(From Scott Tanksley) In 2007 I went to Kenya with a team from my church to conduct a 3-day medical clinic in a remote region of the country. We saw over 800 men, women, and children, and I met the culprit that ravages them. It's the focus of the picture above: the nasty, drying lakebed that serves as their only source of drinking water.

This lake is not fed by any stream. It's just the lowest point of land where the seasonal rains gather. So the water is stagnant almost immediately.

Satisfying your thirst has consequences here, and it's cruelest on the children. They're constantly sick and ravaged by perpetual cycles of parasitic diseases. We treated so many children and many of the parents forewent treatment so their kids could receive it. Because they are constantly weakened, a sizable portion of the children succumb to disease every year. Parents burying their kids is a common event in the community. It's NORMAL!

So, why don't they move to clean water or get water utilities? It's a tribal area like much of Africa. You move, you're on somebody else's land. Land that can barely support those already there. Your moving in is an act of war. Violence and death will follow.

Utilities? From where? How? You know it's not the U.S. the moment you land in the capital. These people won't see utilities in their lifetimes. Most of Africa won't. But, they could see a well. The whole community's health could vastly improve. They could stop burying their kids. They could taste clean water. It's there. They just can't get to it. Unless you and I help them.

Please watch the video to know the cause, the plan and where 100% of your money is going. Charity:water is serving communities like this all over Ethiopia and Kenya. Would you join me in meeting the needs of these very real people?

- Give up a nice meal out
- Donate what you spend on lunch/coffees in a week
- Match what you so fortunately pay in utilities per month
- Give whatever you can
It will save lives and change parts of this world. Thank you so much for following through to do this!