Our intern, Dustin, introduces our brand new Dirty Water Dare!

Do you remember when you were a child and somebody dared to you to do something? There was no deciding whether or not you should do it; you inevitably had to no matter the circumstance.

I remember when I was 7 years old, my friend dared me to climb this tree in my backyard. After several minutes of analyzing and self motivating, I accepted my dare and nervously began to climb the tree.

My heart rate rose with each limb I grabbed, and it felt as if it was going to come right out of my chest. However, when I reached the very top of that tree, I was amazed at what my eyes were seeing. The world around me appeared to have ceased moving as I glanced at the panoramic view of my neighborhood. I could see dozens of houses and cars scattered among the earth as if I they could fit in the palm of my hand.

Looking back, I realize climbing that tree was more than just a dare; it was a moment of clarity, an understanding that beautiful things often come out of frightening situations.

Today, I dare you (yes you) to do the Dirty Water Dare for that same exact reason. To “dirty up” a glass of clean drinking water by adding three ingredients of your choice (that won’t taste good together) and daring others to do the same. Why am I daring you to do this? To help raise awareness for the people in Africa who are forced to drink water that is truly dirty that can make them actually sick every single day.

Drinking “dirty water” from a concoction you make is unpleasant and uncomfortable, but I hope it gives you a glance into the lives of the million people we are trying to reach in Africa. The best way to truly relate to someone else is to walk a mile in their shoes. With this dare we hope that each person can be a step in providing clean water for The Next Million in Africa.

“If there were ever a time to dare,

to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing,

it is now.”

-Author Unknown

Check out the Dirty Water Dare Rules and dare on!