It’s nice to see some celebrities putting their money in the right place. On July 6, 2012, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith traveled to Ethiopia with charity:water. Their plan started in 2010 when, rather than having birthday presents that year, they donated money to charity:water. They asked their fans to do the same and they vowed that they would take the top fundraisers on a trip to Africa.
With 2013 separate campaigns, they raised more than $789,000. The Smiths also raise another $109,000 on their own and all of this money was given to charity.
Along with top fundraisers, The Smile Generation and Authentic Jobs, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith traveled to Ethiopia, spending two days in Tigray visiting communities and schools. They were able to witness the inauguration of one new well called Yellow Thunder in Meago village as part of charity:water’s 31st dig. Just in Tigray, charity:water has funded over 1000 water projects with its partners, A Glimmer of Hope, and Relief Society of Tigray.
As Will Smith told US Weekly,
“Our trip to Ethiopia with charity: water was an incredibly eye-opening and authentic experience. It was extraordinary to meet and spend time with the people of Tigray and to see first-hand how clean water changes everything for these communities.”