Mothers' Day Movement is Shifting Giving to Change Lives

As Mother's Day approaches, we often witness an outpouring of love and appreciation through gifts and flowers, with over $35 billion spent annually in the United States.

The Mothers' Day Movement seeks to honor mothers worldwide by shifting Mother’s Day gift giving to channel resources towards sustainable projects that uplift communities in need. This year, the Mothers' Day Movement has selected a local nonprofit, the African Education Program, as its partner of choice for the 2024 campaign.

What makes this year’s partnership particularly special is that both organizations have mother-daughter founding stories. Check out this short video for more.

MDM was founded by a passionate group of women dedicated to creating positive change for women and their families worldwide and annually supports a nonprofit organization through a fundraising campaign. Notably, 100% of the donations collected are directed towards the chosen charity. The mission of MDM is to redefine the focus of Mother's Day celebrations by channeling resources towards initiatives that uplift and empower mothers and their families globally.

As their ‘founding father’ Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times eloquently stated, "It's time to move the apostrophe so that it becomes not just Mother's Day honoring a single mother but Mothers' Day, an occasion to try and help mothers around the globe as well."

This year's Beneficiary Partner, the African Education Program (AEP), was founded in 2004 by four Radnor High School students with a goal to serve their peers living in communities that were under-resourced and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia. The founders’ work started by collecting, sorting, and shipping a container of books, computers, school supplies and clothes to community leaders in the town of Kafue. In 2006, AEP worked with the same community leaders and youth from Kafue to open its flagship Learning & Leadership Center.

Since the Center first opened its doors, AEP has partnered with local leaders and youth to develop, grow, and refine their Learning & Leadership Center model. Today, the Center is run almost entirely by alumni who returned to spearhead the Center’s programs after pursuing higher education. This is a true testament to the positive impact of their work, as well as the sustainable ripple effect of their programs, as these alumni become the leaders at the forefront of transforming their communities.

The Learning & Leadership Center has gone from reaching 25 youth to over 4,000 children, youth and women this year. AEP has empowered thousands of children, youth, and women to take full advantage of their education, achieve economic independence and upward mobility, and give back to their communities to drive cycles of positive change.

In 2024, AEP celebrates its 20-year milestone anniversary. Our Executive Director, Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, was inducted into the Radnor High School Hall of Fame in 2023 for her humanitarian service and this year she will be the Radnor High School commencement speaker.

We invite you to join us in the Mothers' Day Movement by spreading awareness and sharing our special message with your family and friends leading up to Mother’s Day on May 12th. With a donation of any amount, a personalized e-card can be sent that will change a life in Zambia!