Charity Water

It's such a simple idea, it's beautiful.

You'd be surprised at how many problems are addressed by simply providing people with clean, accessible drinking water. Charity:water a non-profit stationed here in the New York that's getting clean drinking water to communities in undeveloped countries in an amazing way. Here's the impact it's having:

Education: Children no longer have to walk long distances all day to get their families water, so they can finally go to school and help break the cycle of poverty.

The Gender Gap: When parents have to make the decision of who to keep out of school to get water, most times it's the girls. So not only does Charity:water raise education involvement, but it helps young girls get the chances they deserve.

Health: Before these communities get clean drinking water, many of them have to drink dirty, microbial-infected water. With clean water, less people get sick.

Local Economies: When you don't have to worry about finding water to survive, you can start being more productive in farming, making goods to sell at market, and creating a better life for your family. 

I'm so lucky that I have a chance to help with an organization like this. Last night I went to their weekly volunteer night. I encourage anyone who's interested in getting involved to go to the volunteer section of the website. It's a great way to have an impact with a charity that's doing a lot of good, and it's an awesome way to meet new people too!

Ciao Bella!

Matteo "Charity" Yazge

The Haitian Haze

The only good Haiti graffic on Google images...

There are so many ways to help Haiti, that sometimes you wonder why we weren't helping the impoverished nation BEFORE the earthquake. That's actually part of the problem. It was such a poor country, that it's almost impossible to provide relief efforts because there's no infrastructure to get into the country. But putting all that aside, here's some of the more creative ways I've seen fundraising happening:

1. Eat Cookies for Haiti

Insomnia Cookies is wrapping up a promotion tonight. Half of the proceeds will go to the relief efforts. I'm ordering 50 cookies and giving them to the residents on my dorm floor. Helping people has never been so easy or delicious.

2. Drink for Haiti

Yup. Lots of places are hosting happy hours and other similar promotions to help Haiti. Also, if you're at NYU, there are several Hot Chocolate for Haiti drives going on. While student organizations are not allowed to donate to causes directly from their budgets, that doesn't stop them from buying packets of cocoa, and letting all of your money go to the relief effort!

3. Text

At least let your early onset carpal tunnel do someone some good. Text the word "Haiti" to 90999, then confirm through their follow-up text and donate $10 to the Red Cross.

Better yet, do all three!

Ciao Bella!

Matteo "Haitian Helpin" Yazge