Water is life.... Later this month Culture Club members are being given the chance to get a preview of a unique exhibition that could make a difference to people thousands of miles away. In April, Journal photographer Jayne Emsley and reporter Graeme Whitfield travelled to the African country of Malawi to see work done by the charity WaterAid. Now their work is being exhibited at BALTIC in Gateshead, and Culture Club has 50 places to give away for a VIP preview event, taking place on Thursday August 24, 2006. Guests will enjoy a welcome from BALTIC and listen to some introductory comments from John Mowbray (Chair of Northumbria WaterAid Committee and also present on the Malawi visit). They will have the chance to see the exhibition before it is open to the public and they’ll also be able to purchase limited edition prints. Also on offer is the informal opportunity to meet and talk to those who wee on the trip including Jane, Graeme, Mark Batey (BBC), Kevan Jones (MP for North Durham) and Alistair Baker (Communications & PR Manager for Northumbrian Water). The exhibition runs from August 25-29, with prints of Jayne's photographs going on sale throughout the week to raise money for WaterAid projects in Malawi. Jayne said: "Going to Malawi has changed my outlook on life. It was hard taking photos of little children who have a slim chance of survival if they catch a disease associated with dirty water. "I reflected on it every night when I was there, especially when we got to the hotel at night and were able to drink clean water. Being back in the UK makes me realise how easy it is for us." WaterAid has been working in Malawi for six years and is involved in a number of projects around the country to improve water supply and sanitation. Work has included the installation of pumps, helping rural communities to mend water supplies and promoting sanitary latrines that can provide farmers with a supply of human manure. But at least four million people in Malawi - one third of the population - still have no clean water, while for seven million, access to adequate sanitation is a problem. Alistair Baker, Northumbrian Water’s Communications & PR Manager says: “A child dies every 15 seconds in the developing world from diseases caused by dirty water. It costs just £15 to provide a clean water supply, safe sanitation and hygiene education for a person in the developing world for their entire life. We turn on the tap and pull the chain and take it for granted that there will be top quality drinking water on tap and clean sanitation provided out of sight and out of mind. Sadly, that is not the case for millions of people elsewhere in the world." The Journal and Northumbrian Water, WaterAid's partner in the North-East, have already raised more than £20,000 for the charity through their Malawi appeals and the Baltic exhibition will give people a chance to see some of the communities that will benefit. The event will last from 7pm to 9pm and there are 50 places available. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For the people who have been around the longest they'll know Jayne Emsley is the artist formerly known as Miss Messy! Get yourselves along, amazing photos and a very worthwhile cause
cool, i like the baltic as its a suggested fee, YOU DONT NEED 2 PAY. IT IS SHIT LIKE BUT GETS U OUTA THE RAIN
