Isiah Britt, second-grader from Gainesville, Virginia
The water crisis in Flint, Michigan has affected the entire city, which includes thousands of children.
The city has received much financial support, and a second-grader from Gainesville, Virginia is making huge strides to help – starting with one Flint elementary school.
When 7-year-old Isiah Britt’s parents first told him about the water crisis, he immediately wanted to help, especially after hearing how kids were getting sick from the contaminated water.
“I told my parents that stuff is bad. I just feel not good inside. And they don’t feel good inside either. And God doesn’t feel good inside,” Isiah told ABC 12.
So Isiah and his parents called Eisenhower Elementary in Flint to inquire about the school’s exact needs. Fortunately, the school had enough bottled water but was in need of hand sanitizer.
Isiah got a chance to speak with Eisenhower’s school secretary, Lisa Palermo, and assured her that he would raise enough money to help the 370 elementary school students.
“His voice, his demeanor, everything about him touched my heart,” Palermo told The Washington Post. “I’ve worked with the district over 20 years and I’ve never, the words don’t explain it, he touched my heart to no end.”
Together with his parents, Isiah did the math and determined that it would take 500 dollars for dispensers and refills for offices, hallways, classrooms and bathrooms. According the The Huffington Post, Isiah’s parents helped him set up a GoFundMe page to raise 500 dollars at the beginning of February, and just two days after its launch, the goal was met.
Additionally, Isiah’s father Hensley Dougan contacted Purell, which agreed to match Isiah’s donations by sending liter bottles for each classroom and mini-bottles for kids to carry in their backpacks, reported The Washington Post.
“Our whole thing was we wanted to support him – that mom and dad are here to guide you in the right direction,” Isiah’s mother, Danielle Britt told The Washington Post. “And honestly it’s awareness, especially in this area, the kids might not see in their day-to-day lives people that need help…for him to be aware that you’re very blessed and privileged and it’s good to put those resources toward a good cause.”
To date, Isiah has well surpassed his financial goal and has raised over $14,000.
Still, Isiah and his family plan to do much more in Flint.
Dougan told ABC12 that they have enough money to provide hand sanitizer for all 12 schools in Flint.
“Once that’s fulfilled, the next step is daycares or women’s shelters,” said Dougan.
Logan Anderson, a fifth grader at Eisenhower, told ABC12 how grateful he is for Isiah’s help.
“I think he’s pretty nice and stuff. He’s giving us hand sanitizer, and we didn’t do nothing for him,” said Logan.
Thankfully, Isiah has a big heart.
“I was so excited for what I’d done to try and make the world a better place,” he tells The Washington Post. “I know it can be a better place.”
