As I approach the age of 30, I begin to think more and more about the privileges I have had as an able bodied, healthy, blonde hair, blue eyed, educated female with a stable childhood, growing up in Canada. Opportunities, health care, education, shelter, safety, money, let alone clean food and water were never a worry for me in my life. With that privilege, I believe it’s up to me (and us) to take care of those who weren’t born into the same geographic or socioeconomic situation, and who do struggle daily to meet their own survival needs.

Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Many of us have no idea what it's like to be thirsty. We have plenty of water to drink -- even the water in our toilets is clean! I’ve never turned on my tap to find nothing running out of the other end, I’ve never had to walk 6 miles each way to collect a bucket of water for my daily needs. I’ve never had to skip school as a young female because my school didn’t have the sanitation I needed as a menstruating school aged girl. I’ve never had to balance basic survival needs with wanting to achieve an education, or career.

But 1 in 10 people worldwide do deal with these daily struggles associated with lack of clean water.

Many months ago I was listening to a Rich Roll podcast in which the founder of Charity Water (Scott Harrison) was a guest on the show. Scott created Charity Water with the mission of securing private donations that would 100 % go to the implementation of clean water infrastructure. This means that every dollar I raise is directly impacts people in 24 countries across the globe.

Access to clean water and basic sanitation can save around 16,000 lives every week

Every $1 invested in clean water can yield $4–$12 in economic returns. The impact on these individual lives and communities is tremendous, and I will hold them in my heart as I take on this tremendous fundraising challenge.

Fundraising is scary. It means I have to stand up for what I believe, make myself uncomfortable and ask others to give me their hard earned money. I’ve been wanting to tackle a project like this for some time, but the fear of not achieving my goal- of raising $10 000 to build a clean water system for a community, has held me back. What if I didn’t make it? What if no one donated? What if people were annoyed with me asking for money, when there are so many other charities to donate to?

I realized now that I can't let these insecurities get in my way of helping others around the globe. As my birthday approaches in August I want to mark this occasion not only by providing an incredible opportunity for clean water to a community, but to continue to prove to myself that I can achieve goals that I set my mind to, that I can overcome fears of rejection, and that society is compassionate and ready to help those in need worldwide.

So with all of that being said: Please donate to my campaign -- anything you can give is a huge help. I technically only have 48 days to fundraise according to Charity Water guidelines, but my ultimate goal is to raise $10 000 by August 13th 2018.
Once the money is fundraised they will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped ☺.

Ways in which you can help:
- A private donation (even $5 can have an impact).
- On your next birthday celebration ask for donations for my campaign and cause and share this message – or start your own campaign
- Help me by hosting a fundraising event, or suggesting an idea.
- Share this link with friends and family.
- If you are a member of my family that usually gives me a birthday gift- perhaps you might consider a donation instead!
- If you aren't a member of my family and don't usually give me a birthday gift- perhaps you might consider a donation :) haha!
- $30 to represent my 30th birthday ??

Thank you all for your selfless kindness, generosity, and support.