A few days ago, I made a promise that I wouldn't let my 18th birthday go to waste. I wanted to use this time to make a difference, if not in my own life, then in the lives of those who need it the most. <br><br>I'm turning 18 years old and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $18 or more from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater projects for people in developing countries. My goal is to raise $5,050 by my birthday, and I know I can do it with the help of you all.<br><br>Almost a billion people in the world are living without clean water -- but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still have to walk hours each day to get dirty water for their families.<br><br>My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion people living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.<br><br>The best part: 100% of all donations go directly toward water projects. And about 18 months after this campaign ends, charity: water will show us where and how every dollar we raised ended up helping in the field. We'll see GPS coordinates, photos and more details about the communities we've impacted.<br><br>May Allah (swt) reward you greatly, and may He grant ease to those who are suffering hardships.