I began to learn about the shortage of clean water a few years ago, but never really gave it much thought because I can turn on a tap wherever I go and fill up a glass with crystal clear water. Ironically I don't do it as often as I should! Around the same time I heard of an organisation called charity: water, which was founded to tackle this huge problem world-wide.
4,500 children will die TODAY from water-related diseases?!?!
That's awful.
During a design school that I was a student in, our staff did a presentation one morning to help us become aware of the huge problem that so many people suffer from. They lined glasses up like this...
...and asked us what we thought it might mean. It might look like a small amount, surrounded by glasses of clean water, but that represents around 1 billion people in this world who have to drink water like that...or worse...
I also heard that, through charity: water you can decide to forgo birthday gifts and ask people to give money towards building new water-wells in villages that really need clean water. In other words, you can give up receiving extra material possessions to literally save lives. And 100% of your money goes directly to the need. Their administration costs are covered by other sources.
So, I've been thinking to myself and aloud with Eti, about getting involved. My 30th birthday is coming up on the 14th of February. I've gone back and forth about the idea of asking people to donate to charity: water in place of giving me gifts. Ashamedly I confess I've wavered because there are some things I'd like for my birthday. Stupid eh?! I still selfishly want things for myself, even when there are people out there in such desperate need. What more do I really need...I have a wonderful family, a warm house, clean water...and much much more...
Here we go. I'm going for it. I learned that $5000 (US) will pay for a new well for a whole village. So I immediately went for that. Afterwards I felt a little worried that we wouldn't be able to get anywhere near that...can you help me prove myself wrong?!? Even if you don't know me, please feel free to give towards a project that will save lives and make life a whole lot easier for the women who normally walk miles to collect water.
Click here to join in. It's easy to give, no complications and takes just a couple of minutes...
...and you know what? Once the well is dug and finished, we even get the GPS location to see where it is and for whom it's making a world of difference.
Please join me... $3, $30, however much you would like to give. Not to prove me wrong but to give life in gratitude for the life in which we are so privileged. And feel free to pass this on...
2011 -- charity: water's year in review. from charity: water on Vimeo.
