Join the MU’s make a mother’s day campaign – and help mothers in need

Over a year on from the worldwide financial crisis and many of us have been fighting stress, fear for our jobs, redundancies, damaged pensions, and frozen pay-rises.

Translate all this to communities already affected by poverty, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa, and throw in climate change for good measure, and the global recession has meant far worse disaster. Life becomes a struggle for mere survival.

Mothers’ Union – like any charity – has seen income levels drop alarmingly as investments take a tumble. Yet working at the grassroots, serving communities in 78 countries of the world, means that we see at first hand when people need help.

And we know that if you could see what our members see, you would not be able to walk by on the other side.

Mothers’ Union’s make a mother’s day campaign each year offers ethical gifts which help family carers through some of the most challenging difficulties. Each gift reaches out to a mum, granny, or care-giver to help them give care, protection, nurture and a more positive and hopeful future to children.

This year the challenge is on to meet greater needs amid the recession. There are a total of fourteen ethical gifts to choose from for 2010, ranging from £7 - £168, each one bound to delight either your mother, or you as you choose a gift in your mum’s memory.

Duck and chicks, seeds and goats tap into the sense of rebirth that spring brings. But there are gifts too for supporting the environment, as well as leadership training for the Global South.

One particular favourite ‘gift’ you might buy is aimed at helping little girls in this country. It is called “Childhood is going bust” and costs £40. It’s message is: “Help us ban bras for seven-year olds. We believe the sexualisation of pre-teen girls is wrong. End of story.”
Many mothers in the UK will be doing their bit to protect their daughters’ childhood by helping Mothers’ Union in this lobby against the aggressive marketing to children.

Catalogues available from Mothers’ Union’s office, Church House, Crane Street, Salisbury. SP1 2QB. Phone 01722 333402, or the national MU office at Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3RB. Phone 020 7222 5533 – or purchase online from www.makeamothersday.org