We take our running water for granted so much that we hardly stop to think when we dump half a cup of water we couldn't finish into the sink, or let the water run longer than we should as we send another text before getting back to washing the dishes. For our friends in some villages in the highlands of Vietnam, clean water is a luxury, a dream.
I visited our programme in the highlands in July this year and sat with families in further-flung villages. Mothers held their orange-haired toddlers while we sat on their mats, chatting about their lives in their huts. An ex-occupational habit, I asked if the children were getting clean water - orange haired Asian babies often warn of malnutrition and frequent diarrhoea. They didn't really understand what I was asking, so I trooped to the village well to see.
Their daily source of water is shared with flies and rubbish, stagnating up until the next rain arrives. My heart ached as my mind made itself up. We can surely do more for our friends.
This Christmas, I invite you to join this cause. Do something meaningful. Do something real. Together, we can make clean water real and sustainable for two new villages in the highlands. You can share your experience of fresh water with about 30 families in each village by supporting the construction of water systems there.
Give. Give because you are blessed, give because you believe in sharing Christmas, give because you can't find a reason not to, give because you love.
I'd like to thank you for your gift. There is no gift too small. As a memento, we will be dropping off (or mailing) a handmade print for every $500 gift.
Pool your Christmas spirits and pool your pockets - this Christmas will be made different because of you!
**You'll get a report with pictures of the water systems built in the villages once they've been installed in 2017.
