Supermodel Georgie Badiel Liberty, known for her appearances on magazine covers and in advertisements worldwide, has dedicated her fame to addressing water scarcity challenges in her home country of Burkina Faso. In 2015, she established the Georgie Badiel Foundation with the goal of providing wells, sanitation facilities, solar-powered electricity, and community gardens to the 10 million Burkinabé individuals who lack access to clean water.
Growing up in Burkina Faso, Georgie experienced firsthand the daily struggle of fetching water, spending hours each day alongside her grandmother and cousins to transport water to their village for essential use. This childhood experience inspired her to make a difference and serve as a beacon of hope for her community. Her journey from carrying water to gracing the pages of magazines reflects the transformative power of determination and resilience.
The Georgie Badiel Foundation focuses on empowering women by involving them in the construction and management of wells in the villages where they are installed. By entrusting women with these responsibilities, the foundation not only addresses water scarcity but also promotes gender equality and economic empowerment within the community.
One of the foundation’s flagship initiatives is the annual Water Gala, a fundraising event hosted by Georgie and Doug Heske, CEO of Newday Impact Investing. The gala aims to raise funds for the construction of solar-powered wells that provide water, sanitation facilities, and community services like study centers. With a cost of $20,000 to build a new well and as little as $1,000 to repair an existing one, the foundation has made significant strides in improving access to clean water for over 341,000 people in Burkina Faso.
In addition to its efforts in Burkina Faso, the Georgie Badiel Foundation collaborates with schools across the United States to raise awareness about water scarcity, sustainability, and women’s empowerment. Through fundraising initiatives and educational programs, the foundation seeks to engage youth in the global water crisis and inspire them to take action in their own communities.
To learn more about Georgie Badiel and her foundation, visit their website at https://www.georgiebadielfoundation.org/. For information on impact investing programs and initiatives, including Newday Impact’s ocean health fund, visit https://newdayimpact.com.
Georgie Badiel’s story serves as a testament to the transformative power of individual action and collective impact. By leveraging her platform as a supermodel and activist, she has created a ripple effect of positive change that continues to resonate in the fight against water scarcity and inequality.
