Campaign: 2019 Sleeping Bear Marathon
Team: 2019 Traverse City - Sleeping Bear

Laura Flikkema

Did you know over 600 million people globally do not have access to clean water? This is almost double the population of the US.

Did you know more people die from lack of clean drinking water than all forms of violence combined, including war?

Did you know the average container for water collection in Africa weighs 44 pounds when full? And women carry this an average of 4 miles per trip, often multiple times per day?

Did you know three out of five kids do not make it to their 5th birthday in areas without access to clean water?

And...

Did you know access to clean water reduces miscarriages as pregnant women no longer have to carry heavy loads for long distances?

Did you know access to clean water allows kids more time for education and play? Kids can be kids.

Did you know access to clean water reduces sex trafficking? Young girls no longer need to walk long distances, many times alone, fetching water for their families putting them at risk with sex traffickers.

Did you know access to clean water allows women more time to tend to their families and start new businesses?

Did you know access to clean water opens people’s hearts to hear about Jesus?

This is why I will be running the Sleeping Bear Half Marathon on October 5th with Hope Water International. This organization is working hard to raise awareness, fundraise, and build community by drilling water wells to bring clean water to beautiful, yet forgotten groups of people in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Our current partners include:
* Pokot Outreach Ministry (POM): Kenya, Uganda
* World Hope International (WHI): Sierra Leone, Liberia

You can help. Please donate. Your gift will truly make a life changing difference. When water is no longer a daily concern for these villages, education, friendship, and community can flourish. Digging a well does much more than meet needs—it creates opportunities.

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely, Laura Flikkema

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