Organizer for ONE and Mom to Three!

Jan 17th, 2007 3:30 PM UTC
By Joan Faulkner, ONE Regional Field Organizer

Last night my daughter reminded me that her class is celebrating the 100th day of school on Wednesday and that she has a project due: decorating a hat with 100 items. Time to put something together…and quick!

As the typical macaroni decorations are no longer cool for a seven-year old, she asked if she could borrow my ONE pins. Hey, what a great idea, ONE pins representing the ONE-hundreth day of school! I then asked my daughter, “What if someone asks you what ONE is?” She knows I work for ONE, and my children have attended a few events and helped hand out wristbands, but I was curious – did she know what Mom does?

She said, “ONE is a group of people who get together to help poor and hungry people”. She then added “and you help fix AIDS.” I then asked my seven-year old and four-year old the big question: “How do we help these people?” The four-year old chimed in by saying we need to bring food and water to people in Africa. I explained that some people don’t have clean water and that’s a big job. My daughter said: “You have a lot of work to do, Mom.”

I remember my parents telling me when I was this age (and you may have heard it too) “to eat all of your food, there are people starving in Africa.” I remember hearing it, but what did it mean? By me eating all my food – how would that help anyone else? It’s been many years since hearing that, yet, have things changed? I tell my children to be thankful for what we have to eat, and to say a prayer for those who are less fortunate. I think they get it. When they get older, I’ll also introduce the words “grassroots lobbying”…and explain how important it is that we stay in touch with our leaders, that we never let our leaders forget how important these issues are, and letting the children know that they have the power to make change.

So, as my family celebrates the ONE hundredth day of school, and as we all celebrate the new year, take the time to join a local ONE group and help provide awareness in your area. Need an idea for an event? Just ask our future leaders: the children. They’re paying attention.

TAGS: The ONE Blog