The Water Project offers challenges for families through The Water Challenge

February 17, 5:07 PMDC Family Activism ExaminerShannyn Snyder

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The Water Project, a faith-based non-profit organization whose mission includes connecting donors and implementers to make clean water a reality for needy communities, offers an innovative and fun way for families to get involved through a program called the Water Challenge.  

This kid-friendly solution to helping the worldwide water problem includes simply changing drinking habits by switching to tap water, refillable containers or if bottled water is used, to recycle. 

The site includes information on a variety of topics for parents and older students, too, including water scarcity and bottled water, and keeps donors up to date on local water projects.  Families and schools can report their challenge and have their progress posted and receive timely updates about current water projects in Africa and India.

What are the steps to a Water Challenge? 

• Give it Up - Make water your only beverage...for 2 weeks.  Take the money you would have spent on soda, juice, sports drinks, bottled water etc., and put it aside to give clean water. Collect your savings in a cup wrapped with a "The Water Challenge" label.

• Wear your wristband - It'll help you remember to choose water and to spread the word.
• Continue your sacrifice for 2 weeks - If you are heading toward the soda machine, head for the water fountain instead. If your family goes out to dinner and you usually order iced tea, ask for water. It's free. You'll be amazed at how the savings add up. Encourage your whole family to participate.
• Give it Away - After 2 weeks, calculate the amount of money saved by your sacrifice and give water through The Water Project, Inc. It will be used to drill and fix wells, build systems to catch rain-water and build small sand dams in Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon or India...you choose!

There is no cost to families to participate, although the activity can be used as a fundraiser, and the challenge is an overall great way to build dialog within families about water conservation and charity.  

The bottom line is that charitable opportunities are available, even for the youngest participants.  In the tough economy, many organizations can still share their stories and provide knowledge-sharing for people interested in the issues.  The Water Project is one such group, hoping that folks will learn now, act as much as possible and donate when they can.

For more information about the Challenge, see: http://thewaterproject.org/thewaterchallenge.asp