I support the ONE Campaign because, for me, it's right. Someone I don't really know, but have a lot of respect for, gave me a new way of looking at things. I couldn't ignore the possibilities. I grew up during the very tumultous times of the 60's and 70's - saw some good things and some bad things - but I saw what can be accomplished by people joining together.

To be able to be part of the ONE campaign means that I have the ability to make extreme poverty history. I know it can be done. I am amazed at what has been accomplished in the last seven years. By tapping in to the world's best and brightest, people are searching for cures and answers. By changing development models to work from the bottom up and by requiring transparency in governments and groups, more relief is getting to those who need it. By eliminating unjust debts imposed on the world's poorest, schools can be built, school fees can be eliminated, wells can be dug.

For many of the world's very poor, living in poverty is not a choice. But we can create choices for people. By raising awareness of the issues of extreme poverty, the diseases of HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, by promoting education for all, by supporting fair trade and debt relief, we can make a difference.

I am lucky that I live where I do and that I have choices. We all need to make good choices and let our elected officials know that the issues of extreme poverty are important to us!

As a member of the ONE Campaign in Atlanta, we have worked for the past two years to raise awareness. We have utilized the ONE partners in our area and have held educational events on the issues - Heifer International, Microcredit and we are focusing on Education this month. I have met some extremely amazing people while I have been involved with ONE and our energy is contagious. We still have a lot of work to do but we're ready for the challenge.

Nancy