Around 1,000 students took part in the walk, which was the first Caritas Ks event run at St Pius X.
Thandolwayo, a 12-year-old girl in Zimbabwe, inspired the walk. She used to walk seven kilometres every day to get clean water. Caritas (the Catholic aid and development organisation) was able to help Thandolwayo and her people in her village by installing a solar water filtration device, which brought clean water to the village.
St Pius X Ministry Coordinator and organiser of Caritas Ks, Adam Frost, encouraged each student to raise money for more solar water filtration devices. He said: “Clean, fresh water is something we take for granted. We have tried to raise enough money to fund as many of the solar water filtration and pump systems as possible, so lots of people can have access to water via a tap in their village.”
St Pius X Principal Robert Emery encouraged the students before they started their walk, saying: “Your good deeds will make a big difference to people in another country.”
Mr Frost walked carrying two five-litre containers of water while students were encouraged to carry their backpacks as an act of solidarity. Music played at various points along the course to keep everyone’s energy up.
The school exceeded their fundraising goal of $10,000, with the final count of donations at $17,520!
“I'm proud of our community!” Mr Frost said, “Our main focus was for every person in our St Pius X community to work towards this goal together.”
Year 10 student Benji Doran raised $150 towards the total and won a prize for being one of the best dressed. He said, “This format raised way more money than just asking people for change. It gave people something to give to. We were walking in solidarity.”
Year 10 student Charlotte Dever asked her family to donate to the event because, as she said, walking that distance encouraged empathy for those less fortunate.
Mr Frost said, “Caritas Ks was also a fun way to engage in social justice and a reminder to all of the students of our common call to reach out to all those in need.”
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