My name is Kate Redenbaugh. I am a freshman at Hoggard High School. My heart goes out to the 750 million people worldwide who do not have access to clean drinking water. It is through my walk with God that I am now here, fundraising for a cause that effects so many people so deeply. Every minute, a child dies of a water-related disease. 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related diseases. Almost 80% of diseases in developing countries are linked to water sanitation conditions. School girls in developing countries are sent out of class to make trips to the nearest water source, which deprives them of time that could be spent receiving education. The Water Crisis is not only a health problem, but it is also effecting people’s education, economic state, and food security.

I propose that we do something about it. The Water Project is a non-profit organization that builds water pumps in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. Together, we can take “The Water Challenge”- where we, for two weeks, sacrifice all other beverages besides water. On a “promise card,” we can keep track of how much money we’ve saved for The Water Project, simply by drinking only water. The money you saved will go on to save another’s life! In fact, if you raise just $32 (odds are you will), that is enough to give ONE PERSON clean water, and an opportunity for a new life. You may not think that sacrificing beverages will make that much of a difference, but, deciding to have water rather than milk ONE TIME puts aside 50 cents for the cause.

My goal is for us, as a community, to raise enough money to give 100 people clean water. That’s a grand total of $2,300 we have to raise; let’s get started!

Galatians 5:13-15The Message (MSG)

13-15 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.

EMAIL ME AT: [email protected] for information on how to begin. You will receive more Information on The Water Project, how the Water Challenge works, and you will get a reminder wristband and a promise card.