When Sam Girmai was in church one Sunday in March, the priest talked about the church’s ministry to Africa where wells were being built to provide clean drinking water to the residents.  Nine-year-old Sam was surprised to learn that many kids his age didn’t have safe drinking water in their homes and that some had to walk miles each day to get clean water at the nearest well.

The Park Forest, IL resident felt compelled to help.  His mother took him to the library where he researched solutions.  That’s when Sam learned about LifeStraw®.  He was amazed by the simple device which worked like a straw while filtering out impurities to make water safe to drink.  He decided to raise enough money to send 1,000 individual LifeStraw® water filters to people in need.  To achieve this goal, Sam would need to raise $7,000. 

Sam’s mother Yvette helped her son formulate a fundraising campaign.  Together, they contacted LifeStraw® manufacturer, Vestergaard Frandsen, and were sent background information about LifeStraw® from the company.  Sam then put together a presentation he’d share with groups to convince them to donate to the cause.     

Less than two months after that Sunday in church, Sam made his first presentation to the congregation.  That same month, he spoke to a group of parents at a school district meeting, members at a Rotary Club gathering and attendees at a local business group meeting. 

On June 13, just one month after Sam launched his campaign, he presented a check for the first $1,000 raised to his family church, Matteson’s New Faith Baptist Church.  A ministry of the church, the Joseph Assignment Global Initiative, was charged with managing the money and the LifeStraw® purchase.

Word about Sam’s noble effort spread fast and Sam was interviewed by local newspapers and television shows.  Yet he was far less interested in his new-found celebrity status than his steadfast goal.  “Millions of people are dying in Africa, and that’s why I decided to start all of this,” Sam explained.  When asked when he would stop the fundraising campaign, he answered, “when I reach my goal.”

Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO of the company that bears his name, was thrilled to learn about Sam’s effort.  “The fact that this young boy had the desire to help others less fortunate than him and the drive to take on such an important initiative is remarkable,” said Vestergaard Frandsen.  “Our children certainly are our future.  And if we have many more children following Sam’s lead, we’ll be ensured much brighter days ahead,” he added. 

Sam’s mother, Yvette Jones, has actively supported Sam’s effort and proudly stands by her son when he speaks to groups.  Yvette said that she’d love to see more children do what Sam has done.  “It gives them so much focus, such a sense of accomplishment and pride,” Yvette noted.  “It also helps them appreciate what they have,” added the wise mother of a very exceptional young boy.