Day 11 – Easter Monday: Walking for Hope and New Beginnings

Today was Day 11 of my Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality, and it also happened to be Easter Monday. Instead of running, my mom, dad, and I took a peaceful 6km walk together along the Cobequid Trail. After a weekend filled with family time, good food, and a little too much chocolate, it felt good to slow down and just enjoy being together as a family.

We’ve done this trail a few times now, but today felt different. There was something about the quiet, the cool spring air, and just being with my parents that made it feel more reflective. I guess it makes sense, Easter is all about new beginnings, renewal, and the idea that after darkness, there’s always light. It’s a reminder that change is possible, and hope is never too far away.

As we walked, I kept thinking about what Easter represents and how it connects to what I’m doing with this project. For so many families in Tanzania, access to clean water is exactly that, a fresh start. It means not having to worry if the water your kids are drinking will make them sick. It means your daughter doesn’t have to walk for hours every day just to fill a bucket. It means fewer days missed at school, fewer medical emergencies, and more opportunities to dream and plan for a better future.

It’s hard to believe that something as basic as clean water can have that much of an impact, but it truly can. When a school or orphanage gets access to a Nanofilter Water Centre, it changes everything. And what makes it even more powerful is that the water centres are run by female entrepreneurs, women who are trained, employed, and empowered to lead. That’s what gender equality looks like in action.

So today, I walked not just to keep up with my 21-day commitment, but to honour the message behind Easter: hope is real, and change is possible.

And while my walk was only 6km, I know that for many girls around the world, this is the distance they walk every single day, not for exercise or reflection, but just to survive. That’s why every step we take, every dollar we raise, and every conversation we start matters.

Today reminded me that I’m not doing this alone. I have the support of my family, my community, and so many people cheering this mission on. And together, we’re walking toward something better, step by step.

We celebrated Easter at my grandparents’ house last night. Growing up, my two brothers, sister, and I always looked forward to the Easter hunts they created for us. This year, I was the only one home, but my grandparents still made it special. After supper, they organized a scavenger hunt just for me. To my surprise, each egg I found contained a monetary donation for the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality. I’m incredibly grateful to them for supporting my project and helping me get that much closer to my goal!

Thanks for being part of this journey with me. Let’s keep walking for clean water, for strong women, and for the new beginnings every human being deserves.