When I was young my birthdays were about stuff. Stuff I thought I wanted, stuff I definitely didn't need. Over time I've learned that life should be about the collection of experiences not materials. I'd like to ask you to join me in an experience together.

I just returned from Ethiopia a couple weeks ago. I went to the Tigray region in the north- one of the driest parts of the world. I saw village after village struggling to get water every day- some walking 2-3 hours a day just to get to a small, dirty source of water. Their spirits were so inspiring and their spirits are living within me now. I got to go with friends like Kristen Bell, Gelila Bekele, Shak Khan to see their wells being built. I even got to blow up dynamite for my friend Chris Sacca's well (see this fun video of that experience http://vimeo.com/21165175)

I want to return to Ethiopia and with your help build clean water wells for thousands of people. I promise you I will go back back and show you the wells that were built with your money and introduce you to the people that your gracious donation has helped.

So this year, I'm giving my birthday up.

I'm turning 37 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $37 or more from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater wells for people in developing nations.

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

Please join me.

Your friend always,

Shervin

please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.