Joel Madden: All children need safe, clean water

For the final 12 days of 2008, UNICEF celebrity Ambassadors and supporters are posting daily blog entries about the impact UNICEF Inspired Gifts are having on children around the world. Joel Madden—lead vocalist for the critically acclaimed, platinum-album-selling band Good Charlotte—was named UNICEF’s newest Ambassador in 2008, and recently returned from a field visit in the Central African Republic.

Imagine not being able to take a bath or a shower. Imagine not being able to turn on the tap for a glass of water, or to wash your hands… your dishes… your clothes. Imagine that the water you drink everyday has the power to kill you and all those you love.

Can you imagine this? No, probably not. I know I couldn’t, but I saw it firsthand not too long ago when I visited the Central African Republic. Clean and accessible water is a luxury for more than half the world’s children. Having sat, talked and sung with, and also hugged some of the children living this nightmare, I will not stop until all children have this simple thing that we take for granted—clean water.

Right now you can help bring clean water to children in need by purchasing a Water Well Hand Pump. For $500, this reliable, durable hand pump can give children the gift of life.

I know the economy is really tough right now, so please consider pulling together your family and friends and all chipping in to buy a gift for a child whose life you can change forever.

I am Joel Madden, and I believe in zero.
25,000 young children die every day from preventable causes—things like malnutrition, poor sanitation and lack of safe, drinkable water. UNICEF believes that number should be zero.

Benji Madden: Families need water to survive

For the final 12 days of 2008, UNICEF celebrity Ambassadors and supporters are posting daily blog entries about the impact UNICEF Inspired Gifts are having on children around the world. Benji Madden is a UNICEF supporter and recently returned from a life-changing trip with his brother Joel, to see UNICEF programs at work in the Central African Republic.

Did you know that everyday more than 4,000 children under the age of five die from water-related diseases? It’s so easy for us to walk into the kitchen, turn on the tap and have a glass of clean water. But for half the world’s children this is a luxury they are not afforded.

And when conflict or natural disasters hit, this bad situation becomes even worse. The risk for dehydration from diarrhea and related water-borne illnesses is magnified, and treatment can be even harder to come by as infrastructure is destroyed.

Right now, you can help UNICEF respond quickly to the water needs of children and families in emergency situations by purchasing a Basic Family Water Kit. For $147.14, you can provide 10 families with buckets, collapsible water containers, soap and water purification tablets—helping to ensure that they have access to safe water no matter what the situation.

Give a gift that really makes a difference for children this holiday season. For other gift ideas, visit inspiredgifts.org.

I am Benji Madden, and I believe in zero.
25,000 young children die every day from preventable causes—things like malnutrition, poor sanitation and lack of safe, drinkable water. UNICEF believes that number should be zero.