Kimmie Weeks: Youth Action International

Kimmie Weeks escaped to the U.S. under death threats from the Liberian government, when the movement he started as a young boy to liberate hundreds of child soldiers grew to such proportions that the government’s horrific war policies at that time were threatened. He formed Youth Action International, an organization devoted to saving the lives of millions, most of them children who are suffering the ravages of war. Youth Action International has developed projects in six African nations with programs for former child soldiers, and orphans whose parents have died from AIDS, or war .

Ana Dodson: Peruvian Hearts

Ana Dodson, a Peruvian orphan adopted by American parents, returned to her country to visit the impoverished orphanage she was rescued from as an infant. She started Peruvian Hearts, an organization to help the orphans in Peru, bringing them food, and encouraging education, and health services. Her work enabled hundreds of deprived Peruvian girls to gain strength, and live fruitful lives.

Ryan Hreljac: Ryan’s Well

Ryan Hreljac, as a child, was startled to discover that dirty drinking water in Africa was sickening and killing millions, most particularly children. He founded Ryan’s Well when he was a boy of ten, a program which eventually brought pumps with clean water to hundreds of communities in four nations of Africa, preserving uncounted lives.

Alexandra Scott: Alex’s Lemonade Stand foundation

Alexandra Scott, dying of cancer, at age four started a fundraising effort through one lemonade stand to help find a cure for childhood cancer. Alex’s Lemonade Stand thrive throughout the United States, raising millions of dollars to further medical research to help children all over the world.