Too often kindness is relegated to a random act performed only when we’re feeling good. But an even greater kindness (to ourselves and others) occurs when we reach out even when we aren’t feeling entirely whole. It’s not easy, and no one is perfect. But we’ve decided it’s not impossible to brighten the world one smile, one kind word, one blog post at a time. To that end, a few of us writers have established The Kindness Project, starting with a series of inspirational posts. We post the second Wednesday of every month.
Today I want to tell you about someone I deeply admire. Her name’s Kat Brauer.
Kat lives in Japan, where she teaches English to elementary and middle school students, takes photographs and saves lives every single day.
Kat is the creator of Crits For Water , an extraordinary program that auctions off critiques from authors, agents and editors to raise money for charity: water.
Kat devotes a monumental effort over three months, posting, tweeting, campaigning and personally critiquing about a zillion words for the cause. You can learn more about charity:water here, but here are some facts to get you thinking:
- Every week, about 30,000 people die from unsafe water and sanitation.
- In Africa, about $28 billion is lost every year because of the damage unsafe water and poor sanitation causes to the economy, so the gap is widening.
- Women and children do most of the work fetching water—when they don’t have to, they have more hours to start their own businesses or get an education.
In short, clean water matters. It’s an area particularly close to my heart—my father has been working for years to help bring clean water to those who need it.
This year Kat was aiming to raise a whopping $10,000 for charity:water. She chose them because 100% of donations go straight to the field, you can see the projects your money built, and because they can do a lot with a little—with just $20 they can give one person clean water.
How’s Kat going with her $10,000 goal? As I write this, the writing community has pitched in over $12,000.
But we’re not done yet. Kat’s auctions are running until the end of June, and there are some amazing opportunities coming up. I know most of my readers write middle grade or young adult, and that’s the theme for June.
Click here to look at all the talented authors and agents up for grabs for the rest of the month. You can get your manuscript, your query or your synopsis looked over by the best in the business. You can bid, or for those short of cash, there are fantastically affordable raffles for just a few dollars. Or, of course, you can just sling a few bucks in the pot to help out.
I know without asking that Kat would say that this incredible campaign is down to the kindness of everyone who’s donated, and of course she’s right. But none of it would happen without Kat herself, so today I want to use my kindness post to shout out loud just how incredible I think she is.
If you think so too, head on over to Crits For Water and help her bring this thing home in style.
Be sure to check out these other fine folks spreading kindness this month:
Sophia Chang Erica Chapman
Jessica Corra
Elizabeth Davis
Christa Desir
Sarah Fine
Claire Hennessy
Elana Johnson
Liza Kane
Sara Larson
Matthew MacNish
Sara McClung
Leigh Moore
Tracey Neithercott
Things like this are what make me SO proud to be a part of this community. We always come together for amazing causes and surpass all expectations.
Wow, what a great cause and a HUGE undertaking. Crits take a lot of time so that’s no small thing to offer. Thanks for sharing about this charity!
I’ve seen what it’s like when your main source of water is a dirty, dung filled canal. People if first world countries would rebel if we had to drink water like that. Kat’s charity seems amazing to me–not only is she earning money to create clean water, but offering something to people in return for their charity. That’s something pretty special. I think you guys are pretty special for participating in that, too.
Whoa. Kat lives in my favorite country, AND puts this much work into providing clean water to those in need? Sounds like someone I could really get down with. I’m off to check the links.
Amazing– i think the work she does is truly incredible.
I’ll be sure to check out her site. Thanks for profiling this wonderful cause!
I agree–this is a tremendous initiative that’s doing a lot of good!
What an amazing project! Thanks for sharing. I’ll head over there and check it out.
Wow, what an amazing person Kat sounds and the project also sounds fantastic. I shall definitely check it out. Thanks for sharing this.
YES. She’s doing an incredible thing (as well as all those who’ve donated their time & $).
Hugs,
Lola
Amie, I think it is incredible that you are dedicating this post to such a great cause. Thanks for letting us know about charity:water. I don’t know Kat but I already admire her greatly for everything she does. I think too often we take for granted the clean water we get here in the U.S…great project.
By the way, I’m hosting an awesome blogfest and critique giveaway at my blog from June 22-24 that you should totally come participate in if you’re interested!
I included the link. Hope you have a great day.
I’ve been paying attention to Crits for Water and I give Kat major credit. Organizing and maintaining something like that isn’t easy, and she’s doing so much good. I love how writers come together to support worthy causes like this.
Wow, what an amazing thing she’s doing. Thanks so much for spreading the word.
(Love this whole kindness project thing, BTW)
Amie, and everyone, thank you so much for these insanely kind words. I’m so amazed and honored by how the publishing community has come together for my crazy and slightly discombobulated project. Y’all really do rock my socks off. There’ve been so many times during this campaign when I’ve been at a loss for words to explain the awesome. As writers, I think everyone can agree that such feelings happen at the rarest of times. (Or when we’re searching the hardest.)
So yeah. Thanks. With all the words I know.