The water strider – (not) a Christmas tale!

Do you know this? Christmas time is often the most stressful time of the year. Instead of contemplation and time to calm down, our thoughts revolve around important errands and to-dos before the holidays.

As CONENGA Group we have therefore decided to tell the inspiring story of Fritz Kieninger this year. He is the “water strider” who has dedicated much of his life for two decades now to giving people in Cambodia hope, education and clean drinking water. A project that we are already supporting this year with the second well donation may support.

You don’t have time to read the whole article (for the reasons mentioned above 😉), but would like to support the project? Click here directly to the good deed!

Thinking outside the box as an initial spark

Almost twenty years ago, Fritz Kieninger was confronted with the harsh reality of life there when he visited the home of his Cambodian colleague Kao Savuth: He observed an old man drinking from a dirty puddle of water. His friend confirmed to him that this was unfortunately not uncommon in Cambodia. People there often have no access to clean drinking water. This was also the case in the home community of his colleague and friend.

This experience led Kieninger to make a firm decision in 2004 to do something about it. Not only was the first water well built in his friend’s home village, but also the KAKIHE associationwhich is made up of the first letters of the initiators’ surnames.

Anything but an ordinary “CV” – the path to becoming a water strider

The passionate amateur runner literally set out to raise awareness and collect donations.

With impressive stamina, he was the first person to run a total of 750 kilometers across Cambodia in 15 days in 2013. And just 3 years later, he ran a second time to gain sponsors for drinking water wells. His 900-kilometre run in extreme heat and humidity, which he completed in 18 daily stages of 50 kilometers each, was sponsored with a well for Cambodia every day and is legendary.

Since then at the latest, the Upper Austrian has been known as “the water strider” beyond the country’s borders and also in many places in Cambodia.

5 bridges run in the Salzkammergut

In addition to the runs in Cambodia, Fritz has also organized the annual 5-bridge run has launched a sporting event in his home country. Every step is a reminder that clean drinking water is not a matter of course in Cambodia and the running route along the Traun symbolizes the hardships that children in Cambodia have to endure to get clean water. 100% of the entry fee goes towards the project “Building wells and schools in Cambodia”. In this way, participants are helping to improve the lives of many people.

Even a journey of many kilometers begins with a single step

The record of the water runner and his association is impressive: 431 drinking water wells, five kindergartens and four schools have been built so far. KAKIHE does not limit itself to construction, but also provides dedicated helpers on site. They provide long-term support for the projects and ensure that the wells remain functional and that the positive change continues.

Helping simply makes you happy

During his visit to our office, I was not only able to see for myself his passion and enthusiasm – but also that every euro donated to this initiative really does benefit its purpose. Fritz and his family and dedicated friends are still doing all of the association’s work for free.

When asked why Fritz Kieninger has been so passionately committed to his aid project for two decades, the answer is simple: “Helping makes you happy! The joy of the people in Cambodia about clean drinking water, kindergartens and schools – things that are taken for granted here in Austria and that nobody thinks about – is what drives me.”

 

Would you also like to help?

We are delighted to have been CONENGA Group a small part of this moving story for the past two years. Finally, if you are also interested in making a sustainable donation, I would like to encourage you to use the KAKIHE donation account to support the impressive work of “water runner” Fritz Kieninger and his team.

KAKIHE – Donation account

BIC: RZOOAT2L510

IBAN: AT023451000009530163

Your donation is tax deductible!

With best wishes for a Merry Christmas,

Silvia Schaffner & the team of the CONENGA Group

Picture sources: Fritz Kieninger, CONENGA Group