After living in a country where I can only drink bottled water, the issue of having access to safe, reliable drinking water has become a topic that crosses my mind daily. Fortunately, I can obtain clean drinking water at the school cafeteria near my house, and I also have the means to purchase water at convenience stores when I travel away from home. I realize how lucky I am to have these options, and although I can't just turn on the tap to get a drink, I have a constant source of water near my home. I have been living in Thailand for 6 months now, and I am becoming more and more aware of the things I have taken for granted while I lived in America. The ability to turn on a faucet and have unlimited clean, clear water is a luxury that many people in this world do not have. As Americans, we waste this clean water in a multitude of ways, but I'm not here to lecture anyone on turning off the sink when they brush their teeth. What I do want people to think about is this:

Imagine you are a parent (I'm sure many of you already are), then imagine walking for hours to fill up a jerry can with muddy water from a lake or river bed miles from your home. This water that you carry back won't be used to water your lawn, or dilute your bodily wastes, or wash your dishes- instead you offer this water to your children to drink, not knowing if it will infect them with dangerous diseases, possibly leading to their death. Imagine that despite your effort to provide the best care possible, walking miles, and carrying up to 40 pounds of water back to your home so that your child is not thirsty, despite tolerating 100 degree heat during this trip, your efforts are wasted because your child is overcome by a waterborne illness. You only have to imagine, because for those of us from developed countries, this will fortunately never be a reality. But it is for nearly 1 billion people in this world, so for my 23rd birthday, I want to do something- raise awareness and funds to help change these statistics by providing a means to access clean water to a community that needs it. And I need your help.

I'm aware that upon reading this many people will automatically think "I don't have any money to spare," but hear me out. I'm asking that you donate what you can. If you think you cannot donate anything, I want you to consider the amount of money that you pay for the liquids that you drink on a weekly basis. A cup of coffee, a can of coke, a pint of beer, or even GASP! a bottle of water- even though the water pouring out of most taps around you is perfectly healthy to drink. Now I want you to add up the price you pay to hydrate yourself during the week despite the fact that there is free water all around, then consider the thought that you "don't have any money to spare." Think about redirecting those funds towards this cause, just for one week, or better yet, until March 17th- my 23rd birthday.

I'm donating $60 of my monthly $600 living stipend to get this started. That's 10% of what I make in a month for those of you non-math people. If you can swing 10%, that's incredible, but I understand if you can't.

Consider giving $5 for the beer you surely would have bought me if I were celebrating with all of you, $10 for the cab ride home from the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, $23 to match the years that I've been alive, or more if you can spare it.

This project vows to show us where our money is going, what water project it is supporting, and the families and communities who are directly benefitting from it. The wells and filtration systems installed will undoubtedly save lives.

Thanks in advance for the birthday gift. And Happy St. Patrick's Day! Be safe!