It must’ve been an odd sight, the three of us in the produce section of the grocery store. I stood frozen and embarrassed, silently looking on as my mother tried to console my great aunt who had tears streaming down her face. I was too young to fully understand what was happening at the time. You see, my great aunt was visiting from Cuba. Wearing my grandmother’s oversized dress and a sweater on a warm day, she appeared awkward and out-of-place. And there, in the middle of a grocery store, she began to weep. She was completely overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of food that surrounded her.
As an adult, I cannot begin to comprehend what that moment was like for her. I cannot begin to comprehend what it must have felt like for her to return to Cuba, to return to scarcity. And as a mother of four children, I cannot begin to comprehend what it would feel like to not have enough.
When asked what kind of world I want for my family in 2030, the answer is simple. It would be a world of enough. I want my children to live in a world where mothers and fathers have enough food to sustain their families – where all people, no matter where they live, have enough access to quality healthcare, enough clean water, and enough adequate shelter. I want my children to see a world where young boys and girls everywhere have enough education, taught by enough teachers, in enough schools.
But to have enough, the world first needs abundance — an abundance of people with compassion for others and a desire to play a part in changing the world. This is where you and I, moms and dads, grandparents and friends can help.
The United Nations Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, BabyCenter and The Huffington Post created the Global Moms Relay with a goal of improving the lives of women and children around the globe. Each time you ‘like’ or share a Global Moms Relay post via the social media icons or comment, Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 (per action) up to $300,000, to improve the health and wellbeing of moms and kids worldwide through MAMA, Shot@Life, UNICEFand Girl Up. You can also use the Donate A Photo* app and Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 when you upload a photo for Girl Up or UNICEF, up to $100,000. You can help make a difference in seconds with the click of your mouse or snap of your smart phone. Visit GlobalMomsRelay.org to learn more.
As my great aunt closed her eyes for the last time, she left behind a life of oppression and want, and entered into the loving embrace of her creator. Her story – the story of impoverishment – is experienced by far too many people around the world.
I am reminded of my great aunt when I watch my children enjoy the many blessings of abundance. I’m grateful beyond words that they have not had to experience the struggles that she did. But I also feel challenged – in ways great and small – to leave behind a world that is better than the one I entered. Sharing a Global Mom Relay post is a small thing I can do today, to help someone who only needs enough. Will you join me?
* via the Donate A Photo app for iOS and Android. Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn’t reached, the cause will still get a minimum donation.
Anna Acquaviva works part-time as a Manager of Strategic Communications for the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four young children.