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Kittens,

Lately I’ve been finding it hard to sleep. I stay awake worrying about this planet we’re on, feeling the ache of the land and its people and its animals.

This Mother’s Day… instead of giving (or asking for) presents that will soon be forgotten…

why not take the opportunity to save another mother’s life?

Two beautiful ways to do just that:

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Send Hope Not Flowers

For as little as $28, you can save a woman’s life… and give a newborn baby the gift of their mother.

$28. $28!!!!!!!!! That’s how cheap it is for a life?????

Papua New Guinea has one of the highest mother and infant mortality rates in the world… rates that can be dramatically reduced by a simple $28 birthing kit which provides the essential medical and hygiene supplies that we take for granted.

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I read an article on Dr Barry Kirby – the lead dude behind Send Hope Not Flowers – a couple of years ago. When I finished reading the article, I lay my head on the table and sobbed, so touched was I by his earth angel mission.

Barry was an Australian carpenter working in construction in Papua New Guinea when he tried (unsuccessfully) to save a dying mother. His despair at health services in PNG led him to sell everything he owned at the age of 40 to start a medical degree. Once he graduated, he based himself in one of the most remote islands to provide obstetric services and reverse the horrific mortality rate. He has reduced the rate of 1 in 20 women in childbirth dying down by 78%.

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There is still more work to be done though.

Sending a donation to Send Hope Not Flowers will continue saving mother’s lives.

They will also send a Mother’s Day card out as a thank you! Donate and get one here.
Essential Links:

Huffington Post article here. Facebook page here.

Donate here.

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Compassionate Collective

Ooof. Where do I even start with this one?

Today’s refugee crisis is the worst humanitarian emergency the world has seen since World War II.

Run by some of my favourite writers/people in the world – Glennon, Liz, Cheryl, Rob, Brené – the Compassionate Collective – is a grassroots organisation that is bringing people together to give small sums of money that make a huge change.

In $1 – $25 amounts, they raised over a million dollars to feed and clothe and save and help refugees.

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I read Glennon’s incredible book a year ago and it illuminated my world. It skyrocketed into my list of favouritest books EVER. I am an unabashed Glennon-fangirl, and whenever I think of her, I feel like Will’s sister Honey in Notting Hill.

(Please note – if you buy that book or indeed anything through that link, all affiliate earnings are donated to the incredible Doctors Without Borders. In fact, anytime you shop at Amazon – just head to smile.amazon.com instead to raise cash for charities with your purchases!)

(From 1:07)

Oh God, this is one of those key moments in life, when it’s possible you can be really, genuinely cool – and I’m failing 100%. I absolutely and totally and utterly adore you and I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world and more importantly I genuinely believe and have believed for some time now that we can be best friends. What do YOU think?

That has nothing to do with very important refugee stuff, but I felt like I needed to share that anyway.

So… back to it…

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There is another Love Flash Mob happening TOMORROW for the Compassion Collective. Please tell your friends + turn up.

Watch on Glennon’s FB page for the announcement.

Good-doing-good links:

This Mother’s Day, let’s save other mamas.

We’re in this together, my darlinghearts.

Big big love,

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