Somali Children Dying of Hunger---click for Huffington Post Story

Somalian children are dying of hunger at an alarming rate, mostly due to migration from drought and the political climate with history repeating itself, again.  If they are lucky enough to reach a camp in Kenya, they may get food, but it seems that many children are dying in route.

How many times do we have to see this devastation?  It does create a feeling of helplessness, especially with what is happening in our American economy, people out of work, and many hungry.

As a parent, I can't imagine the struggles of these Somali people and parents, having to leave many of their children on the side of the road.

We need another Hands Across America and We Are The World! I am game if anyone wants to join me ..to put together a major event to help the Somoli people and the children, and create a community to help America with this hunger crisis.  How about you?  Sponsors? Individuals?

Anyone can also give at www.ECOChallenge2020.org where any donations or memberships between now and October 1st will be donated in full to the on the ground hunger AID organization through 360 CNN Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta.  They are focusing their efforts on local Somali organizations with a proven on the ground track record of helping the children there.

July 22 2011:  From: Leslie from Crioya global Movement (condensed email) on Her Trip to Find a School in Costa Rica for our ECOChallenge2020.org Collaboration

Dear Jeannette,  I am so happy that I am doing this work, traveling and living my passion.  I am interested in learning more about business and really growing the business.  I envision myself coming down here next time with a team, a small staff or group of individuals and really offering support to those that may want/need it! Exciting times, I am stronger than I was before!

I have learned a lot! I have also spoken with several people and have some great possibilities. I have some friends helping me out too! I have done some initial leg work and relationship building and chatting with collegues from before also.  I spoke with a hotel receptionist that I met a few years ago and she truly made my heart sing.  She is from a small town on the caribbean side called san clemente. This community is between two major tourist attractions. Cahuita (which has a beautiful national park), Puerto Viejo (which is know for it's surfing and caribbean culture) and Bribri an indigenous community. As Noemy says, this is the Costa Rica people don't know about. Here community of people are the forgotten ones. Banana plantations surround them and the fathers work for the large multinational corporations, but don't make much money. There is a school in the area that is underserved and in need of support. Noemy invited me to her house and community.

I am most impressed by the grassroots work Noemy has initiated. Recently, Noemy threw a party for the kids in her community that aren't able to attend school and who don't have much to do during the day. Working three jobs Noemy decided with 3 other adult community members to host this party.  It was an overwhelming success. Approximately 44 children attended with bright smiles, eager to socialize, eat well, and break the piñata. Noemy emphasized that no adults were allowed, only children.  She has a desire to build an educational resource center out of her own home. She has the space and the willingness. Her first steps are to host more parties for the children (September 9th is the day of the child and the date for the next one). Then, she wants to build a library with book and games. She is interested in setting up workshops for the kids and adults with help from people abroad and locally. Her vision is large, she wants to help the women learn how to do hydroponics so they can depend on one another, grow their own food and then trade with one another.  She is a very hardworking and caring woman, I am so gratefull that she shared her story and vision with me.

Pura Vida, I'll send more updates soon!  And video too,  Leslie

Jeannette Kravitz (Moore)

I grew up in a small Ohio town in the 70’s. My career has spanned from working at an airline pilot school, events & PR at a thoroughbred race farm, and ultimately, photography International Operations where I found my creative voice through visual arts, events and music.   All the while, enjoying the privilege of single-parenting two amazing children! My international travels allowed me time to volunteer in places like Romania, working for HIV/AIDS orphans and NGOs globally. This volunteerism helped me to gain perspective on the ultimate question, ‘what is my purpose?”

In 2000 while working on the closing music concert for the World’s Fair in Hannover, Germany it’s like I suddenly woke up. I met so many international people at the Fair. People outside America were shifting away from their belief in America. I came back and immediately started a charity where American kids would travel and do good for other cultures to illuminate the true spirit of the USA outside of our politics. This shift led me to the great fortune of finding my spiritual path, as I began my commitment to expose issues affecting children through an award winning youth travel documentary with BET TV, my Rock The Castle radio show, producing international music concerts (www.peacejourney.com)  and now,  building a network of health and sustainability for our worlds children by creating www.ECOChallenge2020.org.

We are having fun illuminating the possibilities for our world's children and their health. At the core is the daunting issue of world hunger and the 6-million children dying each year of hunger and malnutrition.  We can do better.  Wea re helping people become aware and contribute to a sustainable future, led by children.

I chose the spa industry for a reason.  I believe and hope the spa and skin care industry joins me in this opportunity, to helpchildren reconnect with food and become leaders in youth food sustainability & health around the globe with conquering Obesity,Type 2 Diabetes and Hunger.

And I am planning a big event for 2012 and would so enjoy great collaborations with others in the spa industry and welcome inquiries!

It is amazing what happened last night.  My friend Trudi and I decided to go try to get tickets to Paul McCartney at Wrigley and we got them!  I was at the concert series in 1964 for the Beatles.  I also met Paul McCartney and his son Juliann when out in Los Angeles with musician, George Benson a few years ago. (photo with me and very short hair)

A host of images of the "Fab Four" were up on screen.  Paul's voice was amazing and pure, and his band Wings played a host of standards and new music, but the most profound for me was when Paul sang "Give Peace A Chance". Flashes of John Lennon and voices from 40,000+ people in the stadium lifted my spirits so high and helped me to focus on why I do what I do for kids, the world, and our hope for a better tomorrow.

Four simple words, and yet after so much time, still a struggle for so many.   Give PEACE a Chance!

If you get to see this performance, go.  You will be transcended, if at least just for a while.  Peace everyone.

Jeannette