Missio Malta is holding the first edition of Ejja Imxi Miegħi, aimed at raising awareness about the immense distances people in developing countries walk each day to obtain potable water. The initiative which is set to run between the 19th and 25th July at Pjazza Tritoni in Valletta, will make use of virtual reality technology and treadmills, to help participants experience an illusion of walking long distances in Africa.
“Through this event, we are inviting members of the public to join us on our stand at Triton Square in Valletta, to challenge themselves and walk a mile in the shoes of thousands of people in developing countries who go through immense hardship to obtain drinking water every day,” says Robert Farrugia, Head of Communications and Fund Raising at Missio Malta. “In our everyday lives we walk considerable distances as part of our routines, be it for leisure, or to keep fit. Most of us are not strangers to walking, yet for us it means something completely different. Through Ejja Imxi Miegħi, we want to shed a light on the difficulties of people in developing countries. With the use of VR technology and treadmills, participants will be able to walk in the dusty roads of Africa, ‘together with the locals’, and share their experience,” Farrugia continues.
People in countries such as Ghana, Somalia and Zimbabwe walk kilometres on end, to get drinking water on a daily basis. Often sources of potable water are situated very far away from their villages, making access to clean water an immense ordeal.
Missio Malta is raising awareness on the subject, to raise funds to help these people, by developing better access to potable water, which would be closer to their villages. Missio Malta has already helped thousands of people in Africa address this issue, helping them build wells that supply them with fresh water.
Ejja Imxi Miegħi shall coincide with the Malta International Food Festival which is taking place on the same days in the same location.
A special programme shall run on Sunday 23rd July between 12 noon and midnight, on Malta’s major TV stations: TVM, ONE TV and NET TV. The programme will feature a large number of participants close to Missio’s operation and beyond, who will share their experience working with Missio. A number of members from international communities Missio supports, will also participate in the programme, sharing their cuisines and cultures, in keeping with the theme of the festival.
Ejja Imxi Miegħi shall be open at Pjazza Tritoni, Valletta between the 19th and 25th July from 6pm onwards and on Sunday 23rd July from 12 noon onwards. It is open to participants of all ages, against a free donation that will go in favour of Missio’s missions in Africa.