I’ve been trying to place the “bigness” of the ONEMoms trip to Ethiopia into context both for myself and my kids…but I’m falling short. But at least I can share a bit of Ethiopia with my kids before I leave home: we can eat Ethiopian food.
ONEMoms: Afraid of, and grateful for, the shots
For about 10 milliseconds, I considered turning down ONE’s invitation to travel to Ethiopia. Because I had to get shots. I was the little girl screaming and trying to run away while all the other kids stood in the long line snaking through the elementary school cafeteria, dutifully presenting their arms to the nurse for assembly-line immunizations. […]
Square ONE: Educating myself about Africa
In six weeks, I board a plane to Ethiopia to learn and share stories about the remarkable partnership between Ethiopian community leaders and the advocacy organization ONE. I’m heading into the experience with very little knowledge about the political process, international aid, the history and culture of Ethiopia, or its modern struggles and triumphs.
I’m not proud of my ignorance. But I’m telling you about it for three reasons.
Proud to join the #ONEMoms Advisory Council
Last year, I was one of several community partners that shared the story of ONEMoms — a remarkable collaboration between ten social media moms and the advocacy organization ONE. ONE brought this group to Kenya to educate them about the incredible work going on to support local entrepreneurs, slow the maternal transmission of AIDS, and […]
#ONEMoms: Community and entrepreneurship in Kibera
I spent this morning reading about the ONEMoms' visit to Kibera, a large slum in the city of Karen, Kenya. They are meeting with women entrepreneurs and community leaders there, and are finding out just how much can be done with small infusions of money and support. Just as important, perhaps, is the hope they […]
#ONEMoms: Education for all
This picture about stopped my heart when Lauren Balog of ONE posted it on Twitter. Given how much thought, reading, research, and handwringing I've done over my own kids' education so far, seeing these children hit me hard. Their beautiful smiles, their school made of corrugated metal (imagine the heat), their desks made of rough […]
#ONEMoms: Maternal- and family health care
The stories coming out of the ONEMoms’ trip to Kenya are remarkable. (If you need context, read my intro to ONEWeek, the collaboration between advocacy organization ONE and ten parenting bloggers). Their first two days were spent observing work that comes out of the collaboration between the US Center For Disease Control and the Kenya […]
#ONEMoms: Landed in Kenya
The #ONEMoms have landed in Kenya, and, starting tomorrow, we will begin receiving their daily dispatches. Here’s how to follow along.