The Sahel region of Africa is one of the harshest places on earth to live. Together, we can change that!

Every DAY, 5,000 children under the age of five DIE from water-related illnesses. This year, we've decided to make our birthday's count.

Let us share with you a little about what we have recently learned about the suffering Sahel.

During the hotter part of the year, the average temperature in the Sahel region of West Africa is more than 110 degrees. Many women walk several miles just to reach the 100-year-old hole in the ground where they collect contaminated water for their families, one bucket at a time. And they make that trip four or five times each day.

On top of this gruesome reality, the lack of availability to safe, clean water is what causes more than one MILLION children to suffer from malnutrition in 2014 alone, due to crop shortages, contaminated water and rising food prices.

But together, we can change all of that!

Together, we can bring solar powered pumps into these suffering communities and pipe water to tap stands right next to these families homes. We can bring time, energy and a better future to over 100,000 people in Mali and Niger.

Every penny (100%) of the money raised will directly fund clean water projects in these developing countries. Even better, Charity:Water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we have directly impacted!

Please consider helping us play a small part in changing the lives of those living in the Sahel by donating to our birthday campaign. Instead of a gift, card, or a "happy birthday" on our Facebook pages, we are asking for $24 (our age this year) from everyone we know to make a difference in the lives of those suffering around the world from lack of access to something we take for granted everyday - safe, clean, accessible water.

Make a difference. Change a life.