As highlighted in our September eNews, in support of Global Handwashing Day on 15 October 2021, our team at the Goyder Institute participated in #Sweat4Soap. This campaign, led by ultramarathon runner Mina Guli and the Thirst Foundation, helps raise awareness of global issues relating to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Sweat4Soap campaign ran from 12-17 October, with participants from 132 countries running and walking to raise one bar of soap for every kilometre covered.

Goyder Institute Director, Dr Kane Aldridge said “I was very proud that our team was willing and able to make a contribution to this important initiative that will help to improve the water and sanitation for thousands of people across the globe. In Australia, we tend to take access to clean water and hygiene for granted, but the reality is that billions of people world-wide are not so privileged. This gave us the extra motivation we needed to surpass our 100km target, covering a total of 151 km over the five days.”

Overall, an astounding 277,378 bars of soap were raised, and the campaign sponsors also contributed two solar-powered water kiosks, which will provide clean water to over 2,000 people for life. Well done to all involved.