St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Interim Rector Susan Crawford announced today that the May 10 walkathon sponsored by St. Martin’s raised at least $18,600 - more than enough to build a well for the diocese of Lui in southern Sudan.

The “Water for Sudan” walkathon was a major initiative of the church toward serving the Millennium Development Goals and living into the Diocese of Missouri’s commitment to its companion diocese in Lui, Sudan.

More than 130 people were registered to participate in the walkathon, which took place early on May 10 — during a window of glorious sunshine and blue skies in the midst of a dreary, rainy week.

“My dad used to live in Africa and children need an education there,” said Alexis Adewunmi, 9, who did the 3-mile course in the walkathon. Alexis identified one of the reasons behind the walkathon: Giving people ready access to water means children can attend school, rather than walk miles for water or forego an education when water is in short supply.

“It was a good way to give back to the community,” said Eric Johnson, who brought 35 members of the Parkway West lacrosse team with him to the walkathon. On its own, team caption Tyler Trigg, a senior, said the team raised about $1,000 toward the goal.

Parishioner Mary K. Heyde said she was greeted at the first street intersection of the walk by a man who raced from his house to find out what was going on. “We told him we were from St. Martin’s,” and then explained the purpose of the walk. “His reaction was very positive.”

Later, she said, another woman came out from her house wearing rubber gloves that were the same color as the T-shirts scores of walkers donned for the occasion. “At least people know what we’re doing,” Mary K. said.

Many were motivated to participate by word that women and children in the Diocese of Lui must walk more than seven miles to a water source, carrying five or six gallons back with them — an amount that can weigh upwards of 50 pounds. And even that volume of water can be reduced by a third when it is boiled to kill parasites and bacteria.

The Diocese of Missouri had hoped to aid Lui to build eight wells for the more than 170,000 in the region. Four exist now; the May 10 walkathon provides the resources to build a fifth well.

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