At the Rotary Club of Schorndorf’s second water action day, around 120 third-graders learnt and experienced how precious water is as a resource on the circuit in the town park. “We want to teach Schorndorf’s primary school children about the fundamental importance of water and how to use it sparingly,” said Rotary President Dr. Jost Baumgärtner at the opening ceremony.
Donkeys as relief
In addition to imparting knowledge to the participating elementary school in the run-up to the event, the Water Action Day also gave a tangible experience of how difficult it is for children and women in Ethiopia to fetch water. After all the aim of the water run and quiz through the course in the city park was to collect as many donations as possible for the provision of water transport donkeys in Ethiopia, which are regularly distributed to needy women and their families by the WaterFoundation. A water donkey with a carrying frame and water canisters can be financed with around 175 euros.
15 donkeys for the WaterFoundation
Susanne John, Public Relations Officer of the WaterFoundation, supervised one of the stations on the course and took the opportunity to personally thank all 120 participating primary school children, who were eager to learn and enthusiastic about the cause, for their efforts. The Rotarians turned the children’s efforts into a donation of 2,700 euros to the WaterFoundation, which will be used to purchase 15 water donkeys.
As in the previous year, the highlight at the end of the water run were the four tame donkeys, which – led by the children – took over carrying the water for the children at the end. A noticeable relief – for the children in Schorndorf as well as for the women in Ethiopia.
F.l.t.r.: Rotary President Dr. Jost Baumgärtner, Mayor Bernd Hornikel (patron of the event) and Susanne John from the WaterFoundation surrounded by the primary school children from Schorndorf when the results achieved were announced