Hello everyone! My name is Olivia as part of my final Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) project for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, I’ve launched the “Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality.” This initiative is close to my heart, and I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired me.
Run for Happiness, Run for Change
For 21 days, I will be running (or walking) 6km each day. This distance represents the average round-trip women and children in developing countries walk to fetch water. It’s a powerful reminder of the daily struggles faced by many less fortunate than I am, and through this run I aim to raise $3000 to install a Nanofilter Water Centre in a school or orphanage in Tanzania.
I’m trying to achieve several goals through this project. I aim to provide clean water to a community in need in Tanzania, significantly improving health outcomes by reducing waterborne illnesses. If I am successful, the water filtration centre we purchase with the funds raised will employ a female entrepreneur with a living wage of up to $40 CAD per day, in addition to providing her entrepreneurship education, training and support. This not only empowers her but also supports economic growth and will help lift families from poverty.
Throughout this journey, I want to highlight the difficulties Tanzanian families face due to inadequate access to clean water. Additionally, Tanzania is a patriarchal society where most of the population lives in poverty. Clean water is crucial for public health and overall well-being, and the women managing the water kiosks are not only entrepreneurs but also serve as health educators within their communities.
Connecting to Global Goals
This project is closely linked to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG #5: Gender Equality
- SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG #3: Good Health and Well-being
By addressing these goals, we can make a significant impact on both the environment and the community. The water filtration system will help reduce single-use plastics, further contributing to environmental sustainability.
Personal Connection
My mom has been working in Tanzania to empower women and girls through entrepreneurship and education since 2016. I was only nine years old when she traveled the first time and I was so scared each time she left us to travel to another continent. Now that I’m older, I’ve learned about the importance of the work she does to help women and girls become empowered. In October of this year, some of the Tanzanians she works with came to Canada to learn about some of the ways we do things here. We hosted this group of people at our home for an early Thanksgiving dinner, and as I got to know these people as individuals, my mom’s stories came to life. One of the women, Mary, is a Maasai woman who lives a traditional life in a village where most homes do not have running water or bathrooms. Mary’s life’s purpose is to empower other women, despite having what we consider to be a hard life. Pili spoke almost no English but we were able to communicate. As the director of TUJIWAKI Group, she works with others to advocate for the rights of women, children and the elderly.
Join Me in Making a Difference
As part of this project, I’ll be tracking my runs (and some days walks!!) along with vlogging conversations and blogging daily to provide information and statistics. I’m also hosting a bottle drive in my area on May 26. I invite you to follow along with me in this journey to empower communities and create lasting change. By donating to the Happiness Run, you are contributing to a brighter, healthier future for many. Together, we can make a difference!
Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality 