Typically, my “30 Days Out” posts have been about my play lists and highlight new music added since my last walk. Prior posts are here:
(2018) 30-Days Out – More Later From Elsewhere
(2021) 30-Days Out – More Later From Elsewhere
(2024) 30 Days Out: Play List – More Later From Elsewhere
While I’m still occasionally adding songs, and have also recently purchased Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” album – I don’t feel like I’ve got enough new music to warrant a post about it alone.
So, let’s take a moment to chat for a bit about water. I’d encourage you to take a break at this point – walk to your kitchen, get a glass, and fill it with drinking water from your faucet or fridge and then come back to resume reading.
No, really…I’ll wait here.
…
Now that you’re back, imagine if that little exercise wasn’t possible. Imagine your home plumbing didn’t have water. Not for a few hours when the city water works department is working on an issue – but, ever. Imagine your home plumbing didn’t even exist. Imagine you lack water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and growing food. Imagine you have to walk long distances daily and carry heavy jugs of water back to your home. Imagine that water couldn’t be guaranteed as safe. Imagine it’s water that might end up killing you.
For 703 million people in our world, that’s the reality. One person in 10 lives without access to clean water. Water is life – and 703 million people aren’t guaranteed it today.
Maybe not tomorrow either.
The danger of thirst is real. There has been much research regarding what happens to the human body when one is dying of thirst. During dehydration, “bodies take water from other organs, leading to organ failure and brain shrinkage. Dehydration is considered one of the most painful and protracted deaths a human can experience.” 1
But it’s not just dying from thirst that kills people. Drinking dirty water can carry salmonellosis, typhoid, cancers, diarrhea, dysentery, polio, and liver and kidney diseases, to name a few. Illnesses from drinking dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Let that fact sink in a minute.
Women and children are most directly affected by water scarcity. They are, most likely, the ones who have to find and carry water home. On average, they’ll walk 6 kilometers (almost 4 miles) and carry cans which weigh 44 pounds, when full. This daily activity leaves them exhausted, robs them of valuable time, and affects their options for their future.
And they’re people just like us.
But, this dire situation isn’t without hope. Since its inception, charity:water has partnered with local organizations all around the world to help find clean water to those who were without it. Current project history overview here: charity: water | Clean Drinking Water and Sanitation Projects
$40 will provide a lifetime of clean water for one person. 100% of the funds raised go directly to water projects – not the organization’s overhead. Overhead expenses are covered by a handful of generous philanthropists who have signed up to cover those charges. So, 100% of funds raised go directly to the water crisis solution!
That’s one of the reasons why Susie and I are heading out on the trail this August. As I’m posting our daily travel updates, I’ll also be including a link to our current charity:water campaign. Current goal is $9,999 – enough to provide clean water to 250 people! 250 of our neighbors – that’s quite a block party! And, though we haven’t headed out yet, we’re already off to a good start. Marilyn & Susie’s Camino for Water | charity: water
In addition to this one small campaign, there is an opportunity to sign up to be a member of The Spring. Donate – Give The Gift Of Clean, Safe Water | charity: water It’s a commitment to provide regular contributions on a monthly basis in whatever denomination works for your budget. This steady flow of resources will allow charity:water and their partners to plan ahead, knowing future funds will be available.
If you’re a Spring Member – either as of today or you’ve been one for a while, thank you! If you’d like to give a shout-out about The Spring – I’d like to encourage you to use the comments area below. For example, what inspired you to join The Spring? Did you decide to give up anything to join? Or, where in the world are some of the water projects your contributions have facilitated?
That’s right – charity:water always circles back once the project is complete to give specific project details to each and every person who contributed. That’s a level of fiscal accountability that is undeniably refreshing these days!
I hope you’ll also follow along and join us on this quest for water. …30 more days until we start out!
More Later…