“Those who randomly dance are thought to be insane by those who can’t hear the music.” —Angela Monet

One billion people on this Earth do not have clean drinking water. Many people die daily because the water is not safe. Imagine your nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters traveling for hours to get water that has to last them weeks—water that is not clean or clear—dirty water that will ultimately make them sick. This is what about one billion people on our planet do daily.

Those of us who have clean water take it for granted, so as a school, we’ve decided to help. The eighth grade students are dancing for water, putting videos on a website to raise money for clean, safe drinking water in places around the world that don’t have any.

“Thousands have lived without love, but not one without water.” —W.H. Auden
–Thoughts from Josie Mumm, JB Young, Davenport, IA

Imagine the dirtiest water in the world. How would you like to drink that? Wouldn’t you like to drink clean, clear water, or would you like to drink water with feces and dirt and lord knows what else? Just imagine your kids, siblings, and loved ones drinking that contaminated water. Contaminated water is normal in Africa. Dancing for Water (part of the Water for Christmas movement) is a charity that gives 100% of the money it raises to get clean water to the people in Africa who need it most. Did you know that one in six people on this Earth do not have clean drinking water? How would you like to be that one person who doesn’t have clean water? This holiday season, think about someone else—and please donate to Dancing for Water. Give Water this Christmas.
–Jessica Pearson and Shelby Woolison

People all over the world are dying just because they don’t have clean water. Little kids around age three walk over three miles by themselves just to get dirty water. They have to use that dirty water for everything—washing, drinking, and eliminating human waste. We are lucky to have clean water. Let’s help the people in Africa with money for wells that will produce clean water.
–Brittany Hazelwood

Stay tuned for more dances and thoughts by JB Young students TOMORROW!!!!

It’s been a weird couple of days. Funktastic am I. So…pictures from the weekend instead.

Tariku’s first chance at meeting Santa…So we walk in the door and Santa is stage left. Before all of us get through the door Tariku runs and JUMPS into Santa’s arms. Then remained there for a good 5 minutes. I think he likes the idea of a random, bearded, slightly creepy stranger bringing him gifts.

Look at how happy they both are!

Pretty happy here too.

And no longer happy. She could’ve never seen the man again and been just fine.

The kids made necklaces. Here is the eldest’s.

Tried to get one of all 3, this is as close as I could get.

How the Dutchess likes to get from point A to point B.

They also made cookies. She’s cute even when she’s eating.

They also got gifts. All of them excited. Even my almost 6-year-old. Not quite too cool for gifts. Which I love.

That’s how much the Water for Christmas silent auction on Sunday brought in. The girls did a really great job, worked hard and it was worth it (obviously).

3 wells in one night. Those are some generous Midwesterners!

That brings the total of Water for Christmas to $35,000.

Let me say that again, $35,000. That’s crazy great.

We all know Christmas is just a week away. That means this thing isn’t done. And, let’s be honest, it won’t be done after Christmas for me (and hopefully not for you!)

So keep going. It’s still not enough, there are still too many people without access to clean water. So let’s do this!

Yipppeee!!!!! Let it rain, rain, rain!

Inspiration was behind this video so I must thank Tesi for telling me about Water for Christmas. I also want to thank a very dear friend Jessica and her family for helping us out. Both Jessica and I can understand the sheer devastation that unclean water can do. In the spring of 1990 both of our homes where destroyed by flood when duck creek rose over it’s banks. The two mile radius around us was a wasteland filled with sewage and debris. That summer we lived in tents, campers, and anywhere our parents could find us shelter until they found new homes. While this can in no way compare to what is happening in underdeveloped parts of the world it did give us a glimpse. We want to make sure everyone has clean water.

Please use your imagination while watching our video. At this time technology and myself have not caught up with each other. So close your eyes and see balloons streaming, little girls laughing, disco balls bouncing, and a lot of dancing. Hopefully we can inspire other’s to help us along the way. So in the spirit of Christmas we present to you Bouncing Around the Room.

hotflawedmama note: Lynn is awesome. She has quickly become another of my favorites with her passion for fitness, her love of local food and her terrific sense of humor. She tried oh so hard to get the dance her family and friends did on video and then uploaded to the internet alas, no dice. I look forward to more from her though and so should you!

As a future nurse and the president of an organization that works with kids in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo I figured that dancing for developing nations who need clean water would be a good idea. I also figured that after two finals and a big breakfast at 10:30 pm some structured procrastination would do my mind, and future finals, some good. Thus began our pursuit of choreography to a song by M.I.A. , which in turn lead to a phenomenal night of no studying with the roommates, a great little music video, as well as water for Christmas for those who really need it. I love the idea of dancing, using ones creativity to benefit others, including those watching this video (you get to see some crazy good moves), those who made the video (we get bundles of fun during finals week) and those who need water….

with that said, enjoy some premium love and donate lots of money and hugs..or we will take yo monay. Cha-ching.

Morgan

You all stepped it up once again. You no longer surprise me with your generosity, love and giving spirit. I suppose that’s why I love you all, each and every one of you.

4 wells for Liberia. $20,000. I don’t care what kind of economy we’re in right now you all are proving that money in our accounts; checking, savings, 401ks, etc, does not dictate how much or why we should give.

We do it anyway, don’t we? Because this can be done. Clean water is yummy and necessary. And it’s going to be available to hundreds, thousands of Liberians.

Good work, great work in fact.

Thank you for being giving rock stars. You inspire me, you really do.

It’s that time of week again. Payday for the Klipschs. Which means water for Liberia. 🙂 Will it be so for you as well?

We’re so close to the 4th well. So close. It just takes little somethings from lots of people. Everyone knows lots of people. Forward an email to all of your friends and ask them to go to www.water4christmas.com and donate $10 today. We’re skipping Starbucks (skipping Starbucks?) We’re packing a lunch instead of eating out. We’re doing something a little different for today to make a BIG difference in Liberia.

I was told last night that this water deal is hitting people this Christmas. It’s speaking to you all because you were wanting an opportunity to change the tone of Christmas. From horrible stressor to buy the most and best to investing in a future for people we will never know.

Our brothers and sisters. That’s who they are, right? Surely you could find $10 to give to your brother or sister, right? (Shoot, my sister just gave me $10 to fill my gas tank when I was on E and didn’t have my purse).

$10 or $100. We’ll take anything. Believe me, we will. It’s not us, it’s them. It’s not you, it’s them.

We’re in this together, right?

Much love,
TL

This is another video from the elementary out of St. Louis working so hard to raise money for Water for Christmas. They’re over $500 now, which is remarkable and amazing and terrific.

One particular little boy in this video wants people to know he’s part Sioux Indian! 🙂

Thanks Lori!

Go to Jody’s blog to read her passion about clean water!

Jody wrote this on her blog. I’m just copying it because she said it so well I’m not going to try. But I wanted to make those of you who don’t visit her blog aware of it. Aware of the reasons to act and give Water for Christmas now. Here it is. Just one of the many reasons why.

Brandi left a comment this morning bringing to my attention that the Mercy Ships are pulling away from Liberia this week. Leaving a country with 3 million people with 30 doctors.

I spent the first hour of my morning scouring the internet for more information on health care in Liberia.

30 doctors for 3 million people. ( I do believe we have more than that in Muscatine)
And let us consider the urgency and magnitude of Water in light of this.
80% of all illness and disease is due to the lack of clean water.

80%.

If ever there was a time to move fast and furiously to get clean water to the people of Liberia, it is now.

If there ever was a time to give generously, it’s now.

If ever a time to allow Water to permeate your heart and mind, it’s now.

I was overcome this morning with a sense of urgency and resolve.

For three villages so far, we can eradicate 80% of their sickness and disease.
Do you get that?

We can do something.
It seriously makes me weak sometimes.
Our abilities to DO something.

And how much I want people to GET it.

This is Water. This is Life.

Someone said, “” I do not know what it will take for America to move from Apathy, to Sympathy, to Empathy to Action in the crisis here in Africa”

Oh God, let it be now.

Let us move to action today.