The Peace, Water, and Wisdom Race is held annually by the John Bapst Memorial High School Student Environmental Action Committee (SEAC) in order to benefit the BARKA Foundation.  BARKA, an international, United Nations affiliated, 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization, works to increase the overall quality of life in the small West African country of Burkina Faso.  Although the population is nearly 16 million, it remains a country with one of the lowest gross domestic products (GDP) and literacy rates in the world.  In addition to these difficulties, the inhabitants of this country, as well as those surrounding it, suffer a much more real problem everyday: the water crisis.  On average, an individual must walk five kilometers to obtain five gallons of highly unsanitary water that is then used for everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, and drinking.  Because of the water, the Burkinabé suffer from numerous curable yet potentially deadly diseases including cholera. Operating on three continents, BARKA works to provide access to this basic human necessity and to see the fruition of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, a task they undertook in 2005.  Most recently, BARKA has begun its 2012 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) campaign in order to eradicate the above mentioned water crisis.  To do so, the organization plans to establish a local, self-determined water and sanitation board in the small village of Tantiaka, drill a well, fix a well, construct gender-specific composting toilets for village use, and begin a hygiene education program at the local school; however, they face a project budget of a staggering $50,000 USD.  Having raised $25,000 USD from various fundraisers and groups, BARKA continues to look to the community for assistance so that they can continue the humanitarian work they do.  

       Since 2009, SEAC and BARKA have formed a strong relationship, lending itself to the creation of the Peace, Water, and Wisdom Race.  From the inaugural race in 2011, SEAC was able to raise $1,200 USD for the BARKA Foundation and plans to continue the event for many years to come.  The 2012 PWW Race is scheduled for Sunday, October 7th at the Bangor Water Front.  Registration and t-shirt/bib pickup is set to begin at 9:00 A.M. followed by a 10:00 A.M. race start for the runners and a 10:05 A.M. start for walkers. Interested individuals can download an  registration form, which contains more information,  here.

       Directors and co-founders Donald J. Brooks and Christina M. Long will be holding a series of informational presentations at numerous local public venues, colleges, and high schools.  If you are interested in hosting a presentation, please submit a request by clicking here.