Guti’s story

Water brings life Water brings life. It is essential. What does essential mean? Unpack the word essential with the children. What do we use water for? Why is it important? Invite children to think of the wide range of uses, from drinking, washing dishes, washing ourselves, brushing our teeth, making food, growing plants, flushing the toilet and so on. Explain that when we want to have a drink or wash we can just turn on the tap. But for some people getting clean water can be much more difficult.

Did you know…? About 1 in 10 people in the world live without clean water. Water is a basic human right “I was thirsty and you gave me a drink” Matthew 25:35 Without water, people cannot reach their potential. What do you know about water? Let’s share some facts. Did you know? Reader 1: Water is a basic human right. A right is something that every person should have or be able to do. Pope Francis reminds us that access to safe drinkable water is a basic human right, in his letter, Laudato Si’ (#30). Reader 2: About 1 in 10 people in the world live without clean water. That’s 663 million people! Reader 3: Without access to water, people cannot reach their potential. Without access to water, girls have to spend time collecting water instead of going to school, or families get sick from drinking unsafe water, or they do not have enough water to grow crops or feed their animals. Reader 4: Jesus said, “I was thirsty and you gave me a drink” (Matthew 25:35). In this Year of Mercy, we remember that giving drink to the thirsty is one of the Acts of Mercy. Let us think about this today. Source: http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=assistance&utm_content=waterfacts3&gclid=COr3geCBu8kCFUEcGwodYgcMpA

Water challenge Interactive activity: Prepare two tables – one labelled boys, with enough glasses of water for each of the boys, and one labelled girls, which is an empty table. Invite several children to participate – preferably no more than four boys and four girls. Tell the children that their task is to drink a glass of water each. The girls will look around for their water as the boys drink their water! Explain that the girls need to collect their water first – tell them that their water is at the opposite end of the hall. You should then point to a space at the back of the room that contains bowls of water. When the girls collect their water and bring it to the front of the hall, provide them with some glasses or cups, so they can drink their water. If you are feeling brave, you could ask the girls to carry the bowls on their heads. Have towels ready! As this unfair task unfolds, ask the other children about the rules of the game. Is it fair? Why should the girls have to walk to and carry their water? What can be done to make this more equal? This water challenge can help to explain one of the cultural challenges faced by girls and women. Traditionally, it has been considered to be the role of women and girls to collect water. It’s a hard task, and is often physically demanding and time consuming.

Guti’s story UK Uganda Meet Guti from Uganda. Locate Uganda on the map. Compare its location to the UK. Watch the film to find out about Guti’s story - http://www.cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-schools/Lent-2016 Alternatively, share Guti’s story on slides 6-10.

Guti’s story A few years ago, not many children went to Guti’s school. The few children that did go to school, used to miss lessons a lot. They used to become sick because they didn’t have clean water and soap to stay clean and healthy. They might develop more serious illnesses from the local river water, which they would need medicine for. Guti and some of the other children stay at the school during the week as their villages are quite far away. Three years ago, Guti’s family wanted her to stop going to the school. There weren’t many girls at the school, and there weren’t good facilities for the children to stay clean. Guti says: “When I joined the school, there were only a few girls here, maybe three. And most of them missed school now and again.”  

Guti’s story But things have changed. With CAFOD’s support, the local water pump has been repaired. This means the children now have clean water. They can spend time learning instead of walking for miles to collect water.  

Guti’s story When we had no water we would go thirsty and we would be dirty and spend a long time without bathing. With this water, and with new sinks and soap, the children are able to keep clean and stay healthy. This means they no longer get sick and have to miss school. And they are able to concentrate better in class/ on their learning.   Guti remembers what things used to be like. She says: “When we had no water we would go thirsty and we would be dirty and spend a long time without bathing”.

Guti’s story The children learn about the importance of water and hygiene in lessons, and through songs and drama, as you can see in the photograph.  

Guti’s story The best thing about the project is that Guti and her friends are now teaching other children at the school how to stay clean and healthy.  

Life Poverty Education Health Food More and more children are coming to the school. There are now more than 80 girls. Clean water and learning about hygiene is helping these children to get an education, so they can build a better future for themselves. As we have seen in Guti’s story, water is essential. It can change so much. In turn, hold up signs for education, health, food and poverty, to show the huge impact water can make to communities around the world. Read the following statements with the signs: Education When children, especially girls, do not have to collect water, they are free to go to school. With clean water to drink and wash with, children get less ill, so they can concentrate better in class Health With clean water to drink and wash with, people stay healthy, so they can work or learn better, improving their lives. Food With water, people can water their crops, meaning less people go hungry. People can also sell extra crops to pay for other things they need. Poverty Access to clean water improves lives in many different ways, helping to break the cycle of poverty, and bring life. Life Water brings life. It helps people achieve their potential and build a better life.   Life Poverty

Loving God, We think of all the people around the world who have no access to clean, safe water. May our gifts, prayers and actions support them as they work to improve the lives of their communities. Together, may we build a world where everyone has access to water, can go to school and can achieve their potential. Amen We are going to finish with a prayer, so let’s sit quietly together.   Light a candle and pour a jug of water into an empty bowl. Invite children to listen to the water as it splashes into the bowl. Close your eyes and think about one thing that has struck you from today. Then think about the one thing you are going to tell your friends and family when you go home. Say the prayer together: Loving God, We think of all the people around the world who have no access to clean, safe water. May our gifts, prayers and actions support them as they work to improve the lives of their communities. Together, may we build a world where everyone has access to water, can go to school and can achieve their potential. Amen