In support of this week's World Water Week, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz has teamed up with UNICEF's Tap Campaign to help encourage citizens to lend their support to improve the lives of families around the world through water, sanitation and hygiene programs. During this week fans and dining patrons who pay $1 or more for the tap water at participating restaurants can help provide a child with access to clean, safe water for 40 days.
For Kravitz, participating in the organization's sixth annual initiative was something that resonated with his experience growing up in New York City. "I've known about UNICEF since I was a child. I went to public school in New York, and they used to give us the orange boxes that we would carry around on Halloween to collect money for the children," he recalled to The Huffington Post. "I also think it's a wonderful opportunity to be working with an organization that reaches out to children all over the world, regardless of their race, where they live, or what their religious background is. UNICEF is a classic organization that does great work."
According to the organization's website, 2.5 billion people across the globe lack improved sanitation facilities, and over 780 million people consume unsafe drinking water. The lack of basic services leads to a string of health issues and deny children their right to education due to a lack of private sanitation facilities. The startling statistic is another reason why the musician has decided to shed light on the global effort.
"Water is the essence of life. It all begins with water," Kravitz added. "At the very least, everybody in the world should have access to clean water; to be able to drink, to be able to clean themselves and have proper hygiene. At this point, there are more than 780 million people without that right -- and that is not acceptable."
"At the end of the day, I'm just one person, but I can use the platform I have to bring this information to people to make them aware. It's about all the people at home that are watching and listening," he continued. "They are the people that can really make the difference. I hope that people will listen and understand and donate. I'm going to spread the message about clean water and sanitation to every human being that I can possibly reach. Whatever I can do and wherever I go around the world, I will be talking about this."
In addition to the UNICEF Tap Project, Kravitz is currently touring in Australia and Japan and also portrays the role of stylist Cinna in the new motion picture "The Hunger Games." From now until March 25, his single "The Faith of a Child" will be available as a free download to anyone who visits http://uniceftapproject.org/faith and makes a donation. All donations will support UNICEF's global water, sanitation and hygiene programs.
To view a list of participating restaurants click here.
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