That’s my friend Dallas singing a lullaby in Lingala in Kinshasa, Bas Congo. A new mom who adopted a baby from DR Congo had been looking for a lullaby in Lingala and found Dallas’ video. Now that mom is learning this song to sing to her baby girl. The Internet is powerful when used for hope instead of hate. Dallas wrote the song, and the lyrics go like this:
I want peace in the world.
I want every mother to breathe a sigh that her babies are asleep with their bellies full and their eyes dry.
Hear my prayer and my plea that we’ll get there and then just let it be.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
I am going to Uganda. In five days.
I never imagined I’d be writing those simple words. I’m going to Africa, an expansive place that has mesmerized and intrigued me, and frankly, even frightened me. I think I read The Poisonwood Bible one too many times. Africa holds such mystery, such history, and riches that are not measured empirically.
I am honored to be invited as a guest of the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign to experience firsthand the wonder and hope they bring to families whose children would go unimmunized and likely die from vaccine preventable diseases. Did you know that polio is this close to being eradicated worldwide? We have only eradicated one other disease on this planet – small pox.
One in five children lacks the access to get protection from vaccine-preventable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, and polio. Measles still kills an estimated 450 people each day—the majority of whom are young children. Did you know that in some villages children are not even given a name until measles has passed through because the chance of death is so great? Imagine giving birth to your baby and not naming it while he coos in your arms, all the while wondering when he will die, likely in step with others before him. Check out illustrator Sophie Blackall‘s (of Ivy & Bean fame!) poignant portrayal of her trip to the Congo to see the Measles and Rubella Initiative at work here. For just $1, a child can be safely and effectively vaccinated against measles and rubella, making it one of the most cost-effective health interventions available in the world. One lousy dollar that you can probably scrounge up among the cracker crumbs and lost barrettes in your car.
Now I ask you to please watch this very short video.
And boom, just like that, a child just died of a vaccine preventable disease. Every 20 seconds a child dies for lack of basic immunizations we take for granted in the United States. In fact, some view it as a luxury to not get immunized at all, despite the risks and controversy surrounding the debate! The paradigm of these mothers and children is so disparate that I cannot begin to imagine it. Nonetheless, mothers all over the planet love their babies the same. The mothers I meet in Uganda share the same sisterhood of motherhood with me, despite all our other differences. What binds us is greater than what divides us. I am indebted to the Shot@Life campaign for inviting me on this adventure. I hope to bring you stories and pictures and words to help make these lessons come to life.
Every child deserves a Shot@Life.
20 seconds. A nameless baby just died.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
The lullaby is beautiful. Have an amazing and powerful trip. xo
I am so beyond excited for you and look forward to following along through your blogs and Twitter. You are traveling in amazing company for an amazing cause. It will change your life.
Thanks for sharing your friends video. Truly excited for you to get to experience this and let us live it through you.
Embrace the life-changing moments to come!
What a beautiful song. It’s haunting, being juxtaposed with such harsh realities in your post. Good luck, friend, and be strong for them.
I am so glad that you are getting to go and I know that you will bring home what you see and learn and share it with us and the world.
As an RN I sometimes get a little bit upset about anti-vaccination propaganda. You would think to hear some people talk that vaccinations are the bane of humanity instead of the saver of children’s lives. The reason some people can afford the luxury of not vaccinating is because of the herd immunity provided by most babies getting vaccinated.
People seem to forget that prior to vaccinations many children died before the age of 5. I’m pretty sure that most people here in the US would kill to get vaccinations for their children if they lived in Africa instead.
I can’t wait to see how your trip goes.
What a beautiful voice your friend has. I can’t wait to serve as a fellow delegate with you in Uganda. I’m so excited!
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” That was always my mom’s favorite song when at church, and she went every Sunday wondering if they were going to play it upon exit at the end of mass. As a surprise on my wedding day, I organized to have the song played. As if there weren’t enough tears. So, I totally resonate with that phrase!
Looking forward to meeting you on the Shot@Life trip to Uganda!
Jen 🙂
So beautiful. I love how happy her singing made everyone in that room. Such a gift.
I’m thrilled to be sharing this upcoming experience with you. I’ve been stuck with many needles, but the reality still hasn’t yet sunk in.
Just beautiful. Have an amazing journey. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Beautiful and inspiring. I know how deeply you care about causes like this and I cannot think of anyone better to spread the word. I’ll be tuning in and following along, as always.
What a wonderful experience, and such a joy to bring joy and peace to others. I have no doubt this trip will bring you many gifts to keep and reflect on throughout your life.