"Because They Matter, Too"

There's something vulnerable about standing in Babcock Ranch's Founder's Square with a sign and a purpose, asking strangers to give their spare change for clean water in Mozambique. Some people walk right up, hearts open, and hands full of encouragement. They ask questions, offer their own stories, and donate generously. It's in these moments that I'm reminded that kindness and empathy are alive and well.

But not everyone stops. Not everyone gives us a moment to speak.

More often than I expected, people say, "This isn't helping people here." or "Why should I care about Africa when we have our own problems?" They have hate in their words and anger in their eyes.

And then they walk away.

Those moments sting. Not because they disagree with the mission, but because they reveal something deeper. A belief that suffering deserves attention only when it happens close to home. That helping "our own" is more important than helping anyone else.

But what if the world could be "our own"?

Water security knows no borders. A child walking miles for clean water in Africa and a family in Flint, Michigan both deserve the same dignity. I've learned that helping others doesn't require a shared zip code, but rather, a shared heart.

So, when someone declines to give to our mission simply because it isn't American-based, I don't take it personally. I see it as a chance to plant a seed. To gently remind them that compassion isn't a limited resource.

The Drop Project isn't just about water. It's about awareness. It's about helping people see that our global neighbors are our neighbors, too! A single drop of compassion can make a ripple effect that leaves a lasting impact.

And the next time someone asks me, "Why Mozambique?" I'll say, "Because they matter, too."