Well Completed in Kenya

July 30, 2020Leave a comment

complete slab pouring.

The Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund is pleased to announce that a water well has been completed in Turkana, Kenya! This special well is in memory of both Alyssa and her dear friend Randy Roberts.

The new well provides fresh clean water to 1600 people. Previously, there had been two attempts to drill a bore hole in this area and sadly, both times they failed to find water. This time, a more recent technology was tried through a grant provided by the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund to Christian Relief Fund. God used this time, this place, these two nonprofits, a large number of World Changers donors, this new technology, and these funds to let the water flow!

The new well is located on a high school campus, allowing students to attend school and receive education versus spending their days hiking and hauling dirty water. Now they attend school all day and bring home fresh water to their families at the end of the day. Praise God for both his earthly and his living water!

Photo with plaque

If you would like to assist in providing funding for the next well, click here to explore the different ways you can make a gift to the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund.

Giving Tuesday

May 5, 2020Leave a comment

washing hands

Today is Giving Tuesday. As we sit in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, we wonder, “Should we ask for a donation today when so many are hurting?” And we look at the impact of the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund and boldly answer “YES!”

One constant that has been said by every doctor, scientist, and politician around the world is “Wash your hands.” Because of your previous generosity, there are SEVEN villages around the world who can now do this. They can wash their hands and try to reduce the spread of COVID-19. They can drink fresh water. They can have hope. So yes, we boldly ask you to consider a gift this Giving Tuesday to the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund. There are more villages in need.

Click here for online giving, giving by mail, and giving by phone instructions.

Texas Tech Pitcher Donates Hair to Charity in Honor of Alyssa

October 21, 2019October 21, 2019Leave a comment

FOX34 Lubbock published the following story about Alyssa’s cousin, Connor Queen, donating his hair to charity in her honor. The original story is quoted below:

Texas Tech baseball head coach Tim Tadlock is not only leading the Red Raiders to success on the field, but he’s teaching them how to make a difference off of it.

While pitcher Connor Queen was a key piece in the Red Raider’s second straight trip to the College World Series, the right-hander had plans after the season. He donated his hair to Pantene’s “Beautiful Lengths”, and his motivation is clear.

“My cousin had brain cancer and she was diagnosed in 2012. She passed away in 2017 so obviously I wanted to remember her and honor her any way I can. I like to think I have pretty hair so I wanted to donate it,” Queen said.

Along with his ability on the bump, Queen is also known for his long hair. Although it was his second year in a row chopping it off, it was still difficult.

“Definitely didn’t want to do it. I sat on the chair for a while and then I sat there to take a deep breath and was ready to go,” Queen said.

When it came down to a decision on which non-profit to donate to, “Beautiful Lengths” was the easy choice for Connor.

“They work with the American Cancer Association and I just assumed it would be easiest for them,” he said.

So far, Pantene has donated more than 3,400 real hair wigs to the American Cancer Society’s wig banks.

To donate, click here. Or you can support Connor’s cousin Alyssa’s fund, click here.

To see the original story, click here.

Classmates Honor Alyssa’s Memory

September 21, 2019September 21, 2019Leave a comment

The text and photos of this post are from A Shelter for Cancer Families, a charity near and dear to the Fergusons.

Families impacted by childhood cancer pose with Donny, Alex, and Zach before going on stage.

So proud of A Shelter for Cancer Families’ Ambassador Donny Phillips. When presented with an opportunity to showcase his talent at a high school event, Donny chose to use his platform to create awareness of childhood cancer and did he ever! Even the Houston floods couldn’t dampen the PURE GOLD that shown brightly last night. Donny recruited his friends Alex & Zach to join him. They surprised the entire audience when they dedicated their performance to their late classmate Alyssa Ferguson. World Changers (a song written about Alyssa by Christian musical artist Matthew West) played as the trio welcomed the Ferguson family and others in the community affected by childhood cancer onto the stage. Donny held Felipe “Pipe” Muyshondt (who is currently battling the same type of brain tumor that Donny’s younger brother and cancer survivor, Jake survived five years ago) as the song played. Truly a golden moment, none in the audience will soon forget.

Zach, Donny, and Alex in their GO GOLD costumes

Here is a short video of their performance:

Children Raise Money for Water Well

August 12, 2019August 12, 2019Leave a comment

The children attending Vacation Bible School this summer at First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land, TX collected money for the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund.

As part of their lesson on learning about serving, they were told Alyssa’s story and given the opportunity to join her ministry. Each day, they brought their change and put it in a wishing well. Some children even worked hard by creating their own lemonade stands, car washes, and doing chores at home to collect more money for the well. All in all, the children donated $2,000 toward the next water well!

All of us at the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund are grateful and impressed by their generosity!

VBS Well

Water Well Being Built in Kenya

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019Leave a comment

Kenya Map

One year ago today, the Ferguson family was in Zimbabwe seeing Alyssa’s very first well. Today, the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund is pleased to announce a grant for funding of well number seven! Alyssa’s Fund is partnering with Christian Relief Fund for a well to be dug in Kenya.

While every well is special, this well is extra special as it will be in both Alyssa’s name and in the name of a dear friend, Randy Roberts. For those of you who attended Alyssa’s memorial service, you may recall that Randy spoke. He is the one who wore the superhero t-shirt and told many stories about his and Alyssa’s special relationship. Randy was an elder at our church and a very dear friend to our family. He and Alyssa had such a special bond. He made her laugh often, they had Chinese nicknames and superhero nicknames for each other, they sent each other backward text messages. He made her feel special, valuable, hopeful, and brought great joy to her life.

Sadly, Randy passed suddenly last fall. In his memory, his family generously raised funds for the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund. The fact that this well is going to Kenya is even more special because Randy had an adopted grandson from…….Kenya. Randy was an amazing man and loved by many. You can read his obituary here.

We are honored that Alyssa and Randy not only are hanging out together in Heaven, but will also be memorialized on a plaque together in Kenya. The plaque will read:

“In honor of Alyssa Janae Ferguson and Randall James “Randy” Roberts…
‘The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.’ – Isaiah 58:11”

The Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund looks forward to sharing with you pictures of the well once it is completed. Thank YOU for being a part of Alyssa’s legacy honoring God and bringing both physical water and living water to people in need. As her fund grows, so will her legacy and her impact. It grows because of your generosity. THANK YOU!

Randy and Alyssa enjoying a baseball game together

Alyssa Ferguson Humanitarian Award Presented

May 21, 2019Leave a comment

The Alyssa Ferguson Humanitarian Award was presented last week to Miles Menendez, the 2019 recipient at Baines Middle School. The Humanitarian Award was created to honor Alyssa when she had the first water well built in Africa. After her passing, the award was renamed The Alyssa Ferguson Humanitarian Award in her memory.

The recipient is selected by the student council and is given to a student who goes above and beyond in serving the school and community.

The Fergusons were able to be in attendance at the award ceremony and could not be more pleased with the selection of Miles. He is well-known for his servant heart and willingness to help.

Join the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund in congratulating Miles Menendez for this honor.

Miles Humanitarian

Miracle on the Seas

March 20, 2019March 20, 20193 Comments

More than one year ago, the Fergusons booked a family cruise to get away and awaited for Spring Break 2019 to arrive so they could sail away on the high seas. They had a great time but the best part — a miracle on the seas!

One evening, they were sitting outside on the deck of the ship visiting with another couple when a waitress came up to check on everyone. Looking closer, the Fergusons noticed her name tag said she was from Zimbabwe. They told her they had been to her beautiful country and all about the different cities and things they had seen. As the conversation continued, she asked why Zimbabwe? The Fergusons told her Alyssa’s story about her illness, her Make A Wish, and the first water well.

Then the question: “Have you ever heard of the village called Murehwa? That is where the well is.”

The answer: “I am from Murehwa!”

Everyone present started crying. It was a miracle on the seas! Far from Zimbabwe and far from America, in the middle of the ocean on a ship full of thousands, God brought hearts together. Meet Annah from Murehwa….

Annah Breakaway NCL

Restaurant Fundraiser Feb. 25

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019Leave a comment

Hoggs+N+Chicks

Ridge Point High School’s World Changers Club has partnered with Hoggs N’ Chicks restaurant in Missouri City, Texas to raise funds for a new water well.

On Monday, February 25th, Hoggs N’ Chicks will provide a portion of all earmarked sales to the World Changers Club. The club is working to raise enough funds to sponsor a well through the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund. When diners tell the restaurant they are dining in support of World Changers, 10% of the bill will be donated.

Hoggs N’ Chicks is located at 8817 Highway 6, Ste 900 near Sienna Plantation in Missouri City, Texas. They are open for lunch and dinner from 11:00am – 8:30pm. Whether you are dining in or taking out, please let them know you are there to support World Changers!

Good+Food

Haiti Water Well Dedicated

November 16, 2018November 15, 2018Leave a comment

The Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund is pleased to announce the completion of a new water well on the outskirts of Mirebalais, Haiti. A well dedication ceremony was hosted by Hope for Haiti’s Children, the Fund’s partner for this project.

The new water well is located next to a K-9 school where 205 children attend (99 of these are sponsored by Hope for Haiti’s Children). It is also located next to a church of 150 people.

The well is in the perfect location as the community comes together to receive food for the mind at school, living water for the soul at church, and fresh clean water for drinking, bathing, and cleaning.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund. Because of your generosity — God is being praised, Alyssa’s dream is being realized, and these Haitian people are receiving clean and safe water!

Alyssa's World Changers Fund

Because #AlyssaWins