Through Bellevue girl’s death, others will ‘drink life’
Jul 13, 2012, 2:32 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2012, 8:50 am
Rachel Beckwith died on July 23, 2011, days after she was critically injured in a car accident.
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.
