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(Photo by Frimmel Smith)

 

With an issue as large and profound as water, it can be hard for individuals to know what they can do to help -- or how to get involved.  Here are just a few examples of how one person who decided to do something was able to help -- and how you can help too.

 

Blood:Water Mission
Blood:Water Mission is the brainchild of Dan Haseltine, lead singer of the band Jars of Clay. After returning from a trip to Africa, Dan was so moved by the terrible effects of unsafe water and HIV/AIDS that he created Blood:Water Mission to help bring clean water to African communities and reduce the rate HIV/AIDS in them. Jars of Clay often host a forum before their concerts, in which they talk about the work of Blood:Water Mission with their fans and draw attention to the desperate needs of so many in Africa. The organization recently launched the 1,000 Wells Project to build 1,000 wells in 1,000 African communities by partnering with community-based organizations. Find out how you can help build wells with Blood:Water Mission or join in a dialogue with Jars of Clay about their work.

 

ONE Water grew out of a conversation among friends in 2003 in which one of them, having seen an article about the lack of access to clean drinking water worldwide, suggested a nonprofit bottled water company that puts all of its profits toward well-building programs.  As the first bottles were rolling off the production line in 2005, the organizers of Live8 and Make Poverty History chose ONE as the official water sold at their events.

Ryan's Wells
Eight years ago, when Ryan Hreljack -- now 14 -- learned that people were at risk of becoming ill and dying because they didn't have access to clean water he has worked with others to raise more than $1 million to build wells for them. To date, Ryan's Well Foundation has built 201 wells in 10 countries, serving more than 350,000 people. Check out Projects Needing Help.