Guest column by Kiera Gallagher: Country concert helps women in Africa build a well for clean water
After stumbling upon charity:water, Oakwood student became motivated to help the cause.
JT Sheets will perform at the concert at the Morgan Hill Amphitheater May 31.
By Kiera Gallagher
Imagine daily carrying 40 pounds of water for miles on your head. Now, envision being unable to enjoy spending time with family, going to work, or attending school because you must walk all day in dangerous conditions and scorching heat to access water that’s killing you and your family. Illustrated in shocking statistics, this is the sad truth for millions of women in underdeveloped countries. However, with your help, there is hope for change.
For a long time, school didn’t click with me. Hanging out with my friends was great, but the learning aspect I could’ve passed on. Of course, I wanted to be an “A” student, but while trying my best, I was still in the “B” range. Then it hit me: I wasn’t fully using the opportunities given to me. So, I started taking advantage of my resources — going to teachers’ office hours, using the public library, and getting my friends to study with me.
Honestly, it made a big difference. I became a great student. Surprisingly, more than the grades, the most rewarding part was feeling smart. While this may sound cliche, the sense of accomplishing my goals and understanding more about the world made me feel empowered and strong. I think every woman deserves to feel that way.
When I discovered the literacy rates of women in certain countries, I was completely shocked. Guinea has a 31.3 percent literacy rate. Chad has an even more devastating 18.9 percent. Immediately, I knew I was meant to help these women. I just wasn’t sure how, so I started researching. Maybe I could donate to help build a school. As I dove further, I realized the main reason these women couldn’t attend school was because other tasks occupied their day, like fetching water for their families. Their daily routine involved walking miles through risky terrain, harsh conditions, and scorching heat to collect 40-pound buckets of water. With their days consumed by this task, they have no time for education.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contaminated water kills 1.7 to 2.2 million people each year. This shows that water-related deaths outnumber those caused by all types of violence involving weapons combined, claiming three times as many lives as warfare does, as per the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.
It’s intriguing how something so lethal remains largely unpublicized in most of the media. The World Health Organization reports an alarming statistic: one in three people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water, leaving billions vulnerable to waterborne illnesses. The enormity of this problem is astonishingly overlooked by a lot of people, including myself. It’s hard to understand why such huge numbers are not widely known. This understanding only furthered my determination to help make a real difference.
That’s when I discovered charity:water, an organization that builds wells worldwide. I felt amazed by its work. The founder, Scott Harrison, has an incredible story. He went from being a nightclub promoter struggling with addiction to saving lives every day. In his YouTube video about charity:water, Harrison shares his inspiring journey.
What’s amazing about his organization is that it’s funded by sponsors — 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to providing clean water to the communities in need. Another great aspect about charity:water is their commitment to transparency. They let donors know exactly where their money goes and how it helps. It’s neat to see how much an impact even a small donation can make.
After stumbling upon charity:water, I became motivated to help the cause. Being a country music lover myself, I saw an opportunity to unite the entire South Valley community and support a worthy mission through a family-friendly concert. Join me from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater for an amazing night. Our lineup features exceptional local talent JT Sheets. His heartfelt country melodies will resonate with everyone. Accompanying him is Nashville recording artist Buck Ford. The country musician has shared the stage with renowned artists like Chris Young, Jon Pardi, and Cody Johnson.
Taking us through the night will be Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner as the emcee. Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, 100 percent of every dollar raised will go directly to charity:water, which will in turn go straight to the well-building process. Join me for a night of music, community, and meaningful impact. This “Concert for a Cause” promises a performance to remember.
It would mean the world to me if you supported this cause to help women in Africa by digging a well so they no longer have to walk long distances every day for water. Every $40 donated will give one person a lifetime supply of clean water.
Kiera Gallagher is a junior at Oakwood High School. She wrote this column for Gilroy Life.