One Is greater Than None

Mission: For months, a group of 14 year-old girls talked about starting a charity. They were determined to make a difference in someone’s life, but never seemed to agree on “who, what, where or how”. They did however have the answer to the most important question. “Why?” In the spring of 2007, the girls saw an Oprah episode and were shocked to see children from Ghana, Africa, being sold for as little as $20 by their families, unknowingly, into a life of servitude. They were heartbroken that something like this was actually happening in the world. Ghana was so far away but the International Organization for Migration (www.IOM.int) was making it possible for people to sponsor rescue missions that would save trafficked children from a life of hard labor and abuse. The girls found out it would cost approximately $4300 to save one child from these inhumane and brutal conditions. The children are provided with rehabilitation, and are reunited with their families. This would include 2 ½ years of counseling, career training, education and healthcare. The girls decided to make bracelets and package them on cards that would educate people about what was going on in the fishing villages of Ghana. They designed a necklace with eight wooden beads, representing each of the girls, which surrounds a recycled glass bead made in Ghana. Tee shirts were made with their logo, 1>0, and their tag line “Be Part of the Equation”. Although the girls wanted to raise money they were equally determined to raise social awareness. Do anything. Do something. It is such a simple premise. How easily the world could change if everyone embraced that philosophy. The girls soon learned that so many people were willing to help. The website, printing, legal consultation, photography, tee shirts, etc… have all been donated by people wanting to be part of the equation. People started organizing fundraisers to support “One is Greater than None” and in the summer of 2007 their “One Is Greater Than None” clothing line was launched. Within two years of making a commitment to save at least one child the girls have sponsored the rescue and rehabilitation of 24 children through IOM.  They also met and are inspired by an amazing woman, Pam Cope who shares their vision of eliminating child trafficking on Lake Volta. Pam Cope is founder of the Touch a Life Foundation. She has already saved children and is building a children’s home called the Village of Life.  In August, 2009, 1>0 donated $14,000.00 to help pay for the ongoing care of 24 of these orphaned and exploited children. (www.touchalifekids.org) Recently, in response to our national healthcare crisis, the girls wanted to see how they could make a difference in the USA.  They were excited to learn about an organization called Remote Area Medical (RAM) that supplies free medical care to impoverished rural areas.  RAM schedules weekend remote medical clinics, which service hundreds of families. 1>0 is committed to sponsoring full weekend expeditions and to bringing more awareness and support to their valiant efforts. Since this organization relies on the generosity of only volunteers and the donation of most supplies and equipment, it is possible for a $5 donation to cover free medical, dental or vision treatment for one person.  How exciting to know that a lemonade stand set up by an eight-year old has the potential to give sight to a person in desperate need of glasses or alleviates the pain of a person in need of an emergency tooth extraction. This embraces One is Greater than None’s mission statement “that any contribution, no matter how small, has value”.  Visit the One is Greater than None website soon to see our new jewelry to support the efforts of RAM.  (www.ramusa.org/.webloc) There are problems everywhere. In so many cases there are solutions. The girls are asking everyone to look around and then look inside. The answers are there. Now more than ever, it’s time to ask how can you “be part of the equation”. Who would have imagined that eight teens could accomplish so much by deciding to do something, do anything? What will you choose to do? Your support is invaluable so please spread the word. Please visit the website (www.oneisgreaterthannone.org); wear the jewelry; buy the clothes. The girls are asking that you forward the video of the girls at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8r9z8VIqKg to inspire your friends and family to find their own cause or to support One is Greater than None …Please contact kerry.gillick.goldberg@gmail.com for more info.