How dōTERRA and CHOICE Humanitarian are United in Purpose

Misty Bond is the VP of Corporate Relations and Philanthropy for dōTERRA. This transcript comes from Misty’s remarks at the 2024 Breakfast of Humanitarians, which took place on World Water Day. Read more about the Breakfast event in the blog recap or listen to the recording. The transcript has been edited for clarity.

Thanks so much, Kirk. He is so great to have here as our new CEO of dōTERRA.

I really want to take a moment to thank our team at dōTERRA for putting all this on for us today. I'm going to call them out, and they're not going to like me for this, but that's okay: Kelsey Lund, Krista Numbers, Kaleigh DaBell, and Hillary Slaughter for all their hard work in getting everything arranged. They put these great cards here, and we've got a QR code on the back. We'd love for you to take a look. It just talks about more of our water projects if you'd like more information. And then you also get some oil to take home with you as well. Thanks to them for all that work.

What a pleasure it is for me to be here today. I'm getting to know some of you for the first time. I'm hoping I get to meet even more of you as the months and the years progress. I have heard about CHOICE with my work since I've been with dōTERRA, and I’m just so impressed by this amazing organization. I just got to meet Mr. Mayfield—Professor Mayfield—today. What a great man he is. I can tell the legacy is going to carry on far past anything that we do here. So thanks to all of his great efforts. Thank you so much.

As Kirk mentioned, we have been partnered with CHOICE since 2014, and we're here to celebrate that commitment to water stewardship and the empowerment of communities worldwide. I'm reminded of the profound impact we can achieve when we unite under a common purpose, and at the heart of our discussion is the ripple effect that Sara was discussing.

I know that overseeing the Healing Hands Foundation at dōTERRA is going to be one of my most cherished positions of my life. Over the past couple of months, I've been able to really dive into what we've been doing on the Healing Hands Foundation. I'm just elated that we get to work with such an impressive NGO as CHOICE. We never have to worry. We know that our funds are going exactly where they're intended to be.

Our responsibility extends far beyond our essential oils. We're committed to fostering positive change, enriching lives, and cultivating self-reliance in communities worldwide. The term co-impact sourcing is unique to dōTERRA, like what we were talking about with Tim Valentiner, who helped us really coin that term. We really appreciate all of his efforts in making this possible. Co-impact sourcing seeks to develop long-term, mutually beneficial supplier partnerships while supporting jobs and reliable income in underdeveloped areas where we source essential oils. We are sourcing in about 45 different countries, so if you can imagine, most of those are in underserved populations.

The dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation was really created to support these communities, and we're so excited that we get to partner with CHOICE to do that. CHOICE was actually our very first co-impact sourcing partner. We sought to work with an NGO that was established and that could support our communities and our sourcing locations. After beginning this journey with them 10 years ago, they have proven to be our most trusted, valuable partner time and time again. Each year they offer community projects that uplift and that impact vast numbers of individuals sustainably. They complete each project on time and within budget and provide full transparency throughout the entire process.

For us, that's so important that we have that transparency that we can relay back to our donors, who are mostly made up of our wellness advocates who are our independent distributors. They use this information to spread the word about dōTERRA and CHOICE Humanitarian in so many different ways. Through our independent distributors, CHOICE also helps us by participating at our annual conventions and through our co-impact sourcing trips.

As of 2024, dōTERRA has participated in 27 co-impact sourcing trips with hundreds of wellness advocates and senior leaders. If you've been on one of these expeditions, you know firsthand the opportunities that our wellness advocates have to interact with individuals in our sourcing communities, and in a meaningful way. We're so excited that we have 27 already in our roster, and we'd like to keep adding more to that.

Why we're here today is for World Water Day. We wanted to just highlight some of our water projects:

In Haiti in collaboration with partners like Water for Life and Hydrodiffusion Haiti, dōTERRA’s Healing Hands Foundation has spearheaded impactful water efforts that are striving to alleviate water scarcity and enhance community well-being. Through the diligent work of the foundation, several wells have been drilled and equipped with solid concrete well houses to ensure their protection and longevity against strong hurricanes. These efforts go beyond the mere provision of water. They contribute to improve sanitation and health outcomes for local communities, empowering individuals with the fundamental resources necessary for sustainable living. dōTERRA's commitment to making a difference in Haiti underscores its dedication to social responsibility and community empowerment on a global scale.

Next, we'd like to talk about Kenya. Our foundation was involved in various water projects here, aiming to address the critical issue of water scarcity and lack of access to clean water. Through this partnership, dōTERRA, implemented initiatives such as drilling wells, installing water purification systems, and establishing sustainable water sources. These projects not only provide essential hydration, but also contribute to improve sanitation and overall community health. By prioritizing water accessibility and sustainability, dōTERRA’s efforts in Kenya demonstrate a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need while promoting long-term community development and well-being. 

(Editor’s note: dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation’s work in Haiti and Kenya have been with other NGO and nonprofit partners.) 

Another area is Guatemala. When 20 community leaders in the Polochic Valley of Guatemala were asked what their community's greatest needs were, they responded unanimously that families needed improved water systems. So in 2017, in partnership with CHOICE, we supported a community in the cardamom-producing mountains of central Guatemala, providing a water system where they previously had no access to clean water. Community members were required to walk at least two miles to reach a water source, so we were so happy we could provide that to them. Also in 2017, when the volcano erupted, dōTERRA Healing Hands stepped in along with our sourcing partner, Nilexia, to bring clean water back to almost 1,000 families in the El Rodeo community. With access to clean potable water for these communities in Guatemala, individuals’ lives have definitely been changed.

And then in Nepal, with its breathtaking vistas and rich cultural heritage, this area has grappled with water scarcity exacerbated by geographical constraints and social economic disparities. In collaboration with indigenous communities, grassroots organizations, the Nepalese government, local NGOs including Fair Oils and Fundy Fix, dōTERRA Healing Hands spearheaded initiatives to build water infrastructures such as wells and irrigation systems. These efforts not only ensured access to clean water, but also enhanced agricultural productivity in our sourcing areas and livelihood opportunities, transforming lives and landscapes alike. You can learn more in this video.

As you can see, these projects not only transform the lives of those we're serving, but also those who are doing the serving. I often wonder who gets more out of these projects. We're just so grateful our wellness advocates are able to go on these expeditions and really get to the heart of helping and supporting these important individuals.

In these four countries, we were able to support:

• In Kenya, 84,000 total individuals with 42,000 people with clean water.
• In Haiti, 20,000 total individuals were supported, and clean water was given to 13,680 individuals.
• In Nepal, 232,000 individuals were supported and 21,000 people were supported with clean water.
• In Guatemala, 80,000 total individuals were supported with 4,500 people getting access to clean water.

We're so grateful that we have the opportunity to help that many people. We're so grateful we have the opportunity to work with CHOICE and that we can entrust them with our charitable funds. With $600,000 going to CHOICE projects in Guatemala and another $3.5 million in Nepal, dōTERRA Healing Hands has donated over $4 million to various projects, ranging from schools to hospitals, construction, equipment, and water supplies. We want to thank our wellness advocates and our donors for helping us meet this goal. And we plan to do much more.

Central to our endeavors is the guiding principle of empowerment—the belief that every individual possesses inherent strengths and capabilities that, when nurtured and supported, can unleash a ripple effect of positive change. At dōTERRA Healing Hands, we are not merely donors or benefactors; we are collaborators, mentors, and champions of self-reliance. Our mission is not only to provide aid, but to inspire and empower others to become agents of their own destiny.

So on this World Water Day, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to water stewardship, community empowerment, and the transformative power of compassion. And together, with organizations like CHOICE, we have the power to turn the tide of adversity into a sea of opportunity where every drop of water becomes a symbol of hope, resilience, and renewal.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication, your boundless compassion, and your relentless pursuit of a better world. Together, let us continue to be the change we want to see in the world. Thank you.

Read more remarks from Breakfast 2024 speakers