Earlier this week, a co-worker of mine (Laura, a.k.a @lala_k) decided to organize a Twestival right here in Fargo. “What the heck is a twestival” you ask? Well, quite simply, Twitter + festival = Twestival.

On February 12, 2009, more than 100 cities around the world will be hosting Twestivals, bringing together Twitter communities for an evening of fun while raising money and awareness for charity: water. Well, what is charity: water? charity: water is a non-profit initiative bringing clean water and basic sanitation into impoverished communities. They raise money to build freshwater wells and sanitation projects in developing nations, giving away 100% of the funds raised.

Right now 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Many communities in developing nations often have a plentiful supply of clean drinking water just below the ground, but no way to get to it. This is where charity: water and their partner organizations come in. Drilling a well can cost from $4,000 – $12,000 USD and many living on less than $1 a day cannot afford one in their community, even if the money is combined. With the help of exemplary organizations on the ground, charity: water can drill wells and provide people with this basic, essential need.

I’m doing my part to help. In addition to being at the Twestival, I’m helping out with the Fargo Twestival website (since I’ve got experience with WordPress). How can you help? I’m glad you asked.

The Fargo Twestival will be held at Ristreto Coffee & Tea on Thursday, February 12, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Ristreto has coffee and tea as well as a selection of beer, wine, pastries, and edibles from the Green Market. Entertainment will be provided by Fargo’s own The 404. Check out the Fargo Twestival website for more information as well as for tickets. I hope to see you there.

You don’t have to be on Twitter to come to the Twestival, but … why aren’t you on Twitter? Sign up for an account already.