Ending Famine in East Africa

10 million people face extreme hunger right now in the East Africa Countries if Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. A nightmare scenario is clearly unfolding on the ground with the region’s worst drought in 60 years. This moved SeeYourImpact supporter Sarah Lenssen to create a fundraiser that would catch people’s attention. Called Ask5for5, it asks that you give $5, and then get 5 of our friends to give $5.

The results have been phenomenal since its launch on August 12^th. In the first two hours, she raised over $1000. She then raised over $6000 in the first three days. Moved by her generosity, and by the knowledge that two of her adoptive children are from that region, many donors have emailed her campaign and shared it on popular platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

On Thursday August 18th, over 25 bloggers including Jenni Hogan, will band together to spread the word about the famine in East Africa. This project is resonating! Below is a guest post by Sarah Lenssen, a passionate supporter of SeeYourImpact, who believes in making a difference and responding strong to the situation in East Africa.

guest blogger: Sarah Lenssen from Ask5for5
photos courtesy of Cate Turton / Dept. for International Development

First, thanks to SeeYourImpact.org for allowing me to post on their blog today! Today, more than 25 bloggers, including this one, are standing with me to Ask 5 for 5 for Africa. Here’s why….

I began pursuing a BIG dream two weeks ago. After deciding I could no longer avoid the news about the famine in the horn of Africa, I had that gut feeling that I couldn’t sit this one out. I HAD to do something because I could. Something bigger than I could do alone. That’s when #Ask5for5 was born.

Two of my children, Ashen and Bereket, were adopted and are from the region affected by the drought in Ethiopia. They would be two of the statistics if they still lived there. I see my son’s and daughter’s faces in the photos of those suffering in the refugee camps. It could have been him. It could have been her. The thought haunts me.

And moms just like us are watching their children go hungry day after day. I can’t imagine what it’s like, but I have to –I have to be there to help them, because it could have been my children. These families have lost their livestock, their crops, food prices are inflated at the market if there any food there, and don’t have any more lifelines to tap into. Many are traveling hundreds of miles through parched land in hope of finding help. Many are dying along the way. It is estimated that 29,000 children have died in the last 90 days in the famine in Somalia alone.

But I KNOW we can do something about it. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed, we can rally ourselves and our friends to respond! I set up a fundraiser through See Your Impact. 100% of your gift will go to the relief and development organization World Vision, where it will be combined with government grants to multiply up to 5 times in impact!

You’ll receive updates on just how your funding is being used to help save lives affected by famine in East Africa. I’m amazed at how much we’ve raised already — over $7,000 in just four days! We blew through our first 3 goals in just 3 days and are well on our way to $10,000 and beyond!

I need you to help me save lives. It’s so so simple; here’s what you need to do:

Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)
Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.
Share Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter, and join our page to stay updated too!

I’m also looking for 100 bloggers to stand with Ask5for5 to spread the word during Social Media week, September 19th – 23rd. If you’re interested, email me, ask5for5@gmail.com.

Thanks! Please donate and email your friends right now–don’t wait for a calmer moment, because if you’re like me, other demands inevitably crop up and you won’t get to it. A child’s life hangs in the balance, but you can help save her!

A huge thanks to the following bloggers for participating. Their support has been a blessing to this campaign. If you’re not on the list, let us know! We couldn’t do it without you.

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