Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. You can view past posts from the series here.
My good friends over at B1G1, a social enterprise initiative in Singapore, recently gave me the opportunity to check out their brand new app called Shake the World. It’s a simple and fun app that allows you to provide clean, safe, life-saving water to people in need in Ethiopia for a day. (Note: If you missed my post on B1G1, you can read it HERE.)
Like B1G1’s work with businesses and individuals, the Shake the World app provides another way to give back by completing a simple action. When you open up the free app, you shake your phone until the glass that appears fills with water. Once it’s filled, and your kids are entertained by the sounds it makes in the process, you can share what you’ve done with the in-app share buttons that then appear. From there, you’ll need to enlist a friend to help keep the “water shaking” going. You can create a “friendship ID” and send it along via email or text. And the process keeps repeating until more people shake and provide life-saving water!
Sharon Chan, Shake the World Project Leader, tells me the water is provided through the WellWishers Trust, one of the 48 Worthy Cause Partners at B1G1. Being a Worthy Cause Partner at B1G1 already means that WellWishers has met a series of stringent criteria, which includes having a transparent accounting and reporting system, as well as an efficient way of using their funds to benefit those who really need it most. 100% of the contributions from the app are channeled to WellWishers Trust for the construction of wells in Ethiopia.
In addition, the app allows you to ‘make wishes’ — a wish that, in and of itself, is consistent with the B1G1 philosophy. It might be something like ‘Every time I dine out, I wish that a child in need could have a nutritious meal’, or ‘every time I jump in my car, I wish that a child in need had access to a bicycle to get to school’.
You might wonder how the water is actually provided to those in Ethiopia via the WellWishers Trust. Each “water shake” is sponsored by a host of B1G1’s small business clients around the world.
To date, those clients using the B1G1 platform have made possible 44,700,000 giving impacts around the world. The Shake The World App will add many more.
Here’s a quick video that explains the app.
Find out more at shaketheworld.me.
Are you ready to Shake the World?
Totally going to try this out and give it a whirl. Sounds like a great way to help out here and thank you so much for sharing with us!! 🙂
My pleasure, Janine. It’s a really fun app!
So I guess I need a friend to sign up because I keep shaking and filling the glass, but never getting to the screen that says I have donated a glass! But I’m having fun shaking anyway! 🙂
You have to create the friendship id and pass it along after you fill it the first time. I’m not sure if you find out if your friend fills the glass. I don’t think you do.
Well actually, when your friend fills the glass, you should get a push notification on your phone to tell you that you’ve given water together with your friend! It’s one of the most amazing things about this app – building that connection with your friend while giving – so do try it! 🙂
Feel free to ping me at sharon[at]b1g1.com if you have any questions about the App 😉
Thanks, Sharon!
I am SO gonna do this with my kiddos!!! Oh Jennifer, how do you find such incredible programs and organizations? You are such a wealth of knowledge and inspiration!
This blog? This series? Your purpose? I simply cannot think of anything more worthy to read.
Thank you for teaching and encouraging us to engage in the world and make a difference.
I’m trying to remember how I first got involved with B1G1. I can’t remember. I skyped with Paul, the chairman, in Singapore and we’ve been in touch ever since. They are great! I love finding these companies and how they find me. I love connecting and writing about their work. Such passion!
Absolutely fantastic! I love the fact that you can make a wish actually come true. The world is good, and you are especially good for sharing it with us.-Ashley
Thanks, Ashley. 🙂 It’s such a fun and impactful app. Happy to share it!
That’s very awesome – via Amazon when you shop you can donate to charities of your choice. I donate to Charity Waters, I think that’s what it is – I’m awful with names but either way it’s nice to know you can make a difference no matter how big or small. 🙂 Happy Friday Jennifer! -Iva
Great cause. I’m familiar with Charity: Water. Amazon Smile is a cool feature. I use mine to benefit a local substance abuse treatment facility I work with here in Maine.
This is brilliant, fun and easy to do too! What a fantastic idea.
Agreed, Tamara. G steals my phone and plays with the app all the time!
You really find amazing stuff. This will be fun to do with my nephews, and help others at the same time!
Thanks, Michelle. I’m a big fan of the work B1G1 is doing. I bet the app’s a hit with your nephews!
So cool! I just downloaded it and shook my first glass of water. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, Bev. My pleasure!
You’re shaking the world with your philanthropy. Haha. I love this! Shake it up!
I hope you’re doing well and just stopping by to say hello.
Keep on inspirin. 😉
Hi Cynthia! it’s been fun seeing you around the blogosphere lately. 🙂
I haven’t heard of this app before, but have used UNICEF’s Tap before. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never hear of Tap. I’ll have to check that one out too!