Have you ever said, "I'm dying of thirst?" If so, I bet you didn't really mean it.

If you're like me, you don't spend too much time thinking about water - it's everywhere we go. When we're thirsty, we flip a handle or push a button. When we're dirty, we twist a shower knob. When our garden needs watering, when our pasta needs to be boiled, when we use the bathroom - water's just there for the taking.

But for a billion people on the planet, it's not. Millions of women and children have to walk hours each day to get water from muddy ponds and rivers. And much of that water is infested with parasites and leeches. In fact, 80% of all diseases in the world are caused by unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation.

When I learned that only $20 can give someone clean, safe water for two decades, I decided to start a campaign to help. Now, my goal is to raise $5000 to build a well in a developing nation. And the cool thing about charity: water is that they spend 100% of the money I raise directly on the water projects. Even better, when projects are complete, every dollar is tied to village and all the wells are posted on Google Earth.

Together, we can make a dent in the global water crisis. I hope you'll consider helping.


On behalf of the Panhellenic Council, I am proud to announce our first "Charity: Water Challenge"! It will be hosted on Scott Hall Lawn on May 2nd from 12-4pm! All are welcome to attend! We are going to have several Road Rules themed challenges for all to enjoy.

What can you do to help now? Spread the word! Contact family, friends, peers and start raising money to help this cause! Remember just $20 gives one person clean drinking water for 20 years.

-Stephanie Farnham