An evening of elegance and urgency: The Water Ball returns to New York
On Tuesday October 21st, the iconic Cipriani 25 Broadway will open its doors to one of New York’s most anticipated philanthropic galas: The Water Ball, organized by the Georgie Badiel Foundation and hosted by Selita Ebanks and Jozef Naggiar. More than just an elegant evening, this event is a rallying cry for clean water access in Burkina Faso and beyond.
A personal story that sparked a movement
At the heart of this initiative is Georgie Badiel, former Miss Burkina Faso, international model, and humanitarian. As a child, she walked nearly nine miles every day to fetch water for her family. That experience inspired the bestselling children’s book The Water Princess and, ultimately, the creation of the Georgie Badiel Foundation.
A decade later, her vision has grown into a powerful, community-driven movement that continues to expand its impact across West Africa. The foundation builds and restores wells, trains women as water system maintainers, and brings safe, sustainable water access to rural communities across West Africa.
Culture, generosity, and impact
This year’s gala promises to be both elegant and deeply meaningful. The evening will feature live musical performances, powerful moments of gratitude, moving stories of impact, and special recognitions that highlight a decade of commitment to clean water access. Guests will also take part in an emotional pledge session, where they can directly contribute to well-building initiatives, and celebrate the individuals and partners whose support has sustained the Georgie Badiel Foundation’s mission over the years..
Yet behind the glamour of the night lies an urgent reality: 63% of rural communities in Burkina Faso still lack access to clean water, and more than 5,000 wells remain broken and out of service. Each year, over 4,000 children die from preventable water-related diseases.
Every dollar raised at The Water Ball fuels concrete, life-changing solutions — building and restoring wells, creating oases, supporting hygiene education, and advancing female-led water management that strengthens entire communities. Get your tickets here
Numbers that speak for themselves
Over the past decade, the Georgie Badiel Foundation has grown from a single vision into a transformative force on the ground. Its work has reached more than 600,000 people, touching communities across rural Burkina Faso and beyond. Through 278 community projects, the foundation has not only built essential infrastructure but also invested in people—training 278 women to maintain water systems and ensure their sustainability. It has educated over 15,000 students on water, sanitation, and hygiene, and has built or restored more than 265 wells and 15 oases, creating lasting impact where it matters most.
A collective vision for change
The Water Ball has become more than a fundraiser. It’s a cultural moment. Each year, it brings together African professionals, entrepreneurs, allies, and change makers from across the U.S. diaspora who share one goal: investing in real, community-centered solutions.
As the lights dim and the pledges rise, The Water Ball stands as far more than a gala. It’s a powerful demonstration of how art, culture, and collective generosity can drive real change. Year after year, the event mobilizes a growing network of changemakers determined to turn a basic human need into a shared responsibility. To dive deeper into this vision, I sat down with Georgie Badiel to talk about her journey and her fight for clean water. You can listen to the full interview below.
Together, we’re amplifying a message that goes beyond one night of fundraising. It’s about building a future where no child walks miles for water, and every community has access to this most essential resource.
