“So impressive” are the words Kelly Clarkson used to describe the impact Katherine and Isabelle Adams have made on the world water community. In 2022 and 2023 they were featured guests on the Kelly Clarkson Show, where they had the opportunity to share their non-profit, Paper for Water. 

At the young age of five and eight, the two sisters started folding origami ornaments to raise awareness for clean drinking water throughout the world. They had their first origami show at Starbucks, on Abrams and Mockingbird, and set their first goal to raise enough funds to partially fund a water well in Ethiopia. Prior fundraisers led by the girls helped support Parkland’s pediatric burn camp and Children’s Hospital. Since 2011, Paper for Water has “raised millions of dollars and funded hundreds of water and sanitation projects in 20 countries” (Paperforwater.org). 

The non-profit is a family affair. The two eldest sisters are co-CEOs, the youngest, Trinity, is the chief creative officer and mom, Deborah and dad, Ken, both serve on the board of directors. In between homework, sports and outside hobbies, they find time to travel internationally to witness first-hand what their labor of love has created.

One unexpected blessing this love has created is an extraordinarily strong family bond. They share their passion for helping others. What they’ve accomplished in twelve years is inspirational. They have a dedication to providing safe and sanitized water for communities that wouldn’t otherwise have access. They’ve raised awareness through speaking engagements, fundraisers, benefits and of course folding origami.  

 

Their love of folding came from their father, Ken. Ken’s mother is Japanese and taught him the basics of origami when he was young. He grew up folding paper into art and wanted to “pass down the tradition” to his children. They began folding “modular” origami and placed the abstract pieces together to form Christmas ornaments. What started as a hobby blossomed into a mission to help others.

Their mission could not be a success without help from their many volunteers. Opportunities range from folding, to fundraising to becoming an ambassador and spreading the message. Youth volunteers are especially important, “volunteer efforts of our most dedicated youth, help make a real impact in the world” (paperforwater.org). Their many volunteer opportunities are listed on their website, paperforwater.org or if you want to help them “change the world," you can join the Well of the Month Club and donate $10 a month. “With the help of our many donors, volunteers, partners and representatives, we have been able to bring clean water to thousands of communities around the world."