Why Moms? Why Now?
It is not cliche to say the world is getting smaller. Today we get global information at an alarming speed. It can feel overwhelming to stay current on global matters let alone engage with them and make a difference.
Yesterday I returned to my Midwestern suburb from Kenya. I was traveling with the ONEMoms. In a whirlwind week of home visits, conversations, long dusty bus rides, hospital tours, and meetings from Kenyan women in leadership to our own US Embassy, the ONEMoms were educated about what life is like for mothers and families in Kenya.
I first woke up to the reality of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and extreme poverty when I became a member of ONE almost nine years ago. When I travel to Africa my heart breaks, these issues become painfully 3D, and my understanding deepens.
I am a mom and I believe with everything in me American moms are thoughtful and compassionate thinkers. I believe the time is ripe for a movement of American moms to change the world. A movement of ONEMoms. Did you know a social movement is commonly defined as the major vehicle for ordinary people to participate in public politics?
I am not a politician. I am not a policy expert. I am an ordinary, everyday mom.
I can join my voice with other compassionate mom’s voices. I can join this movement to change the circumstances of mothers and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Change is real and we do make a difference. When the ONE Campaign began less than 50,000 people in all of Africa were on life-saving HIV medication. Today, because of ordinary people participating in global issues over 4.5 million Africans are on life-saving drugs. That means African moms stay alive and are now able to raise their children.
The time is now. It only takes ONEMom to start a movement. Join us.