Do you remember

my post on Rachel Beckwith, whose desire to help others have clean water led to a birthday fundraising campaign, and whose untimely death at the age of 9 spurred me to help make her dream possible by donating a small amount of money to charity:water back in 2011? Rachel's campaign helped make 143 water projects in Ethiopia possible, giving 37,770 people access to clean water. The organisation ties donations to each project, and when it is completed, reports back to the donor, giving a disclosure of location and other information regarding the project. My $20 was put with money from others and was used to drill a well in May Aewaf village in Ethiopia, with 400 men, women, and children gaining access to clean water. It was only $20, but it did do some good, and kept alive a memory of a small girl who chose to help people over birthday presents. I'm glad to have been a part of it.

One of the things about charity:water I like is that their overhead is taken care of through private donations but the donations from the public go straight to building water projects, so 100% of your gift goes directly to help. They score four stars (the highest) on Charity Navigator overall, with a total score of 67.32 out of 70, and a 70 (the max) on accountability and transparency. If you're looking to give, they're a very good cause.

Here is a news story that ran shortly after her death in July of 2011:

After girl's death, selfless act lives on

For her 9th birthday last month, Rachel Beckwith told people that instead of giving her presents, they should donate to a charity providing clean water to families in developing nations.

The Seattle-area girl came up with $220, short of her $300 goal. She figured she’d try to raise more money next year.

Then came the crash.

Rachel died Saturday, taken off life support at a Seattle hospital three days after she and six other people were injured in a 14-vehicle pileup on Interstate 90 near her home in Bellevue, Washington, CNN affiliate KOMO reported.

There's a page at charity:water that shows the impact of Rachel's gift. One child. One life. Lots of inspiration, and lots of people inspired. It's amazing how one person can impact many lives, for good or for bad. Rachel chose to help others. I wish she had been able to grow up, with such a kind heart and great potential.

Troubling

Thousands of Christians Displaced in Ethiopia After Muslim Extremists Torch Churches, Homes

Thousands of Christians have been forced to flee their homes in Western Ethiopia after Muslim extremists set fire to roughly 50 churches and dozens of Christian homes.

At least one Christian has been killed, many more have been injured and anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 have been displaced in the attacks that began March 2 after a Christian in the community of Asendabo was accused of desecrating the Koran.

Ethiopia has a long tradition of Christianity, and Christians outnumber Muslims. But in this area, an extreme form of Islam is being used as an excuse for religious intolerance.

Religious extremism is, in my view, very bad regardless of the religion. I'd like to think these are just a very misguided fringe. Yet Muslim extremism seems to abound in many parts of the world. I think it's important for Muslim leaders to use their authority to promote peace between religions, rather than the reverse. Hopefully some sort of sense will prevail in Ethiopia, which has a long history of Christians and Muslims living side by side in peace.