When I became a mother in 2002, the value of one human life became more apparent to me than ever before. My child opened my heart in ways that I had never imagined. The suffering of one child, not to mention millions of children, simply became intolerable to me.

Then I became aware that in Africa, 13 million children were orphaned by AIDS, a child dies every 30 seconds of malaria, 1 in 10 mothers die in childbirth, to name a few staggering statistics, I knew that I had to make a difference. These vulnerable children were Just Like My Child.

We wasted no time in partnering with leaders on the ground in Uganda to create our “Deep Development” model, bringing in cost-effective, sustainable solutions to issues of health care, education, micro-enterprise. Our new Girl Power Project and Project Justice are addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Africa today.

And I’m simply amazed at the breadth of work we’ve been able to take on and the lives we’ve been able to touch — from saving mothers in childbirth to building six schools to helping to prosecute sexual predators and child abusers, our work is having a real impact.

So, I recorded this short video to share my story and my reasons for doing this work. I hope it inspires you to recommit yourself to helping others as we begin this new year.

Our work has expanded in numerous directions since our earliest efforts to rebuild the Bishop Asili Clinic in Luwero, Uganda where now two surgeons, a gleaming surgery center, and life saving AIDS treatment serve a community of over 600,000 people. But everything we do relies on cost-effective, long-lasting solutions.

Our plans for 2011 are as ambitious as ever. We are expanding our social justice programs to reach thousands of women and girls, expanding Project Grace, our micro-enterprise program, and fully equip the Hospital with all it needs to save countless mothers and children in childbirth – just to name a few. I hope you’ll join me in helping to achieve these goals. With your help, we’ll continue our work to improve lives and — better yet — break the cycle of hopelessness that so often accompanies life-long poverty.

You and I both know that the biggest changes begin with the smallest steps. Find out how you can be part of our work.

I hope you’ll take a minute to think about the impact you want to make in 2011 — then make a contribution.