By Julian MITCHELL, intern

The Walk for Water charity event is coming to Montrose for the fourth consecutive year. The event, which is hosted by Glendale Sunrise Rotary Club, will be taking place on Sept. 15 at Montrose Community Park. The walk will benefit the Aid Africa program, which does charitable work for African people, particularly in the country of Uganda.

An estimated 40 people are expected to take part in the walk. It will start at 9:30 a.m. in the park, and participants will make their way down to Montrose Fire Station 29, 2465 Honolulu Ave., carrying empty jugs.

While carrying empty jugs may not seem very informative or engaging, once at the fire station, the fun – or challenge – begins. Participants will then fill their containers with five gallons of water and make the approximate one-mile trek back to the park.

The walk is expected to end around noon.

Having to carry water is an everyday task for many women and children in Africa who do not have the luxury of water on tap. Additionally, the water they find is not always clean.

According to the Rotary Club, 80% of transmittable diseases come from unsanitary water sources, one such disease being diarrhea. According to the World Heath Organization, the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old is diarrhea, with Uganda ranking 19th in deaths for children under 5.

With the funds raised from this event, Aid Africa will be able to continue working in Uganda digging wells for people in need of clean water. Each well takes approximately one week to complete.

Registration for the event is $25 and includes a T-shirt. Registration takes place on Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. The Rotary Club is encouraging participants to seek sponsorship from friends and family.

For information about sponsorship and additional information, Aid Africa can be contacted at (818) 389-6442 or at www.aidafrica.net/walk-for-water.

Montrose Community Park is located at 3529 Clifton Place in Montrose.

  Julian MITCHELL