NBA star Kyrie Irving has collaborated with Pakistani NGO Paani Project to build a solar water center in Thar, an area facing water shortage issues due to drought for the past 17 years.
Besides building a facility that provides clean water for over 1000 villagers in Rohal, Irving’s organization is also helping with other solar-powered necessities, such as electricity for lighting and fans in schools and mosques of the region.
Moreover, they are also providing small farms to help locals battle the food crisis.
NBA superstar and humanitarian Kyrie Irving built a Paani solar water center in Sindh with his K.A.I. Family Foundation 😊🌙 pic.twitter.com/ELI8zOYfPr
— پانی Paani (@PaaniProject) July 28, 2021
A tweet by the Paani Project stated: “This center is providing OVER 1000 villagers access to clean healthy water, facilitating farming for families, and providing light to women and children.”
22-year-old Pakistani-American Sonny Khan, a University of Michigan graduate and founder of the Paani Project, approached Irvin’s organization after he saw his philanthropic work while scrolling online.
Sunny was surprised at the amount of work Irvin had done for low-income communities.
The Pakistani-American contacted the charity and told them about the Paani project and how his team had raised $1 million without any investment in marketing.
“I reached out to his foundation directly and told them about Paani,” Sonny said.
This center is providing OVER 1000 villagers access to clean healthy water, facilitating farming for families, and providing light to women and children. If you’re looking for a new team to cheer for – we HIGHLY recommend Mr. Irving and the Brooklyn Nets 🏀 pic.twitter.com/VnAX3xb0Va
— پانی Paani (@PaaniProject) July 28, 2021
“How we have $0 in overhead costs,” he continued. “How we give all of our money to the people. How we record everything from start to finish. How we’ve raised over $1 million as volunteers without any money for marketing.
“I think our story of being kids’ who just wanted to help resonated.”