We don’t want your money, we want your voice

I spend a fair amount of my time silently campaigning for what I believe to be right for Aleyna and her special needs and also the special and complex needs of other children. I am fully guilty of “starting at home”.

So when I was given the opportunity to be an Ambassador for OneMums, I decided this was a good opportunity to start making a difference elsewhere. Along with a small number of OneMums, I visited the London offices of ONE.Org to discuss how we could join together and raise awareness of the organisation.

What is ONE?

“ONE is a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs that are saving lives, helping to put kids in school and improving futures. Cofounded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE is nonpartisan and works closely with African activists and policy makers.”

And Onemums?

ONE Moms originated in the US but is now “a movement of mums everywhere using their extraordinary power to spread awareness for the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease.”

I grew up with Live Aid, I am a huge fan of Comic Relief and Sports Relief. Last weeks Sports Relief was the most hard hitting to date with more visuals of the hardship faced and hugely graphic scenes of grief. And yet they made a record amount of money, in a time where money is tight. Seeing the sad stories obviously does work, however I am sure for some, they feel they are giving to a lost cause if all they ever see is atrocities.ONE believe that hearing the good stories is hugely beneficial and they are keen to show the positive impact of Aid.

So what can you do?

1) You can become a member of One.org. There are no membership fees, no fundraising, no requests for money whatsoever. ONE have always said, ‘we’re not asking for your money, we’re asking for your voice.’

2) Do you have any ideas on how you or other mums can make a difference by doing the smallest things? You can join the BritMums OneMums Twitter Party between 1.00pm and 2.00pm on Tuesday 10th April 2012. Just tweet your ideas using hashtag #ONEMums. This date is significant as it is the launch day of a brand new (and still secret) ONE campaign.

3) Look out for some really exciting “memes” and crowdsourcing from the other OneMums that you can get involved in over the next month. I have my own initiative but also look out for Michelle from Mummy from the Heart, Kate from Kate on Thin Ice, Melitsa from Raising Playful Tots, Michelle from The American Resident and Jen from Jenography

4) And if that isn’t enough to convince you, then I urge you to watch this fantastic clip with some very famous (and handsome) faces.

Now are you convinced?