Oxfam Volunteers Embark On '20 Litres, 20 days" Challenge

Two Oxfam volunteers plan to survive on 20 litres of water a day for an entire 20 days.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 19, Peter Smith and Laura Beth Power from MUN Oxfam will balance the typical stresses of student life in Canada with the added stress of showering, cooking and drinking no more than the necessary amount of water recommended by the United Nations for daily use: a mere 20 litres.

'It's going to be very hard, confides Peter Smith, adding that these 20 liters go towards everything from washing dishes to using the bathroom. 'On average Canadians use over 300 litres of water a day. I measured out the amount of water I needed to take a shower using as little as possible, and it still came to 16 and a half litres. Sponge baths will be key for these 20 days!

Smith and Power came up with the idea as a way to promote Oxfam Canada's For All' Campaign, which aims to promote public access to the essential services of education, health, water and sanitation. 'Imagine a world with no safe water. For over one billion people this is reality. explains Bill Hynd, Oxfam Canada's National Campaign Coordinator, 'and for those women who have to travel over a kilometer to a water source, water use is often 5 litres.â€

The '20 Litres, 20 Days Challenge will begin on Wednesday, when across the country Oxfam, CUPE, the Council of Canadians and the Polaris Institute will take part in 'Water for people, not profit activities. The purpose of these events is to pressure the Canadian government to officially acknowledge water is a human right.

'While I'm sure it will be very challenging and frustrating, I'm really excited to take on this role, says Laura Beth 'It will definitely be a very eye-opening experience for myself, and I hope that this kind of a personal sacrifice will resonate with people in our city who aren't aware of the critical issue of water access throughout the world.

To learn more about the '20 Litres, 20 Day Challenge contact Peter Smith ph:691-4543 or e-mail. petersmith54321@hotmail.com