A book that talks about a bunch of causes but doesn’t do anything is kind of silly. So let’s do something. Let’s build a well. A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to charity: water to fund a clean water well in Ethiopia.
Update: We did it! On September 22, 2010 our campaign hit the $5,000 goal to fund a well in Ethiopia. Incredible! At this point additional money will continue to help charity: water provide clean water.
In the fall of 2012 we received an email that the well was completed. Check out the pictures and learn more about the well you built.
Logistics
A well costs $5,000. A portion of the proceeds from each copy of Addition by Adoption is donated to the well (if you buy on Amazon $2 is donated). You can also skip the book and make a direct donation to charity: water.
Why Build a Well?
In late March 2009 we traveled to Ethiopia to bring home our son Milo. While there, we witnessed the reality of unclean water:
- Time and time again we saw the people of Ethiopia carrying these 5 gallon jerry cans, often walking hours to muddy water holes for their daily supply of tainted water.
- Milo came home with giardia, a water-borne intestinal parasite common among people with no access to clean water.
- I fell sick for a day, stricken down by water unintentionally consumed either in the shower or from rinsed dishes. Thankfully it was a mild case (yay for meds!).
We know firsthand what a lack of clean water can do.
Clean water saves lives:
- A whopping 80% of all sickness and disease are caused by unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation (charity: water).
- One billion people have no access to safe, clean drinking water. In Ethiopia somewhere between 70-80% of the population has no access to clean water (UNICEF/SIM).
- 42,000 people die every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation—90% are children under 5 (charity: water). In Ethiopia that’s 300,000 kids every year—it’s the country’s number one cause of infant mortality (SIM).
Why charity: water?
charity: water is an organization that brings clean, safe water to people who need it. For $20 they can provide one person with clean water for up to 20 years. They’re great about proving their work and partnering with organizations already on the ground (Living Water International, A Glimmer of Hope, Healing Hands, Concern, etc.). They do a lot of work in Ethiopia (35% of their work, in fact), they’ve been featured on CNN and ABC News, and 100% of money donated goes to water (administrative costs are covered by private donors). charity: water is the organization I supported with the 2009 Bald Birthday Benefit.
There are a lot of great organizations that provide clean water, pick your favorite and support them. I’ve picked charity: water.
More:
- Watch Ethiopian women walking miles to collect water.
- Ethiopian mother talks about her sick son: “Finally we figured out it was the water.”
- Ethiopian man sings: “You’re gonna help us drink clean water!”