Outside of my work as a Field Coordinator at ONE, I have been involved in an organization called the Gwaimen Center, a community project in Kwoi, Nigeria to support widows and orphans. The Center provides basic necessities, education, vocational training, and a clinic, so that the widows and orphans can grow to support themselves and their community.

I first visited Kwoi, Nigeria, in April. This Thanksgiving, I returned for the groundbreaking of the Center. I had such a good time. I’m not sure I’ve found the words yet to describe. The groundbreaking was so amazing – the whole community came together – from city folk to political leaders to all sorts of people from the community.

In April when I went to Kwoi, I spent a lot of time with a little girl who is an orphan. She captured my attention – and was listless and clearly malnourished with a distended belly. She just sat there with this serious look on her face.

This time around, I almost didn’t recognize her. She looked years older, was ridiculously cute, and was running around doing cartwheels. It was totally amazing. I couldn’t believe it.

It’s incredible to see what three healthy meals a day can do. A little really can go a long way.

I came back to work at ONE exhausted, but renewed in my commitment to fight global poverty and AIDS. In the midst of a crisis beyond my comprehension, there is an opportunity to do something, as individuals, and as a nation. We can partner with efforts like this around the world and we can make poverty history.