Kids on Mission: Clean Water for Everyone!
Can you imagine walking for miles under the hot sun just to get water, only for it to make your tummy hurt when you drink it?
That’s what life was like for 12-year-old Esther in Kenya and millions of families across Africa. In many towns and villages outside the cities, houses don’t have running water, so kids fetch water from rivers, ponds or wells. Sometimes they have to spend so much time collecting water that they miss school, and often the water they get makes them sick.
But here’s the good news. Kids like you are helping!
When the kids at Wilkinson Church of Christ in Indiana heard that children around the world needed clean water, they decided to take action. They used their creativity and talents to raise money so Compassion can help kids get safe, yummy drinking water. Their church even promised to double what they raised. Wow!
Soon kids were mowing lawns, building planter boxes and even selling golf balls to help bring clean water to the kids who need it most.
Meet some of our clean water heroes!
Adam and Jacob’s Mower Mission
Adam, 7, and his brother Jacob teamed up with their dad to fix lawn mowers. At first, they were saving up to build a new hunting shack in their backyard. But when they heard that some kids don’t have clean water, they decided to give their earnings to help instead.
“We want to show kids the love of Jesus,” says Adam. “It felt like I was doing something God wanted me to do.”
Levi’s Golf Balls for Good
Nine-year-old Levi wanted to help too. He started selling golf balls printed with a Bible verse — Proverbs 3:5-6 — about trusting in the Lord. And he used the earnings to help kids get clean water!
“Lots of kids had dirty water that made them sick,” he says. “It’s sad and I wanted to help. It makes me happy helping others!”
Cohen and Brenley’s Planter Project
Siblings Cohen, 10, and Brenley, 7, and their friends Amyah and Cheyann built handmade flower boxes to sell for Mother’s Day.
Every box sold helped provide clean water for kids!
“I wanted to help kids to be healthy,” says Cohen. “It makes me feel good knowing our project is helping other kids!”
A Message for Explorers
Jessie, the children’s pastor at Wilkinson Church of Christ, has a special message for you. “Even at your age, you can make a difference in the world around you,” she says. “We can’t fix every problem, but everyone can do something.”
Be a Water Hero Too!
Just like our clean water heroes, you can make a difference. Here are some more ideas to get you started:
- Host a lemonade stand or bake sale.
- Offer to wash cars or pets for donations.
- Make and sell crafts, bracelets or art.
Have you done something cool to help kids living in poverty? We’d love to tell your story! Let us know at [email protected].