********FINAL UPDATE***********
Saturday, 21 December 2013
My 28th birthday campaign has officially come to a close but there is still a little bit of time left to donate. As I sit at the comfort of my home in Chicago, I am smiling because a total of $1015 has been raised for CHARITY WATER. I am so happy that I reached my initial goal of raising $500 and then my 2nd goal of raising $1000. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who donated. You were already awesome in my book, but now you just helped me give clean water to 50 people who really needed it. Don’t forget, 100% of your donation will go to projects in the field. I can’t wait to see who it will help!

Sincerely,
Agnes
***************UPDATE***************
Friday, 20 December 2013
Just today as I drank my cup of green tea at work (2 cups actually), I couldn't help but think how blessed I was to enjoy a simple cup of tea while others around the world walk hours every day to collect water to drink and drinking tea is only a luxury.

3 months ago, I started my charity:water birthday campaign because I wanted to be apart of a wonderful movement that is trying to change the world, one water jug at a time. Tomorrow, this campaign ends and I'm happy to say that together, we have raised $986. I started off with a goal of $500 and then I surpassed that goal and set a new goal of raising $1000 for Charity Water. I have not reached my second goal of raising $1000 yet but I am amazed by my friends and family who have donated to my campaign. I am so HAPPY to know that 49 people will get clean water.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this campaign a huge success. The hard work and dedication of the Charity:Water team, its volunteers and partners is amazing. Stay tuned for pictures and GPS coordinates of the water project that you've helped fund.

Remember, tomorrow is the last day to donate so you still have time to do so. Just $20 will bring one person clean water.

I end with this quote:
"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory." - Betty Smith

God bless,
Agnes
*************UPDATE****************
Monday, 25 November 2013
As we head into the American Thanksgiving holiday, I can't help but ponder about the many things I am thankful for this year - family, friends, good health, life, and WATER. Yes, that's right, water! We don't think about water that much because of how accessible it is for most of us and it is easy to forget about how much we really need water to survive. Millions around the world don't have clean water to drink; but, there is good news! You can help provide clean water to people around the world by donating $2, $20, $28 or any amount to my campaign. So far, $755 has been raised for Charity:water through my birthday campaign. Together we can raise more money. LET'S DO THIS :)

Thanks,
Agnes

*************UPDATE****************
22 October 2013:
I've reached my goal of $500 raised for CHARITY:WATER. This is awesome!! Thank you all so much for donating. Let's not stop at $500. Can we make it $1,000? YES, WE CAN!! You have until December 21st to donate.
-Agnes

*************UPDATE****************
21 October 2013:
Hi everyone,
Lots of donations came in yesterday on my birthday and I want to thank everyone for donating. I'm almost at my goal of $500 raised so let's keep spreading the word about CLEAN WATER ACCESS. I have confidence that I can meet my fundraising goal and even SURPASS IT. Please continue to spread the word about Charity: Water to your friends and family. I only have just 61 days left to fundraise but together, we can make BIG THINGS HAPPEN. Remember, you can donate until December 21st, 2013.

~Agnes
***************************************************

20 September 2013:

Dear Friends:

My birthday is almost here and I'm really thankful to have lived another happy, healthy year. Growing up as a little girl in Nigeria, I never had to worry about walking for many kilometers/miles to fetch water. I had water right in my home which was very accessible through a tap. There was always plenty of clean water to drink, bathe and cook. In fact, if water ever ran out, I didn't have to worry because I lived right outside a big well that had access to water. Even when I lived in South Africa, having access to clean water was no problem.

Although I've been so blessed by God, I recently learned that millions of kids around the world don't live to see their fifth birthday because they don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.

We can help change the need for clean water.

When I think of my upcoming birthday, there is really nothing that I want or need. My life so far has been so fulfilled. I never ask for gifts for my birthday but this year the only gift I want is for you to grant millions of people around the world the GIFT OF CLEAN WATER. I'm asking for my age in dollars from everyone I know ($28). Every penny of the money raised will directly fund clean water projects in developing countries. Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we helped.

Help me reach my goal of raising $500. Please donate to my birthday campaign!

Thank you,
Agnes