Amazing Kids Feature: Lucia from Massachusetts
Twelve-year-old Lucia was inspired to fundraise for Water for South Sudan after hearing about the organization at her temple in Massachusetts. WFSS Board Member Anne Turner had conducted a presentation about our work back in 2019, and Lucia was hooked: “I was really inspired to help people, not only with getting clean water, but the girls’ education part of it.” Lucia had previously read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which tells of the true journey of WFSS founder Salva Dut from child refugee to clean water champion, and would read the story again in school. Lucia then decided to fundraise for Water for South Sudan for her Bat Mitzvah.
At first, Lucia was unsure how she should go about fundraising. At the time, she was making watercolor paintings for fun, and as a way to pass the time while isolated during the pandemic. After realizing that selling her paintings would be a creative way to fundraise, she got to work. Her paintings primarily featured landscapes such as mountains, sunsets, and the comet that was visible across the United States in July of 2020. Lucia then wrote an essay about Water for South Sudan, appealed to family and friends in person, and sent emails to spread the news about her fundraiser. She ended up creating nearly 40 paintings, shipping them to supporters across the country, and raising $1,044 for Water for South Sudan from July to December 2020. For Lucia, the reward was twofold: She got to do something she enjoyed with the knowledge that the money she raised would improve people’s lives.
Asked what advice she would give hopeful fundraisers, Lucia says to choose something you’re passionate about and pick a cause that means a lot to you. “We’re just so proud of Lucia because she just knew right away that she wanted to fundraise for Water for South Sudan,” Lucia’s mom says.
Currently attending school on a fully virtual schedule, this 7th grader enjoys math, science, English and, of course, art. As for the future, she contemplates studying astrobiology or law. She lives with her younger nine-year old sister, her parents, and a pet fish. Her hobbies include ballet, skiing, reading, and cooking.
Every day we’re grateful for Amazing Kids like Lucia—young people who step up to make a life-changing difference for South Sudan’s most vulnerable communities. Thank you for inspiring us and making our work possible!
