Age group: Older Elfins/Pioneers

How long it will take: 1 hour

What materials you will need: 5 Litre plastic containers; buckets; a jam jar with a long string handle; magnifying glass (optional)

The aim of the activity: To raise awareness amongst the children of what life would be like without a clean water supply.

What to do:
(If you have not done Activity 1: Start the evening by reading the background information from this sheet to the group and discussing it in your circle.) Highlight to the group the ways in which children's lives are affected in places without a clean running water supply.

Take the group out with a number of 5 litre containers and some buckets filled with water. Go for a short walk. See how far they can get before they are tired of carrying the container and need to swap with another group member.

Try to go past a local river, canal or pond on your walk. Get the group to look at the colour of the water and what they can see floating in it or on close to the edge of the bank.

If possible, collect a container full of this water (but don't let children come into contact with this) and let them have a close look at what is in it. Would they like to have to drink this? What do they think would happen if they did?