A grandfather from Narooma is walking 50 kilometres in two weeks to help reduce the distance women and girls in developing countries walk for water as part of CARE Australia’s Walk in Her Shoes challenge.
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“I signed up because after many years of travel in South-East Asia, we have a close emotional relationship with young people in developing countries and know how much education can make a difference,” Colin, 66, said.
CARE Australia is asking Australians of all ages to walk in the shoes of those less fortunate.
By signing up to Walk in Her Shoes, you can raise funds to support CARE Australia’s vital work that helps reduce the distance women and girls have to walk by providing clean water and nutritious food close to home. This means girls can spend more time in school, women can earn an income and together they can help their communities step out of poverty.
Colin will be walking the challenge whilst Amelia, his 10-year-old granddaughter, will be swimming the challenge.
"I think it’s unfair that girls my age have to walk so far to get clean drinking water,” said Amelia, 10.
Colin said they were motivated to sign up for Walk in Her Shoes because CARE Australia’s goals run parallel to their own values, and it’s a fun thing to do.
“It’s great you can do the challenge with others, such as your grandchild. Throughout the world children Amelia’s age are expected to do things no child should have to, at the expense of getting an education,” said Colin.
Colin and Amelia are hoping to raise $1,000 through sponsorship, which can help a woman start a business.
CARE Australia’s Lyrian Fleming-Parsley said: “It’s shocking that in many poor countries, girls have to choose between walking to find drinking water and going to school. Simply having to walk to survive traps many women and then their children into a lifetime of poverty.
“Having thousands of Australians stepping up to the Walk in Her Shoes challenge can make a genuine and lasting difference to the lives of the world’s poorest women and girls.
“It is wonderful to have Colin and Amelia on our team!” Ms Fleming-Parsley said.
Walk in Her Shoes is a free walking and running challenge. You choose the distance that suits your ability to walk/run and you have from October 10-23 to complete the challenge. Get involved at www.walkinhershoes.org.au
FAST FACTS: Women and girls
- 836 million people still live in extreme poverty, on less than $1.25 per day
- Each year of schooling can boost a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%
- 60% of the world’s working poor are women
- Women produce half the world’s food but own less than 2% of its farmland
- 1 in 9 girls worldwide are married before the age of 15
- Children of educated mothers are 50% more likely to live past their 5th birthday
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia is an international humanitarian aid organisation with a special focus on helping women and girls lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. CARE Australia works at a grassroots level with communities to empower them to create positive change in their own lives – 87 cents of every dollar CARE spends goes to their programs overseas.