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Globetrotters take part in Kelowna 6K

Kelowna, B.C. – Some 250 participants, including members of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, walked, ran or wheeled the Kelowna 6K for Water to support and raise awareness of the hardships faced by those collecting water in developing countries.

Members of the Globetrotters had recently returned from Mozambique where they saw for themselves the impact of World Vision’s water projects.

Six kilometres is the average distance kids in Africa have to walk to collect useable water, every day, World Vision Canada said in a news release. The #LoveCanKelowna event was intended to give thousands more children access to safe water.

Participants had a chance to see for themselves the hardships families in developing countries face collecting water when they were invited to carry a jerry can for the last kilometre of their walk.

“We were thrilled to have the Globetrotters at this year’s event. Since 2014, we have had the honour of partnering with the team, which has led to thousands of children being sponsored,” said Michael Messenger, World Vision Canada’s president and CEO.

“World Vision is reaching one new person with clean water every 10 seconds and reaches three more schools every day with clean water. The impact of fresh water on a community extends beyond drinking water, it does so much more in terms of farming, keeping kids in school and helping entire communities stay healthier,” Messenger said.

This is the second Kelowna 6K for Water. Last year, the event raised more than $260,000 and providing 5,200 children with clean water

Nearly 1,000 children die each day, worldwide, from preventable diseases related to unsafe water and poor sanitation and hygiene, the release said.