In 2009, I hopped on board with charity: water, an organization that brings clean water to people all over the world in developing countries.
Their message just resonated with me. For me, walking a few feet to my kitchen sink for a glass of clean, safe water was something I completely took for granted.
The idea that women and children walked up to 8 hours round trip for a few gallons of water that was neither clean nor safe really did strike a chord of "I can't even imagine that." What an embarrassment of riches my life truly is.
I shared their mission and launched a campaign and you, my blog readers stepped up in insanely big numbers to give what you could. Together, we raised over $8,700 for clean water.
Then a few weeks ago, I received the photos of the wells that you helped to build. We funded two projects in Ethiopia, serving the needs of 565 people.
There were two communities where the wells were built. The first was the Mai Adi Village. You can read about the work by clicking here.
The second project is in the Mai Tsatse Village. You can see more about that project by clicking here.
I just wanted to share this with you and express my sincerest gratitude for the support you gave. There are countless charities and causes in our country and beyond that deserve our support. When you have the means to contribute either time or money to them, well, I think that demonstrates the best that the human spirit has to offer.
I love that there are a few communities halfway across the world may not know what a scrapbooker is, but they at least know it's a group of people with a heck of a lot of heart and generosity.
You guys rock.
Jennifer Larson says
This made my morning, Cathy! I gave with that drive. Thanks for sharing.
Steph says
Oh my gosh, this makes me cry!!! Awesome!!!
scrappysue says
Oh WOW, how fantastic to see what we were able to achieve, thanks for posting this Cathy!
Cheri says
How absolutely cool is it that the plaque actually says “scrapbookers for clean water”???!!!! It makes me proud that I gave to see people actually using it. Your broad reach allowed this to happen… when are you going to do it again?
Sharon F. in CA says
Pretty special. Thank you for sharing these photos. I am honored to have the opportunity to participate in this.
Betsey says
I’ve got goosebumps thinking that money I gave is hard at work. As you said, we take our clean water way too much for granted. Thanks, Cathey for your leadership in this project.
Betsey says
Oops, didn’t mean to misspell your name! Cathy!
Teal Myre says
Amazing! You have changed the lives of those 565 people and both villages forever. Long live CZ!
mary says
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. plain and simple…
We lived in Europe for a few years and I’ll never forget one of the first social situations I was in. I had a bunch of British women over to my place to share a meal and whilst “washing up” afterward (also known in the US as doing the dishes), one of my new British friends commented, quite frankly, “you MUST be wealthy – stuffing money in the wash hole.” Perplexed, I looked at her as she reached over and hit the faucet off. “We can spot an American a mile away as we watch them wash their hands, dishes, anything, really. The tap just runs and runs.” Needless to say, I was mortified and embarrassed. To this day, I do not leave the ‘tap’ running – not when brushing my teeth, washing up, doing dishes, anything. Nor do our kids.
Sometimes it takes a lesson like this and like your ‘aha’ moment to change lives. I think that plaque is the coolest thing ever. It’s the whole ‘walk-the-talk’ thing. Your blog is changing lives and behaviors!
Lindsay says
How awesome. What a good thing you have done for those people.
Puts things into perspective.
Elizabeth J. says
Your report brought tears to my years. Just think, the wells probably saved the lives of many women and children in these villages. Good for you and good for us.
cathy says
You know, thats a good question! I should think about planning another campaign!
Dina says
Cathy, thanks SO much for sharing that. You made my day!
Go scrapbookers!
heidig says
Amazing! So glad I donated and so glad you took this project on, Cathy. Let’s do it again!
Heather R says
that is amazingly wonderful!! Way to go scrapbookers!! I love that they add a permanent sign, what a great organization!
Denise C. says
Lets do it again!!!!!
c@rol w says
Wonderful, Cathy! I wish the world would treat each other with respect and care. It’s so nice to see the effects of charity in action.
Jewel says
So awesome.
Cindy says
Awesome! What more can be said!
Katie Scott says
I remember giving something like $129.00 & then thinking – oh maybe that was too much on the credit card – but it was worth every penny – seeing that picture of the well made me cry – scrapbookers are awesome ! Thank you so much for organizing that project & for posting the result – I still vividly remember the video about why the clean water was needed – the puddles – powerful stuff. I’m going to show My daughter tomorrow – she remembers that video too & mentions it from time to time. So yay – way to go Cathy!
cathy says
Thanks so much, Katie. For that generosity. For reals!
Lisa says
Wow! That is so great!
Charisse says
Wow I feel so great! That’s what happens when you give from your heart!