Milford couple running event to help get running water to Ugandans

Rain or shine run/walk to raise funds, awareness

On Monday I interviewed Jane Holler of Milford, who along with her husband Daniel Marecki run Uganda Farmers Inc.

They formed the nonprofit several years ago to help Uganda villagers get clean running water to improve their lives and eradicate the water-borne disease that affects so many.

Holler and Marecki with Ugandans as the tap is turned on in village of Ruhunda earlier this summer.

The couple is hosting the second annual Running for Water 5K Sept. 22 at Joseph A. Foran High School, 80 Foran Road, Milford.
Advance registration will be taken until Sept. 15; race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. There is also a fun run for kids and a two-mile walk. The event is rain or shine.

Holler with children from the village of Ihunga who are fetching water from a river. She said the joy on the faces of the villagers who now have clean running water is wonderful to see. "It brings such joy and such hope to these kids," Holler said. "These people are so grateful. For them it's life-altering."

This Ugandan child is standing near one of the jerry cans they use to carry water. Holler said children are tasked with getting water for their families.
She said they often walk several miles twice a day to fetch the water. The children also gather the firewood villagers use to boil the water, she said. There is no electricity in the rural villages that she and her husband have been helping.

The nonprofit is planning a fun day, Holler said, with refreshments and live entertainment.
A jazz band will be performing at the school grounds and John Shannon will play guitar along the run/walk route.
 "The important thing is we need sponsors," Holler said. Donations are tax-deductible, and those who donate more than $200 will have their name printed on the race T-shirts and on any publicity material, she said. "Our generous donors are the ones who make it a success," Holler said.

Holler and Marecki are clearly doing great things to help the impoverished people of Uganda. They deserve support through monetary donations, sponsorships, or participation in the upcoming fun event.