Help Us Give Clean Water to Haiti's Survivors,
Help Us Give Hope

Support International Action at Global Giving's Open Challenge.

Dear Friend,

In Haiti, more than 230,000 have lost their lives to last January's quake. One estimate predicted that the final death toll may reach as high as 500,000. More casualties from preventable, water-borne diseases, like chronic diarrhea, hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid in the upcoming rainy season are expected.

When I first heard this projection, I couldn't believe how staggering it was. Why wasn't anyone doing anything about this? But the fact is the quake ruptured more than half of the chlorinators and water tanks in Port-au-Prince's public water system, taking out the only reliable source of clean water for hundreds of thousands of the city's poor.

Without a supply of clean water, many people will resort to drinking from contaminated sources, get sick, and die. This is a real tragedy for a country where waterborne, intestinal diseases have long been the leading killers of children.

That's why I am writing you today to ask you to help us continue our ongoing efforts to rebuild the public water system for the poor and underserved in Port-au-Prince.

To help raise awareness and build support for our work in Haiti among other NGOs and in the international community, International Action is participating in Global Giving's 2010 Open Challenge to raise at least $4,000 from 50 people in one month.

By supporting International Action through Global Giving's Open Challenge, you will help us to:

• Rebuild the public water system for 44,000 people in Trou-sable, Simmond Pele, and Drouillard communes, which are located around Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince's poorest slum.

The Open Challenge runs from March 25 to midnight, April 26, 2010. So far, we've raised $2,623 from 24 donors. We need YOU to help us pass the $4,000 mark.

Got $10? For giving up two cups of coffee or for staying in instead of going out to see a movie, you can help give the gift of water to thirsty Haitians. Give LIFE, and forward this e-mail to your friends and family to do the same. Every little bit counts.

In two weeks, I will personally be visiting our local staff and some of our project sites, including Trou-sable, Simmond Pele, and Drouillard. I'll start working on rebuilding water systems with our local Haitian staff and volunteer community leaders. With your help, I will also send a message of hope.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Mak
Coordinator, International Action
808 "L" St. SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
T: (202) 488-0735
F: (202) 488-0736

www.HaitiWater.org
www.internationalaction.wordpress.com
www.youtube.com/HaitiWater

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