Where to build a clean water well?

Thanks so much to everyone who has fasted with us. There are about 34 of us doing a weekly fast (one meal per week) for a few months now -- and we've raised enough to build a water well in Africa! ... So, the impact is: 34 of us giving up one meal a week, will provide water for 500 people for 20+ years. Basically, for every $5 or $10 lunch you fasted, you are giving one person water for more than ten years.

Now, through our partnership to build a well with Generosity Water, 100% of your fasting dollars will go to build a well in Africa. If you fasted with us during this time, we invite you and your friends to vote on which country you'd like to see the well built in. Information on each country is below, and voting is at right:

Ghana.  Ghana is part of the Ivory Coast, located just a few degrees north of the equator, and has a warm climate with lands covered in savannah and low bushes. The country has a population of 23 million and a GDP per capita of $690. This is about $2 per person per day. (learn more)

Liberia. Liberia is a smaller nation located on the far west coast of Africa. It was founded in 1822 by freed slaves from the US. The country has endured two bloody civil wars in the last twenty years. With a population of 3.4 million and GDP per capita of $357, the average Liberian lives on less than $1 per day every day. (learn more)

Nigeria. Nigeria is the biggest of the three countries -- with over 140 million inhabitants, it is the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world. With bigger cities and some growing industries, Nigeria is one of the fastest growing world economies, with 9% growth in 2008.  The GDP per capita of $1160 is about $3 per day -- but many rural communities far fall below this level, and the need remains great. (learn more)

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Please submit your vote at right! ... Your choice will literally change the lives of at least 500 people served by this water well. Many lives will be saved, and all lives and health will be far better!  Thank you.

Let's build the next well in 1/2 the time as this one. We need 35 new fasters. If you're already fasting, will you find a partner to fast with us? If you're not fasting yet, will you join? (join now to save lives)

More resources on the global clean water crisis and information on building wells.

Global Fast partner named #1 relief charity

With so many charities out there today, one of the key issues facing donors is which charity will put their donation to good use with wisdom and efficiency. As a young movement, Global Fast has inspired tens of thousands of fasters by partnering with the very best charities to save lives. 

Food For The Poor, the most active charity partner of Global Fast, has recently been named the #1 international aid charity in the US by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Both in terms of quality of giving, and quantity of giving, Food For The Poor has consistently excelled. 

With a year-over-year trend of exceeding 96% efficiency, Food For The Poor is among the most highly efficient charities in the US. This marker means that more than 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the projects that impact the most needy communities of Latin America and the Caribbean. 

In December of 2007, the first Global Fast fishing village project was launched with Food For The Poor in Anse d’Hainault, Haiti. To date, the project has provided an ongoing source of economic development and food for a village of more than 1,000 people in one of the more neglected areas of the Haitian coastline. 

Global Fast participants went hungry again during 2008 to build another fishing village project that is planned to launch in mid-2009 on the northern coast of Haiti. Both projects provide a source of income, food and sustainable economic development to some of the poorest communities in Haiti. 

“We are so pleased to see the continued excellent work of Food For The Poor,” said Rich Halvorson, director of Global Fast. “Their continued service to the poor is an inspiration to our fasters, and to many other charities.” 

About Food For the Poor 
Established in 1982, Food For The Poor provides nourishing food, safe shelter, necessary medical care, educational materials, support for orphans and the aged, development projects and much more to the poorest of the poor in 16 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.Food for the Poor Site: www.foodforthepoor.org Food for the Poor press release: http://www.foodforthepoor.org/site/c.dnJGKNNsFmG/b.47113 ... 

Read the full press release here:

Global Fast partner - Food For The Poor - named #1 charity (html)

Global Fast partner - Food For The Poor - named #1 charity (pdf)

Global Fast empowers giving in a down economy

When our budgets go down, we feel strapped for cash. We might skip a latte here or there. We might tighten our belts. ... I know I certainly have. I'd bet that you have too. But, here in the US, we are not yet going hungry and dying of easily curable disease. That's exactly what does happen, however, in the poor nations of the world. 

For the global poor, economic downturn may not just be inconvenient, it is often fatal. Even on a restricted budget, we can save lives and change lives. 

Join us to fast just one meal a week -- you will literally change a life each week. Yes, it's inconvenient and maybe it hurts a little. But guess what? ... If we truly desire change, we might have to leave our comfortable sphere and get a little uncomfortable. Being a Fireman is not always comfortable - but you literally save lives. Joining Global Fast is not comfortable -- but you will literally save lives.

Read the full press release here:

Global Fast empowers giving in a down economy (pdf)

Global Fast empowers giving in a down economy (html)