Peter Senese is a best-selling author writing primarily in the historical fiction genre. Published books include Chasing The Cyclone, The Den of the Assassin, Cloning Christ, War on Wall Street, and In Their Own Words. As the Founding Director of the I CARE Foundation, Peter has played an important role in the U.S. outbound abduction rate declining by 38% since 2009. As demonstrated by dozens of sworn testimonials, Peter has assisted many families either reunite with their children.
A highly decorated active-duty New York police officer who, prior to becoming a law enforcement officer, was a member of the Fire Department of New York, and is desperately fighting for the safety of his internationally abducted child, who was illegally detained in Germany in 2009.
For the general public not familiar with the bizarre world of international parental child abduction - an absolute crime under federal law categorized as kidnapping, the circumstances of this father's (herein referred to as CM) ordeal sheds further spotlight on the horrors children and targeted parents face when dealing with child abduction.
Think about this: CM is a highly decorated model citizen. He has served his city, state, and country. He is well-liked. He has never done anything that will even come close to an act of abuse toward another. He is the type of man you would want your son to grow up to be like.
And he has dedicated his life to upholding laws so that innocence can be protected.
Sadly, for CM, the laws that he upholds are not the same laws that have been used to protect him or his daughter. And today, his young daughter who is nearing four years old, is potentially in a very dangerous place.
CM's ordeal highlights the tragedy that all parents of abduction face: laws that are not upheld, criminal acts of kidnapping that are not prosecuted, acts of contempt and perjury that are never punished, financial depletion of monies spent as a crime-victim that are never replaced, years of living like a ghost- living in purgatory while you wait in hope that you will reunite with your child - that are never replaced, pleadings with our government leaders to assist protect your kidnapped child only to have your phone calls or emails never returned, and frustration over a system that you believed in that never believed back in you to the point that you question everything. But perhaps the most difficult part of it is the day-in day-out living in fear that something bad may have occurred to your child, and you can't do anything about it.
And bad does happen. Outside of the severe forms of being kidnapped, which is child abuse, many abducting parents bombard the stolen child with egregious acts of parental alienation and isolation tactics in order to have the child literally sanction that parents 'taking' act. The outcome? The innocent child is brainwashed into thinking that the other parent is a bad person trying to hurt their present care giving parent as well as them.
But that road is much more dangerous for a child than the abuse mustered by the stealing parent. Remember, the abductor is a fugitive. And fugitives take unnecessary risks that put a child in jeopardy.
In the case of CM, the outlandish acts that have occurred for him and a child are so severe that it is unthinkable. Even as I write this, I am shaking my head knowing of the horrific ordeal that has gone on.
How bad has it been?
Well, to begin, CM's former wife, who comes from a small village in what was formerly East Germany where the average income is very low, traveled with CM and their infant daughter to visit her parents. Prior to the trip from New York, CM shipped some belongings as the couple was planning on staying in Germany for several weeks. One of the items was a stroller. After two weeks, CM had to return back to New York for work, while his wife and daughter were going to remain in Germany for two more weeks before coming home. Unfortunately, that was not the plans of his wife, who had been married to CM for less than two years.
What was her plan?
To say in Germany, file false claim after false claim against CM, and in the midst of illegally detaining his daughter, seek child support and alimony in Germany and in the United States, while also seeking a large share of the material assets.
In another words, she had a winning lottery ticket, and she knew it.
Eventually, CM filed a Hague Application due to the wrongful detention of his daughter.
Now for those of you who do not know about international law, the Hague Convention is a legal treaty the U.S. and Germany are parties of that attempts to remedy international abduction cases because it attempts to determine which country has final jurisdiction of an abducted child. However, as many chasing parents and lawyers will testify to, the courts are not objective, and subjectivity is the common rule of law that takes place. Which leads to signatory countries being considered non-complying nations.
Consider this: in the case of CM, the New York resident and 9-11 hero was told very matter-of-fact that if he did not consent to allowing his daughter to remain in Germany, the courts would order that he would never see her again!
Seriously?
Now you might be asking yourself how in the world could that be done?
The answer is pretty simple: many countries who are members of the Hague Convention do not uphold the spirit or intent of the law. In the case of CM, his daughter was born and resided in New York City. He never consented to a relocation. He was a custodial parent.
Despite all this, the German courts strong-armed him and attempted for him to disregard the Hague Convention, and in fact, there was little the United States government could do.
How bad has it gotten? When CM had a recent trial, his lawyers, which included a member of the I CARE Foundation's board, intended to call upon several high-ranking senior law enforcement officers who were prepared to provide key testimony on this case. However, what did this judge do? He not only denied counsel's right to call on the three witnesses, but limited it to one witness, and then said directly to CM, "I hate cops. All cops are liars."
Imagine that. CM, who has been an exemplary citizen, friend, parent, and son had his rights whisked away by a buffoon judge in a nano-second.
But things have gotten worse for CM. In Germany, he has had an appeal filed for over 16 months in his attempt to reunite with his abducted daughter. For 16 months, the German courts have not put the case on any calender despite the rules of international law calling for a swift remedy.
Worse, there have been independent reports filed by German officials that the child's safety may be at serious risk due to inappropriate activity that would make any adult cringe.
So what did CM do? Nearly 2 months ago, he contacted the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues and requested an emergency welfare check for his daughter.
Well, wouldn't you know it: upon the Department of State making contact with the abducting parent, she informs the US official that she is going on a retreat into the forest for 3 weeks, and there is no Internet or cell phone service. CM's urgent welfare check turns into a tree-hugging expedition for the kidnapper, who once again turns away justice.
Despite this, CM continues to plea for the Department of State's assistance in finding out the welfare of his daughter in lieu of ugly reports filed in the German courts about conduct taking place in the residency of where his daughter was being detained.
Despite these requests, nothing is done, and in fact limited communication has taken place.
So we decided to do something about it. We went to Washington, D.C. and visited senior lawmakers and their aides in hope that the Department of State and our Congress will intervene, and in the very least for the moment, ensure that CM's daughter is physically safe, and a parent's worst nightmares for his daughter are not a reality.
Imagine being the person known as CM: racing into burning buildings to protect lives, standing in harms way of gun-totting drug dealers in order to protect innocence, and having a beautiful three-year old girl who is potentially at grave risk of serious injury, and there is nothing you can do and nothing your government is willing to do to assist you and your American-citizen daughter.
Welcome to the world of international parental child abduction, where nothing makes sense.
For some of you who may not be aware, I have been working on what I hope and anticipate will be a very different type of story about out nation's incredible, heroic, yet humble founding father, President George Washington.
Research and understanding of character, in this case President Washington, is critical to any writer's ability to present a real-life understanding of that person. And so, yesterday I spent the first of what I anticiapte will be a long stretch of frequent visits to Mount Vernon, home and burial ground of President Washington and his wife Martha.
Washington's Inaguration On Wall Street
Undenialbly there is so much written about Washington's leadership, deciscion making, and heroic acts during the Revolutionary War and thereafter as president of our new nation.
The words he shared on April 30th, 1789 while standing at Federal Hall during the night of his inaguration in New York City's Wall Street that "Liberty is an experiement entrusted to the American people," is something that will forever stand with me. If is a far cry of isolationism that once pervailed.
Crossing The Delaware
So this morning as I reflect upon the life of this noble man who changed the world forever, and as my eyes overlook the United States Capitol, I realize that my life and perspective are about to shift once again as I search to find and hold the lessons of President George Washington and understand his enlightened state.
Yesterday, I had a great deal to do in Washington, D.C. Funny, as I think about it, I always have a lot to do in Washington, D.C.
President George Washington
I make no apology when I say I love Washington and if I did not live in Los Angeles and New York and needed to pick another U.S. city to live in, I would unquestionably pick the city named after one of my heroes: our nation's first president, George Washington.
Over the past 25 years, I have come to visit Washington frequently. In my earlier years, my travels revolved around business affairs I was involved with (it seemed back then, when living full-time in New York, I would spend 5-7 days a month in Washington). Later, and as I created another component to my professional life as a geopolitical novelist, my visits included time spent researching various subjects contained in some of my novels.
The Library of Congress
My bonus when I do this: I would always write inside the Library of Congress. Writing at the Library of Congress is something that I treasure and imagine I shall continue to do so long as I write, which I can't imagine not ever doing. Additionally, and over the past few years, outside of my professional business travel or my writing escapaes, my visits to Washington also included my work trying to prevent children from being internationally kidnapped.
Russell Senate Buildting
So yesterday, was a very interesting day. I started my day with an important meeting at the Federal Reserve Building, followed that with another meeting at the FEMA building, moved on to meetings at the Russell and Hart Senate Buildings, then eventually sat at the fountain located at the Library of Congress . . . where I am heading in a few minutes.
Yes, Washington has a great deal to offer me. And for any of you who have not really spent any time here, I strongly advise you do. This is really a magnificent town even if it is the home of the Washington Redskins National Football League team - Go Giants!
The Federal Reserve
As for yesterday, I was very pleased with all facets of my day; however, I was particularly glad of how things went for my pal Chris, who is fighting to protect his abducted daughter.
A few highlights: 1. A meeting at the Board of Governors Building for the Federal Reserve.
2. A meeting at FEMA.
3. Receiving the most beautiful flag ever created: the American Flag, which was flown over the United States Capitol Building in my honor in association with the volunteer work I perform with the I CARE Foundation.
4. Most of all, helping a freind continue his efforts to reuntie with his abducted daughter.
Earlier this morning I was reminded by Google's search engine drawing that today we celebrate 161 years of Moby-Dick . . . or The Whale . . . if you will. Personally, as a riley adolescent, I was not a big fan of reading. Then I read Moby-Dick and my life changed forever.
Paying attention to many things that are Herman Melville, one thing that has connected me over the years was that he lived on Wall Street in New York City for a period of his life. And as those of you who follow my own writing know, much of what I pen revolves around Wall Street.
The American classic Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville was first published in 1851.It is considered to be one of the Great American Novels and a treasure of world literature. The story tells the adventures of wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleshipPequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ishmael soon learns that Ahab has one purpose on this voyage: to seek out Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white sperm whale. In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab's boat and bit off his leg, which now drives Ahab to take revenge.
Moby-Dick has been classified as American Romanticism. It was first published by Richard Bentley in London on October 18, 1851, in an expurgated three-volume edition titled The Whale, and weeks later as a single volume, by New York City publisher Harper and Brothers as Moby-Dick; or, The Whale on November 14, 1851. The book initially received mixed reviews, but Moby-Dick is now considered part of the Western canon, and at the center of the canon of American novels.
Happy Birthday Moby-Dick . . . you really made our world a better place!
Published 7:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 Los Angeles and New York
(Page 1 of 2)
I CARE Foundation Director & Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese, the author of several internationally heralded novels including 'Chasing The Cyclone', 'The Den of the Assassin', and 'Cloning Christ' has donated 100% of his e-book royalties to the I CARE Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created to help stop international child abduction. The I CARE Foundation's primary activity is focussed on conducting research in the area of international child abduction and using that research to pursue legislative inititiaves that will help protect at-risk children. However, the organization has been extremely successful in assisting a growing number of parents either reunite with their children or protect their children from abduction.
Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese is writing with a deep purpose: royalties generated from his critically talked about novels have and will continue to be donated to the I CARE Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization the writer is a director of that was created to help prevent international child abduction.
Peter Thomas Senese's resources have been put to great use: the I CARE Foundation has been able to orchestrate the return of numerous children this past year who were internationally kidanapped.
Three international thriller E-books by best-selling author, filmmaker, and child advocate Peter Thomas Senese have been the primary financial resource of the I CARE Foundation. Fortunately, top book critics are raving about the writer's geopolitical must read, inspirational thrillers. Peter Thomas Senese's geopolitical novels include CHASING THE CYCLONE, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, and CLONING CHRIST written by best-selling geopolitical thriller writer Peter Thomas Senese. All three titles are available in E-book. Chasing The Cyclone will be released in hardcover this February, while both CLONING CHRIST and THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN are presently available in hardcover.
Commented Peter Thomas Senese, "It has been extremely pleasing to know that my writing has served a higher purpose: to help protect children. Fortunately, I have had the means to make a difference in this fight. Additionally, it has been incredible to see, as an author, the incredible impact of Chasing The Cyclone . . . so much started from the idea of a book. That seed has grown into the I CARE Foundation, which I am thrilled to be a part of."
Highly respected New York City based attorney Joel Walter, a board member of the I CARE Foundation commented, "It has been a very good year for the I CARE Foundation with respect to our efforts to conduct important research in the area of IPCA, undertake several important projects that will optimize technology to help assist stakeholders protect targeted children, prepare our legislative initiatives, and of course, help bring home or protect a significant number of children at risk of the horrible crime of abduction. Along the way, Peter Thomas Senese's leadership and financial support of the I CARE Foundation has been extremely generous. His gifting comes from not only the direct donation of sales from his novels, but also directly from his own resources. I will never forget when Peter was forced into the storms of abduction - I was there from the beginning and was the first person he turned to when we filed his own Hague Convention application- he said he would do his best to make a difference in this fight to help children. A fight I quickly joined him on. And so, our work continues years later in great part initially because Peter was willing to step up."
Today's Heroes An Introspective Of Individuals Making The World A Better Place By Peter Thomas Senese
The brilliance of the human race is found in each individual's desires to enhance the human condition and positively impact the lives of others. If benevolent acts of kindness and human connectivity sprout from seeds of compassion, then clearly the soil that these seedlings take root are found in each person's moral foundation. Nutured through determination, courage, intelligence, and enlightenment of what it is to be part of the human race, on occassion, these seedlings, if I may, grow to be special individuals that make our world a much better place.
It is my absolute privilige to share with you the remarkable work of my very good friend, one that inspires me in great ways, South Africa's Haseena Patel, who, with her incredible sister Shameema, are co-founders of Leave No Girl Behind International, a tremendous outreach movement focussed on educating and enlightening young girls and young women that their voices matter . . . and matters a great deal.
In deciding to create the 'Heroes of Today' series, I gave great thought and consideration to what a hero is. Clearly, heroes come in every shape and form. Some hero's acts are grand and sweeping, while others are less visible, but nevertheless, equally important.
Haseena Patel Co-Founder Leave No Girl Behind
In selecting the individuals I have decided to write about, one of the many qualities I paid great attention to was the ability for that person to courageously give of themselves so that others may have long-lasting benefit. In my expansive world, I have been blessed to know and befriend a remarkable number of individuals that have dedicated their lives to enhance the lives of the oppressed, the poor, the sick, and the defenseless. These individuals are my heroes. I have learned a great deal from them.
One of these individuals that has enriched my and many other lives is Haseena Patel. And though the Leave No Girl Behind Movement is still a seedling, say in comparrision to the spectacular mighty trees that have grown across the world due to the tremendous Greenbelt Movement started by Africa's first women to win the Noble Peace Prize, Dr. Wangari Maathai, there is no question in my mind that under Hassena's outspoken and indefitigable leadership, the Leave No Girl Behind Movement will one day have as much of an impact on girls as Professor Maathai's Greenbelt Movement has for millions of women around the world.
Dr. Wangari Maathai Africa's First Women Noble Laureate
During the time that I was blessed to have spent with Wangari, there was one lesson I learned more than any other: that each of our voices not only mattered, but could really make a difference. When we embrace the courage to utilize our voice, it is only then that we live in 'Uhuru' - freedom!
Freedom - what a concept. Yet so many young girls do not truly understand what it is to live in 'Uhuru'. But this is changing due to the tremendous advocates such as Hassena and Shameema Patel. And the world is a better place because of them. The Leave No Girl Behind Movement has 5 functions:
1. To empower girls through our programs (such as the Leadership Program and Worldwide Network, and the Help-Her-Help-Herself Project).
Leave No Girl Behind International
2. To raise awareness worldwide about why it is essential for us as a global community to empower girls (we aim to do this through our soon-to-be-published book, Leave No Girl Behind, as well as through our website).
3. To change the inferior way girls and women are perceived and treated in many cultures.
4. To create a community of like-minded individuals working together to uplift girls everywhere.
5. To stand united with every individual and organization worldwide that shares this common purpose – together we can make a difference in the lives of our global family of 6 billion!
What is Leave No Girl Behind International?
Leave No Girl Behind International is an organization created to empower girls in various ways, and inspire them to live up to their own potential instead of living down to others’ (or even their own) expectations. Its purpose is to create a much needed shift in our world through girls’ empowerment.
Can you please provide a few examples of how LNGBI specifically empowers and inspires young women?
We have the LNGBI Leadership program which individuals or groups can participate in. The leadership program provides instruction on how young women can address real-life circumstances that they face in a way that empowers them while respecting their bodies, mind, and spirits. In essence, we bring to light the ability of each person to make a decision and how important their voice really is.
Presently, we have a Power Package Program which includes a consulting session, a personalized video and also an audio track that provides empowerment. Additionally, our Help-Her-Help-Herself Project to be launched on the 27th October 2012, which is a program that empowers girls in high-risk situations or developing countries who cannot afford and don’t have access to our other programs. We also have a much shorter mentoring program that works well for girls who don’t have ready access to the Internet – with this program, we work with other organizations in those countries who can provide Internet access to the girls once a week for about 4 weeks so that they can complete the program.
Can you provide insight on a few success stories?
There are plenty, but one that stands out revolves around a South African girl who is 15 years old and who completed the leadership program. This young lady had everything that any South African girl could have material access to, yet she felt that by participating in the leadership program, it would help her to mature and understand more about the world and how her voice mattered in it. So in her scenario, empowerment came in a different way in the sense that this was not a girl who was impoverished and was facing issues that may be more prevalent in low-income environments. In her scenario, empowerment was used to elevate personal and social responsibility with the aspiration that this young lady will demonstrate leadership qualities throughout her life.
Shameema Patel Co-Founder Leave No Girl Behind
We also had a girl in her senior year in California participate in a leadership program via Skype. In her words: “I have figured out new ways of approaching certain situations in school and in other aspects of my life. I have learned to step outside of my comfort zone to help other people…this program has helped me learn how being positive will make a difference in everything I set out to do.”
Additionally, we have also mentored a group of girls in rural Zimbabwe (Girl Child Network Zimbabwe helped with getting the girls together and providing Internet access) and discussed a variety of issues relevant to their issues and needs so to help facilitate better decision making on their part so to protect and respect their bodies, their minds, and their spirit.
Clearly, each girl’s needs and issues are different due to a host of factors. However, the message we share is the same: live up to your full potential instead of living down to others’ (or even their own) expectations. Respect your body, your mind, and your spirit because your voice matters.
What is your role with Leave No Girl Behind International?
I am co-founder of Leave No Girl Behind International. My sister, Shameema is my founding partner. I am actively involved in public speaking and coaching of girls for our organization while Shameema concentrates on creating outreach and handles many of the organization’s operational and planning needs.
Why is Leave No Girl Behind International important to young women?
Young women will make choices based on how they see themselves. Often, the way they see themselves is just a reflection of how others, particularly the most important people in their lives, see them. Through the programs offered by Leave No Girl Behind International, girls/young women are able to get to know themselves as they can be and are inspired to rise up to their full potential.
In this sense, we teach girls and young women to learn to trust and respect themselves. And we educate them about the concepts of courage. Combining these qualities, we then focus on decision-making as it comes to their present and anticipated journey, and of course, where they want to go and who they want to become.
How much of your message to young women revolves around the concepts of ‘courage’ and ‘finding your voice’?
I think “courage” and “finding your voice” is dealt with directly and indirectly all the time when we work with young women, and at a certain point they do find their voices without even realizing this – it is something that happens gradually just from participation in the programs.
Why is Leave No Girl Behind International important to the world?
Leave No Girl Behind International
Our organization is a means of raising awareness about the necessity of girls’ empowerment. We are able to show people worldwide why girls’ empowerment relates to their own lives – many people don’t realize that. And more importantly, we’re able to express to others how empowering or not empowering our girls will affect us in every conceivable way, on a global level.
How would you assess the global landscape for women as political leaders in an ever changing, closer, world, and what benefits do you think the world would have if more women had a greater role in politics?
I remember the opening line of the Charles Dickens Novel, A Tale of Two Cities – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” - I think that describes what things are like for women in the political arena.
In this age of recognizing equality and doing away with gender-based roles, the time is ripe for women to have significant roles in the political arena. And those women who do have such roles are able to extend their influence beyond their countries and set a precedent for women around the world.
At the same time, in some of the middle eastern countries, for example, women who take a stand or rise up to assume political power have to deal with those radical conservatives who feel increasingly threatened by the power that women are beginning to have. And because of this, these women’s lives are in more danger than before – hence, the “worst of times”!
If women had greater roles in politics, firstly, they’d inspire other women around the world to become empowered, and this in itself would benefit the world – more educated mothers equal more educated citizens of the world. The other point is that men and women do have different perspectives and having more women in the political arena would lead to more “balance” when making decisions – something different would be brought to the table.
Are there any geopolitical leaders that inspire you and who you think have made the world a better place for both women and men?
There are so many leaders – living and dead who have inspired me in some way including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Barack Obama, and definitely Hillary Clinton. Here in South Africa, our former president, Nelson Mandela is a great inspiration. And Archbishop Desmond Tutu definitely has made the world a better place by speaking out against injustices in the world. Each of them, and other great heroes talk about something that is so innate to the right of life: freedom. And that is what the Leave No Girl Behing Movement embraces and teaches: the right of each girl to live free.
All these amazing leaders have had an impact, not just on their own countries, but on the world – they have helped people to see what is possible out there and how anyone can make a huge difference.
What influenced you to start Leave No Girl Behind International?
Leave No Girl Behind Available Octover 27th, 2012
It actually started off with an idea for a book – I was going to write a book to inspire girls with messages from a thousand different women around the world.
That evolved to the point where the focus of the book became about creating a transformation on our planet through girls’ empowerment…then Shameema became my co-author, and gradually our vision grew and Leave No Girl Behind International was borne.
Would you say that the power of a ‘book’ is still alive and well today?
Yes – the power of a book will always be alive and well. Wherever there are words to be read, there will be people who are inspired to understand them and use them to benefit their lives. People will always be looking for answers to their lives.
In our own case, the idea for a book became the Leave No Girl Behind movement. Clearly, written words can be seeds to social and political change. They make us think and they inspire. Young girls, particularly those living in less affluent countries are easily exploited.
What leadership programs does your organization provide to help young women become aware of the challenges they face as women in these environments?
Presuming that we’re talking about girls in the rural areas of developing countries who are surrounded by poverty and really difficult circumstances; girls who don’t have support around them, our shorter mentoring program works well for them – with this program, we work with other organizations in those countries who can provide Internet access to the girls once a week for about 4 weeks so that they can complete the program. This helps them to develop as leaders while learning how to deal with their unique set of circumstances.
Where is Leave No Girl Behind International based out of?
We are based out of Newcastle, South Africa. However, we optimize technology and are able to connect with girls globally through Skype, email and a variety of social media outlooks including Facebook, and so, Leave No Girl Behind International’s reach is global.
Is there an average number of young women you work with on a monthly basis?
We work with whoever desires to participate in our programs – there is no average number because at times we may work with many individual participants while other times we work with large groups. However, in the spirit of giving our best to each girl, we do place limits as to the number of girls who participate in our interactive programs together in the same group.
The plight of women in Africa continues to be challenging. Remarkable women, including Noble Peace Prize winner Dr. Wangari Maathai, Ory Okolloh, and Chimamanda Adichie are amongst some of the most brilliant women advocate-leaders who were based out of Africa. Yet their influence has been world-wide. Nevertheless, their efforts began with a seed - an idea - if you will.
What is your 'seed' and where do you see Leave No Girl Behind International evolving to?
Haseena Patel
That’s an interesting question…particularly because we’re in the evolving stage right now! When people think of Africa and relate it to girls’ empowerment, they think of poverty and HIV, teenage promiscuity and teen pregnancy. All this is a realistic picture, but there is also the other side: Girls who may not be in this situation also need empowering, and we often forget about their needs because they’re not in high-risk situations. So the “seed” would be something Shameema and I feel so strongly about: ALL girls need empowering, no matter who they are, where they live or what their background is.
As for evolving, we’ve given this a lot of thought. At first we didn’t define Leave No Girl Behind International – we just had the name and empowered girls in a way that we thought was best. We also had to earn a living, though, while at the same time creating ways to empower those who could not pay for our programs.
So I think Leave No Girl Behind International has evolved to a point where we have two parts of our organization: our business (the profit-making part!), and the movement (the non-profit part). The latter involves projects that anyone anywhere can participate in, and so we can all create a global movement.
How have the lives of the African women changed?
While there is the realization among women of what they are able to achieve and what is possible for them among different communities, things are different. In some African communities, women’s roles are entrenched in tradition and culture, and women haven’t advanced at all. Then, there is the situation in South Africa where women have the freedom, but the education standard had dropped so drastically, that there is no education to go with the freedom and therefore no sense of purpose and responsibility. It’s really sad, because the potential is there, but women have not advanced. Courage plays a great deal in our lives.
For the girls and young women you serve, what is it that makes a young lady take that first step to participate in the Leave No Girl Behind Movement?
A young woman could participate in the movement by either accepting and using one of our non-profit programs and empowering herself, or participating as the empowerer and empowering other young women through one of these programs (e.g. our soon-to-be-launched Help-Her-Help-Herself Project).
If she is in the first category, I think she reaches the point where she can take a step back and know that she needs to empower herself first to accomplish any worthy goal. It’s that point when you know that something has to change and you’re the one who needs to change it. And that’s where courage comes in.
As an advocate, helping others, particularly young women facing serious abuse means that you have to deal in a world of 'darkness' often. Why do you do this, and what allows you to manage the 'darkness'?
To be honest, I have seldom had to deal with that kind of situation. In most cases I’m empowering girls who don’t know that they’re not empowered; who aren’t being abused, but who are in danger of being abused because their perceptions of themselves and their capabilities may lead to them choosing the wrong partner and feeling that a man treating a woman in an inferior or abusive way is acceptable.
But growing up in a medical family, I’ve been accustomed to our family helping young women facing abuse, in various ways. When you can help provide some light through making these women’s lives easier in some way, the darkness is more bearable.
There must be times when you feel disheartened by the amount of hardships you see young women facing who you are trying to help. What do you do to overcome the emotional hardships?
I have to remember my role in the situation – to empower and educate the young woman in some way. Change doesn’t always happen in great strides. Often there are small, almost unnoticeable changes in the young woman which lead to equally unnoticeable changes in her life. I have to remember that these small changes will eventually lead to her changing her life in a big way and overcoming all these hardships.
Women bloggers, particularly ‘parenting bloggers’ / ‘mommy bloggers’ (depending on the terminology you are comfortable with) have played and are expected to play a critical role in transforming society by weighing in on and influencing public opinion on a host of issues similar to the way Mary Welsh Hemmingway and Jacqueline Saix did for TIME magazine when they were amongst the first of a small group of women war correspondents reporting from the front-line during World War II (with Mary becoming a major factor in Ernest Hemingway’s life, and Jacqueline remarkably becoming one of the first female television producers for the BBC after the war). How do you see the role and importance of women parenting bloggers on young women, and how can these women make a difference in the lives of young women through their writing?
Women parenting bloggers are examples of empowered women; empowered mothers. Just by reading their blogs, young women can learn a great deal. These mom-bloggers spark the awareness of possibility in young women, and the young women also exposed to a different world – one that could become theirs someday. Young women are able to consider new opinions and ideas and get to know themselves better by asking themselves if they agree with the viewpoints expressed.
How do you have fun?
For a long time, I had forgotten how to have fun and right now I’m relearning what fun means. But I do love to listen to music, spend time with friends, experience new things, read, write, sometimes play the piano or recorder, and occasionally watch a really good movie with substance!
What makes you happy?
People achieving their dreams. Also, writing and being able to make a difference through my writing. What is a hero to you?
Someone who stands up for what they believe in despite opposition, serves others, has compassion for others, and pushes the boundaries for a good reason.
Do you have a book coming out, and if so, what is it about?
Yes – our book, Leave No Girl Behind: How To Help Girls Become The Change In Our World, will be launched in South Africa on the 27th of October. It is my second book and Shameema’s first. This book has a two-fold purpose: to inspire and empower girls, as well as to raise awareness about why girls’ empowerment is important and what it will mean to the world. We also share share the Help-Her-Help-Herself Project with our readers – a simple way to make a difference in a girl’s life with very little time, money and skills, and something that even children are able to participate in.
What’s really special about this book is that it is not just our words in it – we have many contributors worldwide with such unique messages and stories. Some, like Dr Wayne Dyer, are very well known, while others are people who have an incredible message for girls and are really passionate about girls’ empowerment. They all stand with us and together we have all created this powerful book.
When a young girl is in a volatile situation, what should she do?
She should find someone supportive to talk to – just verbalizing her challenge and her feelings makes such a difference. And from there she’ll feel strong enough to develop an action plan or to speak to someone who can help her professionally. If there is no one to talk to, she can journal her feelings and her situation so that she can take a step back and look at her situation objectively. Having said this, I’m very aware that a great many girls in volatile situations don’t have ready access to help and many don’t have the education to be able to journal…there are no simple answers, but I do know that the long-term answer lies in educating and empowering girls.
How important is it to believe in yourself and to find your voice even when you think nobody else does and you think nobody else hears you?
You are the only one who can change your life. You are the one with the power. Whether you use that power is up to you. So even if no one else believes in you or no one else hears you, you still have the choice to believe in yourself and find your voice – and this gives you what you need to empower yourself and literally transform your life. A great example is Oprah Winfrey, one of my greatest teachers and my hero. You have to realise that it takes work, though. It is a process, but you are worth the time and effort.
What’s next?
We’re taking Leave No Girl Behind International to the next level in various ways – new programs, creating more awareness of our organization and just the need for girls’ empowerment in general, and also making a difference with our radio show which we’ve taken a short sabbatical from. We want to interact with more girls in more places. We want to move with our changing world so that we can always stay in the know about what girls have to face, and by doing so, be equipped to make a difference.
* * *
It is my privilege to share the incredible mission that Haseena Patel and Shameema Patel are on. Their effort, determination, and desire to make a difference in the lives of young women and growing girls is so important to the face of our planet and the direction of mankind.
In parting, I would like to thank Haseena and Shameema for allowing me to come into your life, and equally, for teaching me, through example, about how important it is to Leave No Girl Behind.
