While most high school students are focused on hanging out with friends and playing sports throughout the year, Anna Lipscomb feels that she has a different commitment. Anna is a junior at Heritage Christian Academy who uses her musical ability to reach out to the orphans in Haiti.
In January 2008, 11-year old Anna Lipscomb joined Global Orphan Project for a mission trip to Haiti that would change the lives of many. After Anna returned to Kansas City, she wanted to share her experiences she received through working and caring for the orphans. Being a talented violinist and pianist, Anna recorded a benefit CD featuring the song, “Heart for Haiti”. Anna’s album, Anna from the Heart, has allowed her to raise over $75,000 so far, which was enough money to build four orphanages in Haiti.
“I was just really impacted by the joy the kids had even though they had so little,” Anna Lipscomb said. “Eventually I decided that because I sing and play violin, I could make a CD and sell it.”
Anna’s original goal in her project was to raise $5,000 worth of proceeds for the orphans, which would be enough to fund one orphanage. Over the course of one year, Anna from the Heart became an official album containing seven melodious songs. Global Orphan Project receives 100 percent of the CD’s earnings, while Anna’s project also encourages donations toward the cause. In January 2010, the catastrophic earthquake occurred in Haiti with a magnitude of 7.0. The disaster affected an estimated three million people while a reliable death count estimated 220,000 died. Shortly after this happened, Anna spent much of her time praying and expressing care for the helpless in Haiti. Many people supported Anna’s project after hearing about the earthquake, and album sellings skyrocketed. Her diligent hard work and extreme amount of care for these orphans is deeply respected and supported by everyone around Anna.
“She [Anna] sacrificed over a year working on her album,” Tom Lipscomb said. “She gave up playtime with her friends and other things.”
To further support the orphans in Haiti, Anna involves herself with the GoExchange organization, which is run through Global Orphan Project. Haitians make the pajamas themselves, and sell the in the United States at family-organized “GoJammie” parties. Each pajama pair sold feeds an orphan for a whole month. These get-togethers are very casual and an exciting way for high school students to participate in a benefiting cause.
“GoJammie parties are really fun so I encourage my friends at Blue Valley Southwest to join me,” Chloe Davis said. “Buying a pair of pajamas makes for a great gift while also helping the needy in Haiti. You can’t go wrong!”
By hosting and attending these “GoJammie” parties, Anna effectively accomplishes her goals. After her album became popular, she attended many conferences, school events, and charity organizations by invitation. In May of 2011, Anna received another opportunity to travel to Haiti. Like on her previous trip, the precious orphans found their way into Anna’s heart, which encouraged her to continue her project back in the United States. Recently, she supports her cause by spreading her mission to various people and communities.
“In the recent year I have been speaking to groups of people to encourage them to use what they have to help others,” Lipscomb said. “I might be working toward a second CD because I want to continue helping the people in Haiti.”
Anna Lipscomb’s commitment to the lives in Haiti can be an inspiration to all. Students at her school as well as Blue Valley Southwest enjoy learning about Anna’s work with the orphans; her project causes many to appreciate the lives they have now.
“Seeing the hard work Anna has done for the orphans in Haiti really makes me realize how much I could help people with the blessings I have,” Kiersten Graham said. “There are so many people that are homeless, starving, or forgotten in this world.”
Anna showed that even teenagers can make a difference in the world. Anna Lipscomb is truly unique role model; she is one in 1,000.