Read more about the origins and vision of Watipa, in the words of our Founder and Managing Director, Lucy Stackpool-Moore, on the International Day of Charity.
“People often ask why I started Watipa. There are several ways I could answer that question…. and today, on the International Day of Charity, I will start with the first one. It seems simple: a deep seated belief in the power of education. I live and breathe its deep and transformative value, and I feel grateful and indebted for the support for my own education. I have benefitted from the kindness of strangers and the scholarships their support created, combined with the investment and prioritisation of the importance of education by my family, in supporting my learning.
For many, sadly, this kind of support that values and enables access to formal learning through educational institutions is denied or remains out of reach.
When faced with the complex and deepening challenges facing many communities in many parts of the world, positive change may seem light years away at the moment. A relatively simple and actionable first step, towards finding solutions for complex challenges, is to help more people be the change they want to see in their communities. Through education, more people can learn and develop visionary leadership and actionable plans for their (our) ideas, that can contribute to changing the world… for the better, one small action by action, at a time. With time, and with some success, they too can pay it forward to support others to do the same.
It’s like a peddle in a pond, creating ripples. Those ripples may touch rocks and shores and lives that may never be seen, but may still be felt deeply.
That pebble, that rock of hope, of unknown potential, is Watipa. In many ways, a way to pay forward some opportunities – in a small and mighty way – to support and inspire young people to lead positive change in their communities.
This Friday, 5 September, on the International Day of Charity, and it seems like the perfect time to reflect about this. According to the UN, “Charity at its core is an expression of global solidarity. It brings people together to build more just and resilient societies, whether through direct giving, volunteering, or collective action.’
We are powerful beyond measure, and hold the massive potential to make a small and mighty difference to support people in communities near and dear to us.”
