Vivanista is proud to be launching a way for members to incite change in two important issues: women’s issues and K-12 education. Each month we will introduce an organization we have researched thoroughly and concluded they have developed a unique way to empower women and/or to further promote the importance of education. During the month we will be highlighting that partner’s campaigns, events and ways to get involved with the selected charity. We will even provide a direct link for those who wish to make a donation, large or small.

Our inaugural Cause is CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty by empowering women. TeamViva will be joining CARE at their 2010 National Conference and Celebration on May 11-12 in Washington, D.C., for two days of political action, learning and inspiration. We will be reporting back with photos, video and ways to Do Good in Tough Times.

How can you get involved?

In honor of Mothers Day CARE has created a place to honor important women in your life and around the world. By posting a picture and message on the ‘Wall of Mothers’ you can show your support for healthy mothers and families. After you post your picture, you can send an e-card featuring the photo you upload to your mom, friends and other influential women you know. It’s a fun way to stand in solidarity with mothers and families and spread the word about CARE’s work to save the lives of mothers.

We would also like to bring to attention the ‘Mothers Matter’ a new program dedicated to reducing high maternal mortality in the world’s poorest countries. Maternal mortality is an epidemic in the developing world where over 500,000 otherwise healthy women die preventable deaths each year. Girls forced into marriage and childbearing under the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable.

“When women are empowered to fulfill their potential, they invest in their families and work for lasting change. Women cannot fully participate in society – as family leaders, breadwinners, citizens – if they cannot expect to survive childbirth.”

The goals CARE has created are lofty. They aim to improve access to safe pregnancy and delivery services for 30 million women in Africa, Asia and Latin America by 2015. This includes creating an emergency action plan to ensure universal access to lifesaving medical care and providing investments to maternal health programs. In Ayacucho, Peru, for example, they have strengthened community’s capacity to address maternal health risks by studying cultural barriers, partnering with health workers, and meeting with local leaders. As a result, they have already reduced maternal mortality in that area by 50% and the number of women with birth-related complications who receive treatment at area health centers doubled.

How can you make a difference?

You have the power to help women around the world — by learning, volunteering, speaking out and donating. Your involvement with CARE enables poor women to create lasting change for themselves, their families, and their communities — and ultimately for the world we all share.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Recognizing that women and girls suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on empowering them to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, expand economic opportunity, increase access to health services and protect natural resources in over sixty countries around the world.

“We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty.”