Buy (RED) and Help Achieve “The Beginning of the End of AIDS”

Posted on November 27, 2013 by thirdeyemom

The ONE Campaign, an advocacy group who works tirelessly to end extreme poverty, yesterday launched “2013 AIDS Report: The Beginning of the End? Tracking Global Commitments on AIDS, Volume 2“ in time for World AIDS Day on December 1. Over the last few decades, we have made tremendous progress towards fighting AIDS and for the first time ever we are at a global tipping point: When the number of new HIV infections is surpassed by the number of people newly added to treatment meaning “The beginning of the end of AIDS”. Furthermore, we now can begin to talk about AIDS on a country by country basis within Africa. There are 16 countries within Africa who have already reached the beginning of the end of AIDS, a huge accomplishment.

One of the primary ways for tackling AIDS has been through the use of antriretrovirals which prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child. For a mere $0.40 a day, an HIV/AIDS infected mother can be treated with antiretrovirals which provides a 98% chance of stopping the transmission from mother to child during birth.

We are so close to achieving an AIDS-free generation:

In 2010, 1000 babies were born every day with HIV. Today, that number is down to 700. With action and urgency we can get that number to ZERO.

A major funding source for ending AIDS comes from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria which saves 100,000 lives a month. The ONE Campaign’s (RED) division works to eliminate AIDS through consumer activism by partnering with some of the world’s leading brands to offer a changing collection of iconic (RED) products. With the purchase of each (RED) product 100 % of the money raised is donated to The Global Fund. Thanks to (RED) Partners and Events over $215 million has been raised for the Global Fund, helping fund HIV/AIDS grants that have supported over 14 million people.

Be sure to check out all (RED) products on fab.com and see the Holiday 2013 Product (RED) Gift Guide.

Just in time for the holidays and World AIDS Day, (RED) has launched six exciting new partnerships to help raise money for the Global Fund to end AIDS. Here is a brief look into these unique, gifts that give back. Continue reading →

Cause an Uproar: National Geographic’s Big Cat Week

Posted on November 25, 2013 by thirdeyemom

A couple of weeks ago as part of my role as a National Geographic Insider, I had the honor of participating in a conference call with Wildlife Biologist Luke Dollar to learn all about National Geographic’s two exciting campaigns: Big Cat Week and Build a Boma. I have always been a true lover of wildlife and nature and had the honor of seeing big cats in the wild on safari in South Africa in 2005. Little did I know that big cats are in huge danger and face the threat of extinction if we do not act soon to protect them.

Lion at Tanda Tula Reserve South Africa

Lions at Tanda Tula Reserve South Africa

Luke Dollar is professor at Duke University and Pfeiffer University in North Carolina and is one of big cats biggest advocates with over 20 years of conservation work. Luke is a wildlife biologist focusing on conservation, research and development and has logged more than eight of the past 18 calendar years in the field. His scientific research began in Madagascar focusing on Madagascar’s top predators, specifically the fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). His work there brought him to National Geographic as an Emerging Explorer in 2007 and today Luke is the program director of National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative.

A lion and her cub. Photo credit: © Daniel Stone and Spencer Millsap/National Geographic

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Whole Planet Foundation announces new micro entrepreneur partnership with BRAC

Posted on November 24, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Whole Planet Foundation, a non-profit run by Whole Foods Market, recently launched a new exciting initiative in the world of microfinancing. For the first time ever a donor can now give directly to specific projects around the globe which will give Whole Planet supporters an opportunity to choose exactly where their donation goes.

Tanzanian farmer assisted by BRAC and Whole Planet. Photo credit: Whole Planet Foundation

This month, Whole Planet is piloting a program in Tanzania where 68% of the population is lives on less than $1.25 a day. In Tanzania, Whole Planet has partnered with BRAC, Whole Planet will be able to empower micro entrepreneurs like Jackline to alleviate poverty in the region of Mbeya, where Theo Chocolate, sold in Whole Foods Market stores, is sourced. BRAC began working in Tanzania in 2006 by providing micro finance and small enterprise development programs in Tanzania to create opportunities for the poor in agriculture, livestock and poultry.

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The unexpected views from a street in Delhi

Posted on November 22, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Last May I had the honor of traveling to India for the second time within a three year time span and was delighted by the unexpected views from the street. Anyone who has ever been to India knows what I am saying when I attest there is no place quite like it on earth. A massive sea of humanity lies within its many cities and streets for those who are willing to unravel it and take it all in, of course using the third eye.

I find India to be one of the most fascinating places on earth and hope to someday go back and see the countryside, villages and of course the mountains. There is something purely magical about India which takes you by surprise. Here are a few of my favorite unexpected views from the streets of Delhi, all taken last May during my social good blogging trip to India with Mom Bloggers for Social Good.

Open your heart. Open your mind. Open your soul and breathe in the unexpectedness of what you will find as everyday life across the streets of Delhi.

Women living on the streets outside the US Embassy

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Special report: UNICEF’s on the ground support offers glimmer of hope for children traumatized by Typhoon Haiyan

Posted on November 21, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Friday marks the two week date since Super Typhoon Haiyan bombarded the Philippines, causing devastation, destruction and utter despair among this island nation. In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan, millions of Filipinos are displaced, 18,175 people were injured, 3,976 people are confirmed dead, 1,598 people are still missing and estimated damage continues to spike up to $674 million (Source: New York Times).

The storm, one of the most powerful ever recorded in the world, also destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, roads, communications and other basic infrastructure, and damaged power and water supply systems making relief services extremely complicated and difficult.

While world coverage of Super Typhoon Haiyan continues to filtrate the newspaper mostly speaking of the damage, destruction and despair, there are a few more subtle stories here and there about the most vulnerable victims of this devastating storm: The children.

On 12 November, a woman cradling a baby stands amid debris and other destruction caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan, in Tacloban City the area worst affected by the disaster on the central island of Leyte. Water, sanitation and hygiene, food, medicine, shelter, debris clearance and communications are among the priority needs. Blocked roads have limited access and the delivery of relief supplies. Photo credit: Jeoffrey Maitem/UNICEF

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END7: Three Generations, One Hope for Health

Posted on November 19, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Early this fall, I wrote a post about END7, a global advocacy campaign run by the Global Network to raise awareness of the seven most common Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and cultivate the resources necessary to eliminate them as public health threats by 2020.

The Road to deliver treatment for NTDs in rural Kenya. Photo credit: Mo Scarpelli

I had honestly never heard of NTDs before even with all my international traveling. However, NTDs keep millions of children in the developing world out of school from preventable, treatable diseases further reinforcing the cycle of poverty and despair. Per END7, there are seven NTDs (Elephantiasis, river blindness, trachoma, snail fever, hookworm, whipworm and roundworm) that are responsible for 90% of the global burden of NTDs. NTDs are a huge problem: It is estimated that NTDs infect one in six people worldwide including one billion children.

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The things we take for granted: Access to safe water

Posted on November 18, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Today’s post is a guest post written by Sarah Dobsevage, Institutional Development Manager of WaterAid America. The post is about her recent experience in Senegal when a water pipeline broke down causing severe water shortages throughout Dakar, the capital city of Senegal.

The author, Sarah, with her mom, Ruth, and daughters, Meira, standing, and Talia, in her arms, in Saly. Photo credit: Sarah Dobsevage

As a mom, as a professional and as someone who loves to dive deeply into new cultures and experiences through travel, I’ve had an admittedly good lot in life. I have two beautiful daughters, a tremendously fulfilling job at an international non-profit called WaterAid, and the opportunity to spend time overseas in support of WaterAid’s programs that are helping poor communities in 27 countries across the world get access to toilets and clean drinking water.

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Layers of Ice: Argentina’s Perito Moreno Glacier

Posted on November 15, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Perhaps one of the most spectacular marvels of Mother Nature I’ve ever witnessed is the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina. Spanning an area of 250 square kilometers/97 square miles and 30 km/19 miles in length, the sheer magnitude of this massive piece of layered ice is incomprehensible.

Ice trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier was one of my highlights to a trip to Southern Patagonia in 2009. Take a peak for yourself and see the immense beauty and power of Argentina’s premier glacier.

“The question is not what you look at, but what you see”. – Henry David Thoreau

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Layers. To view more entries click here.

Related posts:

Scotch on the 400-year-old Rocks

My Top Five Wild Hikes

The Surroundings of a Patagonian Outpost

Hike to Mount Fitz Roy (Freshly Pressed)

Save the Children’s on the ground emergency response to Typhoon Haiyan

Posted on November 15, 2013 by thirdeyemom

The tragic Typhoon Haiyan that ripped through the Philippines a week ago today left behind a trail of destruction, death and sorrow that continues to unfold. Words cannot express the utter despair that remains in the aftermath of the storm. The images of destruction, desperation and fear remind us how powerless we are and how fragile life can be especially in the face of Mother Nature. Thousands of people have lost their lives in just a blink of an eye and the exact number of casualties is yet to fully be known.

As we know, images are powerful reminders of our hopes and of our fears. A picture can paint a thousand words.

Thanks to my work as an advocate and voice for Save the Children, I was able to get access to exclusive photos from Typhoon Haiyan as well as speak with Francine Uenuma, Director of Media and Communications at Save the Children yesterday to learn more about Save the Children’s on the ground emergency response in the Philippines. Here’s the story.

A Filipino boy stands amidst rubbles of houses in the super typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines. Photo credit: Save the Children

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Hope Springs From Rebecca’s Well in Alexandra Township, South Africa

Posted on November 12, 2013 by thirdeyemom

Today’s post is a guest post written by a dear friend of mine Elizabeth Ataley of the beautiful blog Documama. I met Elizabeth a few years ago at BlogHer and we have worked together ever since as fellow members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good, the Global Team of 200 and ONE Moms. Elizabeth recently went on a social good blogging trip as part of Global Team of 200 to South Africa along with Jennifer James, Founder of Social Good Moms/Global Team of 200. Here is her report on their visit to Rebecca’s Well in Alexandra Township, South Africa.

Alexandra Township. Photo credit: Elizabeth Ataley/Documama

Hope Springs From Rebecca’s Well in Alexandra Township, South Africa

The shift was drastic. One second we were driving through what looked like typical city sprawl, passing industrial yards, a McDonald’s, and the next moment rubble heaps, and rusted corrugated tin sheds pulsing with people lined the sidewalk. It was as though we passed through some sort of invisible wall into a different reality. The reality that the people of Alexandra Township, which we had just entered, live in is light years away from the gleaming luxury hotels and shopping malls that rise up on the horizon just a few miles away in Sandton which is known to be one of the wealthiest areas in South Africa. Jennifer James and I were headed on our first site visit for our #socialgoodmomsjoburg Global Team of 200 trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and the impact it had on us would be huge.

Alexandra Township. Photo credit: Elizabeth Ataley/Documama

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Mantra: Never ever give up

Posted on November 9, 2013 by thirdeyemom

I started the practice of yoga this week and am realizing how much I need this right now in my life to balance my body, heart and soul. Today I’m dedicating my mantra to someone I love very much. My mantra is to never ever give up.

When life kicks and breaks us down, fight back and stay strong. The mind is a powerful thing. It is up to you to decide each and every day whether or not it will make or break you. Stay strong.