You’re probably less than a minute away from a clean water source right now. This isn’t the case for many people in less fortunate areas, who carry heavy jugs while walking several hours to and from a clean water source. Me to We motivational speaker and change maker Spencer West heard about this issue and knew it was time for change.
Last year, Spencer, who lost his legs at the age of five, redefined possible when he successfully climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in support of Free the Children’s clean water projects in East Africa. This year, from May 6 – 13, Spencer will travel on his hands and in his wheelchair raising funds and walking from Edmonton to Calgary, again supporting Free the Children’s Water Initiative. Spencer will be joined by his two best friends, students and teachers in Alberta and some special celebrity guests. This campaign, We Walk4 Water, is also in solidarity with those people who walk hours each day collecting water for their families and themselves.
We recently caught up with Spencer at Me to We’s offices to talk about his Walk4 Water, training and summer plans.
To you, why is Free the Children an important charity to support?
In 2008, a friend, Reed, called and invited me to go on a Me to We trip to Kenya to help build a school for Free the Children. It was a life-changing experience! I saw how Free the Children’s “Adopt A Village” focuses on education, clean water, health and sanitation, alternative income and agriculture. I saw how all of those were working together breaking the cycle of poverty. It’s a hand up, not a hand out!
The moment that changed everything for me was when I arrived at the Free the Children school and the kids wanted to get to know me, so we sat in the grass and they asked me questions. At the end, a young girl raised her hand and she said she didn’t know something like this, being the loss of my legs, could happen to white people too. That’s where I realized how I could use my story to not only inspire other people but at the same time continue to send help to my friends in East Africa. That’s when I joined the Free the Children team. I am a Me to We speaker and leadership facilitator. I see the difference that fundraising makes.
What is the goal of Free the Children’s Water Initiative?
When we hear the word drought we know that it means lack of clean water, but it’s more than that. When I went to Kenya two summers ago, they were having one of the largest droughts they’ve seen in over sixty years. Their crops and livestock are dying which is their livelihood and how they make money. Their kids are now staying home instead of going to school so that they can help their family make an alternative source of money. On top of that, girls are walking even farther than they had to walk before to collect water. Our goal this year is to make sure we can eradicate some of that by providing clean water to 100,000 people. There are still 780,000,000 people in the world that don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water.
What inspired this year’s campaign, We Walk 4Water?
We had our first We Day in Calgary this fall. We wanted to keep that momentum going. Also, when we did Mt. Kilimanjaro, everybody was so excited and lots of people wanted to come with us and climb the mountain, but it just wasn’t feasible. We thought that we could do something where kids can actually get involved and, not only join us, but now do their own fundraisers alongside us.
You’ve already conquered Mt. Kilimanjaro, which was an amazing accomplishment. How are you preparing, mentally and physically, for your walk across Alberta, which is flat in comparison to a mountain?
For Mt. Kilimanjaro, we were lifting weights and doing some cardio, but for the most part it was about getting our muscles and cores in shape. This time around, it’s not necessarily about strength, but about endurance and keeping your body up. So, we’re doing something completely different – it’s all about stretching! We’re using these giant rubber bands, and I’m on rings where I hang upside down and then stretch my arms out. It’s nuts! Mentally, I’m doing it with my two best friends again so we support each other.
How can people support you on your journey?
We’re launching a website which is www.freethechildren.com/wewalk4water. We hope people will come to the website and donate $25 which provides clean water for one person for life! You can also buy Water Rafiki Friend Chain bracelets which are made by the mamas in Kenya. One bracelet is $10, and that provides clean water for one person for an entire year.
Regionally, if people live in Alberta, we’re hoping that they will go to the website and get involved. They can organize their own walk at the same time we walk or host pizza parties and bake sales at their school.
You are always setting out to “redefine possible.” What do you hope youth will take from your journey?
When we did the climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro, we wanted to use ourselves as a symbol that anything is possible. I was told that I would never walk or be a functioning member of society but we made it to the top of the tallest mountain in Africa! This round, we actually want to encourage students to go out there and do something. I’ve done the legwork, so to speak, and now we’re hoping that kids will get involved and do something. Doing their own walk or pizza party and helping us reach that goal of 100,000 people for life with clean water. That’s what we’re hoping students will take away from this: they can actually get involved and do something and create a huge difference by doing something as simple as walking.
What’s next for you?
This summer, I’m leading one of our first volunteer trips to Ghana which is happening in June and then I’m leading a trip to Kenya in July. I am continuing to be a speaker, a facilitator and hopefully inspiring some folks along the way.
Thank you, Spencer! All the best on your journey as you walk4 water!
(Photos courtesy of Free the Children)