Thanks to a joint effort between More than Me volunteers and the Liberia Dujar Association, the students from More than Me took part in a program on HIV awareness. This is the first time the students have ever had access to  a proper educational talk on the subject  and more so, the opportunity to ask their own questions about the virus.

Liberia Dujar is a non-profit organization that envisions a world where every child has the opportunity to transform their lives through quality education. One of their program areas focuses on the dissemination of information on HIV/AIDS. Alice Brumskine from the organization and program co-coordinator for the HIV/AIDS Counseling Department, led the seminar and gave each student the red ribbon that has come to symbolize HIV support and awareness all over the world.

Alice discussed the history of the disease, practicalities of protecting yourself and covered the social aspects of stigma surrounding the virus. She also talked about the medical options open to people with HIV and the success of anti-retroviral drugs for unborn children.  The talk was tailored to a local perspective such as not sharing razors when styling hair and to be wary of the needles used by people offering door to door medical attention, as well as the availability of free HIV testing in Monrovia.

At the end of the seminar Alice Brumskine was kept busy as the students took the opportunity to ask varying questions on the subject including:

• Can you catch HIV from mosquitos?
• Is there a complete cure for the virus?
• What happens to your body if you have the disease?

This seminar was a great opportunity for More Than Me students to learn more of the facts of HIV/ AIDS and its transmission; and gave a positive slant on how to treat people in the community that have the disease.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

You were Abigail. You were her scream, her voice, her heart tonight — and this movement for her is only beginning.  We want to thank all of you who made this possible.

A special shout out to our insanely awesome partners: Shine on Sierra Leone, HSN, Soar Nation, MME, Casa di Francesca, and of course,  Jada Pinkett Smith!!!

Because of all of you, we’re here – and now’s the time to take it even further!! Are you ready?

This movement isn’t stopping, and we need risk-taking leaders and companies to join in. We are looking for:

1. Foundations: we want 100% of the $1 million we were just awarded tonight to explicitly impact our girls. In order to do that, we need foundations to cover our operating budget for the next 3 years. Are you in? Email: [email protected] to get in touch.

2. Do you know people you are excited about using their money to do awesome things? Tell them about Abigail and then introduce them to us! Email: [email protected]

3. Calling on all companies. We want to unite with you for Abigail and our girls. For partnership opportunities, contact: [email protected]

This amazing moment is just the beginning – and we are ready to run forward.  It’s time to shake the world.

Together we can go further!

Katie

Today is Abigail’s Birthday!!!

She has never had a party before (she is an orphan). What better gift, than winning this contest in honor of her. Every time I see her she tells me how happy she is but also how sad she is knowing her friends still have her old life. Imagine calling her to say, “Every single one of your friends and more will be going to school next year!”

We are up against some huge organizations, but our passion can’t be matched. You and your drive, all of us together, is what can make this happen for her. This takes a movement to win and you’re the people to lead it. There’s no more time, this ends Tuesday, Dec. 4 and we have to pull up.

Here are the things EACH of you can do & encourage others to do with you!

1. Go on Facebook. Look who is online that very second. Super Effective — Type this message: “Hi (insert name), hope you’re doing awesome! Would you mind voting to help Abigail, an orphan, who needs a chance? I’m working with an organization that helps girls get off the street and into school. It would mean so much to me: VoteAbigail.org.” Make sure you follow up with people until they vote. Ask people who are close to you to do the same.

2. These last 48 hours count the most. Keep “I am Abigail” on your forehead until Tuesday at midnight (EST) so people ask you why. Respond: “Abigail was an orphan in West Africa forced to work the streets at 10 years old, now she’s in school. Because she doesn’t have a voice, I am being one for her. Will you vote to help Abigail and 1,000 other girls get into school?”

3. College students should ask 5 professors if you or they can make an announcement after class encouraging people to vote. For example, “Hey guys – An organization that I volunteer with works to get girls off the street and into school in Liberia, West Africa. Take 5 seconds of your time to visit VoteAbigail.org and vote for them!” Email [email protected] to get more info on things you can do on campus! *If you are not a college student, adapt this to communities in your life, like your work place, church, etc.

4. Go to the library, Starbucks- any place where you see people with laptops and ask them to take 5 seconds to vote for a girl in Liberia. Let us know if you need digital flyers that you can print and hand to each person so when you leave, they stay reminded.

5. Get inspired — we are on the news! Here is a segment about us that recently aired on   Watch it. Love it. Share it!

Take it even further…

Reach out to any organizations, groups, churches etc. and tell them about what you’re doing.

Here’s an email you can send:

I’m working with More Than Me, an organization that works to lift girls off the street and into school in Liberia, West Africa. More Than Me has a chance to win $1 million in the Chase American Giving Awards, which will be aired on NBC on Saturday, December 8th. Around the country, around the world, people are organizing “I am Abigail” days to make this happen for the girls. This is urgent and ends on Tuesday. We need to find leaders who will help us! If you’re one of them, please call me right now at: 612-242-0967. Here’s a segment about us that just aired on NBC: watch it.

On behalf of Abigail,

(your name)

It’s easy guys! Abigail and her friends are asking us for a couple more days of hard work to give them a chance at their dreams, a chance to go to school!

For Abigail,

Katie

More Than Me supporters,

You’ve always been there for our girls. You’ve always been the force that supports them. And we need you now more than ever. We need your vote for Abigail.

We are close to winning $1 million dollars on the NBC-televised American Giving Awards. This money would transform the lives of thousands of girls. The girls win; their dreams win; and, their families and friends and our world wins – only if you vote.

And… we are winning. We’re winning because right now there are people around the world writing “I am Abigail” on their foreheads and posting the photos on Facebook with the VoteAbigail.org link.

We’re winning because you know her story. You know that Abigail is an orphan. You know how close she was to a a life in a brothel. And she wrote a letter, see below, to the world asking for their love. She wrote, “More Than Me is the only family I’ve ever had” and then proceeded to plead to the world to help win this contest. Yes for her, but also for all the girls that are still living her old life and for girls who are about to get pulled into it if they don’t have a chance to go to school.

And we’re winning because you’re always willing to do more for her. And we need that more than ever now. We need you to:

Email or Facebook 500 people and ask them to vote on voteabigail.org and attach a picture of themselves with, “I am Abigail,” on their foreheads + tag 30 of their friends with a message that says why they’re doing it and include a link to vote.

We need you. She needs you.

Let’s grease the wheels of the universe,

Katie

We are super pumped! More Than Me was chosen, as one of 25 lucky organizations, to compete for $1 Million in the 2nd Annual Chase American Giving Awards contest!

This is BIG (super BIG, like to the moon and back BIG)! The winner will be announced during a live NBC special on December 8th — we must be that winner!

Voting doesn’t start until Nov. 27th, but we have to mobilize now, and we need YOU (yes, you) — you’re the reason we’ve gotten this far!

1st things 1st — we’re forming a legion of people committed to making it impossible for us to lose and we’re calling it: “Abigail’s Tribe”. The only way to win is to get the most votes through Facebook and Abigail’s Tribe is going to ensure this happens! (The Facebook voting details will be announced Nov. 27th, the 1st day of the contest).

Sign up here & see all the simple things you can do to help:

• VOTE Nov. 27th – Dec 4th
• Email your network
• Facebook, Tweet, Blog
• Introduce us to celebrities, influencers, media contacts
• Join a Street Team (collect votes in public spaces, hand out flyers)
• Start/Join a College Team (set up voting booths, collect votes dorm-to-dorm)
• Organize a Voting Party
• Mobilize others (rally others into action)

Abigail is our focal point for this contest. Why? Read this letter she wrote to us this past Sunday.

My name is Abigail.

I’m 13 years old. I live in West Point, Liberia. I don’t know my parents… I was left with women I didn’t know when I was 6 years old. They took care of me, but life was hard. Often, I didn’t have a place to sleep or food to eat. I was in and out of school. I used to sleep at a video club, that’s how I survived. I was abused, both in my mind and body. I didn’t feel loved.

When I met Katie and More Than Me, my life changed. I have a new home now and food to eat. I’m in school now. I’m happy now. I feel like I have a future now. I feel loved. I’ve learned how to bake, which helps me earn extra money.

Thank God for More Than Me — they are the only family I have now. Please help vote for me so I can continue in this new life and stay in school. Your vote is my future. I’ll do anything to show you that I’ll do my best in school and become something with my life.

Love,
Abigail

Tweet

Well we are another step closer. Today we held a ground breaking ceremony attended bythe Superintendent of Montserrado, the Honourable Representative of the District and the donors for the building renovation.

Mac did a good speech, the girls sang beautifully, Esther pleaded for us to do more and we all dug a bit of soil. On Monday there’ll be soil, cement and timber flying all over the place and in three months we’re going to have a school.

There’s loads to do: employ staff, organise a curriculum, get new students, work out how the tax system works, etc, etc. But we’re all feeling pretty pumped right now and I reckon we can do it.  In 3 months time get ready for the Big opening ceremony.

All the best,

Trevor

Advisory Board Member in Liberia

More than Me students standing on what will become the new school building. 

 

Esther and Macintosh speaking at the groundbreaking.

From West Point, in Monrovia, to the West Coast of the U.S., More than Me’s volunteer network is putting the skills of a few toward helping the needs of many. We have often touted the fact that if you have the drive to change a girl’s life, there is something you can contribute.

Living More than Me College Campaign director, Sacha Ramjit

More than Me is proud to announce a brand new program called the Living More than Me College Campaign. Led by Boston College student, Sacha Ramjit, the College Campaign has accepted nine other student leaders from around the U.S. to engage college students and highlight the challenges, successes, and stories of girls in the West Point slum. “It is undeniable that college age students are the up and coming progressive thinkers who can make real change, and we want to capture their attention,” said Sacha via email. “Our goal is to raise awareness about More Than Me, find more students who want to be a part of our cause, fundraise, and pave the way toward creating established More Than Me clubs on each of these campuses. Its time to get all college students to live More Than Me!”

The Living More than Me College Campaign will spread the message that college students can have an impact on campus and beyond. Giving a voice to the voiceless, bringing attention to girls that are usually ignored, the College Campaign will help shape the lives of young people here in the U.S. and in Liberia. Living More than Me is not just about what we are doing now, but what we can achieve together in the future, on college campuses, in classrooms in Liberia, and everywhere in between.