WWD2020 EVOKE report: Carrying life in your hands

22/03/2020 - World Water Day 2020 EVOKE report

There have been some really innovative projects for WWD in the past ten years. The public have been engaged, inspired and influenced so much by what they have seen of the water-related issues which our dedicated social entrepreneurs have brought to the fore. Together we have built millions of wells in Africa and India and improved the sanitation of millions more. As water issues became more prevalent in Europe, America and the Far East, he governments of the developed world one by one rallied to our cause.

This year, the British monarch declared 22nd March a public holiday. It was a recognition that we have longed for and to finally achieve it is extremely satisfying. However, with a greater audience comes more responsibility; this year I and my team were chosen to organise the festivities.

Thousands of people throng the streets. Down one large and open avenue lies the water exhibition, which brings many entrepreneurs together to show their projects and inventions to the public. There is so much inspiration here. One gentleman flew here from his native country Rwanda to join us. He looks excited and a little overwhelmed; and no wonder - it is the first time anyone in his family has left Africa. He is proudly sharing his invention with the crowd; a simple hand-held water filtration device which has changed the lives of far more than are gathered here. Projects like his are bringing Africa out of poverty at an alarming rate.

Here and there among the showcase units are market stalls; tarpaulins in blue, green, grey and every shade in between flutter brightly in the breeze. They are selling merchandise; many of the entrepreneurs are selling their wares, a myriad of toys, books, clothes and other paraphernalia. Judging from the faces of the children, painted with waterdrops and ocean waves, somewhere there is a face-painting kiosk. Of course, the profits from all this commercialism are being ploughed back into our cause.

As if to prove my point, the colourful Ashoka tent stands proudly in the centre of the exhibition area. If we were to peek inside, the plasma screens would show us the proceeds of last year's events. Last year's fundraising from Britain alone could have watered an entire Indian province... and most probably did.

Later on today and tonight will be the two highlights; shortly, the water marathon will begin. The best sprinters (and assorted others!) will follow a designated course through the city. However, this is no true marathon; the difference being the length of the course. It is a commemorative length - six kilometers. It's hard to believe now, but ten years ago a citizen of Africa and Asia travelled this distance to find water.

Not anymore.

Tonight, the skies will be lit up with fireworks. I can't help but think of this as a metaphor for what we have achieved.