I’m NOT ok with that!! I’m not gonna sit back and watch.
– Speech given by Courage Okojie at the 8th annual H2O for Life Water Ball, September 22, 2017
Hello, my name is Courage Okojie.
I am in 4th grade at Salem Hills Elementary.
I feel privileged to be able to speak to you tonight.
I learned about H2O for Life at my school. I remember watching an H2O for Life video about how girls need to get water because their school does not have any. I never knew this was happening. I thought everybody had what they needed. I was shocked by what I was seeing and I was sad because it was happening in Africa.
I decided right then that I was going to get involved. I wanted to help. You see, my parents were born in Nigeria. Those people on the video are my people. That’s my family tree. When you know people need help you can’t turn your back on them…you HAVE TO HELP!!
The best thing about H2O for Life is that THEY believe I can help. I’m only 9 years old, I’m a kid. There are not many big organizations that rely on kids to make a difference. Because of H2O for Life, I help make life better and safer for others, I help pay for wells, I conserve water, I don’t pollute water and I have learned to respect water.
Everybody here tonight, because you know about H2O for Life, knows we have a water crisis. You know kids are dying from dirty water, you know kids have to walk hours to gather water, you know that girls drop out of school because they don’t have proper bathrooms…
Well, I’m NOT ok with that!! I’m not gonna sit back and watch.
I’d like you to think about this-
What if you were in their position? Would you want someone to help you? It is so important to feel empathy for others. It is so important to take action and be a Changemaker, don’t wait!
Sadly, kids die from contaminated water every day, every hour, every minute. Like right now, a little child is dying while I’m talking. But we can help put an end to those avoidable deaths by supporting H2O for Life!!
I thank H2O for Life for teaching me about the water crisis. But even more importantly…I am grateful that this organization saw potential in kids like me!
We ARE changing the world
One drop at a time.
Thank you.
