Note: This post is sponsored by, and written in collaboration with Lori Zehr, Retail Director of the GO Exchange.
I love kids. I have two children of my own (boys, ages 8 and 10), eight nieces and nephews, and one more on the way. There’s nothing I love more than throwing around the football with my kiddos, or playing babies with my nieces. But if I was to be true to myself, my real passion is for moms. There is such camaraderie between women when we gather to encourage and lift each other up through the often-treacherous landscape of motherhood. All of us have to admit that it truly takes a village to raise a child, and it’s close to impossible to do so without support.
After I had my babies, my desire to empower and support women grew. I realized more than ever how truly important my network of friends and family had become. At night I would sometimes lie awake in bed and think about women who didn’t have that network. Women who had no resources and no support. Women like me, who simply wanted to provide their children with a loving home and a good education. Women who had obstacles I couldn’t fathom overcoming.
My oldest son had just reached kindergarten when I was introduced to The Global Orphan Project. GO Project, located in Parkville, provides for orphaned and abandoned children around the world. During their many years of work, they’ve come to realize that nearly 80% of the world’s orphans are economic orphans.* This means some have parents (most often single moms) who do not have the means to care for them in their own homes. So these moms make the excruciating choice to place their children in orphan care where they can receive nourishing meals, clothing and an education.
As a mom, I tear up just thinking about such tragedy. I could never imagine having to make such a choice. I also knew that I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. But how could an average mom like me make a difference? I’m a do-er, so even though I knew financial gifts were needed, I wanted to DO something! I’m sure many of you can relate!
Thankfully, I was introduced to The GO Exchange (GOEX). Fully owned by GO Project, The GO Exchange is a global marketplace where beautiful, handcrafted goods from Haiti and Uganda can be purchased. On one side of the earth these Wonderfully Made products are produced. They are shipped to the U.S. where they continue to provide jobs for men and women in our warehouse facility in Kansas City. They are then sold via Trunk Shows hosted by GOEX Ambassadors in the United States, and shipped to the many incredible people who support this life-giving circle. GOEX isn’t just any business. It provides dignified, living wage, life-giving jobs. These jobs empower women, and provide for many children.
Better yet, the entire process is transparent. I’ve traveled to both Haiti and Uganda to meet these incredible people myself, and so can you! I went on my first trip to Haiti in October of 2013. The experience was absolutely life changing. We heard countless stories of the desperation after the earthquakes in 2010. Although each story was more devastating than the last, you couldn’t escape an undercurrent of something incredible. Hope. The people of Haiti are resilient, and although they’ve been given every excuse to give up, they charge on.
The men and women working with our artisan partners in Haiti produce beautiful jewelry, handbags and apparel. It is difficult for many of them to even get to work each day. They travel multiple miles on rough, dirt roads, in extremely cramped public transportation. Yet they arrive each day, thankful for living wage jobs that provide the necessities for their families and an education for their children.
After that trip, I came home with renewed purpose and excitement. I became an Ambassador for GOEX and started sharing the story with my friends and neighbors. It was energizing to find out how many people were just like me – they had a desire to help, but didn’t know where to start. They were grateful to know how they could get involved, whether that meant purchasing products, giving a donation, becoming an Ambassador or even traveling to Haiti to see it for themselves. They were excited to become part of this life-giving circle that is empowering women and caring for children around the world.
I now work full-time for The GO Exchange. It has changed my life in ways I never could have predicted. I am incredibly blessed to know each day I can make a difference in the lives of women just like me half a world away.
Learn more about the GO Exchange.
*Statistics from UNICEF
