Day 19 – A Sister Walk for Something Bigger

Today’s 6km walk was with one of my favorite walking partners, my sister. We wandered through town, chatting about life, laughing at random things, and just soaking in the little moments that make sisterhood so special. At first, it felt like just another nice walk together, but then I remembered why I’m doing this in the first place.

Every step I take with others in the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality is meant to represent the daily journey millions of women and girls make just to collect water. For them, it’s not a peaceful walk through town with someone they love, it’s often long, tiring, and even dangerous. And they don’t get to do it for fun. It’s survival.

That contrast hit me today. My sister and I were walking freely, choosing where to go and how fast to walk, with clean water waiting for us back home. For girls in rural Tanzania, that choice doesn’t exist. Many of them walk hours a day, missing school and growing up without the same opportunities we’ve had.

There’s something powerful about walking together. I felt supported and connected walking beside my sister today, so I try to imagine how strong women and girls in Tanzania must feel when they walk in groups, help each other carry water, and lean on each other when needed. That’s what sisterhood is about, no matter where in the world you are.

The project I’m fundraising for through this run, a NanoFilter Water Centre, isn’t just about clean water. It’s about giving back time, safety, and opportunity to those women and girls. It’s about helping them walk less, so they can do more, go to school, dream bigger, and grow up knowing they matter.

Today reminded me how grateful I am for the sisters in my life, biological and chosen, and how lucky I am to walk by their side. I hope this project helps more girls around the world walk shorter distances for water and take longer strides toward their futures.

My watch died midway through our Day 19 walk so I don’t have a map to post, but I promise we walked more than 6km!