Laurie's Story

Laurie was struck by the fact that Zambian women and children must walk several miles every day to procur water for basic needs.

The Running Water 5k Fun Run/Walk enters it third year in 2012. It is a story of one individual desiring to make a positive impact on the lives of people halfway around the world.
 
The Running Water project was formed by local Sherwood resident Laurie Marsh as a way to bring a permanent source of clean water to communities in Zambia by drilling wells. Laurie was struck by the fact that Zambian women and children must walk several miles every day to procur water for basic needs such as drinking, bathing and washing dishes. The time that is demanded of them to go to a water hole and carry back up to seventy pound jugs means that the children have no time for school and the weight of the water brings about constant injury to their bodies. The water is not sanitary and this contributes to an endless cycle of disease and death.
 
Laurie and her family first became involved in helping solve this issue by sponsoring a few children through World Vision and Compassion International, both well established world relief organizations. Her children then asked "if we can help a few kids, why can't we help one hundred?" Laurie realized that she did not have an answer for that. "I was really bothered that I couldn't give them a reason and I felt like I needed to somehow teach them to be resourceful in solving big problems." Not knowing how to do a fundraiser, she set out to learn and the Running Water Fun Run was born.
 
Over the past two years, over $50,000 was raised, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to drilling wells in Zambia, providing clean water for an entire community. Many lives will be literally saved because many people got involved in small ways. Their will be improved sanitation and hygiene as well as an increase in livlihood for many families as they are now able to grow food and water the animals.
 
And this year more people are getting involved. The children of Sherwood's Hopkins Elementary World Changers Club are raising funds to help drill another well and they will be learning about the lack of clean water around much of the world and its devestating effects such as tthe fact that while they eat lunch and play at recess, about one hour, 240 people will have died due to a preventable water-related disease.