FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Central Texas Students Unite to Walk Towards a Healthier Future for Africa
Walk for the Water engages students from 33 Central Texas schools to raise $35,000 to build a new
water system in Burundi, Africa
Austin, Texas – April 18, 2012 – A Legacy of Giving, a nonprofit that teaches students the value of
philanthropy as part of their school curriculum, will host Walk for the Water on April 28, 2012 in
partnership with the Gazelle Foundation. Organized to teach students about the lack of global access to
clean water, Walk for the Water’s 3.7 mile course at Burger Center represents the average one-way
distance children in developing countries must walk every day to access drinkable water. Students from
33 Austin area schools in the Legacy Program have been working together to raise $35,000 to build a
new, clean water system in the Songa region of Burundi, Africa.
“The children’s dedication to advocating for a new water system in Africa is an inspiration, and their
enthusiasm for the project is spreading beyond school boundaries and into the community,” said Linda
Brucker, executive director of A Legacy of Giving. “Walk for the Water will be an exciting event for the
students to celebrate their achievements and witness how their efforts have helped the people of
Burundi.”
Throughout the spring semester, students engaged in the Legacy Program have focused on the social
concern of water scarcity and learned about conditions surrounding global access to clean water, key
historical philanthropists, and the idea of advocacy through STAAR-aligned curriculum inside the
classroom. All participating Central Texas schools were given the tools to participate in individual
advocacy fundraising and events to engage, inform, and unite the community and general public around
this cause.
Walk for the Water participants will work together to carry a water bucket the entire length of the course
(one per school) and learn more about the water system their efforts are working to create. Gilbert
Tuhabonye, founder of the Gazelle Foundation and native of Burundi, will also speak on the major impact
the students’ contributions are having on the people of that region.
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“As of April 2012, the Gazelle Foundation has served more than 11,500 Burundians, and with the help of
Austin area schools and Walk for the Water we expect to help 5,000 more by the end of the year,” said
Mr. Tuhabonye. “Our children and the community’s passion for helping others in need reflects a better
future for the people of Burundi.”
Involvement from the Austin community has been achieved through sponsorship, registrations to walk,
and volunteer efforts. Samsung-Austin Semiconductor recently awarded $5,000 to A Legacy of Giving for
the Walk and $2,500 was received from Whole Foods Market.
A Legacy of Giving and the Gazelle Foundation invite the community to walk together in celebration of
Austin area students raising the funds to bring clean water to citizens of Burundi.
For more information about registration, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities visit:
http://walkforthewater.com/
About A Legacy of Giving:
Founded in 2007 under the umbrella of the Austin Community Foundation, A Legacy of Giving advanced
its mission to empower children through philanthropy education to become more engaged in improving
their communities and world. A Legacy of Giving believes that if children learn to be compassionate at
the earliest ages, they will continue to be engaged in their communities and offer their gifts of time,
treasure, and talent as adults. A Legacy of Giving empowers students to take action in their communities
by offering them well-planned, hands-on, real-life projects. The vision of A Legacy of Giving is to grow a
generation of givers.
About Gazelle Foundation:
Founded in 2006 by Tuhabonye, the Gazelle Foundation constructs clean water systems in his home
country. As of April 2012, they have provided access to fresh drinking water for almost 11,500 citizens.
One of the poorest countries in the world, one in five children do not live past the age of five because of
waterborne illnesses. Providing clean water is an answer to a basic need for human life, and has
improved hygiene, school attendance, and overall health of the population.
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For media inquiries or more information please contact:
Lindsey Fairless
[email protected]
(O) 512-794-8600
(M) 469-337-7982