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.

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!”