For me there is no choice as to whether or not to persevere in the fight against global poverty because for the people I advocate for, choice is not a luxury they have. Now before you think this is about to be a hard-nosed, "let's go hoo haa, stop whining and pull yourself up by the bootstraps" kind of call to arms, let me put you at ease. For those of us who care for the poor and marginalised, the last few years in Australia have been long, painful and at times utterly depressing. We have seen promises broken, cries for justice go unheard and what has felt at times to be not just a toughening of policies but a hardening of hearts. So if you would allow me, let me take you to the far West of Nepal, to meet a woman whose perseverance has been the difference between life or death for countless mothers and their babies, so that her incredible story of determination might refuel and restore you to continue in your own advocacy here in Australia. It was early in the morning when Basanti - a ‘Child Health Now‘ Ambassador trained by…
read more