Canadian students rally for African water challenge

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Grade 10 students at Neil McNeil High School in Scarborough made a connection today with people living thousands of miles away.  Hauling African water jugs, they participated in a water carrying relay, and got an idea of what teens in developing countries do on a daily basis to get water. They also found out how their donation of Clean Water for a Family through the World Vision Gift Catalogue will save lives.

"These students are walking in the shoes of teens around the world who must travel miles each day to get water," says Thanh Campbell of World Vision. "They're gaining an understanding of the importance of clean water access, something we take for granted in Toronto. They will also provide a family with the gift of access to clean water through the World Vision gift catalogue. This means they are not just experiencing the problem - they are also helping solve it."

"Having to experience the water walk was difficult even for that short distance. I can't imagine doing it every day," says Isaiah Farquarson, a student at Neil McNeil High School. "It was a good experience, everyone should try it. It makes me really happy to know how much we are helping someone, especially after seeing through their eyes how important water is."

The World Vision Gift Catalogue is a fun way for groups to tangibly rally around a cause that will change lives. It's also a great way to give a thoughtful gift. More than 80,000 Canadians gave charitable presents from the World Vision Gift Catalogue last year, making a donation in the name of a friend or loved one to help children and families in developing countries. Ninety gifts are available covering a range of causes, including water, nutrition, education, economic development and child protection.  To learn more, visit www.worldvision.ca/gifts.

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Image with caption: "Grade 10 students at Neil McNeil High School in Scarborough participated in a water challenge to better understand the people they are helping by providing a family with clean water access through the World Vision Gift Catalogue. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111208_C5331_PHOTO_EN_8005.jpg

Image with caption: "Students at Neil McNeil High School in Scarborough are raising money to provide a family with clean water access through the World Vision Gift Catalogue. Today they participated in a water walk challenge, carrying water jugs on their head to understand water issues youth their age face around the world. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111208_C5331_PHOTO_EN_8006.jpg

Video with caption: "Video: Canadian students rally for African water challenge ". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20111208_C5331_VIDEO_EN_8054.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20111208_C5331_PHOTO_EN_8054.jpg&clientName=World%20Vision%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Canadian%20students%20rally%20for%20African%20water%20challenge%20&title=Canadian%20students%20rally%20for%20African%20water%20challenge