In 2009, when Suzanne and Mike Mayernick of Brentwood flew to Uganda to adopt a little girl, it became the impetus to save many more children. At 3 ½ years old, their daughter JosieLove weighed a mere 12 pounds and suffered not only from malnutrition but also from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.
After receiving a combination of high-quality medical care, love, and attention, JosieLove transformed into a happy, healthy child. “My mom, Suzanne, felt the Lord calling her to do more,” says Grace Hackett, its director of engagement. In 2018, Love+ One International was founded to do just that. It's named after JosieLove, and the “ + “ sign represents the mission to support the HIV-positive population.
After renting various facilities, the nonprofit opened a new center in Uganda last summer. “Our first center accommodated about 12 kids at a time, and then we upgraded to a bigger one that could hold around 40. We were always bursting at the seams. This new center can hold up to 300.”
The goals are to receive, rehabilitate, and resettle. Children who are suffering from severe malnutrition are received and then taken to a hospital where their immediate medical needs are met. Afterwards, they are rehabilitated at the center by a staff of doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, physical therapists, and caretakers.
“Children stay at our center until they're healthy, and then we resettle them with their families,” she says. “We educate and empower families to know how to care for them so they don't end up in the same situation.”
Love+ One International also helps children with mild to moderate malnutrition to prevent more severe cases. The program, says Grace, has provided care to tens of thousands of children.
One of these children is Blessing. At seven months old, she weighed only 4.6 pounds. When the organization heard about her condition, she was taken to a nearby hospital for stabilization. Once Blessing was stabilized, she was brought to the Love+ One Center, where she received around-the-clock care. After a few months at the Center, she weighed a healthy 18.7 pounds and continued to meet all of her developmental milestones. Blessing has now been reunited with her family and is thriving.
Of course, all of this care takes a village of people. “When we started, it was just me and my mom,” she says. “Now, we have six full-time staff stateside, and our staff in Uganda is over 100.”
Last year, her sister Annabelle came on board and leads the ambassador program. There are a total of 442 ambassadors, and 41 of them are in the Nashville/Brentwood/Franklin area. These ambassadors assist with fundraising, advocacy, and awareness.
Donations are always needed as well. A dollar goes a long way in Uganda, and as little as $20 a month provides a nutrient-dense meal for 10 malnourished children.
Today, JosieLove is doing great. “She's starting college at Lipscomb University in the fall and will be in their IDEAL program,” says Grace. “She's super independent and high functioning.”
To support this worthwhile cause, visit their website.
LoveOneInternational.org
“When we started, it was just me and my mom. Now, we have six full-time staff stateside, and our staff in Uganda is over 100.”