April Jacek outside the World Vision with the youth of the World Vision Children's Parliament in February. Photo courtesy of April Jacek

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - A recent trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has left a lasting impression on local ministry April Jacek, director of Sunrise Christian Food Ministry, who witnessed first-hand the transformative work carried out by World Vision.

In February, Jacek joined a delegation of pastors from across the United States, traveling to the region to observe ongoing development projects aimed at improving daily life for vulnerable communities. What she encountered, she said, was both humbling and inspiring.

Among the most impactful initiatives were clean water projects providing safe, accessible drinking water to villages where residents previously walked miles each day to collect water that was frequently contaminated.

“To see children drinking clean water right in their own village instead of spending hours walking for it, it’s life-changing,” Jacek said.

April Jacek, director of the Sunrise Food Ministry with the children of the World Vision School in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in February. Photo courtesy of April Jacek

She also visited local schools and the Children's Parliament in the DRC where kids, wise beyond their years, are helping to shape policy and change in the region.

“The children I met are incredibly resilient,” she said. “With just a little support, they are creating sustainable change for their communities.”

Jacek is now helping bring that mission back to the Citrus Heights community through involvement with the World Vision Global 6K for Water. The event invites participants to walk six kilometers, the average distance many women and children in developing countries travel daily to collect water.

The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project is a well built in 2024 with funds raised by Jacek's church. They have been supporting the work of World Vision in the DRC for eight years. Photo courtesy of April Jacek

Each registration helps provide one person with access to clean, safe drinking water for life.

Jacek is partnering with Covenant Kids Congo to encourage teams across the country to participate in the Global 6K on May 16 to raise awareness about the global water crisis.

“This is something our community can do together,” Jacek said. “It’s a simple act that makes a profound and sustainable difference in someone else’s life as well as your own.”

Citrus Heights Community members interested in learning more about World Vision and this project or joining a local event can visit global6k.worldvision.org/home to find a walk near them.