The other day my son had a nosebleed. I know they are fairly normal in children but this one was a real gusher! Since it was the second one that he’d had in the last few weeks, I made an appointment with his pediatrician and was able to get him in the next day. While we were there, the doctor gave my son his regular physical and updated his immunizations. He checked him out from head to toe and sent us on our way with a Spiderman sticker.
As I drove home, I thought about what it must be like for a mother to be unable to take their sick child to see a physician when they are hurt, or to send them off to school knowing that they could be exposed to diseases and sickness because of the lack of a simple vaccine. I cannot imagine being unable to provide food and shelter for my children or having concerns about everyday needs such as clean drinking water…things we take for granted each time we use the bathroom, enjoy a warm shower or a nice cup of tea – or to stop a nosebleed.
But this is the reality for millions of mommies around the world. Instead of wishing I could do something to help these women, I’m hoping you’ll join me in doing something to make a difference in celebration of Mother’s Day. Check out the list of fabulous vendors below and ask your spouse, kids and loved ones to purchase your Mother’s Day gift from one of these non-profits whose goal is to give women the economic empowerment they need to make a difference in the lives of their families.
Shop ‘til you drop and make this a great Mother’s Day for women around the world.
1. Mary Fisher: Abataka Collection
http://www.maryfisher.com/abataka_bracelets_main.htm
Mary focuses especially on income-generation projects that help AIDS-affected women earn a living, care for their families and sustain their health. Her latest effort, The ABATAKA Collection, links women worldwide to their African sisters in a partnership of art, work and hope. Named for an African term that means "family, community, belonging," The ABATAKA Collection is an online gallery of intricately-crafted bracelets, individually signed by their creators. Designed by Mary and fashioned from distinctive horn, bone and gemstone beads, each bracelet is unique -- lovingly hand-crocheted by African women who make all of the profits from bracelet sales.
2. Thanda: Thanda Zulu Jewelry
http://www.thandazulu.org/index.html
Thanda Zulu was started in 2005 as a way to support South African beaders and fund the work of Thanda, a non-profit organization of Orphans Against AIDS that addresses education, high HIV infection rates, and high unemployment in the area of
3. Beads for Life
BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful bead jewelry, and people who care open their hearts, homes and communities to buy and sell the beads. The beads become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope. It is a small miracle that connects and enriches everybody in the
projects that help people work their way out of poverty.
4. Women for Women International
Women for Women International mobilizes women to change their lives through a holistic approach that addresses the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments.
5. The She Market
The She Market, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to aid in the
advancement of women in need, and to support and promote the Fashion and Creative Arts Industries. We host innovative events centered around this mission, in an effort to help women achieve their best from the inside out!
6. “One Pack=1 Vaccine Project” with Pampers and UNICEF
http://www.pampers.com/en_US/childrens-charities-around-the-world
The Pampers "1 Pack = 1 Vaccine" program – a partnership with UNICEF – helps get these lifesaving vaccines to the women who need them. Here’s how it works: For each pack of specially marked Pampers diapers and wipes that you buy during the promotion period, Pampers donates the cost of one vaccine to UNICEF. It’s a small step but it can and does lead to big change.
7. HandCrafting for Justice
http://handcraftingjustice.cedris.org/index.php?lang=en&pt=c&p=aboutUs
HandCrafting Justice is a project of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. We work in cooperation with women struggling for economic justice and independence in the developing world. We support them and assist them in their efforts to create employment for themselves in order to provide for their families and better their lives.
8. Bridge for
http://www.bridgeforafrica.org/catalog/index.php?pageid=12
The Vital Voices African Artisans Export Development Program is an initiative designed by Vital Voices Global Partnership and supported by the ExxonMobil Foundation. This program targets African women artisans who strive to build their businesses for the betterment of themselves, their families and their communities.
9. Women’s International Fund
http://domino-201.worldvision.org/worldvision/appeals.nsf/wilfund_home
It’s been proven that women are more likely to spend any extra income they earn on improving living conditions for their families. WILFund loans give women the chance to put their plans into action and create profit-generating businesses. They make sure their children stay in school, they buy more nutritious food, they seek necessary health care, and they give families tangible hope for a better future.
10. One Starry Nite
One Starry Nite provides a retail outlet for selling items made by or partly by women in countries like
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