Today I received some mail from the girl I sponsor through World Vision in Mali. I was almost as excited by what was on the envelope as the Christmas card inside it.
On the front of the envelope was this stamp. (I apologize that it is so small). On it, it says “Republique Du Mali – Allaitons Nos Enfants,” which translated means, “The Republic of Mali – Suckling (Breastfeeding) Our Children.” The photo is of a mother nursing her baby. If you look closely you can even see her nipple, The baby is looking up at its mother, while resting its hand on her chest. She is fondly looking down at her baby. I love that she is shamelessly feeding her baby from above her dress too, because in North America and Britain at least, that can be more skin than many women want to show. Positive body images are always a good thing.
I especially love that this stamp comes from Mali. Why? Because Nestlé has been accused of involvement in the trafficking, torture and forced labour of children in Mali [Source]. In fact, in 2005 the International Labor Rights Fund filed a lawsuit against Nestlé as well as two other companies on behalf of Malian children who were trafficked from Mali into the Ivory Coast and forced to work twelve to fourteen hours a day with no pay, little food and sleep, and frequent beatings [Source]. So I am very happy to see the government taking a stand for breastfeeding, if only on a postage stamp.
It’s also coincidental that I received this stamp on my Christmas card envelope because the last letter I sent to my 15 year old sponsored child was about sex and babies. Her mother died a number of years ago and she is the oldest child in her family. Her father works long hours and I have no idea how many female relatives or close women friends she has. She is also very shy (her teachers tell me and you can see it in her photos), which leads me to suspect she is more vulnerable than some of the other girls. Also, she attends a Christian school, and I am not sure how much they emphasize the body science lessons.
As much as I wasn’t sure it was my place, I thought it couldn’t hurt, so I respectfully played my nurturing woman friend card and had a little handwritten chat with her about boys and babies. In the letter I talked to her about the importance of breastfeeding and the health and cost benefits. A part of me wonders if she ever received it because she would have had to have it translated by someone, but I hope whomever first read it, saw my good intentions and passed it on to her.
But isn’t that cool about the stamp?
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That is super cool! Love it.
TheFeministBreeder´s last blog ..TFB on TLC
That’s is so wonderful – not just the stamp – that is incredible, but also your sponsorship. Thank goodness for women like you.
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That really is cool. And I hope your message got through.
Amber´s last blog ..Sibling Love
NEat stamp..I want it poster size! Call Mali!
Naomi´s last blog ..Who’s Body is it Anyway? Life, Pregnancy, Illness etc.
What a brilliant stamp. It makes the heart feel light to see such a thing!
Cave Motherr´s last blog ..What Happened To My Breasts?
Great stamp! The Universe works in strange ways – I just found World Vision yesterday because I wanted to purchase a goat or a sheep for a needy family as a Christmas gift to my in-laws (who have everything). I ended up purchasing the gift through ELCA Good Gifts because my in-laws are Lutheran Church members. I am going to look into World Vision now too! Thanks – and Merry Christmas Melodie!
Pure Mothers´s last blog ..Our Green Move
You are a gutsy woman Melodie. I’m glad I know you. Happy Solstice! Love, Dominique in Comox