The Tap Project at the Franklin Park Zoo

Every day, nearly 4,000 children die from water-related illnesses. A $5 donation to the UNICEF Tap Project can provide clean water to a child for 200 days. Today is World Water Day—please join the UNICEF Tap Project.

Talk about having fun at the zoo! Last month, I had the unique opportunity to be a part of the Franklin Park Zoo’s special programming for school vacation week. As a U.S. Fund for UNICEF Global Citizenship Fellow, I can’t think of a better way to teach young and old about the importance of water, and how to  get involved with the UNICEF Tap Project.

Volunteers and visitors at the Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Nicholas Leisey

 

Three U.S. Fund volunteers and I set up our tables in front of a beautiful tropical fish tank. Over 600 visitors took part in our water-related activities. Guests designed their own raindrops, learned how water can independently “walk” from one cup to another, and guessed at how many drops of water would fit onto coins of different sizes. These games were not only fun, but they helped raise awareness about the importance of water in everyday life. The event provided a fitting opportunity to inform the local community about how they can help bring clean water and basic sanitation to those in need. Visitors learned all about the new UNICEF Tap Project Facebook app, and that they can donate using the app and keep the water flowing with the help of their Facebook friends. We had a wonderful time teaching everyone about the importance of water and how to support the UNICEF Tap Project. Thank you very much to Zoo New England for inviting us to be a part of this special day, and we can’t wait to see all of you at our next event!

Nicholas Leisey is the New England U.S. Fund for UNICEF Global Citizenship Fellow.