ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – During a time of distancing and separation, Envision Financial and Run for Water are partnering on an initiative called “Envision a Better World Pen Pal Program” aimed at building connections between local students and students in Ethiopia.
Over the past ten years, Envision Financial and Run for Water have partnered on numerous initiatives, including the annual Run for Water event and Envision a Better World Program that educates local students on issues of global inequality, social responsibility and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Given the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic causing these events and programs to be postponed or cancelled, there was a significant funding gap to support the important work Run for Water undertakes to provide sustainable, clean water sources in Ethiopian villages.
As a result, Envision Financial stepped in to provide a $50,000 donation to ensure this vital work could continue in addition to helping initiate the pen pal program.
“The pandemic hasn’t erased the need for clean water access and the need to educate our youth on important global issues such as inequality and sustainability,” says David Lanphear, President, Envision Financial. “We are excited to continue our long-time partnership with Run for Water and support their important work, especially during a time of economic uncertainty.”
The pen pal program will encourage local students to connect with students in Buluk— the chosen Ethiopian community set to have a clean water system installed and school built— through traditional hand-written letters.
“We are beyond excited to initiate this new program to enable students the opportunity to hear each other’s stories, learn from one another and build strong connections,” says Peg Peters, Executive Director, Run for Water. “Above and beyond that, I can’t stress enough how important this donation is in bringing clean water and proper education to the 1,500 children living in Buluk.”
The letters will be sent off to Ethiopia starting in a couple of weeks.