blog action day 2010.
October 15, 2010
The Blog Action Day people write, "first and last, the purpose of Blog Action Day is
to create a discussion. We ask bloggers to take a single day out of their
schedule and focus it on an important issue. By doing so on the same day, the
blogging community effectively changes the conversation on the web and focuses
audiences around the globe on that issue. Out of this discussion naturally flow
ideas, advice, plans, and action. In 2007 with the theme of the environment, we
saw bloggers running environmental experiments, detailing innovative ideas on
creating sustainable practices, and focusing their audience's attention on
organizations and companies promoting green agendas. In 2008 we covered the
theme of poverty, and similarly focused the blogging community's energies around
discussing the wide breadth of the issue from many perspectives and identifying
innovative and unexpected solutions. Last year, the conversation around climate
change brought our voices around the globe to discuss an issue that threatens us
all and mobilized tens of thousands of people to get more involved in the
movement for a more sustainable future. This year, with the theme of Water, we
are eager to shed light on this often-overlooked topic."
Often over-looked, huh? Why is water, this basic human right something often
overlooked in the public's eye? Water easily comes pouring out of any faucet I
turn on. The 'undrinkable water' in my world means that it has come straight
from the tap, and not through the britta-- we deem that undrinkable. The UN
recently had discussions on if water was acutally a basic human right to all.
The fact that one dies quickly without water (much quicker than when we lack
food) wasn't enough to deem it so.
I'll never forget the long walk in rural northern Uganda to the place where the
locals get their water. It was hot and dusty, the night wasn't long off, but
they said that the source wasn't too far, so we decided to forge ahead. We
walked. And walked. And walked. And grew thirsty, and sweaty, and hot. We
walked some more and finally came to the water hole. I hope he didn't see the
expression on my face when that first man scooped low into the hole to grab a
glass of muddiness. I winced to see him consume it so quickly as if it were
clear as crystal. It was all he had, and he was as grateful for it as I'd be
when I got back to my bottled water back on our bus. I felt ashamed and so
sad. Why must people live this way?
I guess I made a choice that day that I would never overlook this issue. It
seems simple, and over and over again I have heard that providing a clean water
solution to a community that has none is one of the most effective ways you can
aid a community in severe poverty. When you are sick and your doc gives you
some meds, what does she say to take with your pills? Exactly. "Drink plenty
of water." How much of the simple diseases that in Africa needlessly claim
lives because they wash pills down with water that makes them sicker? There are so many reasons that giving clean safe water can drink can impact a community forever. Eternity, even. Water is life. If you aren't involved in this cause, you should be. Learn. Know. Give generously.
to create a discussion. We ask bloggers to take a single day out of their
schedule and focus it on an important issue. By doing so on the same day, the
blogging community effectively changes the conversation on the web and focuses
audiences around the globe on that issue. Out of this discussion naturally flow
ideas, advice, plans, and action. In 2007 with the theme of the environment, we
saw bloggers running environmental experiments, detailing innovative ideas on
creating sustainable practices, and focusing their audience's attention on
organizations and companies promoting green agendas. In 2008 we covered the
theme of poverty, and similarly focused the blogging community's energies around
discussing the wide breadth of the issue from many perspectives and identifying
innovative and unexpected solutions. Last year, the conversation around climate
change brought our voices around the globe to discuss an issue that threatens us
all and mobilized tens of thousands of people to get more involved in the
movement for a more sustainable future. This year, with the theme of Water, we
are eager to shed light on this often-overlooked topic."
Often over-looked, huh? Why is water, this basic human right something often
overlooked in the public's eye? Water easily comes pouring out of any faucet I
turn on. The 'undrinkable water' in my world means that it has come straight
from the tap, and not through the britta-- we deem that undrinkable. The UN
recently had discussions on if water was acutally a basic human right to all.
The fact that one dies quickly without water (much quicker than when we lack
food) wasn't enough to deem it so.
I'll never forget the long walk in rural northern Uganda to the place where the
locals get their water. It was hot and dusty, the night wasn't long off, but
they said that the source wasn't too far, so we decided to forge ahead. We
walked. And walked. And walked. And grew thirsty, and sweaty, and hot. We
walked some more and finally came to the water hole. I hope he didn't see the
expression on my face when that first man scooped low into the hole to grab a
glass of muddiness. I winced to see him consume it so quickly as if it were
clear as crystal. It was all he had, and he was as grateful for it as I'd be
when I got back to my bottled water back on our bus. I felt ashamed and so
sad. Why must people live this way?
I guess I made a choice that day that I would never overlook this issue. It
seems simple, and over and over again I have heard that providing a clean water
solution to a community that has none is one of the most effective ways you can
aid a community in severe poverty. When you are sick and your doc gives you
some meds, what does she say to take with your pills? Exactly. "Drink plenty
of water." How much of the simple diseases that in Africa needlessly claim
lives because they wash pills down with water that makes them sicker? There are so many reasons that giving clean safe water can drink can impact a community forever. Eternity, even. Water is life. If you aren't involved in this cause, you should be. Learn. Know. Give generously.
Posted by kristin.
Charles Mokaya works as Regional Operations Manager at Help a Child Africa in Karen, Kenya. He has been one of the most influential people in ensuring the success of COME UNITY's projects in Africa. When I get on the plane to head home, Charles is committed to ensuring the projects are well looked after and relationships are transparent, so our work can continue and grow. Charles is coming to the US this October to visit, and I am incredibly excited. He will solidify his relationship with....jpg)
well, the fall is almost upon us. did you get your tickets for the sailing event on october 2nd? the boat is liscensed for 20 passengers, so hurry up! you don't want to be left on the dock. captain phil schnering has been sailing the high seas for almost 50 years, you will be delighted to sail on board his "Pintita" and learn first hand about the Cheasapeake Bay. he has also been a long supporter of COME UNITY and our projects in Africa. one of the main goals of COME UNITY is to ...
Until now, COME UNITY has most often looked like a dance event. I mean, when people like you come to a COME UNITY event, they'll come to a theatre and find a lot of beautiful dancers on stage, spending their lives and talents on doing somethign good for someone else. And i love it. Dance is what I do. So i love it. Last weekend was the 6k. I don't know much about 6k's or 5k's... as they typically are.... but there was a special something in the air that day. We were up late the night b...