Generosity matters to everyone, but most especially to women and children. In fact, worldwide, moms and their kids dominate the category of “least of these.”
That’s the message my friend Elisa Morgan, immediate past president of MOPS International and the publisher of Fullfill, is blogging from Kenya. She’s part of a 10-member all-women delegation checking out what life is really like for moms in the developing world. Their trip is sponsored by ONE, the grassroots organization founded by rock star Bono(and other good folks) to raise awareness of the devastating impacts of extreme poverty, particularly in Africa.
In one of her first posts, Elisa wrote about life for women and children in Kibera, the largest slum (and cesspool) in Africa. Today’s post focuses on maternal healthcare issues. Elisa’s messages would be almost unbearable if not for the stories she includes of ordinary people who, with extraordinary courage, ingenuity, and generosity, are making a difference — village by village, woman by woman.
I appreciate the awareness (and hopefully, gifts) that Elisa and her sister bloggers are generating. However, as other friends tell me — folks like Steve Schwartz at Brethren Housing Association in Harrisburg, PA and Carmen Hall, executive director of Pacific Lifeline in Upland, CA — there’s no need to travel half-way round the world to experience the impact of poverty on moms and kids. Look around your own community. You’ll see that being poor is tough, regardless of one’s address. And given what’s going on in Washington these days, I fear it’s about to get a lot more difficult — especially for women and children.
Even before U.S. legislators finish wrangling over the debt ceiling and our nation’s budget, I can predict which programs will get the short end of the future funding stick. That’s right. Almost anything specifically of benefit to women and children (at home and/or abroad). This will shift even greater responsibility to the already stooped shoulders of locally based nonprofits and international relief organizations, including those with a faith base.
So please join me in supporting organizations that minister to women and children. Regardless of how much time, treasure, or talent you can spare, your generosity matters.
Who knows, maybe the folks in Washington will stop fighting long enough to notice. Be assured, God will.
Hear, hear!!! Couldn’t agree more.
Your approval of my comments means a lot, Dot. I am very fearful for what upcoming cuts are going to mean for the most vulnerable among us. I know many things have to give if the US is to live within its means, but I will be sad if we Americans turn our backs on those who need us most.
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