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Blogging Can Make a Difference

August 6, 2008 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Working for 5 Minutes for Mom and living in the New York area has given me some fun opportunities this year. I recently wrote on my own blog about getting to stand toe to toe with Kelly Ripa on the red carpet as she cooed and cuddled my son Kyle.

That was cool, but it didn’t change any lives, beyond a (very) cool story to tell and some great pictures. Kyle didn’t care who was cuddling him, and for Kelly Ripa it was just another day in the life of a NYC personality.

For me it was so far outside my everyday experience that it hardly changed who I am.

And now, yet another opportunity has been offered–a chance to use the influence of writing for a popular site like 5 Minutes for Mom to do more than pass on the news about a cool new movie or tell you about a book I’ve enjoyed or a product that I love.

In November, Compassion International is taking another group of bloggers on a vision trip to spread the word about the work of Compassion and the needs of the children in the communities they serve. I truly believe that blogging for Compassion can make a difference.

Did you read the personal accounts of either Shannon (at Rocks in My Dryer) or Sophie (at Boomama) when they went to Uganda earlier this year? They were both an incredible testimony to the power of words and the value of sharing information. By sharing their experiences, they were able to change perspectives for people who haven’t seen poverty like that first hand.

Isn’t that what blogging is all about?

Sophie just reposted one of her reflections from that February trip. Reading it reminded me that this trip to the Dominican Republic is going to be pretty far outside my everyday experience. It’s on the opposite spectrum of working the red carpet.

And yet somehow I think that this is going to change who I am.

* * * * * * * * *

This November I’m going on the 2008 Compassion Blogger trip to the Dominican Republic. Would you like to come? Do you have a blog that gets fairly high traffic so that they can get the word out to the most people in the most cost-efficient way?

Would you like to blog to make a difference in the life of children across the world? Find out all the details HERE.

* * * * * * * * *

Has something you’ve read on a blog made a difference in your life? Or do you blog about a certain topic in order to make a difference?

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About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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31 Comments

  1. Christy says

    October 31, 2008 at 7:26 am

    Jennifer,

    It has been many years since I visted the DR, but I have not forgotten what a humbling and rewarding experience it is. The little children we met every day were so filled with love, appreciation, and wonder – it was humbling how they just wanted to be near and how freely their sweet hugs came. Also humbling was their living conditions & how little they had and how we came to understand that however little we once thought we had, it was still so much. Very humbling. The 10 days went by fast, were lots of fun even without perfect conditions, and it was missed as soon as it over.

    I can’t wait til hear all about your trip & experiences. 🙂 Have a great time!!

    Reply
  2. Monkey Giggles says

    September 19, 2008 at 7:48 am

    Jennifer, you will do an awesome job. I will be following along.

    Reply
  3. Lauren says

    August 8, 2008 at 2:00 pm

    Jennifer,

    That is so exciting! I know you must be thrilled to have this opportunity. You have had several neat trips lately, but I am sure this one will be the most life changing!

    Reply
  4. Melissa says

    August 8, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    I’m hoping to blog about my experience in Peru next summer. There are 600,000 orphans under 18 in the city of Lima, Peru alone! Probably 250,000 of those are elementary school age & under. I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do on this trip. Our church went this summer (I didn’t go) and immediately partnered with a Christian children’s home. We raised over $18,000 for the home this week alone at VBS (keep in mind, my church averages 400 in worship…not a mega-church by any means). That money will fund a new school, and provide for 8 children for 1 year. PRAISE HIS NAME!

    Reply
  5. Jacquie says

    August 8, 2008 at 10:23 am

    Oh, I wish I could do this so badly! My husband and I had planned a trip to the Dominican Republic about a year ago & we were going to visit one of our Compassion kids there, but the day before we were supposed to leave, I had complications with my pregnancy and we had to cancel our trip! 🙁 Thankfully, everything with our baby was okay and I would love to even go there with him, but since he’ll only be 8 months at that time, I don’t think I could swing it by myself. So, maybe if you meet a little 8 year-old girl named Yasmel while you’re there, you can say hi to her for us. 🙂 I really look forward to hearing all about your trip! And the other great thing is that I don’t need to go in order to start using my blog to be an advocate for needy children! I don’t know why I never thought to do this before, but I think it’s definitely something everyone should consider doing – we all have a voice and we all have an audience where we can make an impact for these precious kids.

    Reply
  6. Cascia says

    August 7, 2008 at 10:39 pm

    Good for you! I would love to go, but at this point in my life November is too close maybe the next one. I love reading all of your blogs! Good luck ladies who enter!

    Reply
  7. Bobbi says

    August 7, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    and here it is http://www.ThankGodForMommy.com. lol

    Reply
  8. Bobbi says

    August 7, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    Jennifer,

    I believe I am blogging to make a difference.
    I am a mother of five, filmmaker, writer and artist. I have made a film in Cuba and we unabashedly showcased the plight of the Cuban people and children. I was pregnant with our fourth child while we were filming.

    I believe mothers CAN be powerful women and mothers. I believe we can have it all. So I dedicated a blog about it.

    Keep up the great work.

    Reply
  9. To Think Is To Create says

    August 7, 2008 at 2:56 pm

    Jennifer, what an amazing opportunity! I’m so excited for you. I would love to go, I know it would be incredible. I don’t think I could be away from my kids at this stage, but hopefully some day.

    `Arianne

    Reply
  10. Christine - From Dates to Diapers says

    August 7, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    This trip will certainly change your life, and the lives of so many others! Praise God that you are able to go and be a light to the Dominican Republic.

    My husband and I had the opportunity to go to Zambia, Africa with World Vision in 2003. We were able to meet the children we sponsor from the ADP we visited. I didn’t have a blog then, but if I did I would have documented for all of my readers to see. 🙂 If I didn’t have so many little ones now, I would be applying in a heartbeat…

    I look forward to the day the Lord opens the door for us to go back (or anywhere in Africa, really)… I’ll be blogging my experiences then, I’m sure!

    Can’t wait to follow you on your journey. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Mozi Esme's Mommy says

    August 7, 2008 at 11:56 am

    I LOVE stories of people getting out of their comfort zone and making a difference in others’ lives! Way to go!

    Reply
  12. Doll Clothes Gal says

    August 7, 2008 at 11:02 am

    Fantastic – hope the trip works well for Compassion International

    Reply
  13. Jen says

    August 7, 2008 at 10:51 am

    What a wonderful experience this will be for you! I can’t wait to read about it through your live blogging 🙂

    Reply
  14. Alexis says

    August 7, 2008 at 6:42 am

    What an awesome experience. My blog would never qualify. 🙁 I’d love to make a difference in someones life.

    Reply
  15. Nina says

    August 7, 2008 at 6:40 am

    As a mother of daughters adopted from China, I have a great interest in the orphans of the world. This is a wonderful outreach project and a great opportunity for those who can travel with this team. Bless you! I’ve posted about Compassion Bloggers on my blog this morning. Thank you for letting us know all about the Compassion Bloggers.

    Reply
  16. Rebekah says

    August 7, 2008 at 12:47 am

    This sounds so awesome! What a great opportunity. I can’t wait to read all about it.

    Reply
  17. Adventures In Babywearing says

    August 6, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    Jennifer- that is incredible!! You will do wonderfully!

    Steph

    Reply
  18. Katrina (Callapidder Days) says

    August 6, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    I’m very excited for you and look forward to all that God will do through this trip!

    Reply
  19. whittakerwoman says

    August 6, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    Thanks for blogging about our trip! H

    Reply
  20. Krista says

    August 6, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    I’m jealous! 😉 I guess they have to be practical and pick the blogs that get a lot of traffic, but it would be nice in the future if they would pick some smaller bloggers to go. Maybe I have an inferiority complex, but just because we don’t write well/funny enough to have a large readership doesn’t mean we won’t make a difference.

    Reply
  21. Christi says

    August 6, 2008 at 6:56 pm

    Oh, Jen, that is fantastic! I can’t wait to follow your journey! The trip to Uganda touched my heart in so many ways, and led me to sponsor a child. I’m praying for you now in preparation for your trip!

    Reply
  22. amy says

    August 6, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    I don’t think my blog gets near enough traffic, but how I wish I could go.

    I hope my blogging makes a difference. I am part of Inspired to Action (http://inspiredtoaction.com) which is an obvious effort at making a difference but I also hope that my other blogs make a difference, too.

    Reply
  23. casual friday everyday says

    August 6, 2008 at 5:06 pm

    Jennifer,

    I’m a wee bit envious. Because I’m pregnant I can’t go with you all this year, but I am planning to go in the coming years.

    I can’t wait to live this with you via pictures and stories here on the blog.

    :–) Nell

    Reply
  24. Casey says

    August 6, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Wow, that’s an amazing idea! We are also involved with Compassion, but an overseas trip is not in the cards for me right now (even if my traffic were high enough).

    Lately, I’ve been thinking about blogging, my blog, and why I blog. Partially, I do it for me, because I like to get my thoughts organized and a blog helps me do it. I do it sometimes for family so they can see pictures of my boys. I think the reason that I blog what I do, though, is for support. I hope that by blogging about extended nursing and tandem nursing, subjects and practices where are often a apart of the less popular and even alternative culture, I can let some other mom out there know that she’s not alone, and there are others who believe similarly to her.

    Reply
  25. genny says

    August 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    Thanks so much for the information! I followed the link and submitted my blog. What a wonderful opportunity.

    Reply
  26. Monica says

    August 6, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    I would love to go. I’m a child advocate with CI too and it sure would help me explain the organization to people if I got to see it in action overseas. I have no idea if my traffic is high enough though.

    Reply
  27. Susan says

    August 6, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    Janice and I are sooooo excited that you are going on this trip and will be blogging about it here at 5 Minutes for Mom!!!

    I’m sure it will be a life changing experience and we’re so happy to spread the word about Compassion International.

    In a few hours, we’ll be releasing our interview with Shannon from “Rocks in my Dryer” where we talk about her Africa trip.

    Reply
  28. AndyCamper: Fun activities for Mom and her Kids says

    August 6, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    Jennifer,

    You always have great stories and info on being a Mom. I thought you’d be interested to know that http://www.andycamper.com is now online with tons of fun activities that parents can do with their kids.

    Hope you enjoy it.

    -Derek

    Reply

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