Scott Harrison (charity founder)
Encyclopedia
Scott Harrison is an American photographer, photojournalist
, entrepreneur and founder and president of the non-profit charity: water
.
from a cracked furnace installed in their new energy efficient home. His mother's immune system was destroyed and she became an invalid. As a result, Harrison grew up taking care of his mother and the household. Years later his mother was miraculously healed. He credits his family's deep Christian faith for giving them hope that one day his mother would be healed.
At age 18, Harrison left home for New York City and enrolled at New York University
(NYU). He graduated from NYU with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1998. Harrison admits he was not a diligent student, and began working as a nightclub and party promoter
in Manhattan. He spent the next 10 years throwing lavish parties for the likes of MTV, VH1, Bacardi and Elle. Harrison describes this as a time when he was "chasing after models," mingling with the New York City elite and indulging in illicit drugs including cocaine and ecstasy.
When he was 28, Harrison had a "crisis of conscience" during a vacation in Uruguay. Harrison had an epiphany about his job and life: "I was selling selfishness and decadence." He recalled feeling like "the most selfish, sycophantic and miserable human being" and "the worst person I knew."
In August 2004, Harrison quit his job and volunteered as a photojournalist for the Christian charity Mercy Ships
, which operates a fleet of hospital ships offering free healthcare. He served aboard the Mercy Ship Anastasis in West Africa, taking over 60,000 photos in 13 months. While on his first mission trip with Mercy Ships
, Harrison received word that his mother was "miraculously healed" of her illness.
, Harrison was exposed to the harsh conditions of the impoverished in Liberia
. He realized that 80% of all the diseases they encountered were attributable to unsafe water and poor sanitation. He wanted to commit to a life of service, and decided that the lack of clean water was the biggest obstacle facing the poor.
Harrison founded charity: water
on September 7, 2006, on the night of his 31st birthday. In lieu of receiving gifts, he charged his friends $20 each to attend his party at the yet unopened Tenjune
nightclub. He raised $15,000 that night, which went towards fixing three wells and building three more at a refugee camp in Northern Uganda.
Photojournalism
Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. It is now usually understood to refer only to still images, but in some cases the term also refers to video used in broadcast journalism...
, entrepreneur and founder and president of the non-profit charity: water
Charity: water
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Founded in 2006, it has helped fund 3,962 projects in 19 countries, benefiting over 1,794,983 people...
.
Early life
Harrison was born an only child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Charles and Joan Harrison. His family relocated and he was raised in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. When Harrison was four years old, his mother was exposed to carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
from a cracked furnace installed in their new energy efficient home. His mother's immune system was destroyed and she became an invalid. As a result, Harrison grew up taking care of his mother and the household. Years later his mother was miraculously healed. He credits his family's deep Christian faith for giving them hope that one day his mother would be healed.
At age 18, Harrison left home for New York City and enrolled at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU). He graduated from NYU with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1998. Harrison admits he was not a diligent student, and began working as a nightclub and party promoter
Promoter (entertainment)
An entertainment promoter i.e. music, wrestling, boxing etc is a person or company in the business of marketing and promoting live events such as concerts/gigs, boxing matches, sports entertainment , festivals, raves, and nightclubs.- Business model :Promoters are typically hired as independent...
in Manhattan. He spent the next 10 years throwing lavish parties for the likes of MTV, VH1, Bacardi and Elle. Harrison describes this as a time when he was "chasing after models," mingling with the New York City elite and indulging in illicit drugs including cocaine and ecstasy.
When he was 28, Harrison had a "crisis of conscience" during a vacation in Uruguay. Harrison had an epiphany about his job and life: "I was selling selfishness and decadence." He recalled feeling like "the most selfish, sycophantic and miserable human being" and "the worst person I knew."
In August 2004, Harrison quit his job and volunteered as a photojournalist for the Christian charity Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships is an international charity that was founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens. Mercy Ships currently operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world, providing free health care, community development projects, community health education, mental health programs,...
, which operates a fleet of hospital ships offering free healthcare. He served aboard the Mercy Ship Anastasis in West Africa, taking over 60,000 photos in 13 months. While on his first mission trip with Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships is an international charity that was founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens. Mercy Ships currently operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world, providing free health care, community development projects, community health education, mental health programs,...
, Harrison received word that his mother was "miraculously healed" of her illness.
charity: water
During his two years with Mercy ShipsMercy Ships
Mercy Ships is an international charity that was founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens. Mercy Ships currently operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world, providing free health care, community development projects, community health education, mental health programs,...
, Harrison was exposed to the harsh conditions of the impoverished in Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. He realized that 80% of all the diseases they encountered were attributable to unsafe water and poor sanitation. He wanted to commit to a life of service, and decided that the lack of clean water was the biggest obstacle facing the poor.
Harrison founded charity: water
Charity: water
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Founded in 2006, it has helped fund 3,962 projects in 19 countries, benefiting over 1,794,983 people...
on September 7, 2006, on the night of his 31st birthday. In lieu of receiving gifts, he charged his friends $20 each to attend his party at the yet unopened Tenjune
Tenjune
Tenjune is a nightclub in New York City's Meatpacking District, located on Little West 12th Street in Manhattan. The music played in the club ranges from hip-hop to techno....
nightclub. He raised $15,000 that night, which went towards fixing three wells and building three more at a refugee camp in Northern Uganda.