Send a Different Kind of Water this Christmas

I was speaking with my friend, Tim Longhurst, today and he was telling me that paper is 80% water. Obviously, by the time it gets to us, the water has evaporated, but clearly paper production requires access to vast water supplies – and given the scarcity of this precious resource, it makes sense to conserve it whenever possible.

And as we approach Christmas – a time of sharing and giving – take a moment to consider a DIFFERENT kind of gesture this year.

Each day 5,000 children die because they don’t have access to safe drinking water. That’s a lot of kids today, tomorrow and the next day … It’s a lot of kids who won’t see the end of 2008. And it’s a lot of kids who won’t see Christmas.

BUT you CAN make a difference. Rather than buying packs of cards that you write on and send, perhaps, instead, you could donate the water to people who need it.

WaterAid enables the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. These basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods and form the first, essential step in overcoming poverty.

So this year, you have the opportunity to not just spread some Christmas cheer, you can change someone’s life.

There are TWO easy steps: 

1. Visit the WaterAid donation page. Take a fraction of the amount that you would normally spend on cards and send it to WaterAid to begin making a difference in the lives of children around the world. If you would spend $2 or $3 on a card, halve it and donate it here.   
2. Visit the WaterAid eCard page and send Christmas eCards to all your friends. That way they still get the message, but also have the opportunity to participate in a great Christmas cause.

Now, that’s what I call a Christmas gift!

FOR BLOGGERS: If you would like to support WaterAid this year, you can find more detail here. Or leave a comment and I will put you in contact with the team responsible.