In Africa, an entire generation is dying. Mothers. Fathers. Teachers. Farmers. Even pastors. Working men and women. Dead.

15 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS (That's around the same as the total number of high school students in the U.S.)

6,000 people die everyday of the disease.

In 2005 more than 2.8 million people died because of AIDS - That's equal to a plague killing off the entire population of Chicago.

Every day more than 29,000 children die, mostly due to preventable/treatable diseases and lack of clean water.

But this is not a hopeless situation. Not if people like us are willing to stand up and use their One Life to Do Something about it.

I have decided to do something about it. World Vision is a Christian Humanitarian Relief and Development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. Through Team World Vision I will be raising money and running the Chicago Marathon.  Yep, I'm running a marathon...crazy!

Last summer I visited East Africa with World Vision.  My heart broke for the overwhelming poverty.  It is hard to imagine that it could be worse.  But Niger, the country we (Team Colorado) are doing our small part to improve is the poorest nation in the world (according to the UN).  My personal goal is to raise enough money through friends, family, strangers, co-workers, etc to sponsor the drilling of a bore-hole well.  This well will literally provide clean water for thousands of people in Niger.  And it is possible that I may get to see it happen.  More to come on that...for now, please consider joining me on this journey through the streets of Chicago and beyond to the back roads of Niger, the world's poorest country. 

There are two simple ways that you can support my efforts:

1) Click the link in the text box below, and sponsor a child for $35 per month

OR

2) Click on the SPONSOR ME NOW button at the bottom of the page and make an online donation.

I love you all,

Matt