In the summer of 2013, I had the opportunity to visit Honduras with the UCI Public Health Brigades. We worked alongside community members to implement sustainable projects for families in the rural community of El Jute. It was humbling to see how grateful the families were despite their living conditions. They showed us unwavering love and kindness on a daily basis and I will never forget the look on their faces once the projects were completed.

Nearly 65% of the population in Honduras still lives in poverty, one million lack access to improved sanitation, and 800,000 do not have access to safe drinking water. The global data is even more alarming. Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation and 663 million people do not have access to clean drinking water. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide water to communities around the world.

I'm turning 25 soon and I started this campaign to help charity: water build these types of projects. In lieu of receiving gifts, my hope is to raise $500 through the help of family and friends. 100% of the money will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped. So water you waiting for?!