Objective: To raise awareness about the 1.1 billion people who lack access to safe clean water and to raise funds for Drop of Hope.
Abstract: According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the bare minimum amount of clean water required for one person’s daily needs is 20L,
from a source within 1 km. This amount is adequate for drinking and basic personal hygiene. Adding bathing and laundry raises the personal threshold to 50L. Sadly, most of the 1.1 billion people categorized as lacking access to water use only 5L of unsafe water each day. The “5 Days of Drought” involves reducing your daily water consumption in order to experience first-hand the challenges others face on a daily basis. By participating, you will raise awareness about the plight of those who lack access to water, as well as the overconsumption of water in Canada. You will also help raise funds to provide safe clean water to children in Tanzania through Drop of Hope.
Number of Participants: The challenge can be taken by an individual, a small group, or be an organized school event. Any number of participants is appropriate.
Total Hours of Planning Time: Two hours. It is recommended to begin advertising at least two weeks before a school event, and to begin finding sponsors at least two weeks before the challenge begins.
Total Time for Participants: 5 days, plus time to collect pledges.
Appropriate Age of Participants: 13+ years
Materials:
- Posters
- Information sheets (provided below)
- Sponsor sheets (provided below)
- Participants will need:
- Reusable water bottle (to measure drinking water)
- Bucket(s) (to measure bathing and washing water)
- Cup (to retrieve water from bucket)
- Large bowl (to wash hands, clothing and dishes)
- Stopwatch (to time running water, if not using a bucket)
- Notebook (to record daily water use)
Action Plan:
1. Assign tasks to group members to promote and organize the event. Promotion in a school could involve creating posters and/or making announcements over the PA system. Other tasks include printing sponsor and information sheets and making them accessible to participants, and collecting donations to send to the Jane Goodall Institute.
2. Establish a date for your drought. Planning it around World Water Day (March 22) could help raise the profile of your event.
3. Establish a timeline for your advertising campaign and a due date for participants to return their sponsor sheets. (Don’t forget to include the important dates in your posters/announcements).
Note: Advertising and the distribution of sponsor sheets should be completed no less than two weeks before the event begins. Sheets should be easy to access and posters should be clear, with an emphasis on raising awareness about water issues.
4. On designated date (before drought begins), assemble participants to collect sponsor sheets and donations. Then read through the information sheet together and answer any questions that arise.
5. Check in with participants each day of the drought to ensure everything is going smoothly.
6. At the end of the five days, collect participants’ notebooks and record and publicize their achievements. You may also choose to provide some form of recognition to participants.
7. Pat yourselves on the back, and don’t forget to thank those who participated!
8. Donate the money you raised to the Jane Goodall Institute. Read the Sponsor Sheet for details.
9. Share your experience by uploading your project report onto the online Project Database.
Resources to get you started:
Project Blue fact sheets – Water Tips and Water in the Developing World are especially useful
Water Log – for those who can’t participate in the drought, but want to keep track of their water use
The Jane Goodall Institute is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Contact:
For more information about this project, contact roots_shoots@janegoodall.ca
Download the 5 Days of Drought INFORMATION SHEET here
Download the 5 Days of Drought SPONSOR SHEET here
