Running water for Kurigram

Bhurungamari Upazila in Kurigram District is one of the most water-insecure areas in Bangladesh. Isolated char lands along the Brahmaputra and Dharla rivers face a double crisis: shallow tubewells are heavily contaminated with arsenic and iron, while monsoon floods regularly submerge water points and latrines. Thousands of families, especially women and children, walk kilometers daily or drink unsafe water, leading to chronic health issues and lost opportunities. The Run for Rising Water Program is a bold, sustainable response launched specifically for Bhurungamari in 2026. Phase 1 – The Charity Run An annual running festival held every dry season (February/March) offers 5K, 10K, and 21K routes through Bhurungamari’s breathtaking riverine landscapes. Participants range from local school students and farmers to runners from Dhaka and international supporters. Corporate teams, universities, and diaspora Bangladeshis are specially invited. All registration fees, sponsorships, and donations are 100% allocated to water and sanitation hardware—no administrative costs are deducted. Phase 2 – Transparent Water Solutions Funds raised in each edition are immediately converted into tangible infrastructure: Deep tubewells (180–300 meters) with arsenic-iron removal filters Elevated concrete platforms to protect water points from floods Hygienic pour-flush latrines on raised platforms Rainwater harvesting systems for schools and mosques Every installation is GPS-mapped, photographed, and publicly reported on an interactive website so donors and runners can see exactly where their contribution landed. Phase 3 – Community Ownership Local Village Water & Sanitation Committees (50% women) are formed and trained in operation, minor repairs, and monthly user-fee collection (BDT 30–50 per family) to create a self-sustaining maintenance fund. Ten young women from Bhurungamari are trained annually as certified tubewell technicians—the first female mechanics in the region. Impact Targets (2026-2028) Year 1: 100 new safe water points serving 3,000 households Year 2: Additional 120 water points + full sanitation coverage in 15 schools Year 3: Reach 5,000 households (25,000 people) with both water and sanitation, effectively covering the majority of Bhurungamari’s chronically underserved char areas. Why it works By linking the energy and visibility of a mass-participation running event with rigorous, community-managed water engineering, Run for Rising creates something greater than charity—it builds dignity, health, and local capacity that lasts for decades. Run with us. Rise with Bhurungamari. One stride, one water point, one healthier future.