The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
They were able to raise $150 through the Walk for Water last year and the students of Ruth Betts School are hoping to double that this year. The Walk for Water, first held last year, helps students in Malawi and Rwanda by having the community donate money as well as walk a six-kilometre jaunt. ÒThey (the children of Malawi and Rwanda) walk three kilometres one way and three kilometers back three times a day,Ó says student council vice-president Tristan Barteski. ÒSo we are doing what they do, only once.Ó With the walk getting underway at the playground of Ruth Betts School on Sunday, October 5 at 1 p.m., those participating will make their way up South Hudson and down by Super K before heading down Main Street to the ÔRed SquareÕ. From there, the walkers will head to Rotary Park, fill up four-litre jugs with water, and make the trek back to Ruth Betts. Though neither the vice-president nor president, Riley Rachuk, knew how much the jugs of water would weigh, it was decided they would be Òpretty heavy.Ó The walk, which is open to anyone interested, is to simulate the typical day of a child in a not-so well-off area. ÒItÕs a good experience,Ó says Tristan. ÒWe are able to feel what they feel when we are walking.Ó As far as Riley could tell, last yearÕs walk was successful. ÒWe had 139 liters of water and 54 walkers,Ó says the school president. From the money raised, which goes to UNICEF, the students will be able to have clean water, school supplies and schools to go to. As the crowd of people, which the student council hopes to see double this year, walks their path, they will be led by participants carrying a Walk for Water sign. Last year, participants were required to leave their signature on the sign before they could walk. And as the school is waiting for a new sign for 2008, the sign from 2007 will be shipped off to UNICEF, as a keepsake. In total, last year the students of Ruth Betts passed on $2,500 to UNICEF through fundraisers. Students will be fundraising with the Walk for Water to try and raise that $150 bar set last year. Anyone interested in being a part of the Walk for Water can contact Ruth Betts School at 687-7538.
