The Global WATER Crisis
Water is life. -- African proverb
You think of water only when the well is dry. -- African proverb
There is no denying it -- water is absolutely essential to our survival. But while many of us are lucky enough to have water readily available (not only for our basic needs but even for recreational purposes), there are nearly 1 billion people in our world who lack access to clean drinking water and 2.5 million without toilet or basic sanitation facilities. And this isn't just a problem, it's a crisis.
(Photo at right -- child with his water container in Haiti)
Here are the facts:
A child dies every 15 seconds because of lack of clean water and sanitation.
Approximately 1 in 8 people lack access to clean water supplies
Nearly 70% of Haitians lack access to clean water.
1.4 million children die as a result of diarrhea each year.
In many countries, children cannot go to school because they must search for clean drinking water most of the day.
Millions of women and children in developing countries spend hours each day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources.
Water-related diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, claiming more lives than any war claims with guns.
An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the typical person living in a developing country slum uses in a whole day.
Americans use an average of 100 gallons of water per day! That's enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses! The average person in the developing world uses less than five gallons a day.
A family gathering water in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
That's the bad news. . . .
Here's the good news. . .
YOU can Make a Difference!
1) TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Many people are not aware of the impact of the global water crisis. Share some of the statistics above with people you know. Visit some of the websites below to learn more about the problem (or look up some more on your own!) and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
2) MAKE A DONATION
Only $25 will provide someone in the developing world with clean water for life! But even if you can't give $25, every little bit helps! Visit one of the websites above to see how what you give can make a difference!
3) BUY A T-SHIRT
Sounds like a funny way to help, right? Well, we at World of Difference, Ltd. are committed to making a difference in the world and will be donating a portion of all proceeds from our summer tour of "Papa Dieux's Well: A folktale from Haiti" to the cause of clean water for all.
We will also be selling t-shirts which will raise awareness for the global water crisis. Shirts are $12, and all proceeds from the sale of these shirts will be donated to charities working to provide clean water around the world.
Shirts are available in both 
children's and adult sizes, and come in the following colors: ash grey,sky blue, and white.
(FRONT) (BACK)
4) MAKE IT PERSONAL
Put yourself in the shoes of someone without access to water by trying out one of the following activities. (Ideas courtesy of World Vision, US)
Walk a mile with an empty bucket. Fill up the bucket with water and then walk home. Try not to spill or drip any of the water. Imagine if that were all the water you had for the entire day.
Put sticky notes on the faucets in your home to remind yourself that one in eight people don't have access to water.
Carry an empty water bottle around all day. When your friends ask why you have it, tell them about the water crisis.
Try experiencing a day without water. 12 hours is the suggested time frame for the activity but this may be too long for young children. Talk with your parents to see what will work best for you. When you feel thirsty, remember the many people who can't just turn on the faucet to get a drink.
5) GET CREATIVE
There are lots of ways to help! Get creative and see what ways you can come up with to raise awareness and support for those without water. It could be organizing a walk-a-thon where everyone carries a bucket to symbolize those who walk hours to find water. Or maybe you could talk to your teacher at school to see how the water crisis might be part of the curriculum or a class activity (like putting signs over the drinking fountains at school to remind fellow students that not everyone can so easily get a drink!) Or maybe it's holding a free throw contest where you get sponsors and for every basket made $1 is donated to water projects. Or maybe you're good at arts and crafts and could think of a watery-looking craft to make and sell that would benefit people without access to water! Those are just a few ideas, but let your imagination run wild, because whatever it is, you CAN make a difference!
6) CONSERVE WATER
Here are a few tips for saving water.
Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth instead of letting the water run
Limit yourself to a five minute shower
Run the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full
Click here to learn more about water conservation and to play some water-wise games!