Mom Jillian Wolstein is working to give hope, education, love and protection to children in Malawi and inspiring her kids to H.E.L.P. along the way.

This month we are featuring strong mothers who are working for a cause or have dedicated a part of their life to helping others. Jillian Wolstein, a 40-something mom from Cleveland, Ohio has dedicated the last 3 years to starting H.E.L.P., a non-profit organization that gives hope, education, love and protection to children in Malawi and throughout the world, starting with an education and health care. Even better, she has involved her four children (all under the age of 19) through the entire process.

“I needed my life at the end of the day to have meant more than that I was married to a very successful man, living in a mansion in Cleveland, Ohio raising my four children. My husband's family has been very philanthropic, There are half a dozen buildings with their name on it in Ohio. They write huge checks, which is very important, but I come from a family of social workers, and for me something was lacking in just the writing of a check.”, Jillian said.

Jillian wanted to be hands on in helping people, seeking the human connection and interaction with those she was helping, and she wanted her children to experience it first hand as well. Jillian shared her thoughts with us on the Western culture's view of the rich and poor:

“In Western cultures we judge someone by how much they are worth financially. It doesn't matter what their character, if they are rich we idolize them. So if you are poor, you must be stupid. Why else would you be poor? I wanted my kids to understand that there are much better ways to judge someone's character than financially. For the vast majority of people in the world, one has nothing to do with the other. If your parents have died, if your government can not provide for you and you don't have access to an education, you might be the most brilliant writer, the most gifted artist, but no one would ever know.”

Jillian and her family were in the process of building an enormous new house, but it was bittersweet, because she felt before she could be worthy of living in such a place, she needed to give back. Jillian said, “I decided on the plane home from Africa that I would come back and try to make a difference. I didn't know where or how I would do it, just that I needed to do something.” That’s when Jillian began her journey to start the H.E.L.P. organization to improve the lives of children in Malawi through education and health care.

As a very hands-on mother of four (all under the age of 19), Jillian has involved her kids in H.E.L.P. every step of the way, from volunteering locally to going to Malawi and donating their time at the school and medical clinic! We asked Jillian how her children were involved and this is what she said:

“My oldest son, Harrison, is a jazz guitarist. On our trip to Malawi, Harrison spent a lot of time with Joseph, a young man who played guitar in the village band. Harrison taught Joseph how to play the American guitar and Joseph taught Harrison how to play his homemade oil can guitar. At the end of the trip they exchanged guitars. The guitar is Joseph's most prized possession and he, along with his fellow band mates, teaches music at our school. They also travel the villages teaching about HIV/AIDS through song.”

“Ilana, my oldest daughter, is a gifted photographer. She took some amazing photos on her trip over and her school did their first ever student showing of her work. She has sold her prints at our events and there are some celebrities that have them hanging in their homes. Ilana also started an organization called SWAP. (Students with a purpose). She has had a benefit for Save Darfur and one for HELP. Ilana and her committee members did everything themselves, got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for free, sent out corporate letters, hired bands, etc. They had an amazingly successful event and raised over $40,000 for HELP Malawi.”

“Shelby, my youngest daughter, decided to ask for donations instead of gifts for her Bat Mitzvah. People were very generous and she raised $35,000 for HELP. She came with me to Malawi, with her girlfriend and my mother. They helped to break the bricks for the school foundation. The leadership of SWAP has been turned over to her now as Ilana has left for college.”

“Merrick, my youngest, volunteers everyday after school in our office. He has sold our products at his school and has done two different school supply drives at area schools.”

“All four of my kids are fully committed to our projects and talk about going back all the time. My oldest son will be coming over this next summer with his cousin. My younger two ask me all the time about adopting one of the orphans from the village. I tell them that we have already adopted the whole village and that is so much better.”

Jillian has done an amazing job teaching her children how important it is to share your life with others and help them in their time of need. As mothers, it is our responsibility to instill these values and work ethics in our kids. This week I encourage you to think about ways you can teach your children to help - whether it is in Malawi or just helping an elderly neighbor down the street. Our children are watching what we do as moms. Let’s be the example that teaches them to help others!

For more information on how you can help the children of Malawi visit: http://www.helpchildren.org/