Global Shower Strike Launches for African Drought Relief

Austin, TX (PRWEB) July 22, 2011

In an effort to raise money and awareness for humanitarian relief efforts in drought-stricken Kenya, Africa, an Austin, TX based nonprofit called Well Aware has initiated a creative global fundraising campaign that they have dubbed the “Shower Strike”. In this unique fundraising effort, supporters pledge to not shower until they have raised at least $ 1000 toward the construction and deployment of life-saving clean water systems, including deep water wells, pipeline projects, and rainwater catchments in Kenya. All donations are 100% tax deductable and 100% of all donations go directly to the clean water projects.

The third annual Shower Strike begins July 24th, 2011 and runs for one week. During that week, Well Aware hopes to raise funds for several new clean water systems at pre-indentified orphanages, community centers, and schools in drought-stricken rural Keyna- where women and children commonly walk for days in search of any water. With several proven water projects in Kenya already under their belts, and a team of certified hydro-geologists who help identify areas where water can be procured, Well Aware is confident that they can bring water to the areas in Kenya that need it most.

“Next month we’ll start a project in Kenya that will help the children of the Mithini orphanage who right now walk 5 kilometers to reach their water source — a contaminated riverbed,” said Sarah Evans, executive director of Well Aware. “Making those children’s lives better is what getting stinky can do. The Shower Strike is our way to raise money in a lighthearted way for a deadly serious problem.”

Supporters from around the world have joined the largely-online fundraising effort at http://www.ShowerStrike.com, where volunteers as individuals or teams can create their own personalized fundraising webpages for the cause. Shower Strikers (volunteers who have made the pledge) are treated to perks during the week of their strike, which include prizes for top fundraisers and a free concert at the world-famous Antone’s Nightclub in Austin, TX on July 24th featuring the Grammy-nominated Lost Bayou Ramblers.

“We’re always looking for ways to teach our kids how lucky we are to have what we have,” said Melanie Fish, a Shower Strike volunteer and mom of Olivia, 9, and Dalton, 10. “This is a fun way for them to learn about what other kids have to do just to survive, as well as to know that anyone can make a difference.”

The Shower Strike’s goal is to raise funds for five clean water projects in Kenya because:

    In rural Africa, children walk all day to return with only unsanitary water, preventing them from going to school.
    Every 15 seconds, a child in Africa dies from water-born disease.
    For children under 5 years old, illness from unsanitary water is the leading cause of death.
    88 percent of all disease in Africa results from unsafe drinking water.
    Girls as young as 8 years old are sold into marriage in exchange for food and water so their families can survive.

About Well Aware

Well Aware is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed in 2006 to provide life-saving water for those who have none. Well Aware completed three water projects in 2010. After assessing each area, Well Aware determines the most practical and lasting solution — water well (borehole or hand-dug), rainwater collection system or pipeline from a nearby natural spring. More than 60 percent of existing water wells in Kenya are currently not working due to NGO neglect. Well Aware’s project planning and budgeting includes lifetime technical support, community oversight and development consultation.

For more information:

email: sarah(at)wellawareworld(dot)org

event website: http://www.ShowerStrike.com

nonprofit website: http://www.WellAwareWorld.org

our blog: blog.wellawareworld.net

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