On the Sixth Day of Christmas
Today’s organization really hits home with me.
Why?
Because Africa is my home away from home. Because we are adopting a child from Africa. And because clean water is really a basic human right.
Blood:Water Mission currently works in Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Central African Republic.
The Mission:
Founded by the multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning band, Jars of Clay, Blood:Water Mission began as a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The members of the band were committed to share the often-untold stories: those of creative, compassionate, hard-working Africans bringing health, hope and healing into their respective communities.
Blood:Water Mission first stepped into funding a late stage AIDS hospice and discovered the vital link between living with HIV/AIDS and the need for clean water. As a result, Blood:Water Mission launched the 1000 Wells Project in 2005 as a nation-wide effort to raise enough money to provide clean water and sanitation to 1000 communities in sub-Saharan Africa based on the equation that $1 provides one African with clean water for an entire year.
Since its launch, Blood:Water Mission has raised millions of dollars through the creative efforts of tens of thousands of individuals seeking to make a difference, providing for the completion of the 1000 Wells Project at the end of 2010. To date, they have partnered with more than 1,000 communities in Africa, providing life-saving water and health care for over 600,000 people in 13 different countries. Along the way the 1000 Wells Project has expanded holistically to include a variety of clean water solutions, sanitation and hygiene training, the capacity building of their local grassroots partners to improve their ability to develop sustainable programs, as well as funding health clinics, community health workers, and support groups, which help in the prevention, treatment, care and support of communities affected by AIDS. Although the 1000 Wells Project is completed, they aren’t moving on; instead, they are moving deeper. There are still millions without safe water, and Blood Water’s commitment to them continues. Additionally, moving forward they are incorporating HIV/AIDS programs, building on the foundation of ongoing water programming.
This is the part where you start wondering what this has to do with Christmas giving. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Become a Community Builder. As a family you could give up a few presents and commit to a year of clean water.
2. Cement your love. Take $25 and buy a bag of cement. Find out more here.
3. Give a one time gift as a “gift” for someone on your Christmas list.
4. Purchase an item from the online store. All purchases support the work BWM is doing in African communities.
So are you ready for giveaway time? Blood: Water Mission has given a pretty fun little package for our giveaway today! 1 t-shirt, 1 water bottle and a wrist band!
An entry for every action! Don’t forget to tell me what you did!
1. Leave a Comment, let us know what you think about what BWM is doing in Africa.
2. Share this on your Facebook profile (suggestion below)
12 days of Christmas! Day 6 giveaway from Blood: Water Mission http://wp.me/pNXTN-nz
3. Like Blood:Water Mission on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @bloodwater (if you haven’t already)
4. Tweet this! (copy and paste below)
12 days of Christmas! Day 6 giveaway from @bloodwater — http://wp.me/pNXTN-nz #aroadhome
Can’t wait to announce the winner tomorrow morning!
Shared, liked and here’s my comment:
This is such a great organization because I completely agree that everyone should have the basic need of clean water. When I went to Kenya I remember the miles people had to walk just to get water from the one well for miles around. This is a huge problem and I’m glad to see someone working to change it.
Everyone should have safe drinking WATER! This is my favorite so far! I mean really Kim Kardashian spent how much on her wedding??? Can someone call her to see if she wouldn’t mind spending a few more million on something that matters!
I think it’s amazing what they are doing!!! And it always amazes me that such a small amount of money can go SOOO much further than you think!!! $25 for us is a pizza night……but that $25 bag of cement makes a HUGE impact in Africa!!
Now following in FB. 🙂
Sharing this on FB. 🙂
I love how you are educating everyone about so many wonderful organizations. I am really enjoying learning more about each one. I think this organization is fantastic and I hope to support it more in the future!
Love love love blood water missions. They do FANTASTIC life saving things.
I like them on facebook and follow them on twitter!
and I tweeted 🙂
i liked them on fb:) thanks!
Like them on FB, posted on FB, and am leaving a comment here! Great stuff y’all are promoting! I hope me posting will raise more awareness!
I RT’d what you said! 🙂 I love BWM and told everyone on my list to get me a present from here. I’d love to say, “I built that well.” Well, sort of anyway. 🙂
I just place an order from the store, too. Anyway, I like them on FB and follow them on Twitter (which is how I found out about the giveaway.) Also, my RT when to my Facebook status.
If I win this, I’d love to give it to a friend who just loves BWM. 🙂
Love to see BWM on here. I got involved with them in HS and it still amazes just how life-changing clean water is.
Tweeted…honored to share the good work that is being done by Blood: water mission
Liked them on FB and tweeted it
I liked the organization of facebook and I also shared you giveaway link on facebook. As for my comment on the organization: we take clean water for granted. It is a basic human right and more people should be educated on the realities of African nations and lack of access to clean water.
BWM is a life changing organization. I did all 4! 🙂
Really excited about this org.!!!! I did all three (Facebook status, twitter, like the org)
Love ya!
Amazing – can $1 can really give an African clean water for 1 year?? If so, that is incredible.
I shared on fb, liked them on fb, and commented here 🙂
Wow! What an amazing, practical ministry! It is so beyond me to realize that anyone would not have access to clean water.:(. So thankful for organizations like this that have a heart for Africa!
I like BWM on Facebook!
Another worthy ministry. Can’t wait every day to see the next mission you highlight. Doing all my Christmas shopping from these various ministries. Thanks you!