Introduction
Scott Harrison's journey from New York City nightclub promoter to founder of one of the world's largest water charities is an inspiring tale of transformation and purpose. In "Thirst," Harrison recounts his unlikely path and the creation of charity: water, an organization that has brought clean water to millions of people around the world. This book offers an intimate look at Harrison's personal struggles, spiritual awakening, and tireless efforts to make a difference in the global water crisis.
An Unusual Childhood
Scott Harrison was born in 1975 in New Jersey. From a young age, he displayed a restless energy and drive to get things done. This characteristic may have even saved his life when his childhood home suffered a carbon monoxide leak that severely affected his mother.
Harrison's mother became extremely sensitive to various scents and electromagnetic radiation after the incident. This led to an unconventional upbringing for Scott, with the family often having to make sudden trips to find places where his mother could find relief from her symptoms. Their home lacked many modern conveniences, including television and radio, due to his mother's sensitivities.
The Harrisons also became deeply religious during this time. Scott was enrolled in a small Christian school, which he disliked intensely. At 16, he convinced his parents to let him attend public high school instead. This transition marked a significant change in Scott's life, as he sought to make new friends and find his place in a larger social environment.
Music and the New York City Nightlife
Scott's musical talents, particularly his skill with the piano, helped him integrate into his new school. He joined a band called Sunday River, which played a mix of Pearl Jam and Counting Crows-inspired music. Scott threw himself into promoting the band, often at the expense of his studies.
After barely graduating high school, Scott moved to New York City against his parents' wishes. He found work at a music shop and was soon introduced to the city's vibrant nightclub scene. Despite his religious upbringing, Scott felt at home in the loud, crowded atmosphere of clubs like Club USA in Times Square.
When his band eventually broke up, Scott pivoted to event production. He began working for free with Patrick Allen, who produced music showcases for emerging talent. Scott quickly learned the ropes of managing guest lists and running events. He eventually took over the production of "Voices at Nell's," a blues music open-mic night at a popular club.
Rise as a Nightclub Promoter
Scott's career in nightclub promotion took off when he landed a job at Lotus, a new 10,000-square-foot dinner club in Manhattan's trendy Meatpacking District. Despite his lack of experience, Scott was given the slowest night of the week – Monday – to promote. He quickly proved himself to be one of the city's best promoters.
Scott's typical routine involved treating clients to dinner at fashionable restaurants, then ushering them into Lotus, where they would sit in private booths next to models and order expensive bottles of champagne. The parties often continued at after-hours venues, fueled by alcohol and sometimes illicit substances.
By 2003, Scott had partnered with a former Lotus doorman to start their own promotion business, Brantly&Scott Inc. They were running multiple events each week and traveling to fashionable cities around the world. However, the lifestyle was taking its toll on Scott. He began experiencing strange feelings of numbness in his arms and legs, and a sense of emptiness despite his outward success.
Spiritual Awakening and Mercy Ships
After a New Year's Eve party in Uruguay, Scott began reading "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer, a book his father had given him. The book suggested that numbness could be a symptom of spiritual defectiveness. This revelation made Scott realize that his current lifestyle would never lead to true satisfaction.
Seeking meaning, Scott began reconnecting with his faith. He started listening to sermons and trying to cut back on smoking and drinking. A frightening incident with an angry bouncer further shook Scott, prompting him to take a road trip through New England while listening to audio recordings of the Bible.
During this time, Scott became interested in the concept of tithing – donating a percentage of one's time or income to helping others. He applied to several charities but only received a response from Mercy Ships, an organization that operates hospital ships providing medical care in developing countries.
Despite concerns about Scott's ability to adapt to life on an old ship after years in the VIP nightclub scene, Mercy Ships accepted him. Scott sold most of his possessions and boarded the ship in October 2004, ready for a new chapter in his life.
Eye-Opening Experiences with Mercy Ships
The Mercy Ships vessel left the Canary Islands for Cotonou, Benin, with Scott among the 300 workers onboard. As they sailed, Scott learned sobering facts about Benin, such as the average life expectancy of 51 years and the severe shortage of doctors.
Scott's role was to document the ship's work through photography and writing. He threw himself into the task with enthusiasm, going to great lengths to capture compelling images and stories. One of his first assignments was photographing the long line of patients waiting for screenings in Cotonou.
The experience exposed Scott to severe medical conditions he had never encountered before. He met patients like Alfred, a 14-year-old boy with a tumor the size of a volleyball growing from his mouth. While Alfred's tumor was successfully removed, not all cases had happy endings. Scott had to learn to focus on the patients they could help while accepting that some conditions were beyond treatment.
These experiences had a profound impact on Scott. He began sharing stories and images from his time with Mercy Ships through a blog and his extensive mailing list from his promoter days. Although some former clients unsubscribed, many more became engaged with Scott's new mission.
First Fundraiser and the Importance of Clean Water
Upon returning to New York in June 2005, Scott was determined to continue making a difference. He organized a photo exhibition called "mercy." in a Soho gallery, showcasing images and videos from his time in Africa. Despite the unfortunate timing – the event coincided with Hurricane Katrina – Scott managed to raise $96,000 for Mercy Ships.
This success proved to Scott that he could use his promotional skills for meaningful causes. During his second tour with Mercy Ships in late 2005, stationed in war-torn Liberia, Scott gained a deeper understanding of the importance of clean water. Doctors at a hospital in Monrovia told him that half of their patients were there due to waterborne diseases like cholera, polio, and dysentery.
The Birth of charity: water
In spring 2006, Scott met Mama Vic, who ran an orphanage outside Monrovia. The children at the orphanage had to walk a mile and a half to fetch water, often facing bullying from local kids. Moved by their plight, Scott raised $2,500 from his aunt and uncle to drill a well for the orphanage.
This experience was transformative for Scott. He realized that providing clean water not only improved health but also created jobs and fostered better community relations. When he returned to the United States in mid-2006, Scott knew he wanted to fund more wells.
On September 8, 2006, Scott founded charity: water. The organization's mission was to bring clean water to people in developing countries. Scott leveraged his skills in event hosting and brand creation to get the charity off to a strong start. Early events were supported by celebrities like Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffalo, and the charity's $20 water bottles became popular at high-end events.
At one of these early events, Scott met Viktoria Alexeeva, a graphic designer who volunteered her services to the charity. Viktoria's professional skills proved invaluable, and their working relationship eventually blossomed into romance. Scott and Viktoria married in 2009.
Innovative Fundraising: The Birthday Campaign
Scott wanted charity: water to be more than just another place for people to make donations and feel good momentarily. He aimed to create a revolutionary charity with "radical transparency," ensuring that every penny donated went directly to water projects and keeping donors constantly updated on how their money was being used.
To engage donors in new and exciting ways, Scott developed the concept of birthday campaigns. This allowed people to set up a campaign page on the charity: water website where friends and family could donate instead of buying gifts. The annual September campaign drive, coinciding with both Scott's and charity: water's birthdays, became one of the year's biggest fundraising events.
In 2011, one birthday campaign became a particularly poignant and tragic event. Rachel Beckwith, a nine-year-old girl, had started a campaign for her birthday but fell short of her $300 goal. She planned to try again the next year, but tragically lost her life in a car accident. When news of Rachel's generous spirit spread, her campaign was reopened, and donations poured in from around the world. By the time it closed, Rachel's campaign had raised an astounding $1,265,823 – enough to fund 142 water projects and bring clean water to 37,770 people.
Challenges and Transparency
As charity: water grew, Scott faced various challenges that tested his commitment to transparency and donor trust. One such incident involved a corporate donor filing a lawsuit against the organization due to delays in a project and allocation of resources.
Rather than trying to hide the situation, Scott saw it as an opportunity to demonstrate charity: water's commitment to transparency. He wrote an open letter to board members and the public, reaffirming the organization's dedication to responsible use of donor funds and rigorous vetting of partners. This approach garnered support from other CEOs and ultimately strengthened donor trust.
Another challenging situation arose in 2010 when a well project in the Central African Republic failed. Instead of avoiding the issue, charity: water produced a video explaining why they couldn't bring clean water to the Bayaka tribe as promised. This honesty was met with appreciation from donors, who said they trusted the organization even more because of its transparency.
The Tragic Story of Letikiros
In 2012, Scott heard a haunting story about a woman who had committed suicide after breaking her water pot. Determined to learn more, he traced the story to an isolated Ethiopian village called Meda and made the difficult nine-hour hike to visit in November 2013.
There, Scott learned about Letikiros Hailu, a 13-year-old girl who had hanged herself after breaking her water pot. Letikiros had recently married but wanted to continue her education, which was challenging given her responsibility to fetch water – a task that could take up to ten hours for just a few gallons.
Scott walked the treacherous path to the water source, a small stream reached by a dangerous cliff-side trail. He imagined Letikiros returning at dusk with a heavy clay pot strapped to her back, possibly tripping due to exhaustion or poor visibility. The shame of returning home empty-handed may have driven her to take her own life.
This story deeply affected Scott, reminding him of the urgent need for clean water access. He realized that providing clean water not only prevents disease but also empowers people, especially young women, by allowing them to pursue education and improve their lives.
Doubts and Growth
As charity: water continued to expand, Scott faced moments of self-doubt about his role as CEO. In 2015, when the organization experienced its first year of decreased donations, Scott considered stepping down. He recognized that he wasn't the most skilled at running meetings or holding employees accountable.
However, when he floated the idea of stepping down, it was met with resistance from his team. Employees expressed that they had joined the organization specifically to work with Scott. This feedback, along with support from his team, helped Scott shift his perspective.
Instead of focusing on the decrease in people reached (from one million to 800,000 between 2014 and 2015), Scott learned to appreciate the 800,000 lives that were changed by charity: water's efforts. He also recognized the organization's improvements in innovation and sustainability during that time.
In 2015, charity: water designed and built state-of-the-art sensors to monitor well functionality in real-time. They also established teams of trained repair personnel throughout Africa, equipped with GPS-assisted motorbikes for quick well servicing. These advancements led to a 90% functionality rate for wells in Ethiopia, a significant improvement over the previous 60% standard.
The Spring: Ensuring Sustainability
One of the ongoing challenges for charity: water was covering overhead costs while maintaining their promise that 100% of public donations would go directly to water projects. In 2016, during the organization's tenth year, they introduced a solution called "The Spring."
The Spring is a monthly giving program that directly funds the operational side of charity: water. Members receive exclusive updates, videos, and other inspirational content in return for their support. This initiative was an immediate success, allowing Scott and his team to breathe easier and plan for the future with more confidence.
Reflections on a Decade of charity: water
As Scott reflects on the first decade of charity: water, he marvels at the journey from his days as a nightclub promoter to leading a global water charity. The organization has brought clean water to millions of people, changing lives and communities around the world.
Scott's story is one of personal transformation and the power of finding one's purpose. Through charity: water, he has witnessed incredible acts of generosity and compassion from people all over the world. From Rachel Beckwith's posthumous campaign to countless birthday fundraisers and corporate partnerships, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
The success of charity: water has also highlighted the ongoing global water crisis. While millions have gained access to clean water through the organization's efforts, there are still hundreds of millions who lack this basic necessity. Scott remains committed to the cause, believing that with continued effort and support, the world's water crisis can be solved.
The Ongoing Mission
As charity: water moves into its second decade, Scott and his team continue to innovate and expand their reach. They're constantly exploring new technologies and partnerships to make their work more efficient and effective. The organization's commitment to transparency and direct impact remains at the core of its mission.
Scott's journey from nightclub promoter to humanitarian leader serves as an inspiration to others seeking to make a difference in the world. His story demonstrates that it's never too late to change course and dedicate oneself to a meaningful cause.
The book "Thirst" not only tells Scott's personal story but also sheds light on the global water crisis and the transformative power of clean water. It challenges readers to consider their own ability to make a difference and encourages them to take action, whether through supporting charity: water or finding their own way to contribute to positive change in the world.
Final Thoughts
"Thirst" is more than just a memoir or the story of a successful charity. It's a call to action, a reminder of the privilege of clean water that many take for granted, and an invitation to be part of a global movement to solve one of the world's most pressing issues.
Scott Harrison's journey from self-indulgence to selfless service is a powerful testament to the potential for personal transformation. His story shows that with passion, dedication, and innovative thinking, it's possible to create significant positive change in the world.
The book also highlights the importance of transparency and trust in charitable organizations. charity: water's commitment to showing donors exactly where their money goes and how it's used has set a new standard in the nonprofit sector.
Perhaps most importantly, "Thirst" reminds us of the basic human right to clean water and the profound impact it has on health, education, and quality of life. It challenges readers to think beyond their own circumstances and consider how they can contribute to solving global issues.
As the world continues to face challenges related to water scarcity and climate change, the work of organizations like charity: water becomes increasingly crucial. Scott Harrison's story serves as an inspiration and a roadmap for those who want to make a difference, showing that with determination and the right approach, it's possible to create meaningful, lasting change.
In the end, "Thirst" is a story of hope. It shows that even in the face of daunting global problems, individuals can make a significant impact. It's a reminder that every person has the potential to contribute to positive change, whether through large-scale initiatives like charity: water or through small acts of kindness and generosity in their daily lives.
The book leaves readers with a sense of possibility and a challenge to consider how they might use their own skills, resources, and passions to make the world a better place. Whether it's supporting clean water initiatives, addressing other global issues, or making a difference in their local communities, Scott Harrison's journey shows that transformation is possible – both on a personal level and in the world at large.