I have a secret.
I hate fundraising.
I called a friend this afternoon.
Me: “Hey.”
Her: “Hey! How’s it going?”
Me: “I hate fundraising!”
Her: “Oh. OK. Fantastic. And yah. I know.”
So it’s true.
But it’s only true until I reframe it.
Funds are simply how we measure how many people we can help.
Because learning how to keep my eyes open. My hands and resources open. To be able to come along side of women and families around the world. To know that mothers are equipped to keep their children healthy. To know that people are provided with the foundation to be able to support their families. To see low cost solutions literally transform the lives of others.
That.
That I love.
And that is why I love this:
Launching Water campaign today!
I still remember vividly the days when the water crisis began to break my heart and awaken my passions.
The idea that 4500 children die needlessly every single day from contaminated water was so hard to understand.
The reality that diseases from unclean water kill more people every year than any other form of violence, including war, was news to me.
We learned that girls are kept out of school because they must spend their days walking and collecting water.
That tension and heartbreak began to consume so much of my daily thought life.
And we began to dream dreams together of clean water. And the ways that we too could play a part in that.
That to me is still amazing.
So amazing that we get the privilege to be a part of bringing water–clean water–to moms and dads and families around the world.
That’s just cool.
So I feel like I’m coming “home” when we launch the Water campaign.
And I’m never been more excited about it.
One of the complexities of the issue is that tragically, 1/3 of all wells drilled in the last 20 years are broken and people lack access to parts and the skilled labor to fix them. Meaning families are forced to drink contaminated water again or spend their days walking again to a water source.
So this year we’re changing the face of the water crisis again.
Not with charity. But with jobs.
Here’s the deal:
This year we are partnering with Water for People, to help expand and accelerate their well mechanics program in new regions in rural India. Regions where 930,000 people lack access to skilled mechanics. We believe this is the most effective way to ensure people have sustainable access to clean water.
Our huge goal is to empower 186 people to become well mechanics in India. Every $550 we raise helps one mechanic receive:
*Training classes
*Tools and spare parts
*A one-year stipend to help an entrepreneur launch their business.
And what’s amazing is that one well mechanic will care for 50 wells which will ensure clean water for 5,000 people!
Did you get that?
$550 hires one mechanic. Who keeps clean water flowing for 5,000 people.
You can do the math if you want. 186 mechanics times $550. That would equal the fundraising goal.
But I hate fundraising.
So I just see it as 186 PEOPLE.
Who will serve and and provide clean water for 930,00 PEOPLE.
And that…that, my friends, keeps me up at night in excited anticipation.
Makes me skip to my computer in the morning.
Alright–so wanna help with this people goal?
Here’s how you can:
1. Give. My page is here. I’m going to try and raise the funds for 3 mechanics. If you just want to join me there, that would be fantastic!
2. Fundraise with us! Reach $550 and we’ll send you a photo and story of a mechanic we helped. Rally with your friends and family with a goal to hire a mechanic. You can totally do it. I know you can. We want you on the team!
3. Blog. We’re looking for 250 people to share the story online on March 22nd, World Water Day. Sign up now to join us.
(*all photos by Esther Havens)
And in the end, it’s not about fundraising.
It’s about water.
It’s about people.
Yay! So excited!
