I just walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water. I put ice in my cup and went for the water cooler. When I realized it was empty, I groaned. Now I have to go out into the garage to bring a new bottle of water in. After I groaned I immediately thought, "Did I just groan about having to walk a few yards out to the garage to bring in my filtered sparkling water a few yard into the house? Wow.

Today at 11:00 we met a group of 33 wonderful people with empty water jugs in hand to walk 3.5 miles to Sonic Burger to fill up our jugs and walk back. We did this to simulate the walk the people of the Bugiri village take once or twice a day to get diseased dirty water for their village. It was great to walk and talk and get just a tiny feel for what it must be like. Well, not really. I mean we chose to do this walk ONE day. And, we had drinking water with us. And, we did it on a beautiful sunny day with a high of 70 degrees.

I know I am still not even close to understanding the life of our Bugiri brothers and sisters, but I do know that I have a greater sense of urgency after today's walk.

Doug had a great idea! He said I should post on my FB asking for just $1 for the well from anyone willing to give. I love this idea because almost everyone will give a dollar! He also had the idea to live in a raised crane until the money is raised. Hmmm....hopefully the "Dollar for a well" idea will work before he moves into a crane.

Click here to give to our 400 Dresses Well Project!

Getting it done!

So, I got a bit sidetracked.  Anyone who knows me will not be surprised by that.  I am a GREAT, I mean AWESOME starter.  Finishing something is not so easy for me.  I can come up with an idea, get it going, enthusiastically get people on board and even do a bunch of the work myself.  I just am not good at directing other people to help, even when they keep asking me what they can do.  In short, I can't do this alone.  Fortunately, I have people in my life who ARE good at finishing.

This means, we are back in action thanks to my awesome friend Nancy Chadwick, my husband and The Crossroads.  400 Dresses is now partnering with The Crossroads and their Bugiri Water Well Project.  Both projects will direct funds to help the people of Bugiri 1 Uganda.  Two projects but one objective: Get Bugiri 1 Uganda fresh water as quickly as possible.  I am excited cause this partnership will speed the water well completion!

On November 13, we will be doing the Bugiri 1 Water Walk.  We will be simulating the walk that the people of Bugiri travel every day to get DIRTY water to bring back to their village.  With empty water jugs in hand, we will walk 3.5 miles from Koina Cafe to Sonic in Anthem, fill up the jugs with water and walk back.

We have other plans to get the money raised for the well.  We will still be selling the dresses, but the focus has now shifted from the dresses to the well.  In doing this, I believe we will actually be able to send MORE dresses to the girls of Bugiri 1.  People can buy a dress, sponsor a dress for a girl in Uganda or just donate money to the well project.  I will be having a sewing day where a bunch of us crafty ones can make a bunch of dresses.  Anyone want to organize that?  :)

For a downloadable INFOGRAPHIC on the project, Infographic ... Bugiri 1 Uganda.