Today is my birthday, I am 43 years old. I have been looking for some time to find and support a charity that I feel can make a difference. After many months of research I have now chosen Kickstart.org as the official charity for Portraits in stone.

Kickstart manufacture and supply small, low cost water pumps that draw water out from under the ground to irrigate farmers fields. This is targetted aid that makes a real difference to people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

I pledge to donate to buy one water pump for every portrait cameo jewel that is delivered. I also ask my clients to consider making a voluntary matching donation.

Kickstart makes a range of water pumps, ranging from the Hip Pump a small foot operated one that costs only $33 for the farmer. To larger units that can irrigate 1 to 2 acres, enough for a whole families water needs.

Many thousands of entrepreneurial farmers are now irrigating with KickStart’s manual MoneyMaker irrigation pumps and changing their small subsistence farms into vibrant new commercial enterprises.

With irrigation they can grow and sell as many as three to four high value vegetable crops every year, and ensure that the crop is ready for market when the price is high.

These “farmerpreneurs” are increasing their incomes by as much as ten-fold and making as much as 400,000 shillings ($5400) profit per year. KickStart’s low cost micro-irrigation pumps are transforming subsistence farms into highly profitable enterprises. KickStart’s micro-irrigation pumps are available for distribution throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Please take the time to visit Kickstart.org to find out more about this wonderful organisation.
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