Help a mom this Mother’s Day

2 MIN READ
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, GUATEMALA: Alexander y Sheili superan la desnutrición crónica. Photo by Joe Molieri / Bread for the World

By Christine Melendez Ashley

Before she received help to feed her children, Catarina Pascual Jimenez would often lie awake at night and ponder, “How will I feed my family?” No mother should have to worry about that.

With Mother’s Day only a week and half away, I’m asking you to mark it with a special message to four members of Congress with the power to decide whether mothers will receive the help they need. Will you join us in signing a Mother’s Day card to Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Reps. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), and Kay Granger (R-Tex.)?

Living with four children in the highlands of Guatemala, Catarina struggled to feed Sheili and Alexander, her 17-month-old twins. It was not the first time she feared for their health and safety. Her husband nearly sold the twins at birth after leaving her for another woman.

Despite the harrowing circumstances, Catarina persevered. Through a nutrition program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Catarina was able to provide for her twins and their older sibling too.

This Mother’s Day, we are focused on the nutrition needs of mothers like Catarina and countless others like her around the world. Add your name to the Mother’s Day card we are sending Sens. Leahy and Graham and Reps. Lowey and Granger. Bread for the World’s government relations staff will personally deliver a version of this card to each of these senators and representatives and explain what we’re asking for: $230 million to fund global nutrition programs for mothers and their children.

Strong mothers like Catarina inspire me to action. Does she inspire you? Show your support and sign our card today. Together thousands of us can send one message: that every mother, regardless of her circumstances, has value.

Christine Melendez Ashley is a senior policy analyst at Bread for the World.

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