Rachel Beckwith
Rachel Beckwith died on July 23, 2011, days after she was critically injured in a car accident.

Through Bellevue girl's death, others will 'drink life'

BY Brandi Kruse  on July 13, 2012 @ 2:32 pm (Updated: 8:50 am - 7/14/12 )

The mother of a Bellevue, Wash., girl, whose generosity inspired thousands to help bring clean water to children in Africa, will see for the first time the impact her daughter had on villages in Ethiopia.

Rachel Beckwith died on July 23, 2011, days after she was critically injured in a car accident. She had just turned 9-years-old.

Instead of presents for her birthday, Rachel had started a personal campaign with charity: water, a New York-based non-profit that helps provide clean water to communities around the world.

"On June 12th 2011, I'm turning 9," she wrote on her fundraising page. "I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water so I'm celebrating my birthday like never before. I'm asking everyone I know to donate to my campaign instead of gifts for my birthday."

Rachel fell just short of her goal, raising $220 dollars from family and close friends.

After her death, however, word spread of her remarkable selflessness. In just a few weeks, $1.2 million had been donated to her campaign. Charity: water announced that the funds would help give 60,000 people access to clean, safe drinking water.

"Because of her, they now are going to be able to have this great gift; just clean water," said her mother, Samantha Paul. "There are other 9-year-olds that will see 10, and 11, and 12 because she didn't."

For the one-year anniversary of Rachel's death, Paul will travel to the Tigray region of Ethiopia next week to tour the villages that have access to clean water because of Rachel's birthday campaign. Accompanying her on the trip will be representatives from charity: water, family, and the pastor of Paul's church, Ryan Meeks.

Meeks is head of EastLake Community Church, where Rachel was inspired to take on clean water as a cause. The Bothell, Wash., church has helped to raise over $400,000 for clean water projects around the world and is a dedicated supporter of charity: water.

"No amount of money raised will ever bring the peace that would be here with her presence," Meeks said Friday. "However, there are a lot of people who are going to drink life through this loss. That part is beautiful."

Her family has continued Rachel's birthday wish through a new charity: water campaign, started in honor of her little sister, Sienna.

On August 3, EastLake will hold an event to raise awareness of the continued water crisis in developing countries. All proceeds from the Drink4Drinks concert will go toward clean water for the nation of Cambodia.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Here we go
    July 13, 2012 7:56 pm
    Another post-mortem fundraising that will maybe make a difference, but will not absolve the parents of failure to let their child live the life of a child.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Marisa jo wrote...
    tuleman003....
    July 13, 2012 8:45 pm
    Obviously you didn't read the story. It was the child's idea to do this fundraiser. Way to take this story and twist it. Maybe you should read articles more thoroughly before spouting out negative comments?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Just saying,
    July 13, 2012 8:44 pm
    The only time I ever appreciated a non-profit organization was when the American Cancer Society showed up at my door with gifts for my year-old daughter and a turkey dinner just before Christmas on the year of 1986, while I was going through radiation therapy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    I kinda doubt,
    July 13, 2012 8:52 pm
    that a 6-year-old from Bellevue, Wa would even consider Ethiopia without a MAJOR push from parents.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    We don't have commercials
    July 13, 2012 9:21 pm
    on TV that show poverty-stricken families right here in the USA, but they do exist. Let's fix this country beore we think we can solve the worlds problems.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Marisa jo wrote...
    im aquainted with
    July 13, 2012 10:00 pm
    A young child who is wise beyond her years,and is fully capable of understanding issues such as this. And telling her who she allowed to help and who she isn't is silly. Especially in a free country. How is story about the good children are capable of turn into you bashing people for doing good for others? Also, this article mentions nothing about commercials.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Oh, wait
    July 13, 2012 9:33 pm
    You don't have faith in the American government. Not alone.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Marisa jo wrote...
    turning a rare
    July 13, 2012 10:14 pm
    Feel good story on the news into some odd political rant is really off topic. And when did I mention politics? Your souring this girls memory, and doing her a dishonor. Shame.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    There was another young girl who went around the world.
    July 13, 2012 10:13 pm
    To abolish war she wrote letters and met leaders in many nations. She also died young(plane crash)she also was hero. I guess jesus tried to make a better world he died young also. She is onto her next asignment she graduated pretty darn quick from this world. God Bless her for her efforts to make this World better place for all.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sun0732001 wrote...
    What a beautiful sweet angel
    July 13, 2012 11:03 pm
    RIP sweet girl.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    tuleman00
    July 14, 2012 8:51 am
    What an embarrassment you are. You bring shame to yourself and your family. I hope your parents are not around to see what you've become.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • starwatcher wrote...
    Tuleman003
    July 15, 2012 3:46 pm
    Your posts made me sit up and take note. Her parents raised this beautiful child with love. Because of this she learned to love. She made the decision to raise money for this very worthy cause. I cannot believe the hurtful things you said. This child made a difference in life and death. Can you say that about yourself?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }