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Masquerade gala reveals need for safe water by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Thursday, October 22, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Water is life and for many in Africa that means walking kilometres on kilometres to live, says Vicky Higgins. "Sometimes these kids have to go get water and they can't go to school," shared the long-time Oakville resident, who recently returned from Uganda, where she helped build a freshwater well for a seniors' care clinic and its surrounding community. "It's incredible, the need for clean, safe water and yet we have no idea here in Canada. We just turn on our taps, we take showers, we wash our cars, we wash dishes and clothes and we don't think anything of it." Higgins will share her experience in Uganda Saturday (Oct. 24) to raise funds and awareness for safe water and hygiene projects around the world. She'll be the guest speaker at H204ALL 's third annual Water Benefit Dinner to be held at St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre, 1280 Dundas St. W. The masquerade gala begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at Oakville's Beth Higgins (right) is pictured with a nurse in Uganda, where Higgins says the need for safe water is high. She is helping organize a fundraiser in support of safe water projects through H2O4ALL. | submitted photo 6:30 p.m. Higgins, who is also on the event's organizing committee, said her recent trip -- her second with the Oakville charity group H204ALL in Uganda -- was another eye-opening two-week experience. Accompanied by her daughter Carolyn Higgins, a registered nurse in Hamilton, Higgins experienced first-hand what it was like to walk several kilometres for fresh water. The pair also dug trenches to install a freshwater well, helped out at the seniors' care clinic and did community outreach work. The experiences, she said, have been ingrained in her memory. "It opens your heart to help other people," Higgins shared, noting how seeing the gratitude on the Ugandans' faces made her realize "we're all connected by the same thread, which is called humanity." More than 12,000 children, in Uganda alone, die every year from diarrhea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation, she continued. Contaminated water is also the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide, she noted, with almost 4,000 children dying every day from waterborne diseases. Higgins said it was meaningful to bring fresh water to the community and help people in Uganda, especially seniors who have been raising their grandchildren because their own children have died of HIV/AIDs. "More than 800,000 orphans in Uganda are under the care of poor and helpless elderly grandparents," she said. "Sixty-four per cent of seniors live on less than $1 a day." Observing the people, and how they lived, has helped her put her own life into perspective, admitted Higgins. "People would say to us, `Thank you for what you've done. God bless you,' but they have no idea what the experience has done for us," she said. "We're all together in this world. It's not every man for himself as it is here," she continued, noting she is learning to appreciate the simple things in life that matter the most. "People help one another and they are truly, truly grateful for the help we can give." The masquerade gala will be hosted by Global TV's Anthony Farnell and includes prizes, music, dancing and a live auction, which includes a prize of a week-long stay in Maui, Hawaii. Tickets cost $60 each or $420 for a table for eight people. For more information, visit www. h2o4all.org or call 905-330-6644. H204ALL is an Oakville-based registered charity dedicated to providing sustainable clean water and sanitation solutions in developing countries around the world. Established in 2008, it has been working with more than 40 organizations to bring more than 30 water initiatives in 10 different countries worldwide. It partners alongside orphanages, schools, communities, clinics and hospitals that need assistance. 0% Interest on All Water Treatment Equipment LIMITED TIME OFFER All Softeners, All Iron Removal Systems, All UV Units, All R/O Units! Receive 50 FREE litres of U Fill Water and we'll also give you a FREE jug to transport your water! ening p p a H WATER DEpOT hAS A Now! 0% InTEREST EVEnT NEW CUSTOMER OFFER: 2251 WESTOAK TRAIL BLVD., UNIT#1 (905) 257.9257 · Email: oakvillewaterdepot@yahoo.ca Keep your retirement dollars working for you. AyA Kitchens of oAKville 1195 north service roAd west 905.847.1522 ayaoakville.com