Day 13: 10 Days

There are recurrent themes that I keep finding as I am researching for this blog.  I'm looking for good things that are happening, either news events, charities, people.  And over and over I am seeing that meeting such a primal and basic need such as providing clean water is good.  Digging wells within villages gives clean water and eliminates the whole days journey.  Freeing these women up to work on making an income, or children to attend school to get an education.  Clean water reduces disease and infection, reducing medical costs and mortality, and perhaps in the long run reducing population growth.  Clean water is good.


Living Water International is about to begin their 10 Days challenge.  "Drink water to give water."  This is their campaign: The 10 Days is a campaign directed at college students that challenges students to choose water as their only beverage for 10 days.  That means no coffee, coke, or whatever else someone might drink.  The money saved from doing this is used to provide clean water for the close to a billion people that need it.  This year's campaign kicks off on Monday, October 25th and ends November 3rd. 


For each dollar raised, one person will receive clean water for 20 years.  


10 Days from Living Water International on Vimeo.

Day 5: Water

Water is one item that here in the United States we use so casually and thoughtlessly, because all we have to do is turn on the faucet and out it flows.  But that is not a reality in many parts of the world.  It is hard for me to fathom walking 10 or more miles a day to retrieve a few gallons of water.   Not only that, but also having to repeat that trek every day.  And often the water is contaminated.  But water is a necessity for life, and so despite the diseases it might transmit, it is drank in an attempt to quench thirst.
  

Today is Change.org's Blog Action Day 2010, inviting people to think about water, and it's impact on the world.  In the last year or so, this has been on my mind.  A local church was having a water campaign, and it got me thinking about how we use water.  Long showers, toilets flushing with each use, leaving water running while I do the dishes, watering the lawn to keep it green during the summer.  John and I have made a conscious effort in this last year to reduce our consumption, but we still have a long way to go.  


But the counterpoint of over-consuming such a precious resource is not having access to clean water.  This last month, John joined the Charity:Water campaign and "donated" his September birthday to help build a well in Africa.  We were so excited to raise $1000 to go towards the $5000 needed to build a well.  This will give 50 people clean water for 20 years!  A small drop in the bucket compared to what is truly needed, but helpful none the less.  


To join the mission for bring clean water to those in need, visit these sites:
charitywater.org
water.org
change.org
www.bloodwatermission.com