Did you use water today?
How many times?
You might’ve: Drank water, brushed your teeth, washed your hands, took a shower, flushed a toilet, washed dishes, washed clothes, watered a plant, gone to a car wash.
What did that water look like?
What color was it? Did you see anything floating in it? Were you worried brushing your teeth might make you sick?
How did you get that water?
Were you concerned how long it would take you to get water to wash your clothes? Did you think twice before washing your hands?
None of these questions crossed your mind today.
Having access to safe clean water is something many take for granted, but much of the world’s population does not have that luxury.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, 330 million people lack access to clean drinking water.
- In this region, over 80% of disease is a result of improper drinking water or sanitation.
- Approximately half of the population of sub-Saharan Africa suffers from a water-borne disease like diarrhea, cholera, or typhoid.
- Water-borne illnesses are the leading cause of death in children under age 5.
- Every year, more people die from unsafe water than from all forms of violence–war included.
The facts are sobering. For many of us, it is hard to imagine living without safe drinking water. Not many people living in a developed country have ever experienced loss as a result of water-related disease.
We want to be a part of the solution, and we need your help!
We are currently fundraising for a water project in Bona, Ethiopia. When completed, the project will provide clean drinking water to 6,000 people. This is a three part project with three different locations providing water to 3 different communities in Bona. Part one has already been completed and the community there is already receiving clean water!
From our past projects (which you can read about here), we have seen the changes that clean water has on people’s lives.
Children are able to attend school because they are not having to spend all day getting water.
The occurrence of disease is greatly reduced.
There is peace in communities where they once fought over water during drought times.
This water project will save lives.
And you can be a part of that!
Right now, anyone who donates over $50 to provide sustainable clean water to thousands of Ethiopians will have their name (or a name in honor of someone) put on a plaque on the water project.
If you would like to donate you can do so below:
DONATEWe also need advocates for clean water in Ethiopia! You can create your own webpage and ask your friends to give! Many people have done this as an alternative to birthday or Christmas gifts. If you would like to advocate, you can create your fundraising page below.
CREATE YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING PAGEThank you for your support!
Sources: http://www.gwiwater.org/sites/default/files/pub/FUTURE%20WATER%20(IN)SECURITY..pdf
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/quality.shtml