Summer is in full swing in Minnesota! And this summer offers more than usual because a ONE workshop and screening of the (RED) movie “The Lazarus Effect” is planned for this Saturday right here in the Twin Cities!
My colleagues in volunteer advocacy and I couldn’t be more excited! We have been busy sending emails, making phone calls, and connecting with local businesses to secure door prizes and help get the word out that Minnesotans can and do make a difference in the lives of those who live in extreme poverty by taking action locally! With support from a number of local businesses the energy leading up to this event has been tremendous.
I’m looking forward to reacquainting with veteran ONE campaigners, meeting new members, and pooling together our like minds and common goals. During the workshop, ONE staff will share valuable resources towards ending extreme poverty and preventable diseases in developing countries and then afterwards, we will be inspi(red) by a special screening.
It was just a couple of us and our children going for a leisure walk around the lake on a nice Sunday afternoon. Here in Minnesota, where there is more than 10,000 lakes, the concept of spending a couple of hours walking around the lake is not newsworthy, especially in light of the warm March temperatures. It was simply a chance for us to catch up while the kids had some good fun after being cooped up for the winter.
But around the world, women and their children do not walk for leisure as we do. They walk out of necessity to obtain water which is often both unclean and in short supply.
So during our walk today, we gave the kids a little project to participate in –get all the way around the lake and collect “drinking water” along the way. We mentioned that instead of school, many kids, especially girls, have to spend their days helping with chores such as fetching water from far away distances, so that their family can survive another day.
The response of the kids was unexpected and impressive. My daughter explained to me how “pumpers” can solve the problems that keep girls her age out of school. She had many thoughts on the subject, including how she herself would solve the problems, and I am excited that she is considering solutions on how to help out others who are not as fortunate. My son, the youngest, was keen on collecting the water and was very vocal about choosing which water bottle to drink from and why. I have to say that I was very proud that he made the connection between having plenty of clean drinking water and just a little dirty water, and how unfair it was.
By the end of our trek, everyone agreed that it was a long way around and a lot of hard effort. By being a ONE MOM, having access to talking points and ideas helps me share with both my girlfriends and our kids the situation that many children and women around the world face. Even simpler is the action we adults can take on behalf of other parents and their children who do not have access to the quality of life that we enjoy here. Being a ONE MOM makes these things simple. Thanks ONE!
I joined ONE because I’m a mom. I saw what other mothers go through in developing countries, the difficult decisions they have to make and their incredible strength. I could only imagine how I’d feel in one of their places.
ONE is starting a new initiative called “Women ONE2ONE”, and it’s all about women taking action and connecting with each other to fight poverty. With every voice we add, we can help send another young girl to school, help an HIV-positive expecting mother keep from passing the virus on to her baby, and help another woman find the courage to speak out against oppression and corruption.
I’m asking you. Raise your voice today for a woman who can’t.
Please take a few moments to watch and share this video that tells my story, and join us at Women ONE2ONE to bring voices to women so they can lead lives of promise:
When you share this video and pledge to take more actions in the future on behalf of women, you’ll become one of the founding supporters of Women ONE2ONE. Together, we’ll reach a million supporters. The voice of one woman in a village far away might not be heard by world leaders. But they can’t ignore the demands of one million women. Be the first, or the hundredth, or the millionth, but please be a part.
The concept is simple. Join one million women to raise our voices and demand the things we know make a difference: putting kids in schools, enabling women entrepreneurs, allowing women to run for office.
Add your voice. I’ve added mine. Tell your friends to add theirs. Click here to pledge your voice.
One million women’s voices. Imagine what we can get done.
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Summer is in full swing in Minnesota! And this summer offers more than usual because a ONE workshop and screening of the (RED) movie “The Lazarus Effect” is planned for this Saturday right here in the Twin Cities!
It was just a couple of us and our children going for a leisure walk around the lake on a nice Sunday afternoon. Here in Minnesota, where there is more than 10,000 lakes, the concept of spending a couple of hours walking around the lake is not newsworthy, especially in light of the warm March temperatures. It was simply a chance for us to catch up while the kids had some good fun after being cooped up for the winter.
