As New Hampshire voters head to the ballot boxes today, I am reflecting with Iowa volunteers about their experience caucusing for ONE last week. We asked members to stand up on caucus night, while the whole country was watching, to show support for life-saving programs in the poorest parts of the world. Watch our slideshow of photos from the event, and read what some of our volunteers had to say:
“The fight against poverty really hits home for me being that I come from a lower income family I can relate to this issue. But even on a deeper level I can appreciate the fight more since I had the chance to see it for myself firsthand.
During my service in the US Navy I was deployed to Senegal and saw how some of the people in even that modernized area had to live, and my heart went out to them. We were unable to drink the local water because it was contaminated.
Also while there, I became ill with malaria. To the locals it was an everyday occurrence but for me, it was life-threatening. I contracted the worst strand and stayed in the hospital for four days then flown to the Naval base in Rota. As a descendant of an African tribe, as a woman and as someone who truly cares, I hope that all the work ONE is doing will bring the much-needed medicines for the malaria and AIDS patients. God bless” -Shanna
As I’m sure most of my regular readers already know, I am a very proud Iowan. This week, I was especially proud that ONE had such a strong presence at the World Food Prize, hosted in my hometown of Des Moines. It was especially good timing as we just launched our new agriculture campaign to urge governments to fulfill existing commitments and reinvest in agriculture. We had an info table at the event all week, led a session on advocacy and even hosted the official after-party to amplify the message and inspire people to take action.
This morning officially kicks off the 2011 World Food Prize here in my hometown, Des Moines, Iowa. This year is themed “The Next Generation” and is especially exciting because it not only marks the 25th anniversary of the prize and the revealing of their newly remodeled historic building, The Hall of Laureates, but also because ONE will be hosting a part of the program!
As an Iowan, I am especially so proud of this annual event that brings thousands of world leaders, innovative thinkers and passionate activists from all over the world to discuss food insecurity, hunger and poverty. In addition to amazing speakers, panels and discussions, there is also the prize itself.
Last weekend, more than 17,000 Iowans came from across the state to Ames for the 2011 Iowa GOP Straw Poll, and ONE was there as well! The Straw Poll is an event that happens every four years, where a mock election gives candidates the early opportunity to determine their level of support for a presidential bid. The event style is somewhat like a county fair and a pep rally. Campaigns and organizations host tents all around the grounds for attendees to catch some shade, entertainment and educational opportunities.
Recently ONE members in Minnesota gathered at the Gophers stadium to walk around at talk to U2 concertgoers about fighting extreme poverty through advocacy with ONE. Some members were seasoned and some were brand new. All worked hard and had a good experience knowing they were recruiting new members to a campaign we are all very passionate about. After the event I asked a few volunteers if they could share a few thoughts on their experience with me….
Whether or not you know what a Straw Poll is, you probably know it’s a big deal in Iowa politics, and you’re right. This Saturday, ONE will be hosting a booth at the Iowa Straw Poll so volunteers can talk with attendees about extreme global poverty and discuss how ONE members are using their voices to eradicate it and make a difference in the lives of millions of people!
Our booth at last year’s Straw Poll. Photo credit: Joe Crimmings
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is traveling around the country on his new book tour for “Courage to Stand,” which included a couple stops in Iowa during the weekend. I got a chance to talk to him this morning while he was signing books in West Des Moines. I thanked Gov. Pawlenty for his ongoing support of ONE as he said he sees ONE members everywhere.
We talked about the great work of President Bush leading the battle on fighting HIV/AIDS in the developing world with PEPFAR. I told him how proud I was as an American to go to Malawi last year and see firsthand successful US supported programs saving lives and making the world a little safer for us all. As a mother, it was especially powerful to see the significant role vaccines can make in the lives of children if they are affordable and accessible. Finally we got to talk briefly about Michael Gerson’s recent article in the Washington Post about the power of vaccines.
I thanked him for taking the time and he thanked me for “standing strong and for all the great service to others” as he wrote in a copy of his book.
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food.
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS.
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
