Planning Guide

For mor e infor mation co ntact: Debra Kahn , Wells of Lov e program directo r (240) 418 -1143 debbie@ammanimman.o rg
Us e this gui de (h ttp: //www.am mani mman. or g/WO L/R eso u rces_and_T ool s_files /A Wal k for Wa ter walk_planning_ gu ide. pdf) in conjunction with A WFW Fund raising Kit, ht tp:/ /www.am m animman. or g/WO L/R es ources_and_To ols_fil es/ A Walk f or Water walk_fundraisin g_kit. zip

Table of Contents
Overview..3 Mission and Go als ...4 Steps for Organizing a W alk for W ater.......5 Our H ero es of Comp ass ion in Stories and Photos.........8 Sample Volunteer Check list ..............................12 Sample Budget ...............14 Wells of Love Reg istration Form............16

This could not be truer than in the Azawak of Niger and Mali, West Africa. Climate change has drastically shortened the rainy season, leaving half a million people with no water for up to ten months each year. Without rain, the people and animals have no water to drink or bathe with. Living on the brink of survival, the regions 500,000 inhabitants are constantly searching for water; these daily trips can cover 35 miles and are performed often by children. They have no access to roads, schools or health centers; few development organizations work to improve their lives.

Water is Life

There is hop e.
Clean and sustainable sources of water exist deep underground, but are unreachable without expensive mechanical equipment. Amman Imman: Water is Life is drilling permanent sources of water for these resilient people, providing a chance to live without the indignity of daily thirst and fear of water-borne illness. Each well provides water for up to 25,000 people and animals, and serves as a catalyst for community development. Freely flowing water stabilizes these communities allowing them to address further needs such as schools for children and adults, reforestation and environmental protection programs, opportunities for economic development, agriculture, and food and health aid.

Wells of Love
News of the water crisis in the Azawak spread early and quickly among an international network of Montessori schools; a support system was created and the value of involving compassionate children in relief efforts was soon realized. Established in 2006, Wells of Love is the service-learning program of Amman Imman: Water is Life. Its mission is to unite and empower students as Heroes of Compassion - future leaders with a caring, philanthropic spirit by engaging them to help bring water and hope to the 500,000 people of the Azawak of West Africa. Students in over 50 Montessori schools around the world have participated in educational awareness activities and creative fundraisers such as A Walk for Water. The efforts of these dedicated Heroes of Compassion culminated in the construction of a borehole well, named Montessori Well of Love, in the village of Kijigari in June 2010. New schools and communities around the world are joining our Wells of Love brigade to save lives in the Azawak.

A walk for children, by children

A Walk for Water

Amman Imman : Water is Life invites schools and communities around the world to participate in our Wells of Love service learn ing program by conducting A Walk for Wat er.
A Walk For Water is a collaborative fundraising event for students to raise funds to build permanent sources of water in the Azawak of West Africa.

Missio n and Go als

During nine months of the year, the children of the Azawak make a marathon hike for water in stifling 110F temperatures; inspired not by an athletic goal, but by a desperate need. They travel up to 30 miles in a day in an oppressive heat with little food. They know that if they don't return soon with water, one of their family members might die. To bring awareness to the challenges these children face, and to raise money to bring them water, schools, students and community organizations are invited to conduct A Walk For Water. Student collect sponsorships for each mile they walk from friends, neighbors, family members and local businesses. All funds raised go towards building these permanent sources of water. A Walk For Water embodies the mission of our Wells of Love program, which is to empower students as Heroes of Compassion. These future leaders come together with a philanthropic spirit to take positive action toward bringing water and hope to the Azawak. Each stage of planning and engagement in A Walk For Water brings meaningful experiences, which stem from compassionate action.

2009, Lak e Frank, D erwo od, MD Students and families from Oneness-Family School, Barrie School and Aidan Montessori collaborate

Steps for Organizing A Walk For Water

1. Pick a date and register your schools event on the Amman Imman website, www.ammanimman.org/walksignup In several communities in the United States, A Walk For Water has been held the 3rd Saturday in May. World Water Day in March or Earth Day in April also provides occasions where an event focusing on the scarcity of water can be highlighted. We encourage your school to hold A Walk For Water at around the same time each year in order to raise a loud and consistent voice for the children of the Azawak. Option: We can set up your event for online registration and donation collection. Ask us about this! 2. Choose a venue The walk can take place on a wooded trail, around a track, along a city bike path, in a local park, around your local neighborhood or on school grounds. Tip: Plan ahead. Set up an organizing committee. You may need to provide portable toilets, apply for a permit, or pay a fee. 3. Invite your community New Zealand, October, 2007 A Walk For Water can be held as a school function just for students during the school day, or organized as a weekend family event. Schools are encouraged join together with other schools to create an even bigger event that will give students an experience of being part of a larger collaborative movement.
4.

Use the forms and samples in A Walk For Water Fundraising kit Download here: http://www.ammanimman.org/WOL/Resources_and_Tools_files/A Walk
for Water walk_fundraising_kit.zip

The kit contains what you need to register your event and sign up your participants, raise awareness and promote your event, inform parents and encourage students, raise funds and submit your donation. Most of these documents can be tailored to meet your schools needs. Tip: Prepare a timeline for all tasks. Think backward from the date of the event. Announce the event to your community approx. two months prior. Open the registration and begin collecting sponsorships approx. one to two months in advance. 5. Register the students Conduct a campaign in your school and announce the Walk. Provide students the opportunity to make presentations outlining the water crisis in the Azawak and Amman Immans work in the region, inviting students and members of the community to register for the Walk. Option: Invite an Amman Imman representative to make a presentation or even work with your students to raise awareness in your community.
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Students register other students

6. Collect sponsorships Encourage students to tell their friends, neighbors and relatives that they are raising funds to erect a permanent structure drilled to reach sustainable water sources a borehole - that will meet the water needs for 25,000 people and animals who currently do not have any access to water. Tip: Learn more about the Azawak region on our website or watch a video on one of our YouTube channels: http://www.youtube.com/user/djoie or http://www.youtube.com/user/ammanimman 7. Design a banner with the Amman Imman logo A banner will add a celebratory note and create an expressive background for a community photo. Add your corporate sponsor logos. 8. Send out a Press Release a week before the event Tell media outlets including websites, newspapers, television stations and radio stations about your event by sending out a press release. Use our media kit to write a press release tailored to your event. 9. Publicize the event Hang posters around town; seek free advertising on bulletin boards and in local newspapers. Comment about the event on websites and blogs. Post a notice on Facebook, Twitter, your schools website, your personal blog and other places. Invite people to participate.

Students hand out donated refreshments

10. Seek corporate sponsors Create community responsibility and raise awareness by working with local merchants to match your donation. Businesses may want to provide in-kind donations by offering their services as incentives. They may want to supply snacks and drinks,make the banner, print posters and donate other needed supplies to support the cause. Credit these businesses in your press release and put their logo on your banner. Everyone can benefit! Tip: Set a fundraising target for your school. Think high! Find a corporate sponsor to match the funds raised by your students. 11. Create your own merchandise with the Amman Imman logo, like buttons or t-shirts Provide a memento for the students and highlight your corporate sponsors. (This is optional, but the kids love it!) Option: You can sell merchandise at the walk to raise more money. 12. Prepare a certificate to give to your Heroes of Compassion Celebrate your students accomplishments by giving them a certificate at the end of the Walk. 13. Organize your volunteers Secure people to help with making signs, marking the trail, checking in participants, collecting money, selling merchandise, handing out refreshments, chaperoning during the walk, cleaning up the trail, etc. Tip: When you start to plan, form a committee to organize the event. Use our sample Volunteer Guide and Checklist provided in this guide.
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Students receive a certificate to honor their effort

14. Prepare the venue Mark the trail with clear signs, decide on where to set up the check-in table, refreshment table, etc. Tip: Pick a route that is a little challenging and a lot of fun. A length of 3 miles or 5 kilometers is ideal. Students can ask their sponsors for a minimum of $5 per mile or kilometer. 15. Plan the rally Make the event more meaningful for everyone by holding a rally on the day of the walk just before it begins. Remind everyone why they are walking. Discuss how to be safe while walking.

Everyone should wear sturdy shoes.

16. Inform the participants about the details Send out Participation Guidelines, Driving Directions, Parking Instructions, and whatever other information is needed. Tip: Plan the event for a Saturday and invite the whole family! Everyone will benefit and enjoy serving together. 17. Reconcile the collected funds Total the number of participants and reconcile the funds collected on the Participant Tally Sheet. Record the totals on the Event Response and Donation Submission form. 18. Checks should be made payable to Amman Imman Send the funds along with the Participant Tally Sheet, Registration Forms, Sponsorship Forms and Event Response and Donation Submission Form to:
A rally is held to bring everyone together

Amman Imman : Water is Life, 7036 Strathmore Street, Suite 111 Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Make it a fun and meaningful experiences for the entire family!

Our Heroes of Compassion

Stories and Photos,
2006-2009

Oneness-Family School, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA

For three years, Ryan has participated in A Walk for Water. Cultivating values of service is very important in his family. Every year with his parents support, Ryan approaches his friends and neighbors to sponsor his three-mile walk. Although he feels a little shy ab out asking, he has gotten better at explaining th e water crisis and how his schools involvement in the Amman Imman project has changed lives in the Azawak. The response from his neighbors when they give a donation every year builds his confidence. Seven-year-old Rose makes discerning choices on how to spend her allowance money. She will often choose not to buy a toy or gadget saying, I dont really need that. Yet, when it came time for A Walk for Water, Rose insist ed on contributing $100 of her own savings to Amman Imman . Five-year-old twins Kieran and Callum attended A Walk for Water for the 2nd year. Their mom, Christin e, a teacher at Oneness-Family School, took her time walking the trail with the boys, their friend Josh, and 11year-old husky dog Colby. For the boys (and for their mom keeping them on the trail!), it was a great achiev ement to complete these three miles. Christine and her family, including 19-year-old Sophie, middle schooler Sebi, and the twins, have made A Walk for Water and raising funds for the children of the Azawak a special event for their family. Even the five year olds ask their neighbors for money to help the Aaaz awaak.

Expr essions of Co mp assio n

Hershey Montessori School, Huntsburg, Ohio, USA

Paula Leigh-Doyle, head of school at Hershey Montessori in Huntsburg, Ohio describes her schools response to A Walk For Water: Our adolescent student s initiated the idea of a whole-school sponsored walk. They walked ten miles, while our Upper Elementary students walked six miles and the Early Elemen tary walked three miles. Some early elementary children took turns haulin g a large container of drinking water, which was as much symbolic as it was n ecessary to hydrate at the end of their walk. The primary students walked the perimet er of the school and collected coins in a large water bottle in our foyer while a smaller group spontaneously began a secondary collection in their classroom. The Young Child Communit y (14 through 30 months of age) undertook a long walk across our eleven acres to the pond where they celebrated with a drink of fresh water upon successfu lly arriving there! The whole school community raised a total of $6,351. I was personally amaz ed by the success of the funds raised by the children and staff and their determinat ion to accomplish a mission through the successful coordination of 240 students, parent volunteers and staff. Having two separated campuses serving separate ages, has mot ivat ed us to work more intention ally toward developing a whole school Hershey Montessori commun ity. Coming together to work toward a common goal, in service to others, was a wonderful way to experience the power of individuals when they can collaborate in a united spirit as a whole community.

Collaborati on and C ontrib utio n

The Boyd School, Chantilly, Virginia, USA

The response from the students at th e Boyd School to the Amman Imman project exemplifies how the project reaches the heart of compassion in students, deepening their apprec iation for what they do have while broadening their perspectiv e about what others do not have. David Gulajan, 8th year student, eloquently connects what we do and why we do it, You may work a mile, and you can have life, or walk a mile and give life. Thanks, David, for summing it up!
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The Heart of Co mpassion

Salmonberry School, Orcas Island, Washington State, USA

I learned how when you have something hard to do it is easier if friends do it with you, Emma Freedman, 7 I learned that kids in Niger have to walk a long way for water and that they must have very strong legs and feet, Stormy Hildreth, 6 I learned I sleep well after I exercise, Maddi Dudley, 6 I learned that when you do something even if it is a hard thing to do, you feel really good and proud in the end, Ethan White, 7 I learned it feels good to help people, Benjamin Pollard, 7 I learned that the world isnt always fair for everyone, Henry Miller, 6 I learned how our class supports each other [with] whatever each person is able to do

What t he kid s l earned:

Lawrence Intermediate School , Lawre nceville, New Jersey, USA

Comp assio n, U nd er standing and Action

Lawrencev ille Intermediate School teacher Lisa Charles has this to say: As soon as our students heard about the situation in the Azawak, and that other students were helping, they wanted to help, too. It is natural for them to want to make the world a better place. For them, preparing for this walk has been a lesson in global citizenship. Ms. Charles hopes that A Walk for Water will inspire children to know that they are needed and have an ability to make some changes in the lives of children and families on a global scale.
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Tawa Montessori Pre-School, Wellington, New Zealand

Anja Geelan, director of Tawa Montessori Pre-sch ool in Wellington, New Zealand, read about the Amman Imman project in th e Intern ational Montessori Co uncil's online newslett er. She brought it to a meeting as the schools were organizing the centenary parade. When she presented the idea to the children they wanted to help: I am amaz ed how our 3 and 4 year olds haven taken to it, how concerned they are. And they feel very special about the idea they can help and make a positiv e contribution. Its having a big impact. After the parade, Anja sent this report: It was awesome! A beautifu l sunny day. For me, and many others, it was a powerful experience. Walking behind African drummers, holding this banner Walk for Water, walking with hundreds of children downtown, what an experience! Money for Azawak at our preschool is still coming in, way beyond expectations. One child raised as much as I had quietly hoped to raise in total at our preschool! The whole project has been fantastic, and for us, as preschool, it wont stop there. The children are so in to it. Today, our new rainwater t ank was empty, for the first time. No water coming out of the tap. We talked about how the children in Azawak experience th is day after day.

Connectio n and U nd erstanding

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A W ALK F OR W AT ER
S A MP LE V OLU N TEE R C HE CKLIST A successful event requires working together. This means more opportunities for people to contribute. Plan your volunteer team in advance. Meet with them prior to the Walk. Go over the flow of the event. Give them a job description including their time of arrival and task description. A bette r-informe d te am will result in a w ell-pla nned a nd sm oot h eve nt. Following is a list of the volunteer jobs offered for A Walk For Water in May 2009 at Lake Frank in Derwood, Maryland. This is just an example. You can tailor this list to meet your needs and resources.
Event Preparation and Coordination Team
Job # Of Peo ple Descri ption Time R equir ement Day of event (unles s oth erwis e not ed) Nam es and Contact Info

Eve nt Coord i na tor Reg istra ti on Coord i na tor Si gn Coord i na tor Trai l prep ara tio n MC Ral ly Sp ea ker s Ral ly F ie ld Ma na ger s Wal k Ma na ger s Ba nne r Ma na ger s Vol unte er Coord i na tor Tuare g Aza wa k r ep
Job

1 1 1 4-5 1

Overall coordinator Work with school leaders to encourage participation, registration and fundraising Make signs to place around trail Place signs around the trail the evening before MC at the Rally Short directed and inspiring speeches prior to walk Reflect purpose of the walk, help focus the students on why they are there Gather the crowd for the rally, get the walk started with kids holding the banner, etc. Assist along the trail Carry first aid backpack Coordinate trail clean up Secure banner to poles (pre-walk) and into the ground at the walk Direct the volunteers, place walkie-talkies Speak to the children on behalf of the people of the Azawak

7 am end of event Pre-event Pre-event May 16 4pm 7 pm 7 am

2 4-5 2 1 1

7 am 7 am end of event Pre-Event 7 am 7 am 7 am

Registration Organization, Financial Accounting

# Of Peo ple Descri ption Time R equir ement Day of event (unless oth erwis e not ed ) Nam es and Contact Info

Reg istra ti on/Eve nt Acc o unti ng

1-2

create spreadsheet of registrants for registration table track registration and sponsorships coordinate financial accounting after the walk
Descri ption

Pre- and Post Event

Transportation Team
Job # Of Peo ple Time R equir ement Day of event (unles s oth erwis e not ed) Nam es and C ontact Info

Bus Dri ver s Parki ng Flag ger

2 2

Provide transportation fr OFS to Lake Frank (lv 7:30 & 8:00 am, ret 12:30 & 2:00 pm) Operate shuttle bus between parking lots In Lake Needwood lot In Lake Frank lot

7:15 am at School and 7:45 at School 7 am

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Check Point Assistance Team

Job # Of Peo ple Descri ption Time R equir ement Day of event (unles s oth erwis e not ed) Nam es and Contact Info

Chec kpo int #1 Chec kpo int #2

2 4-5

Assist people across small stream crossing Assist people across bigger stream crossing

7 am 7 am

Check in and Refreshments

Job # Of People Des cri pti on
Time Requir emen t Day of event (unles s oth erwis e not ed ) 7 am 7 am Nam es and Contact Info

Reg istra ti on Ma na ger Reg istra ti on vol unte er s Refr eshme nts Mer cha ndi se

1 2

3 3

Sets up, coordinates and manages check-in Responsible for cash box, and onsite registration Check in registrants and chaperones Collects contact information for mailing list on sign in sheet Distribute Amman Imman button to each registrant Pick up refreshments, including coffee Distribute Honest Tea, MOMs snacks, Bagels Take orders, distribute t-shirts

7 am 7 am

Check Out and Certificates

Job # Of Peo ple Descri ption Time Requir emen t Day of event (unles s oth erwis e not ed) Nam es and Contact Info

Chec k Out Ma na ger Cert ifi ca te Di st rib utio n vol unte er s

1 2

Coordinate certificate distribution Ensure that each registrant has a signed certificate Writes name of registrants on certificates Distribute certificate to each registrant upon completion of Walk

7 am 7 am

Media, Video, Photography

Job # Of Peo ple Descri ption Time Requir emen t Day of event (unles s oth erwis e not ed) Volunt eers

Press Rel ea se Wri ter Grap hic De si gner Pub lic ity Press a nd Med ia Coord i na tor Pho togr ap her Vide ogra pher

1 1 Lots 1 2 1-2

Writes press releases Distributes to media outlets Design t-shirt Design flyers and brochure Post flyers on bulletin boards on in storefronts Greets and directs the press during the walk Directs the photographer and videographer Positions her/himself to get the best photographs Videos the rally, the walk, and does interviews

Pre-event Pre-event Pre-event 7 am 7 am 7 am 13

Sample Budget For A Walk For Water

You can make A Walk for Water as simple or elaborate as you want! This budget provides a framework for planning the costs of your event based on 150-member participation. We suggest charging a registration fee of around $12, which should amply cover all the expenses. We encourage you to seek corporate sponsors to pay for things like a banner with the Amman Imman logo, printing and refreshments. Local businesses want to support the efforts of youth in their community, and you should feel proud to tell them about your students efforts! Let the students approach owners of the shops they frequent, and ask them to support their philanthropic work to support their fundraising efforts. Contact Amman Imman for suggestions on getting corporate sponsorships. Please plan on taking photos and videos at the walk, and share them with Amman Imman!
"Basi c cost " in dicate s u sua l e xpe n diture "C ost wit h e xtras" in cl u des a ddit ional feat ure

Feature

Unit Cost

# Of Units

Basic Cost

Cost with extras

Description

Orga ni zi n g the eve nt/ Prepari n g the stu dent s AI Speaker Presentation AWFW Planning Package AWFW Registration Kit Educational CD about the Azawak TOTAL $4.50 1 $0.00 Fee to be arranged Free $4.50 $4.50 Contact AI for costs Download from AI website Contains photos, curriculum materials. Cost includes shipping.

Promoti n g/ Market in g the Event at the sch ool Posters Brochures School fundraising kit/ sponsorship package Media Kit TOTAL Registeri ng the parti ci pa nts Printed forms Online registration TOTAL $1.00 30 Free $30.00 To promote the event and Amman Imman. Download from AI website. About the Walk, Amman Imman, Includes shipping

$0.00

Free Free $30.00

Download from AI website Part of School Fundraising Kit

$30.00 $3.25 / person $30.00

Cost will vary Optional. Service fee paid by each registrant

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Materia ls for the Eve nt Signs - poster board Signs - markers Sign installation- tape and/ or wood stakes Speaker system Banner Banner set up - poles Banner set up - twine Banner set up - stakes Trash bags Portable Toilets Volunteer Refreshments Walk refreshments Honest Kids Snacks Tables/Chairs TOTAL Trans portati on Fuel Vehicle costs TOTAL Mer cha ndise Certificates T-shirts other (water bottles, buttons) TOTAL Docu mentati on Photography Video TOTAL

$0.60 $7.00

30 1

$18.00 $7.00

For the route. Number needed will vary

$20.00 $255.00 $14.00 $2.49 $4.49 $12.00 $81.00 $35.00 $18.00 $10.00 4 2 1 2 1 4 1 3

$20.00 $125.00 $255.00 $28.00 $2.49 $17.96 $12.00 $243.00 $35.00 $72.00 $20.00 $360.45 $495.00

To mark the trail used megaphone but not very effective Ive always gotten this donated. Save this to use the next year!

To stake the banner in place during the Rally if needed, # depends on how many people Coffee, Bagels, Crme Cheese - donated Honest Tea drinks, Moms snacks has always been donated has always been donated contributed by school

Do you need to use a school bus?

$0.00 $0.60 $4.25 150 150 $90.00 $637.50

Given to each student as they complete For each participant. Optional, but nice!

$90.00

$0.00 $48 0 .45 $11 6 7

Registra tion f ee o f $12 /par ticipant will amply cover th e cos ts.

GRA ND TO TA L

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R EGISTER FOR W ELLS OF L OVE AND S TA RT TO P LAN A W ALK F OR W A TER T ODAY !

W E LLS OF L OV E Registration form
___ School ___ Individual R EGI STRATION TYP E ( PLEAS E CH ECK ON E ) ___ Community/Faith-based Group ___ Other (please specify) ______________ Nam e o f Sc hoo l/Ind iv id ua l/ Group_________________________________________________

C ONTACT I NF ORMAT IO N
Address _______________________________ _______________________________ City State _______________________________ ______ Zip/Postal code __________ E-mail _______________________________ Phone ______________________________ Website _____________________________

ffgfgfgfggfg Country ________________________________

Name of Primary Contact Person ______________________________ Phone number _____________________ Email _________________________________ What is the best way to reach you? ______________________

P HILA NT HROP IC C AMPAIG N S TRATEGY

Age(s) of participants _________ Total # of participants ________ Ple as e I nd icate yo ur I nte re st(s) : We encourage all Wells of Love schools/groups/individuals to engage in our WOL Collaborative Projects. Please indicate the project you are interested in working on and we will send you more information. You can sign up for additional projects at a later time or add your own ideas. ___ Speaker Presentation (Invite an Amman Imman representative to speak to your community) ___ Curriculum Resources (Incorporate lesson plans, presentation materials, movies, and photos) ___ Amman-a-thon (Organize a fitness fundraiser incorporating athletics, math, and philanthropy) ___ A Walk for Water (Plan a walk and raise funds by collecting sponsorships) ___ Run for Water (Choose a race and raise funds for Amman Imman) ___ Hand in Hand (Design your own creative philanthropic project) ___ Friendship Exchange (Develop cross-cultural connections with children in the Azawak. Application and fee will be required.) ___ Newsletter Subscription (Stay updated on Amman Imman and Wells of Love activities) ___ Im not sure (Please contact me) COMMENTS/QUESTIONS? : _______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Amman Imman: Water is Life, 7036 Strathmore Street, Suite 111, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Email your completed form to debbie@ammanimman.org, or send it through the mail to:

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