In a few months, every American is going to be getting a $300-$600 rebate check to help “spur” on the economy (most adults will get $600, most kids will get $300 in their parents name).  This is separate from your tax refund, and will cost the U.S. about $170 Billion. 

Separately, did you know that the UN estimates that 25,000 people die EACH DAY (that's eight 9/11 tragedies every day) because they lack access to clean water. They also estimate that $52 billion/year would provide the infrastructure to provide clean water to these folks. (WHO&UNICEF; Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 Report).

So we (whoever wants to) are going to be sending our rebate checks (part of it, all of it,... whatever) to help build wells in Africa instead of buying more junk to lay around the house (or more fast food, or more entertainment,...).