Changing Lives in Africa - MORE Magazine

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

Khangela

All Khangela ever wanted was a healthy child. Upon learning her HIV status, her hope dwindled. But because of m2m, Khangela now looks into her son’s eyes knowing that he is HIV-negative and can lead a long, healthy life. As a mentor mother for m2m Khangela also has a bright future ahead of her. She now helps inspire other mothers to realize their dreams and become empowered members of their communities.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

Home Cooked Meals

With school letting out early, our site coordinator’s daughter offered to help me prepare food for the mothers at the Michael M. Clinic in Cape Town. The home cooked meals that the mothers eat are just one of the many ways every m2m site provides a loving, family-oriented environment.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

The Meeting Room

This storage space has been lovingly converted by members of the m2m family into a meeting room for the m2m coordinators in the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. Proving the power of community involvement in bringing about change, the mothers and other members of the community who helped paint this unit changed its once dark, monotonous façade into one vibrant with color and meaning.

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

Singathwa

Mentor mother Singathwa embraces her two healthy, HIV-negative children, Unathi (right) and Olungana. m2m has given Singathwa new hope, as she looks forward to using all she has learned with m2m to lead a healthy life for herself and for her two children.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

No More Fear

It’s hard to believe that just a few months prior to this picture, this mom was shy and afraid to discuss her status with anyone. As a result of her participation in m2m, she now embraces her HIV-positive status and is unafraid to tell the world. This mother is just one of many m2m participants who are helping to fight the stigma of HIV by discussing their status openly.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

m2m in Malawi

Bringing her child in for a regular check-up, this beautiful, young mother holds her baby in a Malawian health clinic and looks forward to becoming an m2m mentor mom. m2m opened its program in Malawi just a few weeks after this picture was taken.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

Recognition

I joined President Bill Clinton and John Tedstrom, President and CEO of the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the GBC’s Awards for Business Excellence Gala 2008, at which Johnson & Johnson was honored for its work with mothers2mothers. President Clinton received a beautiful beaded quilt made by m2m mothers in recognition of his efforts in Africa.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

Nozi

m2m mentor mother Nozi plays with her gorgeous, HIV-negative son. Last year, Nozi accompanied me to New York and Washington DC, where she addressed a congressional briefing. She shared her story and how m2m has made such a positive impact on her life and her community.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

m2m in Zambia

Short on space in this Zambian clinic, this m2m support group moves outdoors. Here, mentor mothers lead a session teaching and discussing the benefits of exclusive feeding. These sessions educate all m2m mothers in the safest ways to care for their HIV-negative newborns.

mothers2mothers

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In 2004, I quit my high-profile Hollywood job and moved to Africa where I co-founded mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an international grassroots program dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Every day, the mothers inspire me as they transform their lives and become hopeful, empowered members of their communities. Here, a glimpse into the lives of some of the courageous moms I’ve met. To read my personal reinvention story, go to From Hollywood to Africa.

At the White House

After visiting an m2m site in Africa, hearing many of the mothers’ stories and learning about the program, First Lady Laura Bush invited m2m mothers to the White House to honor the organization in March 2006. Here, the First Lady listens as m2m site coordinator, Kunene Aunt, titles her “Grand-mama.”