Guest blogger:Sarah Lenssen from as5for5



Guest blogger:
Sarah Lenssen from as5for5


photos courtesy of Cate Turton / Dept. for International Development

First, thanks to Terri Nakamura (@terrinakamura) for allowing me to post on her blog today! Today, more than 25 bloggers, including this one, are standing with me to Ask 5 for 5 for Africa. Here's why....

I began pursuing a BIG dream two weeks ago. After deciding I could no longer avoid the news about the famine in the horn of Africa , I had that gut feeling that I couldn't sit this one out. I HAD to do something because I could. Something bigger than I could do alone. That's when #Ask5for5 was born.

A malnourished child in an MSF treatment tent in Dolo Ado

Two of my children, Ashen and Bereket, were adopted and are from the region affected by the drought in Ethiopia. They would be two of the statistics if they still lived there. I see my son’s and daughter’s faces in the photos of those suffering in the refugee camps. It could have been him. It could have been her. The thought haunts me.

drought in Ethiopia

And moms just like us are watching their children go hungry day after day. I can't imagine what it's like, but I have to –I have to be there to help them, because it could have been my children. These families have lost their livestock, their crops, food prices are inflated at the market if there any food there, and don’t have any more lifelines to tap into. Many are traveling hundreds of miles through parched land in hope of finding help. Many are dying along the way. It is estimated that 29,000 children have died in the last 90 days in the famine in Somalia alone.

Malnourished children, weakened by hunger

But I KNOW we can do something about it. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed, we can rally ourselves and our friends to respond! I set up a fundraiser through See Your Impact. 100% of your gift will go to the relief and development organization  World Vision, where it will be combined with government grants to multiply up to 5 times in impact!

You’ll receive updates on just how your funding is being used to help save lives affected by famine in East Africa. I'm amazed at how much we've raised already -- over $7,000 in just four days! We blew through our first 3 goals in just 3 days and are well on our way to $10,000 and beyond!

I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:
  • Donate $5 or more; on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)
  • Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.
  • Share Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter, and join our page to stay updated too!

I'm also looking for 100 bloggers to stand with Ask5for5 to spread the word during Social Media week, September 19th - 23rd. If you're interested, email me, ask5for5@gmail.com .

Extra food for every child under five

Thanks! Please donate and email your friends right now--don't wait for a calmer moment, because if you're like me, other demands inevitably crop up and you won't get to it. A child's life hangs in the balance, but you can help save her! 

NOTE: Friend and Huffington Post blogger, @2morrowknight (Sean Gardner) who works with SeeYourImpact.org, asked me to participate in this campaign to raise awareness and much-needed funds to help people suffering in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. I hope you will join with me in supporting this effort.

Comments

  1. Outstanding post and initiative Sarah. Only Somalia has been named as a disaster zone by the UN but the famine is spreading. It is the worst ever.We must act. 25,000 dying everyb day is unacceptable

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michael, I agree. I hope this effort results in people taking action. Thanks for your comment. Hugs/Terri

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  3. Thanks for your comment, Michael, and for allowing me to guestost, Terri. I am thrilled that so many people have been moved in the last week to give to the drought and famine. I am excited to see where Ask5fo5 goes in the coming weeks as we try to create awareness and stimulate action.

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  4. Sarah, I hope the exposure will enable the Ask5for5 goal to be realised.

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  5. Anonymous12:32 AM

    Sarah, I would like to join your 100 bloggers action. Email me at stan(dot)faryna(at)gmail(dot)com.

    Terri, thanks for sharing Sarah with us.

    ReplyDelete

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terri

i'm a graphic designer who loves words. - terri nakamura