Inspiring Change, One Well at a Time
At just nine years old, Brittany Harris dreamed of a world where every child in Africa could access clean water. That dream has come true and has transformed thousands of lives across communities in Malawi, Africa, and beyond.
The Birth of Brittany’s Dream
Brittany’s journey began in 2009 after attending a concert where she saw a heart-wrenching video of children drinking dirty water. Determined to help, she started a dessert fundraiser during Thanksgiving break, baking pies and cakeballs to raise money for clean water.
Shortly after that, her 3rd-grade teacher taught the students about Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and asked them to write down their own dream. Brittany wrote: “I have a dream that kids in Africa will have clean water.”
This simple yet profound statement became the foundation of Brittany’s Dream. See her cute drawing in the gallery below that contains the words of this dream!
Turning Dreams into Action
In 2014, Brittany’s efforts were going well but she needed a new water partner. Her mother, Mandy, introduced her to Water Wells for Africa (WWFA). That year, at the age of 13, Brittany created a Wishing Well peer-to-peer fundraising campaign on the WWFA website and used her fundraising page to collect donations from her friends, family, and community. At the end of that year, the astounding $24,000 she raised from her dessert sales funded three water wells in remote locations in Malawi.
Brittany Goes to Africa
At just 14 years old, in 2016, Brittany’s journey came full circle during her first visit to Malawi. Accompanied by her mom and sister Jordynne, she stood beside a water well dedicated to Brittany’s Dream – the culmination of her fundraising efforts. The experience was unforgettable. As she descended the hill toward her first well dedication, she was overwhelmed by the joyous scene of singing, dancing, drumming, and celebration.
Two years later, Brittany returned to Malawi, this time with her mom and her friend Kirby Jane. Witnessing the transformative impact of clean water further fueled her passion. She reunited with friends in Malawi and saw the profound ways her efforts—and the support from her small hometown of Friendswood, TX—were changing lives on the other side of the world.
In 2023, at age 21 and on a break from college, Brittany embarked on her third trip to Malawi, now as the Marketing Intern for Water Wells for Africa. On this journey, she took on a leadership role, serving as a spokesperson for the Blossom Project. She shared how clean water creates a ripple effect: bringing children to school, keeping them there with access to water, and empowering girls to stay in school through improved hygiene facilities. Brittany also had the opportunity to visit wells dedicated to her and her family, experiencing firsthand the long-lasting impact of her work.
Over a decade and continuing to this day, Brittany continues to raise funds for her mission using her Wishing Well page as a place for her contacts to donate. She ultimately raised over $250,000 funding 40 water wells that provide clean water to thousands of people.
From Dreamer to Leader
After graduating from Texas A&M University in May 2024 with a degree in Bachelor of Business Administration Marketing, Brittany joined WWFA as its Marketing and Development Manager, bringing her passion and vision full circle. In her new role, she traveled to Malawi in September 2024 to dedicate wells funded by generous donors, sharing her story, and encouraging others to dream big.
Inspiring the Next Generation
A defining moment of Brittany’s journey was captured in a video where 14-year-old Brittany urged young people to make a difference. Years later, she stood in Malawi, speaking to children about believing in their dreams and making them a reality.
Brittany’s Impact Today
Brittany’s Dream is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets action. From her hometown of Friendswood, TX, to the villages of Malawi, her story reminds us that small efforts can lead to profound change.
💧 Get Involved: Brittany’s mission to provide water continues and you can be a part of it! If you’d like to start your own Wishing Well fundraising page like she did, you can get started here. It’s easy to create and is a great tool when reaching out to friends and family. Brittany will be here to coach you through the process! If you’d like to ask her any questions, please email wishingwell@waterwellsforafrica.org/
If starting a fundraising page is not for you, you can find other giving options on our Ways to Give page.
Whatever way you decide to contribute to providing clean and easy-to-access water to people in need, we look forward to you joining us in making dreams like Brittany’s come true!
