MELANIE PATTEN: GIRL MAKES DIFFERENCE

Kuwait resident Melanie Patten might be small, but she’s making a huge difference to end water poverty and assisting to install water pumps in South Africa. 9 year old Melanie, from the UK, has spent the last 2 months on a charity drive to raise money for this important cause, starting back in March for World Water Day.

It all started with her school hosting a sponsored walk. When she came home with a sponsorship form, her parents were ready to sponsor her, but they also suggested she take an extra step, and advised that she should request to give a presentation at the weekly executive’s meeting in her dads company. Not one to back down from a challenge, Melanie wrote to the CEO, who authorized her to go and present to them to raise money.

After this experience, and her cause spreading via the internet and word of mouth , she was invited onto the morning show on RKFM to raise awareness for World Water Day. It was expected that she would do well on the radio, and with her presentation, but she excelled and even taught her mom (a DJ), a lesson or two! Next in Melanie’s hectic schedule were meetings with Runfie, a weekend running group, and the American Women’s League.

She was then invited to host a booth at the PEAK Al Hamra event in Hamra Tower, where she spoke to all of the spectators and participants and it was at this point she launched her social media accounts to post all the pics for awareness and exposure.

Her mission has grown from a school charity walk in March, to a campaign that has grown legs and will see her actually travel to implement water solutions with the funds raised, when her parents take her to South Africa where she will put all money raised directly into water projects for those without access to safe water. At time of writing, she has raised a STAGGERING KD 1452. She also has a meeting with the S.A Ambassador this week. Unstoppable!

We at bazaar are all super impressed with Melanie, and hope that she can inspire others to take important action in the fight to solve such urgent issues. Keep up the great work Melanie, we are right behind you!

Keep up with Melanie on social media, get in touch or most importantly, find out how to donate to the cause at the following channels:

Twitter @melaniegmd, Instagram @girlmakesdifference or get in touch via email: girlmakesdifference@gmail.com.

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