Growing up in a small town near Jackson, Tenn., Joshua Guthrie always dreamed of helping others around the world but thought the task was too big for someone his age.

He then set out to prove himself wrong.

Guthrie, 17, is director of a small non-profit called Dollar for a Drink, an organization that asks donors for $1 to help pay for a water well in Sudan's war-wracked Darfur region. DfaD funds the wells and Baptist Global Response, a relief and development organization, installs them.

Coming from a Christian background, Guthrie and his family would make a donation every Christmas through World Vision, a Christian humanitarian charity organization, to help the needy around the world.

"I always wanted to buy one of the water wells that are needed all around the world but I didn’t think I could ever save up enough money for it," Guthrie said.

But with support and encouragement of BGR Executive Director Jeff Palmer and motivation from the book "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris, Guthrie decided to make his dream a reality.

"I wanted to show people that teenagers can make a difference," said Guthrie.

With the money raised by DfaD in 2008, BGR drilled one well in the Darfur region. That well serves 6,000 people who previously had to walk four to six hours to get water. DfaD is seeking funding to provide three more wells, which cost about $8,000 apiece.

"I know that the well in Sudan had a large price tag but it is still one of the needy areas in the world," Guthrie said. "I think it would be improper to choose another country simply because it is cheaper."

Sudan is a part of sub-Saharan Africa, the region where the highest percentage of the world's population lacks access to safe drinking water, said Katherine Bliss of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in a report presented at a recent "Our Water" forum. The event was organized by United Press International in Washington.

The report said 884 million people worldwide lack access to improved drinking water sources. In many cases farmers cannot grow crops without clean water, children die from water-related diseases and wars break out over water rights.

Guthrie said he has been told by BGR workers that the Sudanese people are thankful for what DfaD has done.

DfaD's project for 2009 kicked off in September and ends Dec. 25. The organization has set a goal of $24,000, raised in part through fundraisers such as a video game tournament and bake sale at Union University in Jackson.

"Smaller donations are just as good as the larger ones -- I just love seeing people engaged in my cause," Guthrie said.

DfaD is mostly a local campaign, endorsed by schools, churches and its Web site, although it has been highlighted on major blogs. Guthrie said he hopes other people will pick up on the project and spread it in their communities.

Rate: