This is a cool initiative developed by a couple of friends of mine:

Facts:

1.1 billion people on this planet do not have access to safe, clean drinking water, that’s 1 in 6 of us.

Dirty water and lack of sanitation causes 80% of all sickness and diseases, and kills more people than any other form of violence, including war.

Women and children often have to walk more than 3 hours per day to collect water that most likely will make them sick. This prevents them from working or attending school, and puts them at greater risk of sexual harassment and assault.

Children are especially affected, 42,000 deaths occur every week from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation, 90% are children under 5 years old.

Think about it:
$1 is enough money for 1 person to have clean water for 1 year! It’s that simple.

(Information taken from Charity:Water)

What can we do?

By giving up what you’d normally drink in exchange for the water from your tap you can save that money to help build clean water projects for communities in need.

So ditch the morning kopje koffie and juice, leave out the lunchtime cola, and cancel the fine wine and biertjes at night. You may need a large dose of self-discipline, but we know you can do it, because you know who you’re doing it for. Make the choice! Think about and identify with those 1.1 billion people in our world who don’t have the choice.

(Adapted from Blood:water mission)

How and when?

For the time of fasting known as Lent from 25 February to 11 April 2009 give up all drinks except for tap water. Make a note of what you would have spent on other drinks. On Easter Sunday give the total of what you saved to a (water and sanitation) charity.

Who? Suggested charities:

• Charity:water: www.charitywater.org
• Healthy Vine: www.healthy-vine.org
• Nuru: http://www.nuruinternational.org/
• Blood:water mission: http://www.bloodwatermission.com

Please consider joining us through giving water this Easter and tell your friends!
For more info contact: Claire: clairebuswell@gmail.com or Naomi: naomi.triggs@gmail.com.

I still haven't completely decided if I'm going to participate or not (primarily because I'm wondering how it will play out with my "work space" often being cafes in the city who wouldn't really appreciate a non-paying customer) -- but I'm starting to lean in the direction of personal involvement.

At any rate, I thought I would spread the word.  Maybe you would like to Choose Water, too!