. Download poster here. Download brochures here.
3. Distribute sponsorship forms to participants or point walkers to online fundraising*.  Download sponsorship form here.
4. Use faith materials as a group before you set out and to complete the walk. Download liturgy here.

*Participants are encouraged to collect sponsorship online:

• Go to ‘GoFundraise’ – http://waterwalk.gofundraise.com.au/
• Create your group’s own dedicated fundraising page for FREE (instructions are provided).
• Encourage members to join your team.

If you have any questions, please ring (02) 8267 4449 or 1300 536 838. Please leave a message if unattended.