News & Blog

We have forgotten the importance of rain. Just for fun one day, take the 5-gallon jug out of the water cooler at your office and see how far you can carry it on your head. Oh, and borrow a two-year-old to carry on your back at the same time. See how you feel after the first couple of miles, and then think about how lucky we are!

For those of us living in the industrialized world, we take it for granted that when we open the tap in our homes, cool, clean, drinkable water will flow out into our ice-filled glass. When we turn on the shower, we immediately have hot, drinkable water flowing over our bodies. Believe it or not, we even pour hundreds of gallons of perfectly drinkable water on our lawns every summer. Even when we go for months without rain, or experience a lower-than-normal snow-pack, we know that "they" (whoever "they" are) will figure out a way to get water to our homes.

For many people around the world, just having enough clean water to drink would be an unimaginable luxury. Women and children walk for miles to fill jerry cans from a stream or a well to have water for washing, cooking and drinking. Don't get me wrong - this isn't all bad. Many women value this time to be with other women out of earshot of their husbands. But for many, the distances they need to walk are getting a lot longer, and the wells are getting dryer.

East Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent history. Crops are failing. Livestock and wild animals are competing for access to the few remaining water holes. People are hungry and thirsty.

To them, it doesn't matter why this is happening. Is it the result of climate change? The massive levels of deforestation in the region? Unsustainable herding and agricultural practices? When you need water today, the "why" is much less important than the "what now?"

There are many groups stepping in to help with the immediate needs. The World Food Programme, The Red Cross, and others are trying to provide food and water for millions. WildiZe has been working with several of the affected communities in Kenya for nearly a decade, and continues to work with them to try to avoid these issues in the future.

If you feel inclined to support some of these efforts, great. If not, or if you don't have any money to spare during these difficult economic times, you can still bring something very important to this crisis - awareness. We can all show some solidarity, and not only will it not cost us anything, it might even save us money. Next time you are about to turn on the tap, ask yourself "How long does my shower really need to be? If I had to carry the water for two miles, would I really feel the need to water my lawn? Would I leave the tap running while I shave or brush my teeth?"

Perhaps most importantly, let's all take a few moments to be grateful. Let's respect this precious resource and use it wisely.

For more information on the drought:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8267165.stm
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/08/25/kenya-starvation-drought.html

Mark D. Jordahl - Kampala