E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Courtesy of charity:water
Rachel Beckwith asked friends to donate to her favorite charity rather than give her gifts for her ninth birthday.
All Rachel Beckwith wanted for her ninth birthday was for people less fortunate than her to be able to have clean water to drink. Now, a year after Rachel’s death, her mother is traveling to Africa to see firsthand how her daughter’s wish has come true for thousands of people she never met.
Samantha Paul, of Bellevue, Wash., accompanied by her church pastor and others, is traveling to the Tigray region of Ethiopia to visit the communities that now have access to clean water because of Rachel’s wish.
“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to is seeing the actual wells where the people, because of Rachel, are going to be able to have clean water," Paul said in a telephone interview Thursday, "seeing other 9-year-old children and their moms knowing that they're going to have a 10th, 11th and 12th birthday and so on because of Rachel’s heart.”
Rachel, the girl with a big smile and giving spirit, wanted to raise $300 by her ninth birthday on June 12, 2011, for charity: water, a New York-based nonprofit that works to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. She started her online campaign after hearing Scott Harrison, founder of charity:water, speak at her church, EastLake Community Church in Bothell, Wash. Instead of birthday gifts, Rachel asked that people donate to the charity.
Rachel fell a little bit short of her goal by the time she turned nine. A few weeks later, on July 20, 2011, Rachel, her younger sister Sienna and their mother were in a car on Interstate 90 east of Seattle when a semitrailer jackknifed into a logging truck, sending logs spilling onto the highway. In the ensuing chain reaction, the semi rear-ended Paul’s car, critically injuring Rachel, who was in the backseat. She was taken off life support and died at a Seattle hospital on July 23, 2011.
Word of Rachel’s birthday wish spread quickly after her death and her story was picked up by national news outlets including NBC News, The New York Times and CNN. Donations to charity: water in her name -- some from strangers across the world -- took off. In just a few weeks, pledges for the Rachel’s Wish campaign topped $1.2 million.
The money is going to projects that will bring clean drinking water to 60,000 people in Ethiopia, according to charity: water.
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
Ethiopia, a landlocked country of nearly 85 million in the Horn of Africa, is consistently hard-hit by drought and famine. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, and it’s estimated that only a quarter of its residents have reliable access to clean drinking water.
“Rachel’s lasting legacy will be seen in the lives and smiles of thousands of children like her that will now have access to life’s most basic need -- clean and safe drinking water,” Harrison said in a press release.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
EastLake Community Church, a longtime supporter of charity: water, has raised more than $400,000 for clean water projects. The church and its members are hosting a fundraising event called Drinks4Drinks on Aug. 3 to continue to raise awareness for the developing world’s water crisis.
'This changed actual lives'
Paul, her parents and Pastor Ryan Meeks were among those departing for northern Ethiopia on Thursday night for a weeklong visit to villages where drinking water wells are being built. Harrison and other charity: water officials will also be on the trip.
"We're going to actually see the work done," Meeks told KOMO News last week. "It's one thing to have your heartstrings pulled on and give money to something, but it's another thing to actually see the work proven. This went somewhere. This changed actual lives and here they are."
A year after Rachel's death, Paul said she's still surprised at how her daughter has touched the hearts of so many strangers.
"A lot of kids look forward to birthdays and Christmas. She realized she didn't need anything for her birthday, she had enough. It's amazing that a 9-year-old could grasp that concept," Paul said.
The campaign continues with her family’s Rachel's Birthday Wish for Sienna page on charity: water's website.
Rachel isn’t the only “celebrity” who has inspired a giving campaign to bring clean water to Ethiopia. Hollywood couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia with charity: water to see the impact of their fund-raising efforts. They visited schools and communities benefiting from new wells and spent time with villagers.
In 2010, the Smiths opted to forgo presents for their birthdays in favor of donations to charity:water and asked their fans to do the same. The couple’s efforts reportedly raised more than $789,000 for charity: water.
Previous stories on Rachel:
9-year-old girl’s clean water wish takes off after her death
Rachel’s legacy inspires other kids to give
Video: After death, girl inspires $1 million in donations
Leave a Comment:
first.
Wow, first? You must be awesome.
Oh man...... I can hardly see from the tears. I feel so terrible for this poor little girl.
Why is it that when people try to do a great thing, it most times doesn't take off?
She fell a little short of the $300 mark (bless her soul) and after passing away, it shoots up to 1.2 mil. from which she never had a chance to see her dream come true. She must have been special.
"God (& dad) please take care of sweat little "Angel Rachel" and may you bless her soul"
Creek Dog Bless your heart of gold.
Bless this little girls family with all the help to get clean water to Ethiopia.
as long as the money gets to where it belongs and not pilfered by greedy hands along the way!!!
"as long as the money gets to where it belongs and not pilfered by greedy hands along the way!!!"
I checked out charity: water using Charity Navigator and a few other sites before donating.
They do an outstanding job- low administrative overhead, completely transparent and they seem to spend the money carefully and wisely.
This "news" should be the banner headline today...
What a wonderful story! (wipes tears away) "And a child shall lead them"..........Rachel left quite a legacy-what a beautiful example of love & giving.....My sincere condolences to her loved ones............
I am so glad you wrote "And a little child shall lead them". That's what came into my mind, also.
As long as hearts hear the same message of peace, there is hope.
I remember donating to this child's cause. It is nice to read that her Mother is still involved.
RIP Thinking of others and she was only nine. It brings tears to my eyes as well. If only more could be like her we would have a better world to live in. IMHO. Rachel Beckwith.
I remember seeing this accident on my way to work from the other side of the freeway. I prayed as I do for any accident that no one is hurt. On my way home I had to drive that part of the freeway,seeing all the flare marks and debris scattered,I had a horrible feeling that someone was not in a good place.
Later I read of this little girl and cried that an innocent life so young was gone. Today I read what she was about and the love and care she had for others. I only wish this little Angel is watching down on those having her wish come true and saving lives. You will never be forgotten on this earth.
What an wonderful little girl. While her parents are, no doubt, still grieving from her death, they can also know that she lives on in the reactions of others. Every day they know that there will be hundreds who live because of the inspiration of their daughter.
Shelter, food, water and love are what humans need to live a full life. This little girl provided 1/2 of everything anyone needs. What better legacy could she have given the world.
That is a great legacy to leave w only nine years here. Along w the water needs to be verbal reminders to not have 8-10 kids living where there isn't even water
"Don't send them food. Send them buses. Tell them, 'Get on the bus and we'll take you where you can grow food.'" ---Sam Kinnison
Maybe you should start that fund drive, if a nine year old felt that a well was needed and you feel that a dead comedien had the right idea,( which was just a comedy bit I hope you realize) then you should start a charity for bus transportation and housing for refugees in this area. I am sure in all your years of life experience you can do it!!! Now your comment isn't as smart or funny is it?
Why don't you hook up with the leader of the bus charity and work together on your own charity drive to furnish birth control and buses you seem to have all the answers and really thought about this.
Pained1...really?
Women have no choices and no say in that region of the world.
Then they should use half the money on forced vasectomy's
monails,
I guess you told me, huh? Good thing for me you don't have a right to not be offended, huh?
Hey monails-because I don't want to.Our horrible western philosophy ,religion,and freedoms bought w american blood are doing more for these people than they have done for themselves.I'll focus on the 53 % of americans i support
Hey guys,
Why is it that every story that I read comments on, the comments drift away from the point within a few posts?
It's like, it gets religious and political within 10 posts. C'mon man.
Have a nice weekend.
No actually, pained1, we aren't doing more for them. You see twenty years ago there were thousands starving, now there are millions. That is what our, food, vaccines, clean water have brought them to. They used to have to breed and breed to see a single child grow to adulthood to also breed. Now many of their children survive to adulthood, only to die of starvation later and watch their ten children also starve to death. It is not a good thing. Nature used to cull them, handouts aren't natural.
Breed? Cull? You think you're talking about livestock? really weird... I like how they are "them" also.
On a day of such tragedy this is where you go? A little girl thought of others and saved lives. A monster went into a theater and murdered 12 people and shot 70 more. Can't you just stop? Please stop.
Impressive. A little girl who has accomplished more in her 9 short years than most adults could do in their lifetime!
Right? This little girl is a role model for not only other young girls, but humanity in general. Forget worshiping celebrities and singers. THIS is what we need to celebrate!
What an amazing little girl! I wish I could say that at nine I was so aware. I wasn't. Not even close. I'm not uber-religious, but I'm sure Rachael's soul is smiling somewhere!!! Good job kid!
Those with hardened hearts or the need to impress others with their snarky comments need to step back and think. Those who live in hardship usually cannot leave it or they would. This little girl had a very big heart and that is what we all need to have now and always and not let bitterness of life experiences take that from us. Being bitter and hardened do not make us smarter or better human beings they make us weaker and miserable. I hope to be as loving a person as this 9 year old throughout my life.
Snif.The first sentence of my first comment was not sarcastic.See the rest,and my second
She is a wonderful young lady. I have to say though that I really wonder if it is the best idea to help these people propagate.
"these people"....there are 7 billion of us now. NO ONE should be given help to propagate. Including infertile wealthy western folk that nature has SELECTED, for whatever physical reason(s) to not multiply.
Infertility treatments OFTEN lead to a multiple birth. These "blessings" are OFTEN surrounded by various medical issues.
"We" need to straighten our own act, as well.
So you think it might be better to deny access to clean water so that people living in hardship can simply die? How kind of you! I understand the need for family planning and birth control, especially in an area of hardship and scarce resources. There are agencies who provide that kind of assistance and education. But let's keep that separate from making sure that children who are already living in the area can have a decent shot of reaching adulthood. Who knows - one of those children may grow up to be someone who could actually do something about the conditions they currently face.
Your comment reminds me of those people who are fanatics about protecting the unborn, but don't give two hoots about the child once it is born.
Stop the hate. Stop the stupidity. This small girl had an idea and acted on it. Pure Good. Please keep your nasty coments to yourselves. Better yet just stop. No one wants to hear it.
I hope Rachael's mother does not believe her little girl was "taken" from her so this could happen.
The Lord does NOT "taketh away". God only gives. (and gives and gives and gives and gives)
If there is a God I'm sure she was very saddened by Rachael's death. She does not pull the carpet out from under us...but sometimes..she will help us straighten it back out again.
Fossafun...you have issues. There is counceling for that ya know
fossafun,
Sorry to tell you this but "God giveth & God taketh away" no matter what it is....
Also, you tell us how the Lord/God gives & gives & gives & gives then go on to say "If there "is" a God."
Not sure if you were trying to be funny but I sure L'dMAO!
"Contradiction>>>>>>><<<<<<<it can unepectedly be a terrible thing" :-)
how dare you suggest God is a female.
God is a giant telepathic space dwelling a-sexual Amoeba that lives around the outter regions of the Crab Nebula during the summer months.
True story.
Please Stop. Let's talk about what a pure spirit this little Angel showed us. She wanted to help. Why don't you take a cue from that and go out and do a random act of kindness. It could change your life.
it might be wrong of me to say, but i think thats how things should be done. For problems outside of the united states we should have a charity and stop "handing out" US dollars to other countries, putting us further and further in debt. My conolences to Rachel's family, and i have to say she is a brave little girl, and smarter than a lot of adults i have met in my life.
This was not a Government event, it was a private charity specifically for the job it says it will do. And they do it pretty darn well, I wish more charities were run like they are.
With that out of the way..let's assume, for the sake of discussion... the Caldera in the the USA erupts tomorrow. 75%+ of the USA becomes a molten unliveable mush. You very well may be counting on those you were able to help to help you back. ... and note, this is a very real possibility, no matter what religion, political party, or anything you may be part of... when this happens the USA better find a new home (see I say "when", not "if"... there is a reason for that).
By YOUR reasoning... they should say, "Sorry, we can only care about us, not you", odly, you would deserve it.
Rachels point was we have to care about each other. Please pay attention. What are you doing to make the world a better place?
If there is a heaven, this girl is in it.
At her age she did what a child does without reservation, because she is still very close to the holy spirit. It's when you become older, moving into the adult mental scape that we become flawed in thinking and action.
Truly an awesome gesture from the little lady I just hope that the money goes as intended much charity contributions in the part of the world end up in someone Else's hands
People should put their money into things like this instead of pouring millions into political campaigns knowing full well that any politician getting into office is going to screw the public anyway.
I agree!
"She realized she didn't need anything for her birthday, she had enough. It's amazing that a 9-year-old could grasp that concept"
We Americans could learn a lot from this little girl. Some more than others.
This brings tears to my eyes, she didnt get a chance to live. I bet she was so sweet.
Clean water is great, but these people have no food, Hope they don't eat you when you get there.
What that little girl did was a nice thing to be sure, but shouldn't the Blacks here in the U.S. be helping their brothers out in Africa also?? There are Filthy Rich Black folks here that could do a lot for the poor in Africa instead of buying gold chains, Rings, big homes, Cadillacs, etc. etc. They keep saying they are proud of their African "Roots" so why aren't they helping??
Resentful much, "tarzan?" If the "filthy rich black folks" you speak of were helping in Africa, you would be asking why they aren't doing more in this country. If you dont have anything intelligent to say, to paraphrase, you should probably remain silent and be thought a fool, than to post online out and remove all doubt.
The Fool is the one you see in the Mirror. Fool.
Tarzan you need to go back to the jungle.
I can only imagine how this little girl felt because my daughter too is trying to get a well dug for a small village in Africa. The villagers have to walk 3 miles each day for water and 3 miles back; 6 miles round trip just to get water; and often what they consider "clean" water looks like weakened tea. My daughter and 5 college friends have been trying to raise funds since the first of the summer. They have $2,500 of the $7,000 needed to get "their" well dug. I know why this well meant so much to Rachel because it means just as much to my daughter, Katie. There is such a desparate need. If you would like to contribute to Katie and her friends well, I know they would really appreciate it. Just something as little as $5 goes a long way. Katie looks at each dollar like it's a drop of water and she tells me "We're just 5,000 drops away mom!". You can donate to the well at ruwaterwalk.com Read their story. You too can help dig a well. Kuddos to the Rachel's and Katie's of the world.
RU Water: Thanks for the info! I just checked out their site: mywaterwalk.....Thanks to beautiful people like Rachel & your daughter Katie my faith in the goodness of humanity continues-you must be one very proud parent-I know I would be!!
RU Water: Thanks for the info! I just checked out their site: mywaterwalk.....Thanks to beautiful people like Rachel & your daughter Katie my faith in the goodness of humanity continues-you must be one very proud parent-I know I would be!!
lil angels are wonderfull
hopefully the peeps of ethiopia give a damn who helps them
lately i dont see any thanks from the countries we help
usually its a idiot with a stick "rifle" saying your poisoning us with your love
really have to wonder about intelligence lately in these rouge countries
Hey Keith! If your expecting a thank you card in the mail it's not gonna happen.........but I'm sure the villagers are extremely grateful for clean water to drink ........
Or better yet, Keith, post your home address so any of them that are reading your post can sent the thank you card to your house.
Rachel has touched a cord in so many people because she did precisely what only children can do for adults. Helping them to remember what they have forgotten long ago. That is it only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye. May we never forget that all life is precious and to put aside our differences. To pause a bit in our busy lives, see the needs of folks no matter where they live and reach out in compassion to each other. For in the end the wise know, we have much more in common than not with people everywhere. By acknowledging those connections we build the foundation to a better world.
As I read this story I couldn't continue because of the tears.....God bless all that donated because of the beautiful heart of that angel. And God bless her parents that continue on in her honor!
Rachel was apparently a girl who understood and loved life with an innocent wisdom. She gave a wonderful blessing to many.
Hopefully her blessings will be taken to heart by others. Hopefully, eventually we will all learn to pass it forward.
There is good out there.
Absolutely bittersweet and heart-warming.
Rachel knows... she can see it from her place in the Universe. What a wonderful loving, caring Spirit. I so appreciate her and her family, for without them and their guidance, she would have never known the act of love and compassion. May Rachel smile brightly in the sky, may the people of Ethiopia feel the love and compassion with every swallow of water, and may they find the same love and compassion for each other that Rachel had for them all.
Guess we don't have to have the government solve all our problems for us. Look at what one caring little girl started, access to clean water for whole villages!! I'll bet most of the funds actually get used for their designated purpose too, which doesn't always happen with government programs. This is the way to help those is crisis. Wonderful legacy of a too short life.