SUPPORT A GLOBAL CAUSE
FACTS
In the world:
Every 3.5 seconds someone dies of hunger.Every 11 seconds someone dies of AIDS.Every 15 seconds a child dies from a waterborne illness.
1 billion people have no access to clean drinking water.
2.6 billion live without basic sanitation.
1.08 billion live on $1 or less per day.
5 million live in refugee camps.
11 million children die before they reach their 5th birthday.
Enough food is produce to feed everyone.
Every year more than 16 million people -- the equivalent of one hundred 747 jets crashing every day for a year -- die from:Hunger 9,125,000HIV/AIDS 2,900,000Pneumonia 2,000,000Diarrhea 1,600,000Malaria 1,000,000
TAKE ACTION TODAY
1. Pick a global organization that interests you. The needs are many and obvious.
2. Get involved.
The numbers are unbelievable, but they reflect a truth we cannot ignore. This is OUR world. You, your friends, your family, you co-workers ALL matter when it comes to changing the statistics. Each one of you can make a huge difference. Every day we put off helping our world, we lose tens of thousands of people... many of whom died while you were reading this page.
YOU MATTER
"I feel so bad. I have spent so much of my life complaining about some of the most trivial things...bad service at restaurants, traffic, bad hair days, the weather," expressed Danielle Schafer of Madison, WI. "What a new perspective I have now."
Danielle and a group of friends just got back from a trip to Uganda. Not a vacation, but a mission's trip to bring Christmas to the children of a village that has never celebrated Christmas.
"Last year, we were so inspired by what Oprah did with all of the big Christmas parties she threw for the kids in Africa that a group of us decided to do the same thing this year," shared Danielle. "Obviously not quite as big, but we wanted to throw just one, smaller party in the hopes that we could still have a positive impact in our own small way."
Not really knowing where to start or how to make it happen, Danielle and her friends started researching -- making phone calls, sending emails, asking questions. They collected gifts from friends, co-workers, family members and anyone else who was willing to donate something. After 6 months of planning, they had picked their village, booked their travel, and shipped over 180 wrapped Christmas gifts ahead of their arrival.
"On the day we left, we were so nervous. Will we find our village? Will the gifts actually be there waiting for us? How are we going to create and throw a party? So many questions and not one single answer," shared Danielle.
But everything seemed to fall into perfect place. Besides some minor transportation issues, Danielle and Co. found their village, the unopened cargo crates carrying their gifts, and crowds of smiling villagers eager to welcome them. And 2 days later, there was Christmas in Uganda.
"The party was amazing. We touched so many children that day. I honestly feel like it was the first time they had ever opened a wrapped gift," said Danielle. "These kids sleep on a dirt floor, they don't have shoes, they are malnourished, and they all work so hard to help their families survive. It was heart-wrenching."
So heart-wrenching that Danielle is going back next year -- this time to build a fresh-water well.
"We saw so many kids drinking the dirtiest water. They were dying from it, but they still had to drink it. I couldn't believe my eyes. This year we brought joy; next year, we are going to save lives."
Danielle, thank you for helping to rebuild our world. You matter.
Please visit EveryMondayMatters.com to buy the book, get involved, book a speaking engagement/event, and share your stories about making a difference in the world. You matter.