Every year in Africa women spend a combined 40 billion hours walking for water—often to and from water sources that can make them and their family sick with life threatening diseases. From a young age, girls learn to carry heavy clay pots or water jugs on their head or strapped to their back, spending precious time away from school and other opportunities.

I want to do what little I can to bring clean water to these people. Clean water delivered by wells or other methods can breathe life into a community that has lived without it. Children, especially girls, are able to spend more time in school. Women are given more time to make money and help lift their families out of poverty. The threat of illness or death due to waterborne diseases is diminished. They can regain hope in their lives.

I’m going to dedicate the next month leading up to my 30th birthday by carrying a water jug with me to and from work and on other outings. I’ll document my journey, and I hope this inspires you to join me and donate $30 to this cause. $30 is enough to help one person get access to clean water, so with your help we’ll be able to reach many people in need.