Coming Alive

Inspiring others to use their voice to change the World

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17 Aug 2011

We Have It In Us To Do Both

We Have It In Us To Do Both

          Processing my thoughts since my trip to Africa has not unfolded as I expected.  Simply sharing the stories of courage and strength of the women I met or the lives saved by the incredible work of US funded programs in collaboration with so many on less than 1% of the budget, does not seem to answer the questions I continue to receive.  I am finding that my take away from the trip is being shaped by my responses to “why Africa?”, “why now?”, and “why not help here in our own country?”

            Whether in a small town, large city, developed world, or undeveloped world, poverty is present in its own form.  We all know it is there and many are taking action to alleviate it.  Because I advocate on this large platform for Africa it is assumed that I do nothing for those here in my own country.  This interests me, because volunteering at the local level with our under-served youth, at our food bank, and in our schools is as important to me as my volunteer work with ONE.  In addition, I have not yet met a ONE member or a ONE Mom who was not also invested in work at the local level.  I like to say, “act locally, advocate globally”.  Knowing that 2/3 of the 1.3 billion people living on less than $1.25/day live in Sub-Sahara Africa leaves me no doubt that I am using my voice where it is needed.

            With the fragility that is being felt here in America and around the world, there is no better time than right now to take action.  For so many reasons, the work ONE is doing is important.  Opening our eyes to the crisis in the horn of Africa and learning the issues educates us and moves us to sign petitions.  Seeing firsthand the research being done in the areas of preventable disease and how it is saving lives today encourages letters to be written in support of GAVI, and knowing that investments in long-term agriculture solutions like Feed the Future will give Africa the tools needed to feed itself leaves me dancing for joy!  The possibilities and connections we have are endless.

            Tensions can be felt here at home and around the globe.  We need to look for some common ground.  ONE brings together all parties, all faiths, all socio-economic levels, and all ages for a greater cause.  Each group may participate for a different reason and that is perfectly acceptable.  For me this collaboration in itself is uplifting, inspiring, and healing.  So when asked these questions I simply respond because the world needs our voice of compassion here as well as Africa and I believe we have it in us to do both!!

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04 Aug 2011
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Why Leaving Kenya Was So Difficult

Why Leaving Kenya Was So Difficult

            I am always ready to come home to the comforts of my home, especially if I am away from my husband and kids.  This weekend, though as we were preparing to leave Kenya I only longed to bring my family to me.  I had to ponder this and wonder what was creating such a strong yearning to stay there.  Then I remembered what one of our hotel attendants had shared that morning, “The ground in Africa is magic.  Once you step on it you will not want to leave”.

      So there you have it, I was under the spell of Africa.  It is not just the spell of Africa, but the spell of the ONE campaign and the ONE Moms as well.  I could see something much bigger happening than government funded programs at work.  I could see Africa “coming alive” and the rest of the world coming together from all walks of life to give their voice for the beautiful people that we were meeting.  What resonated with me was that the US Government funded programs were only the catalyst for change.  Once these communities were given the tools they needed to improve the lives and living conditions surrounding them, they were motivated and inspired to be involved and take action.  The community health counselors, village reporters, TB ambassadors, Kenyan entrepreneurs, Binti Pamoja graduates, and farmers spoke articulately and with confidence, goals for their communities.  They are all “living proof” that smart aid is working.  The momentum and motivation is there and we must continue to keep these programs viable and strong.  With one in 19 babies still dying before their first birthday the funding must continue.  The Nyanza Province of Kenya is the most densely populated area of HIV/AIDS in the country and is the center for research for not only HIV/AIDS, but Malaria, TB, and tropical diseases.  The possibilities to be found here will be world changing!

As a mom I want my kids to see individuals coming together from all walks of life for something greater.  I want them to hear the stories from the women at Amani Ya Juu who are from countries all over eastern Africa working to transcend ethnic and cultural differences, listen as I share how absolutely INCREDIBLE each of the ONE Mom participants are, and learn how the ONE campaign has shown the world that together as ONE we can DEFEAT extreme poverty.   This trip has been a life-changing gift that I will forever and always be grateful for.   As for my husband and kids-they are ready to feel the magic!

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01 Aug 2011

Peeling Potatoes With Grace

Peeling Potatoes With Grace

Imagine being a mom standing on a small farm in Elburgon, Nakuru County in the country of Kenya on the continent of Africa learning about Irish potatoes.  You are welcomed with celebration and surrounded by the most beautiful countryside.  There is so much to take in that at times it can be overwhelming.  Then the farmer begins to demonstrate how she peels her potatoes and you discover that she does it EXACTLY like you!  That is where I found myself today and I was invited to peel potatoes with Grace.

            Grace is a member of the Mastima Potato Growers Self Help Group started in Septermber 2010 with the aim of marketing Irish potatoes.  The Irish potato is the second most important food crop in Kenya and has the potential to yield over 80 tons per acre, which would dramatically increase food security, farm income, and nutrition.  Located far from markets and without the availability of planting materials (seeds) their ability to even feed their family can be difficult.  Programs like Feed the Future provide these farmers with the tools needed to feed themselves.  The Feed the Future initiative ran under USAID takes a holistic approach and incorporates in; agriculture research, access to finance, farm inputs, natural-resource management, market development, and advocacy for farmer-friendly policies.  It is important to know that these farmers have big aspirations.  During our welcoming presentation the committee chair was aware of the crisis happening in north-eastern Kenya and not only was the goal of their cooperative to feed their community, but they have in their long-term plan to feed their entire country!

            For the remaining tour of the farm I could not leave the side of Grace.  She glowed each time we discovered a new crop.  She showed me her bananas, maize, cabbage, and her favorite-potatoes!  She let me dig in the dirt with her and carry them back to storage.  We laughed, we hugged, and she asked when we could see each other again.  Programs like Feed the Future are giving hope to these farmers and must continue to be supported.  If I have learned anything this week it is that the world is a small place and that we can find our connection in something as simple as peeling a potato.

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30 Jul 2011

The Strength of Community

The Strength of Community
            My volunteer title for ONE is Congressional District Leader, which makes me a community leader!  By taking on this role I found my confidence to speak up for the many issues I feel so passionately about.  I have found my talent and am now just learning to embrace it and inspire others to find their talent and do the same.  The power of community here in Kenya is unlike anything I have ever seen.  It has been present in the rural villages, among the Kenyan business women, and especially today among the residents of Kibera.  We were able to spend some time today at Carolina For Kibera (CFK) http://www.carolinaforkibera.org/, a Kenya based non-profit organization and an associated entity of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—so proud to have this incredible organization from my home state!!
     Kibera is one of the largest slums in Africa, measuring approximately 1 square mile (the size of grant park in NY), and home to estimates of 800,000 to 1 million people with 50% of those being under fifteen.  The typical size home for a family of 5 (that would be my family) is 10×10 feet.  Hearing those statistics you may expect that we would walk into the presumed picture of hopeless Kenyans in despair.  Well I am here to clear up that misunderstanding!  What I saw today were individuals invested in their community.  I was able to spend the afternoon with two of the young women leaders from The Binti Pamoja (Daughters United) Center, which is perfect considering I am the mom of a 14 year old daughter.  This center provides a physically and emotionally safe place for adolescent girls to explore the issues that are prevalent in their daily lives.  They have peer-led groups called “Safe Spaces” where the girls use photography, drama, writing and group discussion to confront the issues prevalent in their daily lives.  These leaders are trained, just as ONE trained me and now they are spreading their talents.  I love the CFK tagline, “talent is universal; opportunity is not”.  I believe that when we are seen as leaders then we become leaders.

            At my ONE events I like to suggest that we can act locally and advocate globally.  My second love besides ONE is a local non-profit, DREAMS Center for Arts Education; because I believe it does for my community just what CFK does for theirs.  They both exist to develop local leaders, catalyze positive change and are work to alleviate poverty in their respective communities.  Rye Barcott is the author of it happened on the way to war: a marine’s path to peace (facebook.com/ryebarcott) and the co-founder of Carolina For Kibera.  I was excited to meet him and his staff today and look forward to hosting a ONE event in Wilmington where we can show the power of community!!

Today our daily action ties in with our morning meeting with women entrepreneurs in Karen, Kenya who are leading in building their communities’ economies and providing opportunities to others. Again, women being leaders!  Check out ONE’s report “Africa’s Future is Female” to learn more about how women are leading a revolution on the continent: http://one.org/c/international/hottopic/3806/?rc=onemompartner. Then, using hashtag #ONEMoms tell us (@ONECampaign) one thing that surprised you. Or leave a comment on our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/ONE)

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28 Jul 2011
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Together We Are Transformed

Pamoja Tunabadilishwa
“Together we are transformed”

I am finding it difficult to put this post into words.  Ask me to speak aloud how moved I was by what is happening at Amani Ya Juu (http://www.amaniafrica.org/) and I can passionately share every detail, but ask me to come back and write it in words-my page remains blank. This may be because I felt something resonate with my personal journey, but it is also because I want every reader to come away knowing that peace is happening!

Amani Ya Juu is a sewing and training program for marginalized women based in East Africa.  These women come from Kenya, Sudan, Burundi, Liberia-Bassa, Congo, Somali, Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia.  Think about standing in a circle of women representing all of these African countries, then think about the power they have to transform not just Africa, but the world.   Together they created the unity quilt (one corner of it is pictured above) to illustrate how reconciliation is celebrated traditionally by their people.  But, as you can guess they did not stop there!  Their children created a quilt with all of their handprints sewn together.  These children will grow up knowing nothing but love for each other.  Just as I have said before moms have the ability to multiply their advocacy. 

The work these women are doing goes far beyond making handbags, home décor, jewelry, women’s wear, and children’s items.  It is about transformation, for themselves, their children, and their continent.  They demonstrate without a doubt that “together we are transformed”.  This trip has placed me in a global circle of women.  I have learned clearly that we are all connected and that our voice, our compassion, and our action can CHANGE THE WORLD!!
http://one.org/livingproof/en/story/chieftainess/?rc=onemompartner

Our ONE Mom action for the day is tied in with our morning visit meeting with teachers and students in one of Nairobi’s slum district.  Again, it was another reminder that we all want the same for our children.  This will have to be a post for another time, but for now you can watch our video “Chieftainess” about a remarkable woman who is teaching her community about the importance of education. Then share the video with your friends and leave a comment: 
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27 Jul 2011
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It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village
            Imagine—land in Nairobi after 2 days of flying; arrive at hotel to an amazing buffet at the pool with our ONE travel team and ABC News producer and cameramen; venture to room for shower and sleep by 2 a.m.; up and back to airport at 6:50 a.m. for 1 hour flight to Kisumu; greeted by the AMAZING Kayla Laserson from the CDC right off of the plane; drive 1 hour through the villages of rural Kenya for an extremely moving experience with HIV/AIDS home based counselors; load the bus for a yummy lunch and drive to KEMRI/CDC Clinical Research Center (simply wow!); then back on the van to Kayla’s home for the honor of sharing a meal with Kenya’s women leaders (including Momma Sarah Obama!!!); finally arriving back at the hotel around 11:00 p.m. to check some email, post some facebook, and write a small blog.
            You would think after a day like that I would be a zombie, but that was not the case today!  I am not sure that words can describe the emotions felt by all of the ONE Moms when we pulled up at the Lwak Nutritional Center today greeted by a crowd of beautiful smiling, singing, and dancing women.  I could not hold back my emotion.  We all exited the bus and joined in their celebration with song, dance, and lots of cheek greetings.  Whatever feeling of fatigue I was feeling was replaced instantly with joy and energy.  I am still singing their words in my head which translated to “the visitors are here…the visitors are here”.  Following our welcome they performed a song and then spoke words of such gratitude to US for providing a program that has given them the training needed to take on leadership roles in their community.  They are called Village Reporters and they support the implementation of Kemri/CDC projects and studies.  These VR’s are currently making home visits to women at varying stages of their pregnancy.  In order for these vital government programs to be funded it is essential that data be collected and results be monitored.  These women have embraced this leadership role.  All morning I kept reflecting on my experience becoming a leader for ONE.  I could see my own “coming alive” in them!
            The women community leaders are not just located in the Lwak area.  We also visited the women of the Dunga beach fishing community who are leaders in the conversation of HIV/AIDS in the fishing community.  This group had all lost a family member to HIV/AIDS.  They shared their personal stories and thanked the US supported programs that are providing members of their community with the medications needed to stay alive and healthy. 
Surprisingly it did not stop there.  We then were taken back to Kisumu where we met the Volunteer Tuberculosis Ambassadors.  This was “living proof” that funding for these programs is saving lives and building better, stronger, and healthier communities.  Tuberculosis accounts for 200 deaths per hour and the treatment is a strict regimen of daily medication for 6 months!  These volunteers are all former TB patients and now are assigned to someone in the community to visit every day for 6 months to ensure they are taking their medications.  The patient we met is now healthy and preparing to become a TB Ambassador herself.  She is going to “pay it forward”.  We were taken to a celebration of former TB patients who were bed ridden (a whole tent full!) and were given the gift of a broom to “sweep” TB out of their community and off of this planet!
            Are you inspired yet to take action?  I hope so!!  We say that “it takes a village”.  After what I witnessed today  I say, “it takes a mom”!  
       
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26 Jul 2011
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Together as ONE

Together as ONE
          Only 24 hours in Kenya and I have “come alive”.  I can say that with a feeling in me so strong it is hard to explain.  We were given experiences today that I wish I could create for everyone I come into contact with.  Honestly, I have had only a few hours of sleep over the last few days and as we wrap up this first day I am here fully awake holding the women I met today in my mind.
          As I found myself in community with these Kenyan moms, I only kept feeling more connected.  We shared stories of our kids and of the struggles we face as moms.  It did not matter if they were in the rural village or a successful women working for the CDC we had something in common-we were all moms.  Because of that we could listen with our heart.
As I pull my notes together over the next few days I will be able to give a post in more details, but for now if I can only stress the beauty and strength that I saw in these women today will be with me forever.  This trip has ignited a passion-I will be advocating now with the personal stories that I have experienced.  We need the voice of moms everywhere!  The women of Africa are doing their part—I have seen it. My new friend, Florence and I said today as we were saying goodbye, “together as ONE” we can create change.
          Part of our ONE Week with the mom bloggers we are asking you to join us from home by taking action.  Every day I will post what we did along with a way you can give your voice.  This action will take 1 minute of your time and I can tell you from what I saw today our US dollars are going a long way and providing these families with the necessities they need to live healthy productive lives.
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23 Jul 2011
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The Journey Begins

The Journey Begins

          Last September when I took my first trip to Washington D.C. as a ONE Congressional District Leader I remember sitting in the airport watching this young professional girl pull out her laptop and go to work.  Later that evening as I was in my hotel room (alone-without kids!)  and called my husband.  Our conversation turned to the girl in the airport.  A part of me wanted to have something that was so important that I would have a laptop and work to do on it while I sat in an airport.  Honestly, my self-doubt is sometimes not healthy! 
            Today, here I sit in the Atlanta airport as I wait for my connecting flight to Amsterdam to then take me to Nairobi, Kenya and I am on a laptop working on something important.  Imagine that!  Something that can inspire others to learn about ONE, to learn about women in the developing world and learn what simple actions they can take to improve the lives of these women.  I am free typing, not writing and re-writing, and I am doing this with the confidence that my voice is making a difference.  Just sitting here I met 3 beautiful women, all from different areas of the US and the world.  Our conversation took us to paying attention to the good that is in the world.  They are all making a difference within their own circles and now they plan to to follow our ONE Mom trip and be a voice for all of the beautiful women of the world as ONE members!
            My journey has now begun and I am so grateful to have support all around me.  Our itinerary is incredible and I am excited to share an overview of it here.  Not only will the stories of these moms be shared on all of our ONE Mom blogs and the ONE blog, but we will also be covered by ABC News as part of their global health series.  So incredible!!
            So follow the link above to follow me in Kenya to be a part of this amazing trip:
Arrive in Nairobi                                                                                               
Day 1: Kisumu, Kenya
•             Travel with Home-Based Testing Community Health Workers (HIV/AIDS)
•             See vaccines at work and meet moms-to-be at  Siaya Clinical Research Center  (Vaccines/Maternal and Child Health)
Daily Action: Today the bloggers will visit health clinics that receive direct funding from the United States. Sign our petition asking Congress not to cut funding for these effective programs that are saving lives. Then ask 5 friends to do the same: http://act.one.org/sign/protect_fy2012/?rc=onemomspartner
                                                                                                 
Day 2: Kisumu, Kenya
•             Meet with women undergoing pregnancy monitoring and birth attendants at the Lwak Nutritional Center (Maternal and Child Health)
•             Visit the women of the fishing industry at Dunga Beach (Trade)
•             Meet community health workers who work with tuberculosis patients (Infectious Disease)
Daily Action: Today the bloggers will be meeting with couples and mothers living with HIV, Tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. Using the hashtag #ONEMoms, tweet a message (or messages) you’d like us to deliver to mothers in Kenya. 
                                                                                
Day 3: Nairobi, Kenya
 •            Visit an early learning program at a USAID Education Site Visit (Education)
Daily Action: Today the bloggers are meeting with teachers and students in Nairobi. Watch our video “Chieftainess” about a remarkable woman who is teaching her community about the importance of education. Then share the video with your friends and leave a comment:  http://one.org/livingproof/en/story/chieftainess/?rc=onemompartner
                                                                                                 
Day 3: Karen and Nairobi, Kenya
•             Speak with Kenyan women entrepreneurs and how the US Government plays a role in their business (Trade)
•             Meet with members of Carolina for Kibera and learn about their programs (Development)
Daily Action: Today the bloggers are meeting with women entrepreneurs in Karen, Kenya who are leading in building their communities’ economies and providing opportunities to others. Check out ONE’s report “Africa’s Future is Female” to learn more about how women are leading a revolution on the continent: http://one.org/c/international/hottopic/3806/?rc=onemompartner. Then, using hashtag #ONEMoms tell us (@ONECampaign) one thing that surprised you. Or leave a comment on our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/ONE)
                                                                                 
Day 4: Lake Naivasha, Kenya
•             Visit a horticulture and daily sites run by small female farmers working with Feed the Future (Agriculture)
Daily Action: Today the bloggers are meeting with a group of women farmers near Lake Naivasha, Kenya. As you’re probably aware, the Horn of Africa is currently enduring a horrible famine. Educate yourself about what’s happening on the ground, and learn more about how you can contribute by visiting our friends at InterAction: http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/interaction-members-respond-drought-crisis-horn-africa
Depart Nairobi
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21 Jul 2011

It Only Takes ONE Mom–Join the Movement #ONEMoms

              Once we learn that more than 11 million people in the Horn of Africa – greater than the populations of Houston and New York City combined – are desperately in need of food, clean water and basic sanitation, how can we not take action?  By joining the ONE movement we can be a part of the solution.  Some people look back to previous droughts and question whether things will ever change.  But we’ve got proof that smart aid works. In Ethiopia, millions of people will be able to survive this drought because of an early warning system that was put in place with help from USAID – and because the Ethiopian government began distributing food before the crisis hit. The number of malnourished people in Ethiopia has fallen from 71% in 1992 to 46% today. We know that growth in agriculture is twice as effective at reducing poverty as growth in other areas.
                This last Saturday I organized a ONE Volunteer Day at The Full Belly Project (www.thefullbellyproject.org).  This is a wonderful day for ONE members to connect personally while participating in The Full Belly Project’s incredible mission to design and distribute income-generating agricultural devices to improve life in developing countries.  This is a way for us to “act locally, while advocating globally”.  By being, ONE moms and ONE members, organizing events like this are just samples of what we can do right from where we are.  An inspiring ONE mom, Jennifer Grob, sent me a post right after our event. Please visit the guest blog to read about her experience.  One of our ONE mom partners, Asha Donrnfest, from Parent Hacks posted this encouraging everyone to join the #ONEMom movement.  http://www.parenthacks.com/2011/07/one-week.html

So get creative-reach out to your circle-let’s spread the word!

Follow this link to sign the petition to ensure that congress hears that we care about the world’s poorest and that smart aid is saving lives!  Then use your voice to share this on and on and on:  http://act.one.org/go/protect_fy2012/15?akid=2303.2050521.NzL6Jf&t=4
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16 Jul 2011

Be Yourself

Be Yourself

Just this week I received the best words of encouragement from the ONE communication team, my husband, my forever friends in Seattle and Indiana, AND Dr. Sipho Moyo, ONE’s African Director.  They all said the same thing, “be yourself!”  I am guilty of placing lots of pressure on myself to speak with clarity and respect at all times.  Whether it is to my kids, the teens I work with at DREAMS, or the older adults I spend time visiting.  As a mom I want my words to foster positive self-esteem, as a teen council facilitator I want to inspire, and as a friend to an older adult I want them to feel respected.  Now, I am traveling to Kenya and will be representing ONE, as well as sharing the stories of the women I come into contact with.  I want to carry forth this task with authenticity, grace and the most effective words.

With the incredible preparation I have received from the ONE staff I should have no doubts.  I am extremely familiar with the programs we advocate for, how ONE works by using your voice—not your money, the focus of our trip to educate, engage, and activate moms around the world to us their voice on behalf of the world’s poorest, and show the “living proof” that smart aid is working!  So when I had the opportunity to personally interview Dr. Sipho Moyo this week I knew exactly what I wanted to ask.  Dr. Moyo is a native of Zimbabwe, has lived in nine countries and describes herself as an African citizen who enjoys the privilege of working in a multi-cultural environment.  As a ONE advocate I have at times heard, “we advocate for those who do not have a voice”.  In my “word fetish” mind this phrase seems to go against our goal of changing the perception of Africa.  In my mind I think “Africans have a voice too”.  Dr. Moyo did a beautiful job of sharing her thoughts on this subject and giving me just what I needed before visiting her continent.  She said, “The implications that Africans do not have a voice can be deceiving.  They just may not have as much access to use their voice.  There are so many efforts that Africa is making to help themselves and the support from the west can be complimented by the efforts of Africans.”  Her suggestion to be “mindful” of our words was perfect!  She made reference to the fact that 70% of the population is under 34 years old and this group is looking for a hand up not a hand out.  I resonated with her words that there is a bigger picture of Africa that needs to be painted.  Dr. Moyo clearly adds that AID is working and the good news is that our US dollar now goes farther, but there remains work to be done.  Right now there is a momentum that we need to continue to build on.

Her personal words to me were to engage the people of Kenya, hear about what they are doing for themselves, and “be yourself!”  I am still saying, “pinch me please”!  I am a mom blogger, working at U2 concerts, interviewing Dr. Sipho Moyo, and traveling to Africa.  I can only say that my heart is full of gratitude.  I am preparing myself now to help paint this picture all the while being just who I am, myself!

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