Have you ever wanted to help people across the world, but weren’t sure how to make a difference? Two GW alumnae can help.
Asha Aravindakshan, GWSB BBA ’02, and Shejal Desai Carpenter, GWSB BBA ’98, are offering a sustainable clean water solution to 231+ villagers in Orissa, India through their Get Moving. Get Thirsty. Get Charitable fundraising campaign for charity: water—a non-profit organization that brings safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
“Most of us have never really been thirsty,” charity: water writes on its website. “We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean. Yet there are 800 million people on the planet who don’t have clean water.
Aravindakshan and Carpenter were inspired to conduct this original campaign following a GW School of Business “Conversations on Creative Leadership” event that featured charity: water’s Paull Young.
The alumnae dedicated the month of September to appreciating water and promoting health and wellness through Get Moving. Throughout the integrated fundraising campaign, Aravindakshan and Carpenter shared their journey daily via social media, to connect with and inspire their community.
Within three weeks, Get Moving surpassed its original goal to raise $7,000 in donations. Currently, nearly 100 family members and friends have donated more than $10,000, in addition to $3000 from sponsors.
Aravindakshan and Carpenter hosted five events to engage donors, culminating in a donor appreciation party at The Graham Hotel in Washington, DC.
“We can proudly say our tribe of friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues GOT CHARITABLE,” the women wrote on their fundraising site on Oct. 1. “We are so lucky and proud to be a part of this group of people!”
But the journey didn’t end there—in an effort to provide clean water to even more families, the campaign will remain open until Dec. 31, 2013.
To learn more about charity: water and this innovative campaign, please visit http://my.charitywater.org/gethirsty
And, be sure to follow the campaign’s blog for news and updates! http://gethirsty.tumblr.com
