28 Jun I’m off to Ethiopia with The Hunger Project! **Scratch that! It’s now Malawi!**
Due to security risks associated with travelling to Ethiopia, we’re now off to Malawi!
As a child of the 80’s, I remember seeing the TV adds of the children of Ethiopia suffering from starvation and poverty and wanting desperately to help them and to sponsor a child.
Now, almost 30 years later I am going to meet the communities and families who filled my lounge room from my TV as a child, to see them as adults and meet the children of their own. But what’s different is that I won’t be sponsoring them, I’m going to be learning about leadership from them.
Through the work of The Hunger Project, these communities and many more are learning how to become leaders, to become self-sustainable, by pioneering grassroots change through education, new skills and the creation of epicentres, across the world, with a clear goal of ending hunger by the year 2030. This is not a hand out. It’s a hand up.
Take a look at what an Epicentre in Ethiopia looks like
Together with Business Chicks, The Hunger Project has developed their Leadership Immersion program, taking 20 women on an extraordinary journey to learn from the amazing work that they are doing in these communities and to meet these incredible people and hear their stories of resilience and determination.
For several years I have been watching the amazing work that the Hunger Project have been doing, listening to the inspiring women that they have mentored and encouraged to find their voice, to support their families and communities and stand up against the oppression they have faced. This year is my year. I have committed to travelling with the Hunger Project to Ethiopia in November, to see first hand the difference they have made.
Ever since I was a little girl I have been mesmerised by Africa, travelling there in 2009 I fell in love with the country, its scenery and its beautiful people. The desire to return and connect with them in a more meaningful way has lingered in me since.
I hope to be inspired by these communities and to come back with a greater appreciation for the life that I am afforded and my role in the bigger picture that I need to play.
But first… I need to spread the word about the Hunger Project and have committed to raising $10,000 towards ending world hunger by the year 2030.
Many of us want to make a difference in the world, to connect with humanity, this is your opportunity.
Thank you for your generosity and support in achieving this goal, it truly is life changing.
Mel – Chief Creative, Marsden Collective