It’s a tale of friendship, survival and helping others, told from the perspective of two young girls from different worlds.
Running For Water is a new book by Abbotsford author and teacher Michelle Watrin.
The book, designed for students in Grades 4 to 7, tells the story of Tessa from Abbotsford, who travels with her father to Ethiopia. There she meets Teyeo, a young girl who, like many children in Ethiopia, has to walk sometimes for miles from her village to fetch fresh water. She carries a large water jug that can weigh in excess of 40 pounds.
The book is based on a true story.
Watrin has worked for Run For Water – a fundraising event to help create clean water projects in Ethiopia – for six years and said she wrote the book after a fellow board member took his daughter Tessa to Ethiopia.
“It was very inspiring to hear how that affected the girl from Abbotsford. I loved that Tessa came back and really wanted to make a difference and help raise money for Teyeo.”
Three years later, Teyeo doesn’t have to walk for water any more. Her village now has clean water, thanks to funds raised by the run.
“I really love that story and I think it empowers students to see that it doesn’t matter how old you are – you can make a difference.”
The book took about two years to write on a part-time basis.
It is self-published and 300 copies have been created.
Interest is high as Watrin has already had a teacher request numerous copies for her class.
“The teachers are kind of seeing this as a link between why they are doing Run for Water activities and a personal story.”
The book is written from the perspective of both girls. One chapter is from Tessa’s viewpoint, the next from Teyeo’s, throughout the story.
The book will also be available for sale during the Race Expo being held on the Friday and Saturday (May 24-25), the days before the Run For Water event.
The Race Expo takes place at the University of the Fraser Valley and allows participants to pick up their race bibs and check out more than 40 vendors displaying running equipment and other products.
All sales from the book will go to support Run For Water’s work to create water projects in Ethiopia.
The Envision Financial Run for Water takes place on Sunday, May 26 at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. It offers four runs – a marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K.
Each begin at staggered start times – 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
To register for the Run for Water or for more information, visit abbotsford.runforwater.ca.