Origami is paper but is it also water?

Paper for Water

Bringing water and the Word to the thirsty

 one piece of paper at a time.

I'm continuing my theme of miracle-working children that raise awareness and money for the betterment of the world.

According to their web site Katherine and Isabelle were 5 and 8 when in 2011 they raised their first $10,000 to fund a water well in Ethiopia.  They took donations for hand crafted origami.  Since then over $700,000 has been raised with help from a volunteer force.

Over 90 wells have been funded and are providing clean water in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, India, Mexico, Uganda,  Peru, and Zimbabwe.  They partner with other organizations such as faith-based nonprofit Living Water International www.water.cc and the Presbyterian Church to accomplish their goals.  In the U.S. they have joined the organization Dig Deep in digging wells on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. www.digdeep.org

From their site: www.paperforwater.org

"The mission was born out of the desire that two little girls had to help other girls in 3rd world countries who do not get to go to school because they spend their days hauling water.  Isabelle and Katherine also learned that a child dies every 20 seconds from unclean water and they wanted to make a change."

The parent organization of this 501(c)3 is Keiki International Foundation based in Dallas, Texas.  Other projects include educating others, especially children, about the world water crisis and helps children in developing countries gain access to clean water and sanitation.

From Presbyterians Today's January/February 2016 issue,  Isabelle says: 

"Jesus was right.  If you ask it will be given to you. 

 We just need to ask with a sincere heart."

Brae's Brown Bags

I am honestly blown away by the number of organizations that have formed around people's desire to help others.  Many of them by young people, which is even more interesting.  I've written about others in previous posts. 

There's a thirteen year old boy named Braeden Mannering that lives in Delaware.  His "Brae's Brown Bags" foundation (3B) has given over 4,600 sacks of food to the homeless since 2013.  Braeden is the CEO of this nonprofit, and his mother Christy is the COO.
www.braedenquinn.com

Braeden won the 2013 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge www.letsmove.govand was invited to the White House for the Kid's State Dinner.  First Lady Michelle Obama asked him how he would pay his experience forward to benefit others.  He came up with the idea for Brae's Brown Bags.  As Braeden says on his web site:

"Our mission is to provide healthy snacks to homeless and low-income individuals.  Every bag includes a letter from Braeden, contact information for additional services who can provide further assistance.  Three healthy snacks (each one is below 180 calories) and a bottle of water.  Our belief is that every person regardless of their financial situation deserves to have access to healthy food. This helps to balance the paradox between obesity and food insecurity."

As his work continues, he and his mom have expanded into different directions, with specialty food bags, Brae giving educational talks, especially to youth, about food insecurity and raising money for 3B as well as other hunger relief organizations.

 You may have seen him on TV recently because Michelle Obama was so intrigued with the work he does for the homeless that she invited him to be a guest at President Obama's January 2016 State of the Union address.

If a 13-year-old child can accomplish this much in such a short time, what can us adults do with 

just a little bit of ambition?

Next week watch for a post about Paper for Water, "Bringing water and the Word to the Thirsty one piece of paper at a time."

Inspiration for the New Year

Here's a reason to do more for others this year. 

'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needed clothes and clothed you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'  

"The King will reply 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:35-40