Fountain of Hope - Sport in Action!

Remember yesterday when I posted about how awesome it is to watch 2 year olds play sports?

Well, I just discovered an amazing NGO that helps give kids in Zambia the chance to have a safe place to go to school, get a meal and play sports! I take for granted that my child has the opportunity to do these things on a daily basis. Not all children are so lucky.

Save the Children works with street kids and orphans in Zambia by funding the Sport in Action program at Fountain of Hope, a center that gives children an opportunity to get off the street even if just for a short while. Sport in Action's purpose is to improve people’s quality of life through sport and recreational activities. Founded in 1998, SIA was the first Zambian sports NGO.

There isn't much in the world that is better than watching kids truly enjoy themselves by playing sports!

Transforming Lives ~ WaterAid in Madagascar

It's easy to take water for granted. Summer is the time for pools, sprinklers, nice cold glasses of water...

It's easy to forget that there are places in the world where kids aren't playing in water, they don't even have access to tap water and toilets. Every year in Madagascar, 13,000 children under five die due to water-related diseases. 

This summer, there is an amazing project from WaterAid. You can help transform the lives of 12,000 children - reaching 31 schools with over 100 toilets and 150 taps in total.

Even if you aren’t able to donate to help today, you can follow the story and see the amazing work in action. Thanks to WaterAid for giving them the opportunity for clean water. I know I won't be taking it for granted this summer...

I wrote this as part of the Glabal Team of 200.

Unique Mother's Day Idea

Mother's Day is this weekend! This year, I came across a new way to honor moms everywhere. You can celebrate the strength and resilience of moms and women everywhere by giving a patch for Opportunity International's virtual guilt. The quilt symbolizes a community of empowerment and opportunity. Here is the patch I chose for my mom ~

You can get one for as little as $5 - or donate even more! Select one of 20 patch designs or create your own and dedicate it to a special woman with an honorary message. Each tribute patch donated can be shared digitally.

Get yours here: http://www.opportunity.org/mothersday

Opportunity International was one of the first non-profit organizations to recognize the benefits of providing small business loans as capital to those working their way out of poverty.

Knowing is the First Step ~ Global Newborn Health

Knowing about Newborn Health is the first step in making a difference! Living in the US, we don't see the day to day struggles that newborns face. I struggles with breast milk vs. formula, not whether I could afford milk at all. My little guy was very lucky, not all newborns are...It is important to know the risk, and know what you can do to make a difference!

UN Photo/Albert González Farran

Some things to know...

• Nearly 3 million newborns die each year globally
• 99% of these newborns die in low- and middle-income countries
• A newborn is 45X times more likely to die in the first month of life, when compared to age 1 month to 5 years
• The major causes of newborn death are prematurity, infection, and birth asphyxia when a baby’s brain and other organs do not get enough oxygen before, during or right after birth are
• Complications of preterm birth are the second leading cause of death in children before their fifth birthday
• The majority of these newborn deaths can be prevented

Join the Global Newborn Conversation!

1. Connect with the Global  Newborn Health Conference (April 15 – 18, 2013) in South Africa any time via live stream at www.oneworld.org/newborn2013
2. Follow and join the conversation on Twitter with the official conference hashtag (#Newborn2013)
3. Leave comments and ask questions on Facebook
4. Access all conference presentations and resources here
5. Retweet daily “Did You Know?” facts from Dr. Gary Darmstadt (@gdarmsta), Director of the Family Health Division of the Gates Foundation.

I wrote this post as part of The Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health. Our Motto: Individually we are all powerful. Together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make this world a better place for our children and the world’s children.

Sources: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ImpatientOptimists.org, MCHIP, Newborn2013.com 

*Part of the A-Z blog challenge - brought to you by the letter "K"

It's World Water Day

Today is World Water Day. 

Today is a day to think about that fact that 783 million people, or 11% of the world’s population, do not have safe water to drink. 

Today is a day to think about what water means to you, your family, your life. It is a day to do something for those that need clean water to be able to live.

The United Nations established March 22nd as World Water Day to bring attention to water issues around the world - but water is just the beginning.

The lack of water coupled with poor sanitation, results in 2,000 children dying every day. 

International non-profit organization WaterAid helps the world’s poorest people to plan, build and manage their own safe water supplies and to improve their sanitation and hygiene. These basic services transform lives.

Water is just the beginning of the road out of poverty.  Hours spent carrying water can instead be spent with family, tending crops, raising livestock or starting a business.  Simple changes to sanitation and hygiene practices save thousands of babies’ lives and keep children in school. WaterAid’s new short video, Water is just the Beginning,  explores the ways safe water changes lives.

There are many things you can do to help. 

• Join the World Water Day Google+ Hangout at 1.30 pm EST TODAY (March 22) – WaterAid and other water organizations will be discussing the world water crisis and solutions in a celebration moderated by YouTube star Justine Ezarik.

• Make a donation: WaterAid has brought clean water to 17.5 million people- but they need your help to achieve their aim of helping 1.4 million more people this year.

• Follow WaterAid America on Twitter and Facebook and share their posts on the #20ways that water is just the beginning of the road out of poverty.

I want to live in a world where everyone has access to clean water, don't you?

I wrote this post as part of The Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health.

No Kid Should Go Hungry

It's been a whirlwind week for me. We're visiting daycares - he's getting ready to go to part-time pre-school! I know he's going to have a great time, but it's a little stressful. Maybe more for me than for him! For some reason packing his lunch is stressing me out more than anything! As I researched good, healthy lunches to pack for my little guy, I also found out that my stresses pale in comparison to others.

One in five kids in the US struggle with hunger. No child should grow up hungry. I can't even imagine sending my child to school hungry, yet so many kids do. No Kid Hungry, a non-profit that brings attention childhood hunger, is building awareness of this issue  by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day.

The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. 

This week is National School Breakfast Week - Join No Kid Hungry to make a difference.

I wrote this post as a part of the Global Team of 200, a specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrated on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health. All information used with permission.

Act Locally, Influence Globally #pcweek2013

Sometimes I forget that I spent two years of my life volunteering. That Peace Corps was considered serving others. I gained so much from the experience, sometimes I feel like I gained more than I gave. I know that I tried to work with the community to work on positive change - but I often feel like I was changed more than them...

I am also starting to feel a bit guilty, as I have not volunteered in quite some time. I figure two straight years built me up a bank of good will - but it's long since run out :). I am a part of the Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls. As such, I bring attention on my blog to important issues. However, I'm starting to feel the need to give more of my time, and to set a good example for my son.

Last year, I donated money to local organizations every month. I acted locally in order to support a better global community. This year, I plan to do the same, but with my time.

I pledge to donate 52 hours this year. Just one hour a week.

If I can do it - a working mom with a 2 year old - you can do it too :) Any ideas on where to start? Good place to volunteer with kids? Great programs to support?

Kaboom!'s Playground Love Contest!

You might know, that I'm a park ranger - I believe that parks are for people, that being outside soothes your soul, that everyone needs some green to breathe. I think every single kid has the right to have a safe place to place to play, to just be a kid.

So I was very excited to find out about Kaboom!, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the United States dedicated to saving play for children. They have served over 6 million kids through building, improving or opening more than 14,000 playgrounds. 

This month they are asking you to send in photos of the playgrounds they love for a chance to win great outdoor toys. Just visit their Facebook site to enter! Hurry, you have to submit your photo by February 19th!

I feel incredibly lucky that I have the option to walk with my son to many outdoor play areas. KaBOOM! wants to make sure that all kids have that opportunity. If you are interested in supporting this mission, there are many ways to help, including volunteering and donating.

I wrote this post as a part of the Global Team of 200, a specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrated on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health. All information used with permission.

Good Work - The Shanti Uganda Society

The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

In 2012, Shanti Uganda assisted in bringing 113 new lives into the world safely and peacefully, tested over 400 mothers and partners for HIV and other STIs, provided 1000 antenatal care appointments and run a weekly infant immunization and family planning program. Now they need to expand their services to meet the increasing needs of the community. 

For 2013, there are many important ways to give: purchasing land in Uganda for the birth center, provide medical supplies and emergency transportation, solar power for the birth house and laboratory, and supporting the work done here is North America. Please consider supporting their important work!

All the information on these giving opportunities:  http://shantiuganda.org/opportunities-to-give.

Maternity Worldwide ~ Give for Christmas

If you are still looking for meaningful ways to give this season - either as a gift or as a donation, please consider giving to Maternity Worldwide, a British organization dedicated to improving maternal health in developing countries. Every year 287,000 women die in childbirth worldwide - that's one mother every two minutes, 800 every day. Most of these deaths could easily be prevented - most of these woman die from complications and/or conditions that are readily and routinely treatable in other parts of the world. Currently, Maternity Worldwide is working in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda.

Maternity Worldwide works to provide information to communities on family planning and maternal health, improve access to health care facilities, train local doctors and midwives, provide equipment and supplies to medical centers to help enable safe births, as well as empower women by assisting them in setting up their own businesses. Learn more about these mother’s stories and see how Maternity Worldwide has helped them.

What can you do? You can help Save a Life This Christmas!

For the month of December, they are offering an alternative Christmas gift idea.  For $24, you will fund a safe delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. For $81, you will fund a safe emergency delivery. For your donation, you will receive a Safe Birth Certificate that can be personalized and given to your chosen recipient (though prices are in pounds, it will charge in U.S. Dollars at check-out).

All pictures and information used with permission from Maternity Worldwide.

'Tis the Season for Giving: 1000 Shillings

As I delve into my pocket books to buy gifts for my loved ones this season, I started to think about opportunites to give twice for each gift :) Instead of just buying another gift from a big company, I wanted to think about small businesses, non-profits and groups that give back for every purchase. One organization that fits this bill is 1000 Shillings - their goal is that you get to know the woman you are buying from, and then, through purchasing her products, you help her to become a self-sufficient businesswoman that is able to support her family.

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1000 Shillings is a Uganda-based organization that helps mothers earn a living through their paper bead work. Their model is unique, because the women artisans earn capital for their own small businesses by making limited-edition products for 1000 Shillings. 1000 Shillings is currently working with six mothers in the Namatala slum in Uganda; Aidah, Annette, Veronica, Esther, Martha and Elizabeth. Take a moment to read about these amazing women! They create beautiful paper bead jewelry, and are the first women to produce products for 1000 Shillings. 

1000 Shillings became the name of the company based on the amount of money that the average woman in the Namatala slum lives on per day – approximately 1,000 Ugandan Shillings ($.40). 

So think about doing some of your holiday shopping at 1000 Shillings! I'm sure you know someone who would love this beautiful jewelry!

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day. It is the 24th World AIDS day. I can hardly believe how long AIDS has now been a part of our world. We have a long way to go to prevent AIDS, but there are things we can do.

 

Today, and every day, 900 children are infected with HIV. That is 900 too many. Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation knows the number of new infections can be to zero and they've joined the global health community in setting a goal to do so by 2015.

 

We know that 90% of child infections of HIV are passed on from mother to child – and 100% of those infections are preventable with care and treatment for the HIV-positive mother. A donation of $30 can provide care and treatment to one mother, for one month.

In honor of World AIDS Day, please think about donating to save a child, I am proud to say that I did.

Giving Tuesday

It's one week from Thanksgiving. One week from when we take a day to be grateful for the amazing things in out lives. One week from one of the best days of the year. 

Unfortunately we are also one week from Black Friday. And yes, I mean one week. It seems more and more stores are opening on Thanksgiving, not even waiting until Friday...We all know about Black Friday, and even Cyber Monday, but this year, I am excited to officially celebrate the first day of its kind – #GivingTuesday!

#GivingTuesday is a campaign all about giving. It is a national movement with a unified message aimed at supporting brands and individuals that make giving back a priority during the holiday season. The  initiative is supported by some big companies, such as Skpye and Microsoft and is supported by the UN Foundation. The goal is to recognize November 27, 2012 as a day of giving, just like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days of buying. #GivingTuesday is an incentive for us to give more, give smarter, and to celebrate the spirit of contribution. 

Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation explains #GivingTuesday -

#GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism. The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world.”

Check out the #GivingTuesday website at www.givingtuesday.org for creative ways to build a legacy of giving with new Thanksgiving traditions. Ideas include giving your time to charities participating in #GivingTuesday, donating to organizations who have built in your community, or helping the cause can be as simple as tweeting or updating your Facebook status!

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoying buying gifts for my family and receiving them. I do believe, however, that if we are going to celebrate shopping, we should celebrate giving as well. As a blogger with The Global Team of 200, I feel that I need to use social media for social good. There is so much to do - you can make a difference too.

I hope #GivingTuesday becomes a part of the greater conversation in the United States. I hope it becomes part of our family's traditions - and yours.

Malala Day - Support Women's Education #IamMalala

Everyone deserves a chance at Education. Every woman. Every Child. No one deserves to be shot for promoting education for girls. No one. Especially not a 14 year old girl.

The Office of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education: A World at School from Education Envoy on Vimeo.

November 10, 2012 is one month since a 14 year old girl, Malala was shot in Pakistan for supporting education for girls. This is a day where we can all help stand up for Malala and all the girls that want and deserve an education. Please sign the petition here to lend your voice for education equality for all. On November 10th former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the UN Special Envoy for Education, and Gordon's wife, Sarah, will deliver the petition to the Pakistani president. Please join me in this important issue. You can also lend your voice by tweeting with the Twitter hashtag  #IamMalala.

Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting girls' education in her country.  Still recovering from this brutal attack, Malala continues to fight to regain her health. 32 million girls around the world are denied their right to be in the classroom and have an education. This is something that can easily go unnoticed for those of us here in the United States, where our daughters have this right. That's why on November 10th there will be a global action day for Malala and all girls who are affected.  

Today is World Food Day

Today is World Food Day. Not everyone will have enough to eat today, in fact:

• Our planet produces enough food for everyone, yet nearly one billion of us (1 in every 7 people) still go to bed hungry.
• About a third of the food produced for our plates ends up lost or wasted between the farm and our plates.
• One pound of ground beef for a family uses more than 28,000 cups of water to produce - that's enough to fill 20 bathtubs, and then some!

So is there any hope? Is there anything that you and I can do? While this may seem overwhelming, there are many ways that we, as individuals, can make simple changes in the way we grow, cook, eat and store our food to be more sustainable. Oxfam America has some great materials on their website to give you ideas on what you can do to make a difference - it's called the GROW Method.

 

The GROW METHOD is reducing food waste, so we’re making the most of the resources that go into making food. It’s buying products and brands that ensure small-scale food producers in developing countries get a fair deal. It’s cooking smart, to cut down on wasted water and energy. It’s buying food that’s in season, which cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions. It’s eating less meat and dairy to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and water use.

*I'm going to try and do my part. Maybe even a little bit can make a difference. Join me? *

World Food Programme - Bolivia

As part of the Global Team of 200, each month I have the opportunity to share with you some great programs around the world. Programs that are working to improve the lives of women, children and families around the world.

The World Food Programme is working in Bolivia to provide nutritious meals for children in schools. Right now they have a great opportunity for you to reach out and talk to some of these kids! Isn't today's world amazing? Click on the photo below and you can ask a question or send them a message (or have your kids send one!) that will be translated directly to them!

While I didn't have a chance to visit Bolivia when I was in South America, as a Peace Corps Volunteer I did see the affects of hunger on children in Central America. Hunger is a real issue in this world we live in, it's groups like these that make a difference every day. Thanks for reading...

The Global Team of 200

I am incredibly honored and excited to have been chosen as a member of the Global Team of 200.

Our Motto: Individually we are all powerful. Together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make the world a better place for our children and the world's children.

"The Global Team of 200 is a dedicated, advanced group of digital moms who spread the word about pressing global issues including hunger, maternal health and issues involving children, women and girls on their blogs and via social media. The Global Team of 200 is on the front lines of the more than 1000 members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good leading them in robust, poignant blog posts that consistently educate and inform readers about the work Mom Bloggers for Social Good’s partners do to better the world for people in need."

There will be great things coming soon! For now, follow along @globalteamof200 #socialgoodmomd #globalteamof200 http://globalteamof200.tumblr.com/