CORPORATES AND INDIVIDUALS JOIN IN LARGE NUMBERS TO WALK FOR WATER ON 16TH APRIL.

Tigo Walk for Water 2011 will take place at Mlimani City on Saturday 16th April. Participants arrival is from 5.30 to 6.30 for numbers collection and warm ups. The 6km Run is scheduled to be flagged-off at 7.15 am and the 6Km Walk for 7.30 am.

Tigo Walk For Water 2011 is a fundraising event aimed at raising awareness about the global water crisis, educate people about how to save and reuse water as well as raise funds for a water project in Bagamoyo that is under the implementation and supervision of Ifakara Health Institute (IHI).

Speaking during the conference on 13th April Dr. Godfrey Mbaruku, Deputy Director for Ifakara Health Institute said ‘This project was identified as critical because there are many people living without access to clean water in Bagamoyo. The wells are often shallow at less than 10 meters deep and they dry easily. The natural source of water through the Ruvu river is no longer clean and is also almost drying up. Digging the wells need to have a pre survey of the area, analysis of at what level clean water will be available and assuring that it is 50meters clear of any other hindrances which can cause water infection.The aim is to provide sustainable water to the villagers and hence we believe this must be well planned and implemented”.

Tigo Tanzania’s Public Relations Executive, Mr. Jackson Mmbando stated ‘Tigo is excited to host this fundraising event. Aside from being a good cause, we believe the day will be fun and rewarding for all those involved and we encourage people to come out and participate.’

“We would like to motivate companies and government institutions to donate any amount they can towards this project. If everyone donates a little bit, it will go a long way. Corporates who don’t have staff to walk or run or who cannot participate in any other way, should atleast consider making a donation to the water project. Every Drop Counts. Every Donation Counts.” Bertha Ikua, Client Service Manager for Spearhead Africa Limited stated during the press conference.

Also speaking at the event was music artist Mwasiti ‘I am proud to be performing at this event. I want to use this walk also to educate people about how to conserve water. Me as a women I feel these women as they walk 6km with buckets on their head and I have decided to use my position in a society to inform others about this tragedy.’

‘6km is not a joke, I urge men and women in cooperate world to take one day in 365 days and walk 6km and feel the pinch these women go through in their every day life’ Mwasiti added.

Everyone is welcome to register for the walk this includes individuals, corporate companies, embassies, NGOs and government institutions. Companies are encouraged to make this their team building day for their staff members and register their staff as corporate. So far companies such as Holtan E. A. Ltd, Tanzania Distillers Ltd, Davis & Shirtliff, Synovate Group Ltd, Kenyan Embassy, US embassy, Barclays Bank Tanzania, Gapco Tanzania Ltd, Deloitte Consulting Ltd, Truworths and many more have staff members that will be participating.

This year Tigo Walk for water has taken new turn as different celebrities will lend their support on this cause during the walk , this includes movie artists George Tyson and Ray, music artists Shaa, Mangwear, Temba and Chege, TV personalities and presenters Dina Marios, John Bukuku and Gerald Hando and fashion icons Paka Wear and Ally Rehmtulla.

‘The 6km walk and run route will start at the Mlimani City gate located at Sam Nujoma Road entrance gate and head left towards the round about turning left again into the road heading towards the University main entrance gate by Ardhi University. The route involves some of hills and descends as we navigate through the University grounds which will be enjoyed along with the scenery and back again to Mlimani city using Sam Nujoma road’ Dr Ndee President of Athletics Tanzania said whilst describing the walk map during the conference.

Registration for individuals for the Walk and Run is at Tsh 3000 per person. On 14th and 15th April you can collect walk and run numbers and register at the Mlimani City. For corporate registrations and donations please contact 0713 252 254.