Join us for this year’s Spring For The Water fundraiser
Our annual springtime event celebrates and supports our mission to bring clean water to the people of Burundi. One village at a time.
Space is limited, we fully expect this year’s event to sell out.
Gilbert Tuhabonye, Ashish Patel and Danielle Sweeney, MD, FAAP recently returned from Burundi. At Spring For The Water Ripple of Hope Gala attendees will hear firsthand how clean water creates a powerful ripple effect to save lives and improve the health, education and livelihoods of Burundians. Meet the panelists in the video below.
Emcee: Ed Clements
About the FUNDRAISING EVENT
What: Cocktails, Dinner & Informative Conversation
When: April 20, 2023, 6:00 pm
Where: South Congress Hotel Austin, Texas
How: Ticket required
Gilbert Tuhabonye
Gilbert co-founder of the Gazelle Foundation and owner-operator of Gilbert's Gazelles, is a renowned runner, coach, and public speaker. While growing up in his beautiful native country of Burundi, Gilbert spent much of his early childhood collecting and transporting clean water to his home from many miles away. Subsequently, during his teenage years in boarding school, Gilbert became the survivor of an atrocious act of genocide committed by an opposing political tribe. His tenacity, hope, and positivity led him to the United States, where he eventually settled in Austin and has spent over two decades working to provide clean water to the citizens of Burundi and teaching strength, joy, and forgiveness to everyone he meets.
"Everybody deserves clean water."
Danielle Sweeney
Danielle is a physician with extensive global health experience, and as Executive Director of IVU (International Volunteers in Urology). She has participated in several surgical workshops in Africa and has strong first-hand knowledge of the benefits and challenges of change-making in areas with limited access to resources. Prior to joining the Gazelle Foundation Board of Directors, Danielle was involved with the Gazelle Foundation through her participation in Run For The Water. She connected with Gilbert around her medical work in Africa, and in learning more about the Gazelle Foundation, became deeply interested in furthering our mission. Danielle is passionate about collaborating with like-minded individuals to support causes she cares deeply about.
"Both IVU and the Gazelle Foundation concentrate their work in low resource areas around the world to help address some of the major causes of poverty - lack of clean water and lack of access to quality healthcare. My skill sets and experience will benefit The Gazelle Foundation in furthering their mission and programming."
Ashish Patel
Ashish, a highly experienced software developer and entrepreneur, is the CEO and Founder of Simpat Tech, a software consulting company based in Austin, TX. Ashish met and became friends with Gilbert through his love for running and developed a deep interest in learning about and supporting the Gazelle Foundation. Ashish recently visited Burundi with Gilbert to get a firsthand look at the progress the foundation has made and to establish an understanding of where the Gazelle Foundation can go in the future.
"My biggest takeaway was how fortunate and lucky we are to live in a country like the U.S. where we have so many paths for opportunity. I am more grateful for this country then I have ever been.
On the other hand, while the ceiling is low, it did not deter children from using education as a path to opportunity. Watching children's dedication to go to school every morning for a better opportunity gives me hope for the country."
Event Sponsors
Thank you to all of our incredible event sponsors! Thank you for believing in a world with clean and safe water.
