Spencer West’s We Walk4Water Mission
Most people are within reach of a clean water source in minutes, yet millions in less fortunate regions must shoulder heavy jugs and walk hours a day just to drink. Spencer West, a Me to We motivational speaker and change maker who lost his legs at five, heard these stories and knew it was time for action.
Last year, West redefined what is possible by climbing to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro to support Free the Children’s clean water projects in East Africa. This year, from May 6 through 13, he will travel on his hands and in his wheelchair, raising funds and walking from Edmonton to Calgary to support Free the Children’s Water Initiative. He will be joined by two best friends, Alberta students and teachers, and a group of celebrity guests. The We Walk4Water campaign stands in solidarity with families who walk hours each day to obtain water for their households.
Spencer West discussed the Walk4Water campaign, his training, and summer plans in an interview at Me to We’s offices.
West explains why Free the Children is an important charity to support. He recalls a life‑changing moment when he first learned about the organization’s work in education, clean water, health and sanitation, and sustainable agriculture. The approach, he says, is a hand up, not a hand out, and it shows how these elements work together to break the cycle of poverty.
The goal of Free the Children’s Water Initiative is rooted in a stark reality: drought means more than dry land. It strips crops, harms livestock, forces families to abandon schooling, and pushes girls to walk farther to fetch water. West notes that during a severe drought in Kenya, crops withered, livestock dwindled, and children stayed home to help their families, which kept them from school. The aim this year is to deliver clean water to 100,000 people, a number that underlines the ongoing need since hundreds of millions still lack access to safe drinking water.
What inspired this year’s campaign, We Walk4Water? West explains that after the first We Day in Calgary, momentum carried forward. Kilimanjaro showed what people can do, and there was strong interest from families and students to participate. The idea was to create a form of involvement that allows kids to fundraise alongside the walkers, not just watch from the sidelines.
You’ve already conquered Kilimanjaro, which was an incredible achievement. How are you preparing, mentally and physically, for the Alberta walk, which is flat in comparison to a mountain? The plan focuses on endurance rather than pure strength. Training now emphasizes mobility and longevity, with stretching and stability work using resistance bands and hanging rings to keep the body supported. West emphasizes the importance of having his two best friends by his side for motivation and mutual encouragement.
How can people support you on your journey? A campaign website will host the fundraising effort, and supporters are encouraged to donate amounts such as 25 dollars to provide clean water for life for one person. Water Rafiki bracelets, created by the mamas in Kenya, are sold at 10 dollars each and provide water for one person for an entire year. Regionally, residents of Alberta can organize their own walks, host school pizza parties, and hold bake sales to amplify the impact.
West is known for the phrase redefine possible. He hopes youth will take away a simple yet powerful message: with action, amazing things can happen. The Kilimanjaro climb showed that limits can be overcome, and now students are invited to create their own walks or fundraisers to help reach the 100,000‑person goal for life with clean water.
What’s next for him? This summer, West will lead one of the first volunteer trips to Ghana in June, followed by another trip to Kenya in July. He will continue to serve as a speaker and facilitator, aiming to inspire others to participate and effect real change in their communities.
Spencer West’s ongoing mission is clear: mobilize communities to help provide lifelong access to clean water for those in need.