Extending our Reach through Cooperative Action
from LEAVEN, Vol. 33 No.
5, October-November 1997, p. 116
by Cindy Smith, Chairman, LLLI Board of Directors
Dear LLLI,
As an LLL member and donor,
I have some concerns about La Leche League's involvement with certain
groups. LLL has always been an inspiration and a refuge for me in my 15
years of mothering. I sincerely appreciate its support of breastfeeding
and mothering. My concerns are related to LLLI's involvement with USAID
(United States Agency for International Development) and UNICFF (United
Nations International Children's Emergency Fund). Being of firm pro-life
conviction, I would like a clarification on the extent of LLLI's association
with these two groups. USAID and UNICEF promote contraception and abortion.
Please explain LLLI's relations with these groups and specify if LLL funds
are used for these groups.
Sincerely,
Angela J. Esker
Teutopolis, Illinois, USA
Dear Angela,
Thank you for your support
of La Leche League as a member and donor. It is wonderful to hear how
being a part of LLL has contributed to your mothering and that you are
willing to invest in LLL for the mothers of the future through your
donations.
You asked for clarification
of LLL's relationship with USAID and UNICEF. As an international, nongovernmental
organization with Leaders in 66 countries, LLLI is recognized as an
authority on both breastfeeding and mother-to-mother support. This recognition
of our expertise has resulted in opportunities to disseminate accurate
breastfeeding information to health professionals, other nongovernmental
organizations, governments, international agencies and the general public.
This has been done is a number of ways, from the local LLL Group and
its presence in a community to working with international agencies such
as USAID and UNICEF.
In 198l, LLLI acquired consultative
status with UNICEF. In that capacity, we serve as a member of the Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) Committee and chaired the Nutrition Working Group
for many years. We used this position to increase awareness in the international
community of the importance of breastfeeding by submitting statements
to UN-sponsored meetings such as the Earth Summit in 1992 and the Fourth
World Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995. LLLI's specific
expertise in breastfeeding and our presence at these events has been
pivotal in the development of a commitment to breastfeeding on a global
level.
Also, in various countries
around the world, local UNICFF organizations have contributed financially
to LLL activities such as the translation and printing of LLL materials
as well as support of local meetings and seminars for both Leaders and
health professionals.
In 1995, LLLI was invited
to provide its expertise to a USAID-funded project in Guatemala City
that studied the growth and sustainability of mother-to-mother support
groups in low-income areas. LLL of Guatemala was central to the success
of this project and, because of it, more mothers are breastfeeding and
more babies are thriving on their mother's milk.
The success of this project
caused USAID to look more closely at its own activities in support of
breastfeeding and child health. The end result is the LINKAGES program
which works in the international community to promote and extend breastfeeding
as a vehicle to improve maternal/child health and optimize natural child
spacing by improving breastfeeding practices. This program is very compatible
with LLLI's purpose and very much in line with LLLI's expertise in mother-to-mother
support.
Participating in coperative
action or receiving a grant does not mean that LLLI "aligns itself"
with the organization or agency. It means that LLLI sees this as an
opportunity to promote our mission in communities we might not have
been able to reach otherwise. The cooperation benefits us in two ways:
it furthers our mission and provides us with financial support.
Our relationship with these
organizations does not constitute an endorsement of the organizations
themselves or their other programs. Our single area of expertise is
breastfeeding. Our role is to ensure the topic of breastfeeding remains
"on the table," not brushed under it, and to provide our technical expertise
and guidance so that every baby around the world has the opportunity
to be breastfed.
Over the years, LLL's accomplishments
have been a direct result of our single focus. No other causes, no matter
how noble, just or true, can be allowed to dilute our dedication to
the accomplishment of our purpose: to help mothers learn how to breastfeed
their babies; to encourage mothering through breastfeeding; and to promote
a better understanding of breastfeeding around the world.
Thank you for the opportunity
to address your questions.
Sincerely.
Cindy Smith, Chairman
LLLI Board of Directors
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:37 UTC 2007.
