CORRECTION APPENDED

Many take the clean, hot water in their dorm room showers for granted. But for some, like those living in Ghana, South Africa or other African countries, clean water is more precious than anything else.

More than 50 people attended a charity event called “Dinner for Water” in the Student Organization Center at Hilles penthouse last night to advocate for providing clean water sources in African countries.

“The clean water situation in Africa is pretty horrible,” said Chioma Achebe ’10, president of Harvard African Students Association, which hosted the charity.

“I spent five years in Nigeria and problems were everywhere. Many villages don’t even have an access to clean water, without which people can’t even function.”

Achebe explained that the lack of availability of clean water is one of the key reasons people in Africa are vulnerable to diseases and other physical problems.

The proceeds of the charity dinner will be donated to the H2O Africa Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing clean water to several parts of the continents, and Project ACWA, a student-run grassroots effort to provide clean water to a village in Ghana.

“Each of us has the power to make a difference,” William Scott ’10, an HASA member, wrote in an introduction to the event. “And to contribute to eradicating the pervasive problem of the lack of clean drinking water.”

The dinner also featured Hauwa Ibrahim, a prominent lawyer from Nigeria, and performances from the Kuumba Singers and Zulu Praise Songs, a professional singer.

“I think this dinner is a huge success,” said Zolisa A. Shokane, a lecturer in the African and African-American Studies department.

“I support all the purposes and goals of this kind of events because I know there really is going to be a change. The Harvard community should continue to support the projects like this.”

Shokane said that she believed student movements, participation, and initiatives like the charity can bring a lot to Africa, including both the physical and moral support.

Achebe added that by holding this event, HASA hopes to give everyone at Harvard a chance to contribute to improving the water situation in Africa.

“One of our long term goals is to raise people’s awareness, which is very important,” she said.

“But of course, we seek to provide the means for the general public to help improve the situation.”

The charity event was co-sponsored by Committee on African Studies and the Office of Student Affairs.



CORRECTION

The Dec. 12 story, "Charity Event Promotes Water," stated that 50 people were in attendance at the event. In fact, there were 100 people.  It also stated that the event was co-sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs.  It was actually co-sponsored by the Student Activities Office.