World Vision praises Duchess Mehgan Markle's dedication to charity

(VNF) – The latest update on the world's largest children charity World Vision Fanpage on May 20 was a congratulation message to its former enthusiastic Global Ambassador, actress Meghan Markle on her big day.

Meghan and Prince Harry's wedding has been in the spotlight recently (source: Meghan Markle's Fanpage)

American actress Meghan Markle, now a member of the UK's royal family, is also well-known as an activist in charitable works. From 2016 to 2017, she was the Global Ambassador of the world’s largest international children charity World Vision.

As part of an ambassador’s mission, Meghan travelled to Rwanda in early 2016 with World Vision to see first-hand the challenges facing many communities when it comes to finding safe drinking water.

While visiting a school in the African country, she met 25 students who now have access to a clean water pipeline, built by World Vision in 2015, in their community.

During the meeting, the celebrity also taught students to paint with watercolours using water from that new pipeline in their community. They created pictures based on their hopes and futures, which are now brighter because they can access fresh, safe water.

"I think there’s a misconception that access to clean water is just about clean drinking water; which, of course, it is but it’s so much more than that. Access to clean water in a community keeps young girls in school, because they aren't walking hours each day to source water for their families. It allows women to invest in their own businesses and community. It promotes grassroots leadership, and, of course, it reinforces the health and wellness of children and adults. Every single piece of it is so interconnected, and clean water, this one life source, is the key to it all," stated Meghan.

“It was an amazing experience, taking water from one of the water sources in the community and using it with the children to paint pictures of what they dream to be when they grow up. I saw that water is not just a life source for a community, but it can really be a source for creative imagination, and how lucky I am to have been a part of that,” said the Global Ambassador of World Vision.

Talking about Meghan's journey in Rwanda, Nicaise Ugabinema, Coordinator for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at World Vision Rwanda said: “We always remember the face of Meghan Markle, full of compassion and empathy when she was looking at children fetching unclean water. Since her visit to Rwanda in 2016, her contribution and similar contributions from other people like her, helped World Vision Rwanda to get funds to support more than 57,500 people with clean water. We hope to be able to reach every child where we work with clean water by 2024."

“It was an amazing experience, taking water from one of the water sources in the community and using it with the children to paint pictures of what they dream to be when they grow up", said Meghan (source: World Vision)

Children in Rwanda are happy to know about Meghan's wedding (source: World Vision)

Those children have now congratulated the former World Vision ambassador on her upcoming wedding to Prince Harry, and wished the royal couple nothing but happiness.

Twelve-year-old Samantha recalled how happy she was when she met Ms Markle at her primary school in Kigali Province. "I hope that she will enjoy her beautiful wedding with the Prince and a happy future together," she added.

And Samantha is not alone in congratulating the happy couple.

Chancelline, who is now 10 years old, told World Vision, “I was so happy to meet Meghan when she came to our school. I really like her. I wish that she can have many children and a happy wedding.”

Markle has long been involved in humanitarian efforts, volunteering in soup kitchens from the age of 15. (source: World Vision)

Frank Muhwezi, East Regional Manager at World Vision Rwanda, said: “I thank Ms Markle for her big heart and generosity. Vulnerable children in Rwanda now have access to clean water both in their homes and at schools. Thanks to this amazing work, more girls have stayed in school, and we’ve seen huge improvement. I am so glad that she has taken a big step together with Prince Harry. I pray and wish happiness for both of them on their special wedding day.”

"Meghan is a true humanitarian. We’re deeply grateful for her contribution as a global ambassador for World Vision over the past two years and for helping to raise awareness for the world’s most vulnerable children.

I personally witnessed Meghan's passion to improve the lives of children and, know her heart to advocate for the rights of girls – to hear and amplify their important voices.

She will undoubtedly bring vast energy to her charity work as a member of the Royal Family. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for her and Prince Harry – a couple who clearly have a heart for social justice", said Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, World Vision Canada.

Duchess Meghan Markle is an American TV and film actress best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the hit US series, Suits, now in its seventh season. A native of Los Angeles, California, Markle has long been involved in humanitarian efforts, volunteering in soup kitchens from the age of 15.

A champion of women’s rights, Markle has actively worked towards gender equality, speaking at International Women’s Day for the United Nations, and has shared her message in interviews with Larry King, and written op-eds for other high profile media outlets. Markle previously authored the lifestyle portal, TheTig.com, where she wrote about social issues in addition to travel, fashion, food, and beauty. The Tig was hailed as Best of the Web by both InStyle and Elle Magazine./.

( Phi Yen )