Each September, people give up their birthdays and ask for donations in order to build wells in developing nations through the charity: water September Campaign. A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

I turn 20 on the 18th. My birthday wish this year is not for gifts; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday meaningful this year. I figured instead of going out to dinner or having a party (we can save that for my 21st haha), we could help this cause! Please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete. I know everyone is tight on money these days but even if you've read this far, I'm totally content and hope you've learned something! Awareness is the first step. Please don't feel obligated to donate, and if you do, I truly appreciate it (and will be the happiest birthday girl ever)!

Thanks friends =) I feel like the goal can definitely be reached. Let's do it!
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Update - 2 September 2010, 8:00PM
It's been one day since I let people know about this and the response has been so encouraging! My first goal was $100 and I reached it mid-day, reset it to $200 and I'm almost there, so I changed my goal again to $250! $250 can give 12 people (or 2 families) clean water for 20 years! So awesome.Thanks for participating in this with me--I appreciate it more than words can describe!
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Update - 3 September 2010, 8:00PM
Met my goal of $250 today. That's two families with clean water for 20 years! Raised my goal to $300. Love you all.
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Update - 10 September 2010, 11:00PM
Reached $350 today, surpassing any expectations I had for the entire campaign. You all have made a difference in 17 people's lives! Amazing.
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Update - 14 September 2010, 3:30AM
Saw that donations went up to $370, so I upped my goal to $400. I'm really tired from studying right now but that totally made my night! Such an encouragement...
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Update - 18 September 2010, 5:00PM
So thankful and proud to have you in my life, so blessed to have had this opportunity, and so inspired and humbled by the people of C.A.R. So much love.Campaign ends on the 30th so let's keep spreading the word. Raised $490 so far, setting the goal to a flat $500.
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Update - 30 September, 9:00PM
September's coming to an end along with this campaign. It's been a pretty sweet experience; thanks for sharing it with me!