Mike Welch updated us on his Twitter on his efforts with The Thirst Project (see video below). There was also an initial problem with the PayPal donation interface, but that has been fully ironed out. Here’s Mike’s latest news:

“GREAT NEWS! I have several things to report on the water… front (thirstproject.org).

First of all, I can tell you conclusively that we are raising money to build a well in Swaziland, a country just north of South Africa. Swaziland has about 500,000 people with no access to clean water. They also have the highest density population with HIV/AIDS in the entire world. In addition to providing people with clean water and the training to sustain their well for generations, Thirst Project will also be working with other organization to provide comprehensive AIDS prevention education.

I JUST found out that whatever we raise is going to be MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR by a private donor! Thank you anonymous stranger!! Karma will treat you well. 🙂

It takes $10,000 to build a well in Swaziland. As of today, we have raised about $3,000, an amount I am very happy with at this point in our campaign. We need to get to $5,000 (which will be matched to give us a total of $10,000) in order to build a well and provide desperate people with a better life for themselves and their children. If we can get beyond that point we’ll be setting a NEW goal in addition to this one, but as of right now, let’s just focus on raising another $2,000 (5 bucks at a time) which I am confident we’ll be able to do.

The campaign has officially been extended and will now last 2 weeks into January. So if you wanted to give after the holidays, now you can.

That’s all for now. Thank you again for your generosity. You’re making a better world. :)”

We know that there are so many worthy causes out there that the actors dedicate their time to.  We know that our readers have made many generous donations in the past and we want to thank you. The Twilight actors have built homes in New Orleans, raised money for cancer research, raised money for pet adoption, and the Lexicon and Lexicon readers have supported these efforts.

We’d like to take this opportunity to put out a special plea for Mike’s project. We’ve gotten to know Mike over the years from press events and at the Official Twilight Tour. If there is a more selfless and down-to-earth actor than Mike, we have yet to meet him. Mike gives his time to so many organizations (the USO, the Young Playwrights Festival, Kids for Kids…just to name a few). Mike isn’t just a do a quick PSA, get my name in the limelight, and hope for the best kind of guy. He really immerses himself in every cause by getting involved in a real, hands on way. Frequently, Mike donates his time with no PR. We find out about his involvement by accident, because Mike isn’t in it for personal glory. For example, with no fanfare, Mike spent weeks with the USO this summer running acting workshops for military kids abroad.

With this current project Mike is actually going to Africa to build the well. It’s about as far from a glamorous project as you can get. So, if your means will allow, we’d like to personally ask you to join us in supporting Mike and this project. Your five dollars will go a long way in providing what no one should have to struggle for—safe, clean drinking water.