AUSTIN, Texas — Area runners showed their gratitude for the return of clean water to Austin by turning out in force for the 2018 Run for the Water, the annual charity event that raises money for water projects in Burundi, Africa.
More than 3,600 runners registered for the run today, raising enough money for the Austin-based Gazelle Foundation to help at least 6,400 people get access to clean water in Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world.
“Everyone in Austin was reminded last week of the importance of access to clean water, ” said Courtney Waldren, executive director of the Gazelle Foundation, which organizes the run. “There’s no better way to show our gratitude than to give to others. It was inspiring to see more than 4,000 people do that today, either by running, donating money or volunteering.”
This is the 12th annual Run for the Water organized by the foundation, a non-profit founded by local runner Peter Rauch along with Austin resident and Burundian genocide survivor Gilbert Tuhabonye. Since 2006, the Gazelle Foundation has helped bring clean drinking water to more than 92,000 people in Burundi. This year the foundation hopes to pass a milestone of more than 100,000 people given the gift of clean water.
While many Americans take access to clean water for granted, for the people of Burundi, it’s a matter of life and death. Waterborne contaminants are the leading cause of death in the land-locked African nation. Burundi has one of the world’s highest child mortality rates due largely to a lack of clean drinking water.
The Gazelle Foundation is able to make an enormous impact on the everyday lives of Burundians by working closely with them to complete clean water projects one village at a time.
The foundation raises money for water projects throughout the year and leads educational projects on the importance of clean water.
Learn how you can join the Gazelle Foundation in transforming lives.
Follow the Gazelle Foundation on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on the outcomes and effectiveness of this and other Foundation water systems.
For the people of Burundi water is life. Access to clean water means access to better health, stronger community, jobs, education and most of all: hope. Join us and transform lives today!
Run For The Water Race Day photos are now available!
