Pampers, UNICEF and my blogging trip to Africa

Some time ago I mentioned a trip to Cameroon, so perhaps this post should be called: What I really did this summer.

Perhaps it should end with a reference to the fact that you never really know what lies around the corner and what opportunities will suddenly present themselves.

For me, I did not think I would ever find myself sitting in a hospital in one the most remote parts of West Africa, being photographed with a group of women and their babies.

Because opportunities like this simply don’t happen.

Do they?

This August, while IJ holidayed with her grandparents in the Lake District, I travelled 3000 miles to Cameroon -- a trip which proved to be emotional, inspiring, moving and thought-provoking.

I went to Cameroon, as a blogger, with the Pampers and UNICEF teams to witness the progress of their “1 pack = 1 life-saving vaccine” campaign which is helping to eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus (MNT).

My role was to see the work of the campaign firsthand, to meet the women and children it was helping, experience the conditions the villagers live in and report it all back. So over the next ten days I will be posting my experiences of a trip which was emotional at times, yet on the whole positive and without doubt the best thing I have ever done.

The campaign background

Pampers and UNICEF joined forces in 2006 to help raise funding for vaccines to protect women and their babies against MNT. Now in its fifth year, the partnership has expanded across the globe reaching 21 countries in two continents and is helping to protect 100 million women and their babies.

The Pampers and UNICEF campaign runs from October to December. For every Pampers product purchased with the “1 pack = 1 life-saving vaccine” logo, Pampers will donate the cost of one tetanus vaccine to UNICEF.  Additionally, by visiting the Pampers Village website and clicking on the Big Kiss button, a ‘virtual kiss’ will be sent to Pampers and UNICEF. For every ‘virtual kiss’ sent, Pampers will make an additional donation to UNICEF.

 

Tetanus is a disease which can be eliminated in our lifetime and a goal that is within reach, with our help.

It was a privilege to travel to Cameroon, to see the campaign in action and to be so warmly welcomed by the communities we visited. I gained a rare insight into the lives of the villagers and the exceptional work of UNICEF.

Preparing for the trip I did not think it was possible to visit a developing country, spend time with some of the poorest people in the world, and not be altered by the experience.

And I was right.

Tomorrow my journey begins, at London Heathrow, with a 3am start, excitement, apprehension and slightly too much luggage.

Comments

[notSupermum]

I'm really looking forward to reading about this Rosie, because as you say it must have been a life-changing experience. x

[Josie]

Cannot WAIT to read more. So, so lovely to see some photos!

*takes up excited ears-eyes-open listening position*

xxxxx

[Liz (LivingwithKids)]

Such an amazing experience to have had - can't wait to hear all about it. Fab photos x

[Erica]

Looking forward to hearing how the trip went.

[Emily O]

What an experience, really looking forward to reading about it!

[Kate]

Oh. Wow!

Can't wait to read more.

[Linda]

Amazing. Can't wait to read more.

[MuddynoSugar]

Wowser lady - off to leave a virtual kiss... looking forward to hearing about the whole trip.

[Rosie Scribble]

Thanks Muddy, you'll be able to send a virtual kiss very soon - the site goes live in the next day or so. Mwah, in the meantime!

[BECKICKLESIE]

I'm tuned into Rosie Scribble. Can't wait to read more.

Becca x

[TheMadHouse]

Sounds amazing, I have been waiting to here all about this - looking forward to it

[New Mummy]

How amazing, can't wait to find out more. I'm so proud to be involved again this year and proud of you x

[Preseli Mags]

I have always wondered about the '1 pack = 1 vaccine'. I'm delighted to read about the good work that it is doing. How brilliant that you are able to tell us all about this. I can't wait to read more.

[Sandy Calico]

Well done you, Rosie. Looking forward to reading all about it. So sorry I can't make it tomorrow x

[Jo Beaufoix]

So proud of you and can't wait to hear more Rosie. And what gorgeous pics. x

[jfb57]

I never realised! Looking forward to hearing how successful the campaign has been!

[Susan Mann]

What amazing photos and an amazing trip. Can't wait to read more. x

[nixdminx]

Well done on your trip - I will keep reading about it. I met Unicef earlier this week at a conference and they were lovely. It seems like NGOs have really got the blogging bug doesn't it? It looks great.

[Rosie Scribble]

Thanks Eva. I'm slightly biased of course but I think UNICEF are absolutely wonderful and the work they do, like all the big charities, is simply fantastic. I'll be supporting them for life.