The African Leadership Bridge, CTC International join Well Aware to raise $150k
AUSTIN — Two local Africa-focused nonprofits, The African Leadership Bridge and CTC International, recently joined Well Aware as Shower Strike fundraising teams for the first time this year.
Well Aware, the Austin-based nonprofit that builds water systems for impoverished communities in Africa, launched its infamous annual Shower Strike fundraiser on March 22. Although the similarly aligned organizations are all based in Austin and each provide aid to communities in Africa, they differ in the focus of their efforts and the types of services and support they offer.
CTC International empowers communities in Kenya to create the change, leading to sustainable solutions for everyday life. The African Leadership Bridge provides scholarships to promising young African leaders.
Before deciding to join forces to “stink it up” for Well Aware’s sixth annual Shower Strike, the organizations’ founders—Zane Wilemon of CTC International, Rick Reeder of The African Leadership Bridge, and Sarah Evans of Well Aware— were acquainted with each other and respected one another’s work.
Although CTC has partnered with Well Aware on past water projects, this is the first year they are participating as a Shower Strike team. This is the first time The African Leadership Bridge is collaborating with Well Aware or CTC International.
“Africa is coming to a crossroads. They have an enormous population of young people with tremendous potential, but most of them will not have a chance to realize their potential without some help. There’s no single answer, and each of us are approaching this in different ways, but ultimately all of us are connected. We wanted to honor that connection in a tangible way, and this is the first step,” Reeder says.
Wilemon says: “We can’t address one area of need adequately without addressing all areas equally because they’re all connected. Deforestation leads to poor water supply. Poor water supply leads to economic deficiency. Economic deficiency leads to lack of healthcare and education, and the cycle continues.”
Well Aware’s fundraising goal for the sixth annual Shower Strike is $150,000, and they will use the money to bring clean water to three villages in Kenya: Emining, Exrock, and Nyakio.
“We are so grateful for the support of these two other amazing Africa-focused local nonprofits, and their support will be a huge asset helping ensure we provide life-saving clean water projects to the people in these communities who desperately need it,” says Evans of Well Aware.
“Water is the basic foundation of all progress in Africa. Once a community has a sustainable source of clean water, kids are able to get an education instead of spending hours collecting water, and school attendance drastically improves. Crops can be planted, giving the community a steady source of food and income,” Evans says.
All donations support Well Aware’s clean water systems and are 100 percent tax deductible. For more information about Well Aware’s Shower Strike or to make a donation, visit www.showerstrike.org.
