Blood:Water Mission Provides Clean Water

One dollar can save a life. That's how much it costs to provide one African with clean drinking water for one year. Unclean drinking water and poor sanitation are responsible for 88% of diarrhea, an easily preventable condition that kills 1.8 million people each year. With the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Africa, clean water is crucial for survival. Without access to this basic resource, the AIDS crisis can only get worse. The Blood:Water Mission is working to provide clean water to millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Blood:Water Mission was found in 2002 after Christian musicians Jars of Clay journeyed to Africa for a mission trip. They returned from the trip determined to do something to combat the AIDS crisis that was exacerbated by the lack of access to clean drinking water. The 1000 Wells Project sprang from that trip.

The mission is to get each person to give just one dollar to go toward building 1000 clean water wells and clean water projects in Africa, where the AIDS pandemic has hit hardest. There are separate programs available for schools, business, churches and community groups. The charity will also work with individuals to set up matching workplace contributions where available. In addition to the one dollar donation programs, there is also the Two Weeks of Sacrifice program that asks participants to drink only tap water for two weeks and donate any money they saved from the purchase of juice, coffee and soft drinks to the 1000 Wells Projects.

The water that most people in Africa have access to is filled with bacteria, parasites and other contaminants. By drinking unsafe water, AIDS patients are more likely to contract an opportunistic infection. It is the Blood:Water Mission to not only provide clean water, but clean blood- that is blood that is free of AIDS. The charity also supports the building of medical centers and community centers to make an impact on poverty and oppression of the people of Africa.

The official mission of the charity is: to tangibly reduce the impact of the African HIV/AIDS pandemic, to promote clean blood and clean water in Africa, and to build equitable, sustainable and personal community links.

BMW is a corporate sponsor of the Blood:Water Mission, and information is available at BMW events, Jars of Clay concerts.

The Blood:Water Mission is a 501(c)3 charity and all donations are tax deductible.