San Ramon Valley High School senior Sarah Dittmore is planning to spend the year after graduation in Africa. While there, she hopes to build a well for an impoverished village and is holding a fundraiser to make it happen.

The village, known as Dixie, South Africa, is one of the poorest villages and is in desperate need of water, Dittmore said. As she plans to spend a "gap year" between high school and college there and in Ethiopia, she is selling merchandise and holding a Walk for Water event.

The Walk for Water is a walk-a-thon that is taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7 at Heather Farm Park, located at 1540 Marchbanks Drive in Walnut Creek. Participants can sign up now or at the event and they are encouraged to get sponsorship pledges per quarter mile lap walked. Dittmore said all of the proceeds will be put towards the Dixie project.

For more information on the project, the walk-a-thon and merchandise for sale, visit Dittmore's website or email her at sarahdittmore@yahoo.com.

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