Live Without challenge Q & A
You asked, we’ve responded!
‘Live Without’ challenge Q & A:
Q: Do I have to participate each month?
A: Although we would love for as many people as possible to join the different challenges each month, feel free to participate as you feel led. We hope, though, that at least one of the six items is something that each person can somewhat see as a true ‘challenge’ to live without. Of course the end goal is to supply as much clean water as possible by our donations. But we also desire, though, that through this challenge we will all come away with a greater appreciation for what we daily take for granted; while at the same time becoming more aware of those around the world living each day without the most basic of necessities.
Q: For the April challenge, coffee, do I have to give up my coffee at home?
A: When we were brainstorming ideas for the challenge, we had in mind coffee drinks purchased from a coffee shop, coffee cart etc. Basically, a drink you go out of your way to buy.
For some people, though, coffee is not their thing. If you find yourself consuming other purchased drinks on a regular basis (soda, bottled water, sports drinks, cocktails etc.), then try and go without those drinks as a substitute for coffee. Whatever challenges you to live without!
Q: None of the six items listed are things that will challenge me. Can I substitute?
A: Of course! In fact, we encourage you to share with us what you are living without. If it’s not the suggested items, please leave us a comment here or on our facebook page and let us know what you’re
living without.
Q: Where do I make my donation at the end of each month?
A: To make your donation, please follow the red donate button at water4christmas.com.
Q: What tools will be provided to help remind me to ‘live without’ each month?
A: Please visit the Live Without page on our website for some useful tools (blog buttons, donation tracking calendars, postcards etc.). We also will be sending a reminder wristband to anyone who signs up here to join the challenge. We hope that these bands will be a daily reminder of the purpose for this challenge.
Please feel free to share your comments and questions regarding the Live Without challenge. We would also love to hear from you on our Facebook page.
World Water Day
Today is World Water Day.
Every year, on March 22, we celebrate WWD as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources (UN WWD).
At Water for Christmas, we love seeing all the various clean water initiatives putting their creative efforts to use for the same end goal...clean water for all.
There are many ways to be a voice today.
Please consider joining our LIVE without challenge, set to begin on April 1st.
Visit our Facebook page and read more about it here on our blog. 
Check out some other projects going on today at some of our favorite organizations.
The Adventure Project has a blog-a-thon campaign going on right now, typeTAP, to raise funds for a well repair program in Northern India. If they reach their goal of $10,000 in 24 hours, it will be matched.
Help them reach their goal, find out more by clicking on the picture.
Charity: water shows how water changes everything over on their site....cool stuff.
Don’t forget Living Water International and Samaritan’s Purse. Both are amazing organizations and offer lots of great ways to get involved.
And last, there’s a bunch of great ideas over at the official WWD site.
So don’t just sit there, go and get inspired!
Happy World Water Day!!
'Live Without' facebook page
Click on over and 'like' the new facebook page for the Live Without campaign.
The page is still in the beginning stages of development, but we hope to have the page abuzz with conversation soon, and throughout the duration of campaign.
Help us make this happen by becoming a fan, and spreading the word regarding the challenge.
The 'Live Without' challenge begins April 1st!
World Water Day 2011
World Water Day 2011 is just around the corner.
Each year, ‘a diverse coalition of water, sanitation, hygiene and health organizations come together for World Water Day. The goal of the coalition is to raise awareness and call for stronger commitments and more robust action to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation everywhere they are needed.’
Learn more here about the water crisis, and get ready to raise your voice on March 22.
I Can Live Without
I Can Live Without
Today I stopped at Starbucks after a morning of errands. Just the other day I got a massage and met a friend for lunch. This weekend, our family will likely go out to dinner and catch the latest release at our local movie theatre.
Can I live without my daily coffee and the latest fad in jeans? Will I survive without having my feet massaged and my food served to me at a restaurant? Is it possible to go on one more day without seeing the latest, just released movie?
The answer is of course, YES. Life will go on without all these things. They are not necessities…they are in fact, luxuries…and these luxuries add up over time.
But the fact is, no one can live without water.
Right now, almost 1 billion people are currently living without clean, safe drinking water and basic sanitation. 4500 children die each day from the lack of clean drinking water. This is unacceptable.
The average American spends around $500 each year on coffee. That’s over $40 per month! But did you know that just $40 can provide clean, life-saving water to 2 people for an estimated 20+ years?
So what if I gave up my coffee (a luxury) and in turn gave that money to help give someone clean water (a necessity). Really not a big sacrifice for me, but life changing for someone else. Now, imagine if we all join together and give up our coffee? Maybe we can help provide clean water to an entire village!
So today, on the first day of Lent, we ask you to join us as we prepare our hearts and minds for a challenge. A challenge to live without....so others don’t have to.
Here’s how the 6 month giving challenge will work:
Starting in April we will join together; challenging one other, each month, to give up something...something we can easily live without.
We will kick it all off by giving up coffee. If you don’t drink coffee, live without your daily soda, bottled waters etc. At the end of April, please calculate the amount of money you would have spent on coffee (or other drinks), and make your donation here.*
Your donation each month may be $5 or $100…either way, it’s each of us giving up something we can live without, so someone who can’t live without clean water, can live.
The monthly breakdown will be as follows:
April: Coffee (soda, bottled water, unnecessary drinks, in general)
May: Lunch (eat out for lunch? ‘brown bag it’ instead)
June: Entertainment (movies, music etc.)
July: Pampering services (massages, mani/pedi, hair services, etc.)
July: Shopping (pass up new clothes, shoes, purses etc.)
August: Dining Out (eat at home instead)
Here’s how you can help:
Learn more about the water crisis
Invest in this cause. make a donation
Viral...post about this campaign on facebook, twitter, blogs etc.
Encourage your friends, family, co-workers etc. to get involved.
Please check back often as we will continue to provide tools and encouragement leading to the April 1st kick off.
Join us. Live without.