Singer. Supermom. Now add Special Humanitarian to the list of Beyonce’s titles.
The mom of three (including two daughters) has joined forces with UNICEF USA and Gucci-founded CHIME FOR CHANGE to bring clean, safe water to girls in Burundi.
Burundi is a small, landlocked country in East Africa where nearly half the population lacks access to safe water. The problem is particularly critical among children, no more so than girls for whom it represents " the foundation for equality," according to the "BeyGOOD4Burundi" campaign site.
“Access to clean, safe water means girls won’t be forced to walk long, often dangerous, distances where they are at risk of attack,” it explains. “When girls don’t have to walk for hours every day to collect safe water, they can go to school. When that school has clean toilets, they don’t have to skip class when they have their period.”
The campaign actually began last year, but recently on World Water Day, a BG4B update announced Gucci and CHIME FOR CHANGE had come on board as an official partner.
“Gucci's $1M commitment to the initiative as a founding partner will help support the building of 80 additional wells, providing access to clean, safe water to more than 120,000 women, girls, and their families,” it explained.
But you don't have to pledge $1 million to help. To donate to the campaign visit UNICEF USA or Beyonce.com.
There, you’ll find a list of specific items that funds will go towards purchasing, such as a collapsible 5-gallon water container (cost: $3.11) or a safe drinking water kit for ten families ($81.51). You can click on a donation amount ranging from $5 all the way up to $500. Or you can pledge some other dollar figure.
This isn't the only instance of Beyonce using her considerable power for good. Last September, she announced she was donating her proceeds from a remix version of the song "Mi Gente" to hurricane relief charities for Puerto Rico, Mexico and the other hard hit Caribbean islands. And her BeyGOOD Foundation has made donations to Bread of Life, Inc., the Greater Houston Community Foundation and other charitable efforts in her hometown of Houston.
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