More than 100 women walked down McKinley Avenue on Saturday with buckets full of water on their heads while about 60 men stood on the sides of the road with signs to raise awareness of poverty in Africa.
Ball State University and 10 other colleges in the U.S. participated in "Be Hope to Her" sponsored by NURU International. The event raised awareness of poverty and the lack of water in some communities in Africa.
Freshman architecture major Michael Bramer said the event made him reflect on the issue.
"I thought the event was great," he said. "And after standing along the road, watching the girls walk by with those buckets I thought it was real eye opening."
Bramer said he would like to see more events like it on campus.
"A lot of people need to be aware about what's going on today." He said. "I knew there was poverty in Africa, but I did not know about the small amount of water in those communities."
NURU is an international organization that uses colleges across the country to help communities in Africa.
Alex Perdue, vice president for community outreach of Interfraternity Council, said the event had a good outcome despite the threat of rain.
Perdue said NURU is planning to do events every season to raise awareness, and Ball State will keep participating.
"We want a ton of followers to help plan and operate this," he said. "So whoever is passionate, we want them to come on board."
About 850 people across the country participated in the event, and for each person that signed up an anonymous donor would give $10. Perdue said Ball State raised about an additional $400 to donate.
Billy Williams, director of the grassroots movement at NURU, said some Ball State students contacted him to be part of the event.
"Some of the people from Ball State knew me from a leadership training program last summer," he said. "I told them about this organization and how I would love it if they helped out with this issue, and they jumped in."
Williams said part of the organization's goal is to educate students about issues around the world and how simple actions can help solve these issues.
"People at universities are the next generation," he said. "And if they grab a hold of an idea and they hear about it and they understand, they are going to work to make a difference. They have more time, energy and resources at their disposal to make this happen."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
