Havre local group participating in 6K for Water walk

Six kilometers is the average distance women and children in the developing world walk for water that is often unsafe to drink, World Vision reports.

Havre resident April Taber has launched her own team that will walk the six kilometers May 4 as part of World Vision’s Global Walk for Water event.

Taber said she first got involved with World Vision by sponsoring a child in 2014. She first wanted to do the 6K walk, but there was no team in Montana to join.

“This year there are two teams in the state, but they are four to five hours away,” she said. “I wanted to get Havre involved, so I started my own team.”

The walk will take place Saturday, May 4, at 8:30 a.m. on the Bill Baltrusch Nature Trail with the starting point on the dirt side by Havre Ice Dome. Participants can walk, run, bike and even push their child in a stroller for the Walk for Water.

“Registration costs $50, which goes to World Vision water projects,” World Vision CEO Edgar Sandoval Sr. said. “$50 will provide clean water for one person. Every 6K for Water participant equals clean water for another person in a developing country.”

Any age can participate, those 18 and younger can register for $25. For anyone interested in participating can register at http://www.worldvision6k.org/ and click on the team “Walk4Water.”

“After people register, in 7 to 10 days you will receive a t-shirt, a special bib and a finish medal. You can still come out even if you don’t have the special shirt,” Taber added.

“One thousand children under 5 die from contaminated water from diarrhea caused by contaminated water, poor sanitation and improper hygiene.” Taber said. “The money raised will go towards digging wells and bringing clean water to these countries that don’t have access to clean water.”

“May 4th is a busy time for people because of events like graduations, so those who can’t participate can still donate through the website (http://www.worldvision6k.org),” Taber added

“Even though we’re a small community, we can still be a part of something big,” she said “Pretty cool if we can say we contributed even in this far away place.”