1 > 0

One is Greater Than None
(Thanks to Mike Cope for this article.)

Eight junior high girls saw the Oprah show with my sister-in-law last year. You can read about the result here. They’re supposed to be interviewed on “The Today Show” tomorrow morning.

This is from their website:

For months, a group of 14 year-old girls talked about starting a charity. These eight girls were determined to make a difference in someone’s life, but never seemed to agree on “who, what, where or how”. They did however have the answer to the most important question. “Why?”...

One of the girls saw an Oprah episode “The Little Boy Oprah Couldn’t Forget” featuring children from Ghana, Africa, being sold for as little as $20 by their families, unknowingly, into a life of servitude. In April 2007, during a school break, the girls gathered to watch that Oprah episode. They were all heartbroken that something like this was actually happening in the world. Ghana was so far away but the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was making it possible for people to sponsor rescue missions that would save these trafficked children from a life of hard labor and abuse. They found out it would cost about $4300* to rescue one child. This would fund 2 ½ years of food, shelter, an education and love. Oprah urged everyone to reach inside themselves and find their potential to make even a small difference.

The girls were determined to save some of these children. One of the girls asked, “What if we only raise enough money to save one child?” The response was “Well, one is better than none.” And that is how “One is Greater than None” began. The girls decided to make bracelets and package them on cards that would educate people about what was going on in the fishing villages of Ghana. They designed a necklace with eight wooden beads, representing each girl, which surrounds a recycled glass bead made in Ghana. Tee shirts were made with their logo, (1>0), and their tag line “Be Part of the Equation.”

The girls wanted to raise money, but they were equally determined to raise social awareness. Do anything. Do something. It is such a simple premise, but how easily the world could change if everyone embraced that philosophy. On June 8th, the final bracelet cards were packaged. On June 16th the girls officially raised enough money to save their first child! So many great things have come from what the girls have started. The website was generously donated, which will make their goals even more attainable. Printing, legal consultation, photographers, tee shirts etc… have all been donated by people wanting to contribute in any way they can to help save the trafficked children in Ghana.

The International Organization for Migration have been wonderful. On July 31st, Eric Peasah, the gentleman who runs the rescue missions came to New York to meet the girls. They were excited and honored. WABC filmed the meeting and the response was amazing.

In August, the “1>0″ apparel line was successfully launched in NYC. An editor of Teen Vogue loved the clothing line but more important, the initiative the girls have taken to save these children. “One is Greater than None” was featured in their Dec/January issue. They have been featured on National Television and Bloomingdales will be carrying the 1>0 apparel line in February. For updates and store locations check out their website. In January the International Organization for Migration has a scheduled rescue mission. With the support of hundreds of people, the girls of “One is Greater than None” have raised enough money to sponsor eight of these children. They are working on sponsoring a full rescue mission of 25 children. Your support is invaluable so please spread the word. More children need to come home.

There are problems everywhere. In so many cases there are solutions. The girls are asking everyone to look around and then look inside. The answers are there. It’s time to ask how you can “Be part of the equation”. They are an inspiration to everyone, that anyone can make a difference no matter how limited their resources. These girls are full of love and hope. Who would have imagined what eight 14 year-old girls could accomplish in just 6 months? We should be in awe of how the universe has made it possible for the 1>0 girls to reach across the world, take a child’s hand and say, “You were not forgotten…”