Tuesday, July 05, 2011

You can dream, so dream out loud...

Those of you that know me well know of my involvement in the African Well Fund. I have been on the board for almost 6 years now (where did the time go!) and each year is more inspiring than the next.

We are very close to reaching our "1 million dollars raised since inception" milestone.  In fact we will probably reach it by the end of this year.  This is pretty amazing in itself, but when you stop to consider we are 100% volunteer run it makes this milestone even more extraordinary.

The AWF was born because a group of U2 fans, inspired by Bono's work in Africa, decided that it was time to be the change they wanted to see in the world.  Every year we honor Bono by holding a fundraiser for his birthday, which is May 10.  Every year people who donate to the fundraiser can sign Bono's birthday card on our website and every year Lara (a very talented board member) creates a fabulously cool card which then gets mailed to Bono.  We know he gets the card because he has let us know in the past that it is his favorite birthday present (see this post).

This year we were able to present the card to him him person before the show in Nashville. Five AWF board members were on hand to personally thank him for being our inspiration and Lara was able to hand Bono this year's card herself - for pictures and her account of the meeting click here.

This year proceeds from the Build a Well For Bono's Birthday fundraiser went to clean water and sanitation projects that will be implemented by AWF partner Africare at four girls' schools in Benin that are supported by Angelique Kidjo's Batonga Foundation.

We are really close to fully funding this project so I am asking you to make a small donation to get us there.  It is as easy as clicking here and then clicking on the Donate Benin button on our homepage. 

Now is a good time of year to think about the value of clean drinking water.  It is hot out and we are consuming more water than ever - without it our bodies will not function - and we are so fortunate to live in countries where access to clean water is a given.  Take a moment to help change the lives of some very deserving young women in Benin by making a donation. 

And then go pour yourself a nice clean glass of water and drink it knowing that today, with the click of your mouse, you have given someone a great gift.  A great man once said, "Every generation has a chance to change the world."  Now is your chance.