The ATA Water Walk, brainchild of ATA student Breck Spencer, created awareness about the backbreaking duty of collecting water. Most rural Ethiopian women and children spend 3-4 hours a day collecting water from dirty water sources.

Coach Newman explains to the group the significance of what is happening.

This past June, Breck visited a number of projects in Tigray, funded by the Austin Tennis Academy through local charity A Glimmer of Hope Foundation. The lack of access to improved water supplies is a huge problem in Ethiopia with more than 80 percent of all disease being attributed to dirty water and poor sanitation. In rural parts of the country, where A Glimmer of Hope focuses its efforts, just one in three people have access to clean water while just 13 percent has access to adequate sanitation services.

The group filled Jerry cans in the creek, then strapped them to their backs with rope, using the same cans and rope as are used in Ethiopia.

At any given time, more than half of the country’s population of 80 million people is suffering from an unnecessary water-related disease. More than 250,000 children under the age of five die each year from diarrhea.

Breck came back motivated to do something about this. The ATA Water Walk was an idea he came up with and with the help of his parents and sister and friends at ATA, executed the event yesterday afternoon.

Breck makes his way down the Spanish Oaks hill as he struggles with the rope on his shoulders.

Beyond the issues of health, poor access to clean water also has a detrimental impact on development. In particular, water scarcity severely affects the lives of women as female family members are traditionally responsible for water collection.

Collecting water is a back-breaking chore that saps women’s energy, diminishes their health and restricts their involvement in productive activities and community affairs.

Jeff Offerdahl embarks on his water walk.

Most women in rural Ethiopia spend hours a day collecting water from distant and polluted sources. Many girls never get an opportunity to go to school because the responsibility of collecting enough water to keep their families alive takes precedence.

Friends, Kyler Bender and Tyler Anson take turns with one Jerry can.

Kyler carried the can for the first half, then Tyler took over for walk back.

The ATA students got the chance to see just what that was like yesterday. Here’s what I heard afterward:

“That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“I can’t imagine having to do that every day over a longer distance.”

“I thought I knew what this was about, I didn’t know. After carrying water, I really know how hard it is and know what this is about.”

Many students came away with bruises and sore shoulders from the ropes used to carry the Jerry Cans. Everyone came away with a better perspective on how easy their life is compared to the rural poor of Ethiopia.

Breck shows the difficulty of this walk on his face as he comes to the end.

Austin Tennis Academy CEO Jack Newman said: “I am so proud of these students, especially the junior academy and younger students who approached this challenge with gusto. Great idea by Breck, great execution by ATA students and staff. Well done to all!”