NBA Player Kyrie Irving Helps Build a Solar Water Center in Pakistan

Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets star, is known for spending his time off-court helping vulnerable communities. This time, he teamed up with the K.A.I. Family Foundation and built solar water center in Pakistan. Set in Thar, the center will give over 1000 villagers access to clean water.

Thar has a population of nearly 1.6 million people, out of which 87% are living under the poverty line. Additionally, as they are affected by droughts, the area has been struggling with water shortages for the past 17 years. This area was chosen for the project, as the organizer recognized its desperate need for aid.

The solar water center will also help Thar power its electrical necessities, such as lighting and fans for schools and Mosques. Another part of the project is providing children with hand-lights to move around. The last addition is a small sustainable farm.

As a way of commemorating the celebration of Eid, the Muslim holy day, the project was opened on July 19th. Although it did not receive any publicity from Irving or his foundation, the internet quickly discovered the basketball player’s work and made it public.

Turns out everything began in April when an Irving fan reached out to him for help. After hearing about the athlete’s previous philanthropy work, Sonny Kahn, the founder and director of Paani Project, approached Irving’s organization.

“Kyrie has always been one of my favorite players. One day I was just scrolling online and came across his surreal track record of philanthropy. I was surprised to see how much work he’s done in Africa, the work he’s done for low-income communities, and work towards women’s empowerment,” said Khan.

Irving has worked extensively to help vulnerable communities and create change in the world. Among his previous projects was the foundation of food banks during the coronavirus pandemic. He also donated a million pieces of Personal Protective Equipment to his mother’s tribal reservation and paid WNBA players while their league was shut down. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, he bought a house for George Floyd’s family.

“My goal out here, my purpose is to help humanity — When you’re aware of what’s going on … and you’re conscious of what’s going on in the world. And you feel it. Then what are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna write about it? Are you gonna tweet about it? … Are you gonna plan and strategize for what we can do better as a community, meaning a community that stands with unity and liberation. Not just for one race and one religion” commented Irving on May 15th.

Bibliography

Browne, A. (2021, August 1) Kyrie Irving helps to build a solar water center in Pakistan. Nets wire. https://netswire.usatoday.com/2021/08/01/kyrie-irving-helps-to-build-a-solar-water-center-in-pakistan/

Fleurantin, B. (2021, July 28) For Kyrie Irving, another big effort: bringing clean water to a Pakistani village. Nets Daily. https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/7/28/22599076/for-kyrie-irving-another-big-effort-bringing-clean-water-to-a-pakistani-village

Lewis, A. (2021, July 30) Kyrie Irving makes clean water in drought-ridden Pakistani village a reality. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2021/07/30/kyrie-irving-makes-clean-water-a-reality-in-pakastani-village/

N.A. (2021, July 29) NBA star Kyrie Irving helps brings water to Thar in Pakistan. Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2312827/nba-star-kyrie-irving-helps-brings-water-to-thar-in-pakistan

Salesground Editorial Team (2021, July 31) Kyrie Irving makes a slam dunk; Helps bring clean water to a Pakistani village. [Photograph] Salesground. https://salesground.org/2021/07/31/kyrie-irving-makes-a-slam-dunk-helps-bring-clean-water-to-a-pakistani-village/

Songco, D. (2021, July 28) Nets’ Kyrie Irving helped build solar water center in Pakistan. [Photograph] Clutch Sports. https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-kyrie-irving-helped-build-solar-water-center-in-pakistan/