Sacred Water

Did you know? 

2. 
   
• Some 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water, and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation.
• Almost two in three people lacking access to clean water survive on less than $2 a day, with one in three living on less than $1 a day.
• More than 660 million people without sanitation live on less than $2 a day, and more than 385 million on less than $1 a day.
• Access to piped water into the household averages about 85% for the wealthiest 20% of the population, compared with 25% for the poorest 20%.
• 1.8 billion people who have access to a water source within 1 kilometre, but not in their house or yard, consume around 20 litres per day. In the United Kingdom the average person uses more than 50 litres of water a day flushing toilets (where average daily water usage is about 150 liters a day. The highest average water use in the world is in the US, at 600 liters day.)
• Close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.
• Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water. 
3. 
   

2. ...Although over 70% of the Earth’s surface is water, 97% of that water is salt water, leaving only 3% for fresh water. Of that, only 1% is fit for human consumption. Though water is technically a renewable resource, our supply of water is decreasing faster than it can be replenished. 

How many half-empty water bottles do you see in the garbage, lockers, at the track or in the cafeteria? If we had to collect water ourselves, we would definitely be more aware of the amount we waste vs what we actually use and/or need.  I feel that if more people were aware of how much of an impact they have on the world's water consumption, they would be aware of their own and reduce it. If everyone contributed a little, it would make a huge difference. Every little drop of water adds up. I think if people were informed of why water is essential vs just simply being told to conserve, they would dramatically reduce their usage. Connecting real lives with the impact of your actions make you realize how much it really matters. People depend on water. And the truth is, not all people have access to it. 

Children as young as four or five, replenish their village's water sources by carrying canisters filled with water for miles (pictured). 

I found a blog, called "Journalist on the Run". This journalist is a woman who plans to visit as many countries as possible. In the diary excerpt I read, she was in Kenya. She wrote of the importance of water in the village community. She quickly learned of true conservation of the resource and how sacred water is to the people. "The town can ‘run out of internet’ and not bat an eyelid, everyone goes on as if nothing has happened, nothing of value has been lost. But, without water, life ceases to exists" she writes. It really makes you think how much we take for granted. Reading of this makes me feel selfish. Internet to them is not needed, but for most in America, especially teens, it can easily be mistaken for being more important than water. However, it is not a need: water is a necessity. It's devastating that there are people who do not have something they so desperately need to simply survive. 

 http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats#src8

https://janetnewenham.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/dear-diary-prisoners/