On September 7th, charity: water will celebrate its first birthday. And I will celebrate my 32nd.
It all started in September of last year, with a party in New York City, and a refugee camp in Northern Uganda. We launched our $20 bottle of water, celebrated my 31st birthday, and most importantly, raised enough money to help more than 31,000 people living in desperate conditions at the Bobi Refugee Camp. We took the money to Uganda and built six wells where there were none.
11 months and $1.2 million dollars later…………..
We've gone from those six, to over 200 charity: water funded wells in six African nations. When completed, they'll provide clean and safe water to more than 100,000 people. This year, instead of throwing another birthday party or an anniversary bash, we've decided to do something different.
The need.
We found a group of hospitals in Kenya that desperately need help. Hospitals that have no access to clean and safe water. Imagine being sick, and having only brown, muddy water to drink. Imagine caring for patients and having no clean water to wash instruments, sheets and bedpans. In some of the hospitals we want to serve, patients are actually required to bring their own water.
How you can help.
So this year, to celebrate our first birthday, and my 32nd, we want to help these hospitals. Help the patients who rely on them, and the staff who care for the sick there. I'm asking all of you NOT to attend my birthday celebration. NOT to spend money on getting to the party, or the cost of a few drinks. Instead, give $32 online and we'll put 100% of it towards building freshwater systems in these hospitals.
Each hospital water project will cost around $32,000 and will serve more than 20,000 people with clean, safe water. This week, I will be in Kenya to see the hospitals first hand, and will share the photos, video and stories with all of you as I return. Then, on September 7th, the day of my birthday, we’ll take the money raised and begin drilling at the first hospital.
BUT WE DON'T WANT IT TO END WITH JUST ONE HOSPITAL. OR ONE BIRTHDAY.
So we're asking all of you that were born in September to join us. And if you’re not born in September, we bet you know someone who is. Sign up online and we'll give you your own page where your friends and family can donate in your name, for your birthday. 100% of the money you raise will go directly to these hospitals in need.
September birthday pages will be available after August 17, 2007 when I return from Kenya.
We'll create a custom page for you to receive and track donations. If you're turning 16, ask your friends and family to donate $16. If you're turning 63, ask for $63. To view a sample page, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.charityis.org/september/birthdays/index.html" http://www.charityis.org/september/birthdays/index.html
At the end of September, we will put all the money we raise together, and help these hospitals get access to clean, safe water. We want to show you that even the smallest donations, when combined and spent wisely, can change thousands of lives.
MISSION: BRING CLEAN WATER TO HOSPITALS IN KENYA
ACTION: YOU CAN HELP!
Want to send $32 in the mail? Make checks out to “Charity Global” and send to Charity Global, 511 6th Avenue, Suite 196, NY, NY 10011
For more information, go to www.charityis.org
