Water worker visits Zambia to see aid work
From clean, safe tap water to buckets and dirty wells, a Communications Officer from Kent is swapping the comforts of Kent to travel to Zambia to see how international charity WaterAid transforms lives of those less fortunate than ourselves bringing safe water and sanitation to communities in the country.
Jo Shippey, a Communications Officer for South East Water, has been chosen to represent the Company on the week-long trip (12th February 2012 to 20th February 2012) along with fundraisers from eleven other water companies. Jo will meet with communities to find out what life is like without safe water and sanitation and visit WaterAid projects in both urban slums and rural villages to see how the money raised by South East Water employees is making a difference.
Zambia has a population of about 13 million. Diseases are common throughout the country due to contaminated drinking water sources and poor sanitation. WaterAid estimates that only 60% of people have access to water and 49% have sanitation. 10,000 children under five die every year from diarrhea.
Dimitria Lubinga collecting water from an unsafe open well that is 20 minutes walk from her house, Habeenzu village, Zambia. (WaterAid/Anna Kari)
As part of the trip, Jo will spend a day with a local family living without clean water and sanitation, learning first-hand how they survive, and asking them about their daily water and sanitation challenges. Other visits will include meeting children in local schools, sitting in on hygiene education sessions, helping to carry water, and some construction work.
The 29-year-old from Canterbury said: “It’s easy to take clean water for granted when it comes at the turn of a tap, but 884 million people do not have this basic necessity. They have no choice but to drink dirty water that may make them sick or even fatally ill.
“This trip is a chance for me to see for myself the work that WaterAid is doing to change this, it is going to an extremely emotional and life changing experience.
“On my return I hope to use my experiences to inspire even more people at South East Water, and the wider community, to get involved and raise funds for this vital cause.”
WaterAid’s Development Manager, Nikki Skipper, said: “The money raised by South East Water fundraisers like Jo helps WaterAid change the lives of some of the world’s poorest people, bringing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. This is a great opportunity for her to see first-hand how their hard work and generosity has made a real difference to communities in Zambia.
Since Jo found out she was fortunate to be chosen to go on the visit she has been keeping a blog recording her thoughts and feelings. Technology allowing, she also hopes to update the blog while she is away so readers can keep up-to-date with her daily experiences. To read her blog log onto: www.watersupporter.blogspot.com
On the 1st April 2012, Jo will be running The Paddock Wood Half Marathon for the charity, if you would like to sponsor her log onto: www.virginmoneygiving.com/JoannaShippey
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