Here’s a collection of six great children’s books about some of the issues that we care about – like global health and caring for the poor. Hopefully, they inspire these young readers to turn into young activists. Click on the headline of each book title to buy the book online.

Little Feet, Big Steps by Brit Sharon

Little Feet, Big Steps is a coming of age story about a young girl who, with the help of her encouraging mother, takes on a project by signing up for the AIDS Walk in her city. She turns to her community to fundraise and is unstoppable on her journey to make a difference. Throughout the story, Gabby comes to terms with what AIDS is and why people come together to support causes that effect others. (See the rest of the review here)

Little Things Make Big Differences: A Story About Malaria by John Nunes and Monique Nunes

Little Things Make Big Differences is a story about Rehema, a young girl who lives in the African country of Tanzania. When she was a baby, Rehema was infected with malaria, but because her parents were able to get treatment for her, she survived. In the book, Rehema describes what children in the United States can do to help fight malaria. (See the rest of the review here)

Ithemba Means Hope by Gcina Mhlophe

In Ithemba Means Hope, Ithemba becomes more hopeful for his own parents with HIV when he commits to help his neighbor and best friend remember to take her ARVs regularly. The book models positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and commitment to making ARVs work. (See the rest of the review here)

Rachel and the Lion by Stephanie Lainez

An excellent tool for parents, this book helps to create a platform in which to discuss pressing life issues, such as sickness, death, honesty and respect. Rachel is a 7-year-old girl in a small town in Africa that is struck by malaria. As tragedy hits her household, her special relationship with the Lion helps her cope and find inner strength through understanding grief, conflict, and truth. (See the rest of the review here)

Brenda Has a Dragon in her Blood by Hiltje Vink

This true story of a little girl from Africa, written by her adoptive mother Hijltje Vink, deals with the day to day social and emotional challenges of a child and family living with HIV. Through Brenda’s story, children learn they are not alone living with HIV/Aids. The book addresses the stigma of living with HIV and the importance of the ARV medication regime to “keep the dragon sleeping” and remain healthy. (See the rest of the review here)

What Does It Mean To Be Global by Rana DiOrio 

In this whimsically drawn and thoughtfully told story, children learn what it means to be global by visiting the pyramids, eating sushi, celebrating Kwanzaa, and learning how to say “hello” in Swahili. The book is a conversation starter for parents and educators to teach children about the goodness in exploring, appreciating, and respecting other children’s traditions, religions, and values the world over.

Do you have a book you’d like to recommend? Share it with us in a comment below and we’ll consider adding it to our list! 

I had a chance to interview Shannon and Diane recently on their artwork, a series of poster-size pieces that reflects vivid colors, bright graphics, and depictions of joy. We talked about how the two met, the causes that they’re passionate about and their connection to Africa.

A young girl from Rwanda. Photo credit: Diane Dammeyer 

Brittany: How did you two begin collaborating? 

Diane: We knew each other through our church and one day, Shannon said to me, I’d like to paint on your photographs. It was such an unusual statement. I said, “Sure, let’s do it”. She came over to my studio and she printed a few she wanted to experiment on. When we talked about it, we both had this sense of purpose.

Tell me about the organizations you support through your artwork and your connection to Africa and the developing world. 

Diane: I’ve been involved in Africa with Opportunity International and Heartland Alliance. I volunteer my time with these organizations and photograph their organizations. I’ve been doing that for more than 10 years. I just got back from Haiti.

Shannon: Diane encouraged me to have a show, saying, “We’ll do this for Opportunity International and we’ll give half the proceeds to them”. Our show had about 19 pieces. And we sold 18! The pieces told a really positive story of Africa, about loving Africa.

When I was in high school, I felt called to the mission field as a career, so I went to Pacific University for their International Studies program. I’ve yet to be to Africa but hope to go soon. The “there is a world beyond my world” feeling is in me naturally. I took a class on Africa as part of the program and fell in love with the culture and felt so connected to it.

Why do you think the visual arts are important in helping to fight poverty? 

Shannon: I’m a very strong believer in images telling a story and giving a voice to a thought, a program, a campaign. These children specifically need a voice and this project is helping to bring that to those people.

One of the collaborations illustrating a young boy from Uganda. Photo credit: Diane Dammeyer

A young girl performing a song in Uganda. Photo credit: Diane Dammeyer

What sparked your interest in ONE and philanthropic work in general?

Diane: I always like to be involved in some sort of community project. I just finished a clay project with kids at our neighborhood elementary school and I am presently coordinating a mural at my son’s middle school. I think it is important to share our gifts to inspire and beautify the world for future generations.

ONE does that. You guys are so positive – support Africa because of the good health, the hope, the children, the good things. You guys are so good about showing the positive and that is something we wanted to show too. The beauty, the pride, the joy.

We are so thankful for the time Shannon and Diane spent with us and for sharing their beautiful pieces of art with us!

If you are interested in pursuing their work further, check out Shannon‘s creations here and Diane’s photography here!

Congratulations to Vivian Onano, our ONE Member of the Month for March. An incredible activist and advocate, Vivian, a college student at Carthage University, is tremendously humble and wise beyond her years. I had a chance to interview her this month about her passions, platforms and what people with no free time do on their free time.

Vivian meeting with Pastor Lawrence Kirby of Kenosha . Photo credit: one.org

How long have you been involved with ONE? What prompted your involvement?

I joined ONE in August of 2011. I became very active in the online campaigns and shortly thereafter, became a member of the ONE chapter at Carthage College. Somewhere in between March and April last year, I became a congressional district leader in Kenosha.

You’ve been involved in so many ONE events. Is there one moment that sticks out as particularly special or defining?

All the campaigns are so interesting- from my participation in ONE, I’ve learned a lot. I also learned so much about reaching out to the American people. It takes so much courage to go into a community and speak on these issues. These issues, the ones I talk about, are so close to me – I’ve seen them personally.

In the ONE Vote campaign, for example, I found the people to be so polarized. I’d be on campus, talking to students who identified so strongly as “die-hard Republican” or “die-hard Democrat”. I wanted to tell them, you can’t look at these issues politically – you’re hearing the voice of the world’s poorest. Being able to have the opportunity to speak on that message is an opportunity most don’t have and that is special.

 What are the ONE members in your community like?

The ONE community here is very dedicated. We have a name on campus they can identify. Last year, I was at a conference in Ghana and was constantly wearing a ONE shirt. On the fourth day, a girl came up to me and asked, “Are you an ambassador for the organization or do you just have that one shirt?”. I had to laugh – I have the many ONE shirts in the same color. I’m just proud of ONE, I believe in the message, the work of the organization. When I was doing work in Kenya, I was asked the same thing. I think I need to ask for shirts of more colors!

Right now, the idea of ONE is dawning on students’ minds. I’ve been approached with questions of “How can I help?”, “How can I get involved this summer?”.  So, we are doing a good job – but the work is not done yet.

 Vivian and Director of A.W Clausen Centre for World Business at Carthage College, Dr. Arthur Cyr. Photo credit: one.org

How do you balance your college life with your amazing amount of activism?

My activism is my passion. And when you’re passionate about something, you always make time for it. I’ve  been so fortunate to be given many platforms to speak about the issues I care about and the issues are really speaking clearly to me. Yes, it is sometimes overwhelming, but it is too easy to keep moving, to keep quiet, assuming someone else will take over. One person thinks that, then the next and the next; eventually, no one will speak out on the issue. The key thing is to focus on the issue – it keeps you moving, keeps you going.

A video Vivian made for us for World AIDS Day 2012.

 Can you tell us more about your “I Am” mantra? That seems to really define your work.

“I Am” means taking initiative, running with it, giving results. Young people want to get involved but it can be difficult to understand how. Unless we decide to personalize our story, people will never understand it and never get involved. So taking initiative and mobilizing, while making the stories your own, will spread the message to more people, effectively getting them interested and involved.

We saw that you are a pre-med student but have been actively involved in the tech world. How do you foresee combining those two interests?

I am currently studying biology and business administration with a minor in economics. I’m very interested in health care systems in developing countries. When I was doing HIV/AIDS work in Northern Kenya, I saw so many young people who didn’t even know about the disease. Just seeing how women were dying of diseases that could be treated – but there, there was no quality healthcare – was very upsetting. Technology makes the provision of these medicines, this knowledge possible. Working for the clinic in Western Kenya, we reported on patients, their HIV/AIDS treatment and compiled it into a database. I compiled the data and submitted it to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health has reports on patients, yes, but by creating a database that tracked the ARVs and the patients, the government can see what the clinic is doing. This information led them to opening a second clinic.

We can never really know whats going on elsewhere in the world, but technology allows us to see it immediately and with numbers. It gave me confidence that I could communicate on it clearly because I was passionate.

Speaking of being passionate, what issues are you most passionate about?

I believe in the empowerment of women and children. Education is a weapon to fight any war and win. When I say “war”, I mean any of the global issues I discuss. With quality education, issues won’t be an issue in 20 years. If we educate our women and provide quality health care, women will have healthy babies, those healthy babies will grow up and be healthy enough to get an education and will contribute to a healthy community. They’ll be healthy enough to go to work, to do their farming. If your community is healthy, you won’t need the resource of free medication, which can be a financial drain. It is a cycle.

When you aren’t inspiring the masses, what do you enjoy doing on your free time?

In my free time – well, I do have books people sent to me. I’m currently reading “Out of Poverty” by Paul Pollack. I spend most of my time researching and reading things online, just taking in information all the time. If I’m not out doing something, I’m on my computer researching!

You’ve had many mentors, apparently since you were young. Can you speak on the importance of having a mentor as a young person?

I would like to speak on how important it is for a young person to have a mentor. I’ve had my mentor for six years, Peggy Pierce Peters. She is my main mentor, among a few we call Vivian’s Circle (I didn’t come up with the name!), people who have dedicated their time and resources to help me achieve my success and my dreams. I’m so blessed to have them, I wouldn’t have gone half as far without these people. Without Peggy, it would have been so difficult, coming from Kenya, to really break into the American people. But she taught me about American culture, American history, helping me know what it meant to be American.
Vivian with her mentor, Peggy. Photo credit: Vivian Onano.

It is so important to have a mentor who believes in you. Peggy has been in lots of charity/nonprofit work and really has advice she can give. Though she has never been to Africa, she really understands how they work here, which really opens up the discussion. Every person should have mentors, from both in and out of your country. Having an in-country mentor is helpful because it is relatable-they know about what you’re going through.

But international or domestic, it is just important to have someone who is supportive, someone to guide you. To give you love but with a constructively critical angle. Parents have their own restraints but with a mentor, they understand it. It isn’t always get people to commit but once they do, there are so many people, so many resources. Be open to learning, the process never ends.

Do you have any wisdom you’d like to leave with ONE members?

Yes, I’d like to give you my favorite quote: “Service is the rent rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth”. I believe in that.

Want to keep up with Vivian and what she is doing with ONE? Follow her on Twitter here:@vivianonano

Big thank you to Vivian for all the amazing work that she does for ONE. Want to nominate someone for the next Member of the Month? Email Malaka at mgharib@one.org with the subject line, “Member of the Month.”  

Basically, it checks up on the governments who made promises to agriculture and food security in Africa and answers questions like, Which countries have been keeping their promises? Which have not? What more is there to be done?

Do you think you know the answers to those questions? Test yourself with our Report Quiz – I bet you’ll learn a lot about agriculture in Africa while answering the questions! All the answers can be found here in the report.

To make things extra sweet, we’re going to put all the people who got a 100 percent in a random giveaway for this awesome ONE goody basket. We’ll announce the winner (and the answers) on April 30, 2013.

The winning basket includes the supreme in ONE goodness: A handcrafted fashionABLE scarf, handmade beaded bands and braceletes, bright activist stickers for your laptop, mobile phone covers and a cool ONE apron!

Type your answers in the form below the quiz, then click the submit button. Don’t forget to include your email address so we can get back to you if you won.

Be sure to check back next Monday for the answers, and we’ll reach out to you via email if you’ve won. Good luck!

QUIZ: African Agriculture Commitments 

1. How many Africans depend of agriculture for their incomes?
a. 1/2
b. 2/3
c. 1/4
d. 3/4

2. True or False: The CAADP stands for The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme

3. How many countries out of 19 are on track to meet Millenium Development Goals of halving extreme poverty by 2015?
a. Six
b. Eight
c. 18
d. None of the above

4. How much labor do women contribute on farms in sub-Saharan Africa?
a. 35 percent
b. 25 percent
c. 95 percent
d. 50 percent

5. Who is not part of The New Alliance?
a. G8
b. Private companies
c. National governments
d. Peace Corps

6. Which of the following is a reason for African farmers’ inability to produce enough surplus to generate an income?
a. Facing poor infrastructure
b. Expensive fertilizer
c. Unreliable and unpredictable markets
d. All of the above

7. At what summit did donors pledge $22 billion over three years to support sustainable agriculture and food security?
a. 2009 G8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy
b. Gleneagles Summit
c. Hokkaido G8
d. UN Summit September 2008

8. How long has the Maputo Declaration been in existence?
a. 2 years
b. 5 years
c. 8 years
d. 10 years

9. What are most agricultural plans missing?
a. A call for agricultural development.
b. A clear call for transparency.
c. A clear focus on women farmers.
d. A clear incentive program for market participation.

10. What has 2014 been deemed?
a. 2014 African Union “Year of Agriculture”
b. 2014 African Union “Year of the Woman”
c. 2014 African Union “Year of the Market”
d. 2014 African Union “Year of Transparency”

Put your answers in the form here – and don’t forget to include your email address.

Best of luck and we’ll tell you the winner and answers on April 30!

Here at ONE, we love reading – but more than that, we love reading for a cause. Because of our affinity for literature with purpose, we really enjoyed Refuse to Do Nothing, an awesome book that tackles the issue of modern-day slavery (read an interview with the authors Shayne Moore and Kimberly Yim here). It encourages people who might believe they are unable to influence change to become active and empowered for the cause.

We’re giving one of these bad boys away!

We’d love to give an autographed copy of the book away to one lucky ONE member. To win,  tell us in 2 to 3 sentences which woman in your life has inspired you. It can be anyone from your mom to celebrities – as long as she has had an effect on you. Leave your response in the comment section below.

On Monday, April 15, we’ll choose a random person to win the book. Good luck!

The challenge was for creative minds to develop a video or print piece that showcases rivals uniting to fight issues such as poverty, famine and disease. Applicants were encouraged to think outside the box and submit in-your-face, edgy, fun or funny briefs.

The winners were chosen by a team of judges that included Colin Farrell, Actor and ONE Member; Jesse Dylan, Founder of Wondros; Tom Freston, ONE Chairman of the Board and former CEO of Viacom and MTV Networks; and Andrew Saunders, Getty Images Senior Vice President of Creative Imagery and Product Development.

Check out the winning videos and graphics below, and tell us which entries you would have voted for in the comments section!

Video Winners:

Special Mention: Say Stop to Famine, by francesscabbb

6th place video: The Battle, by Moontowerfilms
The music in the clip is beautiful – such an enjoyable watch!

5th place video: Like If We Were ONE, by Diego Lodeiros

4th place video: Magic Bullets, by ptrusiak
A creative use of bullets that prompts a newfound association. Seeing things in a new light!

3rd place video: Two Styles, One Voice, by Gianpiero Mendini

2nd place video: All For One, by MyMediaGuy
Despite the disagreements in this world, it appears there is room for some sharing. Plus, we’re suckers for the heart balloon graphic.

1st place video: Fight, by Mike Darling
Cool video of a spray-painting youth and the trouble she is kicking up around town. We loved the surprise ending.

Graphics Winners:

6th place print: RGB for a brighter world, by Nicola Kirilov and Hristo Hristov
Despite the dizzying effect, we were so for the use of RGB to convey a serious – and effective – point.

 5th place print: Opposite Tastes: Vehicle, by Vincent Gentile

4th place print: Poverty, Not Politics by Nicole Thompson
What a cool take on an old image! We thought the collage feel was an awesome way to represent the many layers of the party affiliation.

3rd place print: Soccer With Two, by Sebas
Sports bring us together. Even if we are attached to a bar.

2nd place print: ONE Destination – The End of Poverty, by indy_barrels
It’s about the destination sometimes.

Winner: ONE List, by Roxycontin
Fighting poverty is the number one on the proverbial checklist. We’re glad somebody put that “on paper”.

Thank you again for all of your submissions – it was such a privilege to experience the artistry and talents of so many!

Which one did you like best? Let us know in a comment!

Nancy, speaking on behalf of ONE, with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. Photo credit: one.org

How long have you been involved with ONE? What prompted your involvement?
I have been an active ONE member since 2008. I have always been passionate about helping the poorest people in the world and the ONE campaign gives you the tools and the support to make a difference in this world.

How has your involvement with ONE grown over the years?
I started by signing up petitions online to creating the first ONE chapter at Bowie State University and now I’m a congressional district leader in Maryland.

Nancy, at right, volunteering at a U2 show.

You’ve been involved in so many ONE events, is there one moment that sticks out as particularly special or defining?
There are so many good moments! President Bill Clinton recognized our ONE T-shirts during a rally in Baltimore back in 2010 and took a photo with the group. Also, the first time I participated at a ONE summit where I got to meet people that care about foreign aid.

What are the ONE members in your community like? This is a good time for shout outs!
ONE members in Maryland are very dedicated and many of them have built close relationships with our representatives in Congress. I had the opportunity to work with Nancy Kobel and Deidree Bennett and they do such an amazing work in their districts.

Photo caption: Nancy with Sen. Mikulski at an Obama rally in 2010. Photo credit: Whiteband.org.

As a longtime ONE member, you’ve probably sent a lot of letters to Sen. Mikulski over the years. What do you think of her new role as chair of the Appropriations Committee?
Yes, as a Marylander I’m very proud of Senator Mikulski! She has been a champion for our cause! I’m very excited for her new role as chair of the Appropriations committee because she understands that the less than 1 percent of the federal budget, investments in foreign aid saves millions of lives.

How do you balance your career life with such a tremendous amount of activism?

I believe that when you care about something you will always find the time. You just need to prioritize.

What have you found to be the most effective form of advocacy?
I think having a one on one with a friend, neighbor or member of congress is by far the most effective means of advocacy. But, writing letters and making telephone calls is also very important.

What do you like to do when you aren’t advocating for the world’s poorest?
Hang out with my friends, watch movies, go to concerts, reading and I love anything related to soccer. I’m a longtime fan of Real Madrid so I don’t miss any of their games.

What advice would you give to an activist who wants to get to the next level of advocacy?
I will tell them to not be afraid to volunteer and be more active, sometimes you only have to get out of your comfort zone to be part of something great.  For me there isn’t anything more rewarding than advocating for the poorest people in the world.

What issue are you most passionate about?
I think every person in this world have the right to food, healthcare and education. There are millions of people that live with less than $1.25 a day and knowing that we can make a difference in their lives it’s definitely my passion.

Want to keep up with Nancy and what she is doing with ONE? Follow her on Twitter here: @NancyDelgatto 

Big thank you to Nancy for all the amazing work that she does for ONE. Want to nominate someone for the next Member of the Month? Email Malaka at mgharib@one.org with the subject line, “Member of the Month.”  

Before World Concern installed a borehole a short distance away, Kijoolu traveled a substantial distance to the nearest dirty water pan. Kijoolu now travels a short distance and is able to gather clean water without risk. We love the matching vibrance of her smile and her bright yellow top.

Lily, a pastor, mother and wife, holds a jug of yogurt, produced from one of her cows. This cow was purchased through a loan she received from becoming a member of a World Concern Financial Service Association in Narok, Kenya. 

Despite that these three beautiful children live in an internally displaced persons camp in Saka, Kenya, they can still manage to smile. World Concern is working with the community to establish clean water, health and hygiene education as well as opportunities for people to generate income. 

Here is Irene farming her crops, planted with the money she was loaned through World Concern’s FSA in Narok, Kenya. Before leaving her farm, she told Kelly, the photographer, “This is now your home. You are always welcome here. Please tell our story and pray for our children.” 

Prior to the shallow well installed by World Concern, this mother of ten would walk 4 miles (each way) through dangerous water. Because of the well, she is now able to gather water multiple times a day and maintain the health of her family. I’d be happy too if I didn’t have to walk so much! 

This giggling primary school student is showing off his kale. World Concern has partnered with this primary school in Narok, Kenya to help them establish a kitchen garden, allowing them to eat vegetables every day and often grow enough to sell to the local community. Doesn’t he look so proud? 

Alfred grew up in Narok, Kenya and now attends university in Nairobi. Alfred’s parents are members of a Financial Service Association (FSA) initiated by World Concern, which allowed them to help fund his education. I wonder what that cheeky grin is all about! 

Like Alfred, Dorothy is the daughter of an active member of a World Concern FSA in Narok, Kenya. Dorothy’s mother has a plot of land where she grows potatoes and a variety of other vegetables to sell at a local market to pay for her children’s education. We’re so glad to see that Dorothy is going to school. 

This is Christine and her great-grandmother (who is reported to be between the ages of 80 and 120 years old). Christine is a recipient of World Concern’s scholarship program, and though she was the only girl to attend her secondary school, she excelled and is currently applying to university. Two generations of empowered and strong women!

These boys currently live in an internally displaced persons camp in Balambala, Kenya. World Concern is working actively to provide them with the basic necessities to live a life of dignity: clean water, education about hygiene, and the tools/education to farm. I think this boy is faking a sad face! 

Grace is standing in the middle of her thriving salon in Narok, Kenya. She used the three loans she received through a World Concern FSA account to keep her business afloat and successful, and uses the money from her salon to provide for her family of ten. 

Though this mother never had the opportunity to receive an education, she works hard at her job at a shop to make sure that each of her children complete school. So far, two of her daughters have gone all the way through secondary school and are in university. 

Standing in front of an FSA bank in Narok, Kenya, Francis told us that becoming a member of the bank has greatly improved his farming business. As a husband and father, he hopes to be able to provide for all of his children so that they may one day go to school and return to Narok to assist their community. 

Help ensure that the world’s poorest are being represented in the next plan to eradicate poverty. Click here and sign our petition to world leaders. 

The women that compose the African landscape vary in occupation from farmers to midwives to political leaders. They assume different roles outside of this context as well: mothers, wives and for many, breadwinners. Our list barely begins to encapsulate how important women are to the ever-evolving continent but we loved these images too much to keep them to ourselves.

A visit to Nyohini Women’s Group, a rice processing center funded through Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), during ONE’s listening and learning trip to Ghana. Photo Credit: Morgana Wingard

Nyohini Women’s Group members cultivating the rice grown through the MCC rice processing center, moving beyond subsistence farming to trade and market entry in Ghana.Photo Credit: Morgana Wingard

George’s Pineapple Farm funded by Millenium Challenge Corporation in Ghana. Here, women work in safe and protected conditions in the production and exporting of pineapples.Photo Credit: Morgana Wingard

Child and Maternal Health Clinic staff in Sierra Leone. These women are some of the midwives that contribute to the lives of countless women and children in Sierra Leone, facilitating safe delivery and health care. Photo Credit: Morgana Wingard

 Yvonne Chaka Chaka, speaking on The Forum for African Women Educationalists, or FAWE. FAWE is dedicated to ensuring that girls are given access to a well-rounded and well-deserved education.  FAWE operates under the notion that education is a fundamental human right, using a four-pronged approach to revolutionize girls’ education and to achieve gender equity and equality in education across Africa.Photo Credit: Morgana Wingard

Meeting with Ghanaian First Lady, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, who was known for her commitment to fighting maternal mortality through various initiatives such as her Campaign Against Maternal Mortality. Photo credit: Morgana Wingard 

The FashionABLE Factory in Ethiopia helps create sustainable businesses for women in Africa. Photo credit: FashionABLE.

USAID helps fund the Kidoti Primary School for girls in Tanzania, giving girls the right start in life. Photo credit: ONE

Love this gorgeous photo of girls at the Mary Joy Development Association in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo credit: Karen Walrond.

Women and girls are the future, most tangibly in the context of agriculture. Here, two generations of women on the Okyereko Rice Cooperative funded by TechnoServe in Ghana, show the reach of agriculture. Photo credit: Morgana Wingard

A beautiful portrait of a farmer on the Okyereko Rice Cooperative. Photo credit: Morgana Wingard

Noluyanda Mqutwana strikes a pose outside her small family house in Khayelitsha, the biggest black township, outside Cape Town, South Africa. Noluyanda is one of about 200 unprivileged children dancing ballet in a program called Dance For All. Many children are talented and the discipline taught during the dance classes has helped many to improve their concentration in school. Photo credit: Dance for All.

Celebrate International Women’s Day this Friday and show the women of the world the respect and love they deserve!

Which photo was your favorite? Tell us in a comment below!

I had a chance to go on the Florida delegation – my home state – with 5 top volunteers, and it was an incredible, unforgettable learning experience. But I know I’m not the only one who felt that way. Check out this collection of Lobby Day anecdotes, quotes and photos from our ONE volunteers that I put together from yesterday’s events.

Illinois:

Group outside of Senator Mark Kirk’s office. Photo credit: Kate Coleman.

Oregon:

Craig Rottman, Congressional District Leader (CDL), OR-1

“We told a story about why we were a member of ONE to give context to our own visits. But the thing that lifted me up, that gave me the strength to speak clearly and forcefully, was knowing my voice represented the voices of tens of thousands of people I will never meet, marginalized from the world and our greater human family…we spoke for them and it was a privilege and an honor.”

Carolyn Barber, OR-1

“I feel so privileged to walk up to the steps of the Capitol, look my elected officials in the eyes and speak on behalf of people who have no voice – people living in tragic circumstances. It was an honor to represent them and to take action on their behalf. I hope that in sharing ONE’s story that we can end TB, malaria and AIDS in our lifetime – hopefully our elected officials will choose to support the less than 1 percent of the budget that will make this happen!”

Washington State:

Geoff Patrick and Sharnessa Sanden, WA-3 at the office of Representative Jim McDermott. Photo credit: Geoff Patrick.

Sharnessa Sanden, WA-3

“Being on the Hill again this year was an overwhelming reminder that what we do matters, that our time matters, that our efforts matter, that our voices – EACH of ours individually and collectively – matter. That rising up and ‘storming the Hill’ together with the same voice is impacting in an epic way, the lives of the beautiful ‘least of these’. Absolutely inspiring and overwhelmingly humbling.”

Geoff Patrick, CDL WA-07

“It’s easy for people to look at the problems of extreme poverty and feel helpless. With ONE, it’s easy to take action and feel empowered by what passionate advocates can do. To experience coming together for justice, compassion and core American values that cannot get lost among the politics of the sequester. The 2013 ONE Power Summit was a chance to ensure members of congress heard loud and clear that the values that define our country must be upheld.”

Montana:

ONE Member Hannah Stiff. 

Pennsylvania:

Jordan Hinds, PA

2 million children die each year from pneumonia or diarrhea. When you hear something like that, most people say, “that’s terrible. Someone should do something about that.” The 210 ONE Campaign volunteers who stormed Capitol Hill yesterday are those “someones”. When I met with my state policy makers yesterday, I began by explaining why I joined the ONE Campaign 7 years ago. I quoted Mahatma Gandhi by saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. I was shocked by the absurdity of extreme poverty and I wanted to take action. Now I am at our Nations Capitol trying to sustain the proven programs that save millions of lives every year.
The Power Summit was a great experience. I found every session to be engaging and interesting. In particular, the message Cleve Jones orated was inspiring and captivating. It gave us a personal insight on the fight against HIV/preventable disease and the importantance for funding these vital programs. After the sessions, I was ready to take on Capitol Hill!

I met with Pennsylvania state senators, Pat Toomey and Bob Casey. I also met with my Congressional District Representative, Mike Doyle. I made my message clear. We are American citizens and the voice of extreme poverty. I said, “You may never look into eyes of the people you save, but you can look into our eyes. We are here to speak up for those who cannot.” We also were approached by Senator John McCain who thanked us for you our work. No matter who you voted for, I was impressed and found this act to be a very classy move as he was the only non-Pennsylvanian to recognize us. The ONE Campaign prepared us to be a leaders in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. It is my hope that my state representatives were just inspired to do the same.

New Jersey:

Eusun Kim, Regional Field Leader, NJ

“As the notion of the sequester is a result of split indecision, so the feelings on Lobby Day were a bit bipolar: mixed with cold, hard truths sprinkled with dashes of hope. New Jersey is typically preaching to the choir, on issues that ONE supports, yet with blunt honesty the asks were largely dismissed. The hope was clearly seen in the enthusiasm and growing audacity of our college volunteers in being able to speak with clarity and purpose. At the end of the day, seeds were dispersed, relationships were forged and regardless of budget cuts, we left with hope in doing the work we love.”

Washington, D.C.:

ONE members preparing to “storm the Hill” whilst braving the storm hitting D.C. Photo credit: Daniel Chick

Georgia:

Kristi York Wooten, GA

“After several years of advocating for the world’s poorest people both in-district in Georgia and on the Hill in Washington, I have to say that this ONE Summit trip produced the best meetings we’ve ever had. I’ve had the privilege of working with the amazing ONE Congressional District Leader Nancy Bauer since 2005 and have enjoyed getting to know new powerhouse CDL Luna Searles this past year. Add superstar Iraq veteran Anisa Palmer to the mix, and together the four of us made a fantastic team. Although we are so lucky to have Senator Johnny Isakson as a stalwart trusted ally in the fight against global poverty, we were pleasantly surprised by the reactions we received from the staff of Senator Saxby Chambliss and Representatives Price and Collins. All agreed to consider and sign our letter ask to work with Senators Graham and Leahy on the foreign assistance budget. The highlight of the day, though, was the private meeting we had with Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis in his office. He’d already written letters to his fellow members of Congress urging them to protect the 150 account, and then gave us an unforgettable photo opp on the balcony with the Capitol dome as a backdrop.”

Senator John Isakson poses with ONE Members after his speech at the Lobby Commencement. Photo Credit: Kristi York Wooten

New York:

Ruby Thomas, CDL-NY

 Ruby and Cleve Jones, one of the Summit’s distinguished speakers. Photo Credit: Ruby Thomas

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mohandas K.Gandhi.

ONE-NY was excited to be in DC this week with fellow ONE campaign leaders from across the nation for our annual ONE Summit, where we lobbied for the world’s poorest. However, we were a bit nervous this year with the pending sequester and the potential across the board cuts, which would affect the 0.6 percent allocated from the GDP to programs such as The Global Fund for AIDS/TB/Malaria, GAVI and Feed the Future, programs we’ve been fighting for about 10 years.

In the same tradition of previous summits, this year was also packed with an abundant array of distinguished speakers to educate and prepare us for our lobby day. They included Cleve Jones, the renowned AIDS activist and creator of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt; directors of Product Red, Global Fund, Peace Corps and CARE; John Podesta, from the UN High Level Panel; Senators Coons, Isakson, and Johanns and the dynamic panel trio of Dee Dee Myers,Ginny Wolfe and Matt Schlapp.

There was also an opportunity for ONE leaders to purchase beautiful handmade ONE infinity scarfs which create sustainable business for women in Africa.You can purchase one too at livefashionable.com! (See scarf I’m wearing while standing with the great Cleve Jones).

Despite the cold rain and windy conditions, lobby day on the Hill was full of energy with over 200 ONE leaders from across the nation meeting with our respective members of Congress in the House and Senate. On behalf of the 126,000 ONE-NY members including Deborah Sable, Chelsea Davis and myself, we would like to thank the offices of NY State senators Schumer and Gillibrand and congress members Israel and Tonko for meeting with us and supporting ONE.

We would like to especially thank our ONE Champion, Congresswoman Nita Lowey for her passion, dedication and strong support for ONE and our mission to eradicate deaths from extreme poverty and preventable disease. Her unrelenting championship and bipartisan work ethic have significantly contributed to the fight against global poverty. Thank you! We here at ONE-NY are hoping that our lobbying efforts are successful and we look forward to continuing our fight for the world’s poorest and providing a voice for them! We are so proud to be part of ONE!

Celebrating success on the Hill:

ONE Members pose for photograph after a successful day of lobbying. Photo Credit: one.org

We received a tremendous amount of inspirational thoughts and ideas from ONE members and we are endlessly thankful for their time and dedication.

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