I'll never forget the day I left home. My 44 pounds of personal possessions were neatly crammed into one small suitcase. I stood by the car and hugged my family.  They would not accompany me on the 4 hour journey to the airport in another city. My heart was heavy with sadness at leaving my family.  I was also worried because my brother lay in bed...quite sick with Typhoid Fever, a disease that had ravaged his body with fever for a couple of weeks.

Typhoid Fever is a water borne disease.  It is almost unknown in the United States where we take clean drinking water for granted.  But in many countries around the world...your next sip may contain an unwelcome parasite which if untreated could kill you! 

Having personally seen the devastating effects of Typhoid Fever, I truly appreciate the importance of clean drinking water and proper sanitation.

This past summer, Rocky Turner (wife of Jeff Turner) visited an orphanage in Kenya for several weeks.  Many of us followed her visit through posts on her website even donated money for underwear...remember that? 

Now Rocky & Julie are partnering with A Childs' Right Charity to raise money for Clean Drinking Water Purification Systems for the Girls at the Saint Monica's orphanage and 9 other sites across Kenya! They are planning to visit the orphange later next year.

Here's the deal.  They need to raise $30,000 for 10 Water Purification Systems. Clean Water is Not Cheap...Neither is the Gift of Life.  They will be partnering with a charitable organization which has successfully completed these types of projects in Asia.

Rocky and Julie are asking for 100 Individuals to Raise $100 which will help them accomplish a Third of their goal.  This is a great way to Give a Gift that Keeps on Giving. As we head towards the final stretch this year, you might consider helping out with this worthwhile Drinking Project.  I promise there will be no hangover. :) 

Here's information from Rocky's blog about how to participate:

1. Who do we write the check out to? The check should be written directly to A Child's Right. In the memo of the check needs to have MFFO Kenya Project. That will guarantee our project be credited the amount.

2. How do I know this is not a scam? This is a legitimate question these days. A Child's Right is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation (tax ID# 56-2600599). You can locate them on the IRS, GuideStar.org, and GoodSearch. Julie and I will be accompanying A Child's Right to Kenya next year. We will be helping them with the installation itself and meeting all the children that receive your donations.

3. Who do we send the checks to? You can send them directly to Mothers Fighting For Others. Here is the address.

Mothers Fighting For Others INC
Clean Water Project
27943 Seco Canyon RD # 533
Santa Clarita CA 91350

Typhoid Fever can also be passed through a lack of proper sanitation.  It is a disease associated with human thirst. I'm thankful that my brother was successfully treated and recovered without complications.  But wouldn't it be better if access to clean water prevented children from being exposed to the disease in the first place? If this resonates with you this Christmas, please consider supporting Rocky & Julie with this project.  Your gifts are tax deductible to boot!

Photo courtesy of greefus groinks photostream on flickr.com