Walk for the Water 2013

A Legacy of Giving hosted its 2^nd annual Walk for the Water on April 27^th in partnership with the Gazelle Foundation. A Legacy of Giving was founded under the umbrella of Austin Community Foundation. Its mission is to empower children to become more engaged in empowering their community through philanthropy education.

The Gazelle Foundation was founded by Gilbert Tuhabonye to construct clean water systems in Burundi, a country where many people have to walk miles to get clean water. As of April 2013, the Gazelle Foundations has constructed nine water systems spanning more than 27 miles across the terrain of Burundi. Nearly 19,000 citizens are benefitting from these sources of fresh water. Their goal by the end of the year is to serve at least another 7,500. 

The foundation has partnered up with 36 Austin area schools. These schools learn about water scarcity, philanthropy, and the idea of advocacy through STAAR-aligned curriculum. They use service learning to teach a 5-step process that students can use whether they aim to reduce poverty, examine water and environment issues, or improve education. 

The kids walked away with experience as well as serious considerations.

“I was surprised to learn that most people in Burundi don’t live past 5 years old, and that fetching water is considered a kids’ task,” 7^th grade student Taylor said.

Erin McGann, a volunteer at the walk, said that the kids will have an experience for life.

 “They learned about awareness, getting to meet Gilbert. I think it has left an impression on the kids,” she said.

Though the goal for the walk was to top last years fundraising achievement of $26,000, the value is beyond monetary for the children Linda Brucker, executive director of Legacy of Giving, said.

“It’s not about the money, its about empowerment,” she said.

Schools gather before Tuhabonye speaks.

Students listen to Tuhabonye from the stands.

Students walk through the starting gate.

5 gallon water jugs wait to be carried by students along the walk.

Tuhabonye walks ahead of students.

Boy Scouts Reconsider Anti-Gay Stance

The Boy Scouts of America opted to continue their anti-gay policy at least until the next national executive board meeting in May, where they will vote on the fate of the policy.

            The decision to review their stance on allowing gay members came after financial backers reacted negatively to BSA reaffirming their no-gays policy seven months ago.

            Backlash from religious denominations and local donors, who keep the BSA troops regularly funded, pushed the issue into the national spotlight after the initial announcement last week.

            “The BSA is only considering these changes due to media fire,” Eagle Scout Zach Muldrow said. “If the BSA does decided to open up the organization to homosexuals, the image of the ‘perfect boy’ will be destroyed and members loyal to their principles will refuse to be associated with the BSA.”

            Some Eagle Scouts across the country have returned their badges in protest while other members stand behind the traditions of the organization.

            “The value of the Eagle Scout rank is not in the medal, nor the badge nor even in the pride that one gains from obtaining this high praise,” Muldrow said. “The real value of the award is that the Boy Scouts of America has declared you one of it's best. Without the moral qualities that are instilled within every Eagle Scout, the rank has no meaning.”

            Admittance of gay members would still ultimately rest with the troops if the change passed said Troop Leader Eloy Valdes.

            “It is probably better to be an inclusive rather than exclusive organization,” Eloy said. “BSA will lose some people and also gain some people. It’s all a matter of survival nowadays, but as long as the scout oath and law are practiced in the scout movement, I will remain a volunteer leader in the Boy Scouts of America. I pray that all will turn out for the better for everyone concerned.”

            The BSA should re-evaluate their stance and “catch up” with the changing times said Ixchel Rosal, director of the Gender and Sexuality Center at UT.

           “In a very general sense, their stance sends a message that there is something wrong with being LGBT identified,” Rosal said. “My concern is that youth who may be LGBT will internalize this message and feel badly about themselves, which is a risk for their mental health.  Also, for youth who are not LGBT identified, they will see that an institution and people they trust have a certain value system, which they will want to emulate, and thereby perpetuate this stance beyond the Boy Scouts.”