By Regina Steele
Nearly one billion people suffer needlessly without access to safe water. Unfortunately, one out of every five deaths under the age of five worldwide is due to a water-related disease, according to The Water Project. In response to this crisis, the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane recently held a Bowling for Water Fun~draiser to raise funds to provide clean drinking water to the children of Atfal Khan Younis kindergarten in Gaza. PJALS believes that access to clean water is a human right!
PJALS’ Palestine-Israel Human Rights Committee (PIHRC) goal is to raise $4000 for the water filter to be installed, and we’ve raised a total of $2,501 thus far. All proceeds for this project will be sent to the Middle East Children’s Alliance’s Maia Project, for the children of Atfal Khan Younis kindergarten.
The Maia Project was initiated because of a school in Bureij Refugee camp in Gaza. The young boys were given the opportunity to choose one thing for their school. Sadly, out of anything these children could have chosen, they chose clean drinking water.
Clean water is essential to overall health, a successful community and living a longer life. I strongly believe every human being should have the right to clean water!
Planning is still in the works for future fundraising events to help PJALS achieve the total amount of $4000 for the children of Atfal Khan Younis kindergarten in Gaza. You can be part of this planning at the next Palestine-Israel Human Rights Committee meetings, on February 14 and 18.