“Sometimes something touches your heart so deeply that “doing nothing” isn’t an option anymore. You become determined to make a change rather than coming up with excuses of why you can’t. Not because the fear stops lurking, but because the desire to do something is now greater.” – Bethany Haley Williams, Ph.D.
When we traveled to Kenya in 2012 and saw up close and personal the impacts of water-borne disease and the challenges created by the clean water crisis, we decided that we had to personally respond in a greater way. We realized that we weren’t going to change the whole world, but we could change the world for JUST ONE person. We believe that JUST ONE life is worth each and every sacrifice and we believe that investing in people is one of the most important things we can do with our lives. It takes JUST ONE person to make a difference. And with that resolve, Just One Africa was born.
Our focus has always been sustainability for those who care for vulnerable children and those impacted by the clean water crisis. There were many reasons as to why we disqualified ourselves from jumping into these hard places, and yes being afraid of what our “yes” would mean, was up there at the top of the list. But our desire to make a tangible, measurable difference for families just like yours and mine was greater than the fear and it compelled us to action.
That desire still compels us today to come alongside local leaders and empower and equip them to see sustainability and access to clean water become a reality. While the fear hasn’t gone away, we continue to wake up and say “yes” to whatever lies ahead.
What is your “yes” today?