This week we’ve been keeping you posted about the crisis situation in Zimbabwe and mounting international pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. Despite a staggering cholera epidemic sweeping Zimbabwe, Mugabe continues to deny the magnitude of the epidemic, adding further chaos to the growing crisis. Today the New York Times published a fascinating and insightful piece on where things currently stand.
Excerpts below, full piece here
The outbreak is yet more evidence that Zimbabwe’s most fundamental public services — from water and sanitation to public schools and hospitals — are shutting down, much like the organs of a severely dehydrated cholera victim.
Zimbabwe’s once promising economy, disastrously mismanaged by President Robert G. Mugabe’s government, has been spiraling downward for almost a decade, but residents here say the free fall has gained frightening velocity in recent weeks. Most of the nation’s schools, which were once the pride of Africa, producing a highly literate population, have virtually ceased to function as teachers, whose salaries no longer even cover the cost of the bus fare to work, quit showing up.
In a country that already lays claim to the terrible distinction of having the second highest proportion of orphans in the world — one in four children has lost one or both parents — the closure of schools and hospitals is hitting these most vulnerable children mercilessly.
-Chris Scott
Thank you to members of ONE for making a difference! ONE supporters have teamed up with hundreds of other U.S. Global Leadership Campaign members to urge Members of Congress to sign letters to the President-Elect in support of a robust FY10 International Affairs Budget request. The tens of thousands of calls, letters and e-mails are making a significant difference. In just three weeks, 189 Members of Congress (48 Senators and 141 Representatives) have agreed to sign these critically important letters.
The deadline for Members of Congress to sign the letters is December 12 and we are in the home stretch! We urge ONE supporters to continue your outstanding efforts to let your Senators and Representatives know that you care about U.S. international affairs programs critical to alleviating global poverty, combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, providing hope to millions of less fortunate people and restoring America’s image abroad. It is important that Congress demonstrates strong bipartisan support for these essential programs.
ONE supporters in key states – Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia – can make a real difference by contacting your Senators and Representatives and urge them to sign the letters. Don’t delay, the deadline is approaching fast!
-Matt Corso, USGLC
Nov 11th, 2008 11:09 AM UTC
By Field
Oxfam volunteers and ONE members gathered in downtown Philly on Friday to view “Sisters on the Planet,” a documentary about women in the developing world taking leadership roles to fight climate change. As the film producers put it: “climate change is already having a disproportionate impact on people in developing countries, and it’s hitting women hardest.” After the movie was over, those of us who attended conversation talked about successes and solutions in the film.
With our partner organizations’ grassroots forces behind us, we are continuing to build a growing network in all 50 states fighting for those living in extreme poverty.
-Lauren Conn
The library at Miami University in Ohio was abuzz on Monday night, but not from studying. The buzz was a group of students meeting to discuss how to end global poverty. This past semester the student group has been incredibly active in making ONE’s presence known on Miami’s campus.
Led by students Megan Casey, Ashley Leonard and Amanda Beckham, ONE Miami has held several events on and off campus. This semester alone Miami students have held events at local bars and concert halls signing up new members. They also hosted the ONE Bus and collaborated with several other student organizations.
There is no doubt that other campuses can model Miami in starting an organization on their campus and quickly become active. Congratulations to all Miami ONE members on all the work you have done! Keep it up!
-Blake Waggoner
Oct 31st, 2008 12:15 PM UTC
By Field
To all the ONE volunteers and activists who’ve worked tirelessly around our ONE Vote ’08 efforts this (very) long election season, thank you. Each one of you have made invaluable contributions to our effort to make sure EVERY presidential candidate spoke up about their plans to combat global poverty and disease. By holding our elected officials accountable, we’ve ensured that the issues ONE cares so passionately about will be aggressively and vigorously addressed. The 2008 presidential election may be over, but our work to end global poverty is only beginning.
Below is a video of ONE organizer Matthew Bartlett speaking with John McCain a few days ago at his last town hall meeting in New Hampshire as a presidential candidate. It aired on CNN and Matthew’s impassioned and articulate message is spot on. Congrats Matthew and all of our ONE Vote ’08 activists.
Video
-Chris Scott
This will be my first year attending CARE’s National Conference in Washington on June 18 and 19, where CARE supporters from around the country travel each year at their own expense for an amazing and energizing few days. We’ll hear inspiring speakers like Jeffrey Sachs, director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, David Gregory of NBC News, and Senator Richard Durbin. And we’ll be joined by CARE Ambassadors Christy Turlington Burns and Sheila Johnson, who are lending their famous faces to help get our message across to influential policymakers.
Participants will have a chance to hone their organizing skills, meet legislators face to face, and learn about crucial issues that CARE is working on – such as equal access to education for girls; access to small business loans that enable women to create economic opportunity in their communities; and global efforts to ensure healthy pregnancies and childbirth.
It’s been my great privilege to work for CARE for the past five years. In my job as a press officer I have traveled to almost 20 of the 70 countries where CARE works, meeting the dedicated field staff and community members who make possible daily progress toward our vision of a world without extreme poverty.
The Conference will be my first chance to meet firsthand our volunteer advocates — the activists who work tirelessly to mobilize Americans to influence U.S. policy. It’s their enthusiasm and dedication that help CARE tap into this country’s power to bring about positive change in the world.
The excitement and energy are already building, and I have no doubt this will be the most successful Conference ever. Along with ONE and our partner organizations, we are eager for a few days of big strides toward a better world. Won’t you join us? For more information go to: https://my.care.org/care/events/2008conference/
-Rick Perera, CARE
The top seven reasons to come to Bread for the World’s Lobby Day on June 17:
1. There’s nothing like sweating in your Sunday best in DC’s summer heat as you traipse about Capitol Hill.
2. It’s fun to hear your senator or representative ask, “The Global Poverty what?â€
3. Uplifting worship service, preceded by free wine at the reception!
4. Boxed lunches: Mmmm, delicious….
5. And if it rains, you may be able to don a trash bag as a poncho.
6. Talk in ordinary English while sounding wonky (the language of Capitol Hill.)
7. How else can you make a difference in million of lives in one day?
Register here to join us and we guarantee you the ultimate Washington experience.
-Kimberly Burge, Bread for the World
