Water isn't something we think about on a daily basis. We wake up to the luxury of clean water every day so there is no need to think about it. But in reality, we do need to talk about it. Water needs to be a topic of conversation in society. Something so simple, yet so complex Water should not be a luxury item. It is easier to get free wifi than it is to get free water and people act like there is nothing wrong with the world. Water is a human right and everyone should have access to it. Why am I telling you all this?

663 million.

PEOPLE. 663 million people.

But why am I telling this?

Believe it or not, 663 million people on our planet lack access to safe, clean drinking water! In the world today, the relationship between water and people becomes a crucial interaction in result that lacking access to clean water affects the nation as a whole not just the individual. Without this interaction, it becomes what is known as the Global Water Crisis.

Waterborne diseases kill more children every single year than AIDS, Malaria and all world violence combined! Crazy, right? I'm sure you had no idea. Maybe it's time we make a statistic such as this one and make it known to the world. These communities are drinking water filled with diseases, human and animal feces and other things that will continue to make them sick. Imagine sharing the limited water sources with the cattle. Imagine drinking water with cattle feces and other deadly bacteria. (Disturbing)

Women and children walk 3.75 miles a day to collect dirty water! They carry on average a 44 pound jerry can back to their village. This not only is affecting their health but it is affecting their schooling! Children and women don't have time to further their education because of the amount of time they focus on catching water that is going to make them sick!

Now that you might be a little down reading this, I have good news. You can help! As young people, the most common misconception is we are unable to make a difference at such a young age. This is so untrue. We are the key to social change. Something as simple as talking about the Global Water Crisis will help. Getting the word out there, spark the question of why water is so important. The fact that 663 million people lack access to safe, clean drinking water should be enough to get people's attention. If not, do not give up! You can do anything in your life if you just set your mind to it. If you are as passionate about making a difference as I am, join a non profit!

If you want a water non profit, I have just the right one for you. It's called THE THIRST PROJECT. This organization is such a joy to work with, i'm sure you will learn to love and adore them as much as I do. Their mission is simple, it is to build a socially-conscious generation of young people who have the determination and drive to end the global water crisis. They do this by educating students about it and activating them to rock the clean water cause & build real water projects all over the world. They seriously rock the water world. By building real water projects, these wells are supplying a community clean water for LIFE. By 2022, they hope to give the whole country of Swaziland wells. (Super exciting, right?) Not only are they giving clean water to the communities that need them most, they are allowing these wonderful people to continue their schooling, better their health and live the life they deserve.

If you are reading this, and you are currently attending Siena College or are thinking about attending Siena College and you want to rock the clean water cause, it's your lucky day! We have our own chapter at Siena! I want YOU to get involved, so make sure you keep an eye out for different ways to get involved. We do have a goal in the next two years to raise $12,000 for a well in Swaziland in the name of Siena College! I have faith that we can do this. #Swazi2022

Shout Out to Seth Maxwell CEO of this amazing organization. You are absolutely incredible and continue to inspire me each day. Also, Shoutout to everyone at the Thirst Project, you guys rock!