Saving children’s lives: The Tap Project now running in NZ
I’m volunteering for UNICEF NZ, helping to spread the word about the UN Children’s Fund month-long Tap Project, which launched at the start of this week. It will run throughout New Zealand until 9 April, helping to support the messages of World Water Day 2009 on 22 March.
- The second biggest killer of children under five worldwide is the lack of clean and accessible drinking water.
- Nearly 5,000 children die every day as a result of water-related diseases including cholera, typhoid and malaria.
- Just $1 can provide a child with safe drinking water for 30 days.
What’s the Tap Project about?
From 9 March to 9 April, UNICEF is inviting all New Zealanders to donate $1 or more at participating restaurants or cafes each time they order a glass of tap water -something we all take for granted.
This is the second year that New Zealand has taken part in The Tap Project (also running in the US) and already a record 300+ restaurants and cafes across the country have signed up to participate, including a number of major chains (all listed on our website: www.tapproject.org.nz).
In the lead up to World Water Day on 22 March, the campaign celebrates the clean and plentiful tap water Kiwis are lucky enough to enjoy, while helping UNICEF provide safe drinking water for the world’s poorest children, with this year’s proceeds going to specific projects in Laos.
Five easy ways to get involved
It’s really easy for everyone to get involved and a great way to make a life-saving difference to the futures of thousands of children.
-
Dine out or have a coffee at participating establishments and make a donation whilst there – all venues listed at www.tapproject.org.nz/restaurants.html
-
Make a donation online at www.tapproject.org.nz or by texting TAP to 833 ($3 automatic donation)
-
Join the Facebook group and help spread the word about the Tap Project. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11175254404
-
Get your school or workplace involved by running water-themed events or activities, e.g. donations for drinking water from the water cooler. Download free education resources at www.tapproject.org.nz
-
Come to UNICEF’s World Water Day events: On World Water Day – Sunday 22 March, local councillors will join a water challenge to coincide with Wellington’s dragon boat festival. On Sunday 5 April, an attempt will be made in Auckland to break the Guinness World Record for the largest ever simultaneous squirting of water pistols.
Celebrity support
Many New Zealand celebrities are supporting the campaign, including Mike McRoberts, Alison Mau, Jay Reeves and Amber Peebles.
Further Information:
- For news, videos, online donation and useful info and links: www.tapproject.org.nz
- Media enquiries: david@unicef.org.nz (David Youngmeyer)
- General enquiries: carolyn@unicef.org.nz (Carolyn Shivanandan)
- UNICEF NZ: www.unicef.org.nz
Facebook comments: