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Comox 'Water Bash' benefits Ugandans

ACTS Fundraiser June 19 at Native Sons Hall
Nate Lepp helps deliver water during his visit to Uganda.
Nate Lepp helps deliver water during his visit to Uganda.

For 47 days last winter Comox Valley residents were under a boil water advisory. For those who bore the burden of the two minute rolling boil think of this: in rural Uganda, women and children walk several kilometres daily to fetch water that is often contaminated with waterborne diseases. There the boil water advisory is never lifted.

Over the past 20 years the Comox Valley has played a key role in improving the lives of Ugandans through the clean water charity, ACTS - Africa Community Technical Service. Dozens of volunteers have traveled to Uganda and or undertaken community fundraising projects. Because of this, thousands of Ugandans now have access to clean water.

On Friday, June 19 ACTS will be hosting a “Water Bash” at the Native Sons Hall to celebrate the work of Comox Valley supporters. This fundraising event will feature a live auction, appetizers from Kathryn Guenette and drinks from Roy’s Towne Pub, and a “Jerry Can Challenge” - a chance to experience what water collection is like for nine million Ugandans.

“In April, I met a widow in the Ugandan town of Kintu named Rosette,” said ACTS executive director Nate Lepp. “The money she once spent on health clinic visits and medicine every few months now supports her children’s school fees. She’s caring for a goat that will multiply and bring future income. She’s even saved enough to have a door and window shutters installed on her simple brick home, a simple improvement that brings her so much dignity.”

All of the proceeds from the event will support the cause of bringing clean water to more Ugandans. The auction will include such items as a one-day sailing trip on the Salish Sea, a weekend retreat at a waterfront cottage on Sproat Lake, and several paintings and pieces from local artists. Attendees will be able to hear firsthand from Nate Lepp as he speaks on the progress ACTS has made in recent years and the opportunities ahead.

Tickets ($25, or $20 each when you buy three or more) are available online at acts.ca/waterbash or in person at St. Peter’s Anglican (Monday–Thursday mornings).

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Event starts at 8.