now let me start with a question the moment I walked into this room what was
moment I walked into this room what was
moment I walked into this room what was the first thought that came to your mind
the first thought that came to your mind
the first thought that came to your mind woman covered hair Muslim question mark
woman covered hair Muslim question mark
woman covered hair Muslim question mark but let me tell you this that beneath
but let me tell you this that beneath
but let me tell you this that beneath this head scoff is a child whose parents
this head scoff is a child whose parents
this head scoff is a child whose parents believed in her more than they believed
believed in her more than they believed
believed in her more than they believed in themselves I was born and raised in
in themselves I was born and raised in
in themselves I was born and raised in Pakistan and conjured a popular belief
Pakistan and conjured a popular belief
Pakistan and conjured a popular belief no we do not live in caves and yes we do
no we do not live in caves and yes we do
no we do not live in caves and yes we do have McDonald’s actually our mcdonald’s
have McDonald’s actually our mcdonald’s
have McDonald’s actually our mcdonald’s delivers but that’s besides the point
delivers but that’s besides the point
delivers but that’s besides the point getting back to the subject I was born
getting back to the subject I was born
getting back to the subject I was born and raised in Pakistan and I moved to
and raised in Pakistan and I moved to
and raised in Pakistan and I moved to America around three years ago for
America around three years ago for
America around three years ago for college and since I currently have 7,000
college and since I currently have 7,000
college and since I currently have 7,000 miles away from my parents I spent most
miles away from my parents I spent most
miles away from my parents I spent most of my day reliving my childhood memories
of my day reliving my childhood memories
of my day reliving my childhood memories and while reading Charlie and the
and while reading Charlie and the
and while reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with my mom at night
Chocolate Factory with my mom at night
Chocolate Factory with my mom at night comes in as a close second my most
comes in as a close second my most
comes in as a close second my most cherished memory is from exactly 10
cherished memory is from exactly 10
cherished memory is from exactly 10 years ago when I was standing on a stage
years ago when I was standing on a stage
years ago when I was standing on a stage just like this singing Michael Jackson’s
just like this singing Michael Jackson’s
just like this singing Michael Jackson’s we are the world we are the children and
we are the world we are the children and
we are the world we are the children and with my middle school choir and I
with my middle school choir and I
with my middle school choir and I remember that while we were singing my
remember that while we were singing my
remember that while we were singing my parents dude up from the crowd and
parents dude up from the crowd and
parents dude up from the crowd and started clapping to the beat and the
started clapping to the beat and the
started clapping to the beat and the entire audience joined in and they all
entire audience joined in and they all
entire audience joined in and they all started singing with us that day my 12
started singing with us that day my 12
started singing with us that day my 12 year old self felt like she was on top
year old self felt like she was on top
year old self felt like she was on top of the world pun intended because that’s
of the world pun intended because that’s
of the world pun intended because that’s another song I thanked that day anywho
another song I thanked that day anywho
another song I thanked that day anywho today um that day I made me realize that
today um that day I made me realize that
today um that day I made me realize that my childhood is filled with countless
my childhood is filled with countless
my childhood is filled with countless such instances where my parents made me
such instances where my parents made me
such instances where my parents made me believe that I could conquer the world
believe that I could conquer the world
believe that I could conquer the world regardless of my age and gender from the
regardless of my age and gender from the
regardless of my age and gender from the way mummy clapped her hands after I
way mummy clapped her hands after I
way mummy clapped her hands after I played off-key tunes on the piano to the
played off-key tunes on the piano to the
played off-key tunes on the piano to the way papa calls me his heat abuja roughly
way papa calls me his heat abuja roughly
way papa calls me his heat abuja roughly translated as his diamond child
translated as his diamond child
translated as his diamond child my parents genuinely boosted my
my parents genuinely boosted my
my parents genuinely boosted my confidence and showed their support no
confidence and showed their support no
confidence and showed their support no matter what they supported my decisions
matter what they supported my decisions
matter what they supported my decisions no matter if they were spiritual or
no matter if they were spiritual or
no matter if they were spiritual or academic or extracurricular they made me
academic or extracurricular they made me
academic or extracurricular they made me believe that I could do whatever I
believe that I could do whatever I
believe that I could do whatever I wanted and today I see myself as a
wanted and today I see myself as a
wanted and today I see myself as a strong young woman who identifies
strong young woman who identifies
strong young woman who identifies herself as a Muslim I love to do
herself as a Muslim I love to do
herself as a Muslim I love to do photography because as you can see my
photography because as you can see my
photography because as you can see my mother literally documented every moment
mother literally documented every moment
mother literally documented every moment of my childhood through her Canon lens I
of my childhood through her Canon lens I
of my childhood through her Canon lens I am a writer because I saw my grandfather
am a writer because I saw my grandfather
am a writer because I saw my grandfather spent countless hours working on his
spent countless hours working on his
spent countless hours working on his manuscript which is actually that
manuscript which is actually that
manuscript which is actually that picture at the end is of me and my
picture at the end is of me and my
picture at the end is of me and my sister with our grandfather from a book
sister with our grandfather from a book
sister with our grandfather from a book of his and I see myself as someone who’s
of his and I see myself as someone who’s
of his and I see myself as someone who’s passionate about healthcare because I
passionate about healthcare because I
passionate about healthcare because I saw my aunt changed lives through her
saw my aunt changed lives through her
saw my aunt changed lives through her medicine and I am a weird tech geek who
medicine and I am a weird tech geek who
medicine and I am a weird tech geek who loves to stay up-to-date with the
loves to stay up-to-date with the
loves to stay up-to-date with the up-and-coming gadget because my parents
up-and-coming gadget because my parents
up-and-coming gadget because my parents supported the geeky side of me and got
supported the geeky side of me and got
supported the geeky side of me and got me my first computer when I was 7 even
me my first computer when I was 7 even
me my first computer when I was 7 even though it was a toy anywho um when I was
though it was a toy anywho um when I was
though it was a toy anywho um when I was 16 I started reading Muslim scriptures
16 I started reading Muslim scriptures
16 I started reading Muslim scriptures and I realized I came across one of
and I realized I came across one of
and I realized I came across one of these quotations of Prophet Muhammad
these quotations of Prophet Muhammad
these quotations of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him that said make use of
peace be upon him that said make use of
peace be upon him that said make use of five before five your health before your
five before five your health before your
five before five your health before your sickness your wealth before your poverty
sickness your wealth before your poverty
sickness your wealth before your poverty your youth before your old age your
your youth before your old age your
your youth before your old age your wealth yours your free time before
wealth yours your free time before
wealth yours your free time before you’re preoccupied and your life before
you’re preoccupied and your life before
you’re preoccupied and your life before your death so when my 16 year old self
your death so when my 16 year old self
your death so when my 16 year old self read those words that was like a Eureka
read those words that was like a Eureka
read those words that was like a Eureka moment for me and I had found my
moment for me and I had found my
moment for me and I had found my personal mission statement so I spent
personal mission statement so I spent
personal mission statement so I spent countless days okay let’s be realistic
countless days okay let’s be realistic
countless days okay let’s be realistic not countless a week I spent a week
not countless a week I spent a week
not countless a week I spent a week thinking of ways I could implement that
thinking of ways I could implement that
thinking of ways I could implement that quotation and put it into practice so I
quotation and put it into practice so I
quotation and put it into practice so I decided why not go into the nonprofit
decided why not go into the nonprofit
decided why not go into the nonprofit world I started very small and I started
world I started very small and I started
world I started very small and I started off while caring for
off while caring for
off while caring for profits and welfare organizations in
profits and welfare organizations in
profits and welfare organizations in Pakistan such as SOS Children’s Village
Pakistan such as SOS Children’s Village
Pakistan such as SOS Children’s Village and Rising Sun Institute but considering
and Rising Sun Institute but considering
and Rising Sun Institute but considering the proactive teenager that I was I felt
the proactive teenager that I was I felt
the proactive teenager that I was I felt very limited by the opportunities that
very limited by the opportunities that
very limited by the opportunities that were available to me so I decided to go
were available to me so I decided to go
were available to me so I decided to go big and I started my own project a funny
big and I started my own project a funny
big and I started my own project a funny incident that comes to mind is from
incident that comes to mind is from
incident that comes to mind is from March 2014 yeah exactly three years ago
March 2014 yeah exactly three years ago
March 2014 yeah exactly three years ago when my mother answered the door and she
when my mother answered the door and she
when my mother answered the door and she found two gigantic trucks parked in our
found two gigantic trucks parked in our
found two gigantic trucks parked in our driveway she went to the truck drivers
driveway she went to the truck drivers
driveway she went to the truck drivers and asked what they were for and she
and asked what they were for and she
and asked what they were for and she found out that her daughter leha me had
found out that her daughter leha me had
found out that her daughter leha me had decided to start a fundraiser with her
decided to start a fundraiser with her
decided to start a fundraiser with her friend and forth her partner wickets for
friend and forth her partner wickets for
friend and forth her partner wickets for drought wickham’s in thir barker a
drought wickham’s in thir barker a
drought wickham’s in thir barker a desert in southern Pakistan and wait for
desert in southern Pakistan and wait for
desert in southern Pakistan and wait for it not only does she plan to raise funds
it not only does she plan to raise funds
it not only does she plan to raise funds she also plans to now pack $15,000 worth
she also plans to now pack $15,000 worth
she also plans to now pack $15,000 worth of food items imagine wheat barley sugar
of food items imagine wheat barley sugar
of food items imagine wheat barley sugar into 500 food packs and transport them
into 500 food packs and transport them
into 500 food packs and transport them to a desert that is 900 miles away from
to a desert that is 900 miles away from
to a desert that is 900 miles away from the city we were in at first like any
the city we were in at first like any
the city we were in at first like any sane adult she panicked and she refused
sane adult she panicked and she refused
sane adult she panicked and she refused to believe me when I said mommy I can do
to believe me when I said mommy I can do
to believe me when I said mommy I can do it you wouldn’t have to do a thing
it you wouldn’t have to do a thing
it you wouldn’t have to do a thing little did I know I mean so after like
little did I know I mean so after like
little did I know I mean so after like three hours and countless eye rolls
three hours and countless eye rolls
three hours and countless eye rolls later she realized that I had started
later she realized that I had started
later she realized that I had started losing my confidence and my energy and
losing my confidence and my energy and
losing my confidence and my energy and my optimism were dropping by the minute
my optimism were dropping by the minute
my optimism were dropping by the minute and I wasn’t even done with my 50th food
and I wasn’t even done with my 50th food
and I wasn’t even done with my 50th food package yet so she did what she had been
package yet so she did what she had been
package yet so she did what she had been doing my entire life she supported my
doing my entire life she supported my
doing my entire life she supported my idiotic idea and she called my dad and
idiotic idea and she called my dad and
idiotic idea and she called my dad and my younger siblings and they all joined
my younger siblings and they all joined
my younger siblings and they all joined in and helped me pack for the rest of
in and helped me pack for the rest of
in and helped me pack for the rest of the 450 food bags without saying a word
the 450 food bags without saying a word
the 450 food bags without saying a word although they probably thought I was
although they probably thought I was
although they probably thought I was crazy and thanks to their help that day
crazy and thanks to their help that day
crazy and thanks to their help that day I was able to transport those 500 food
I was able to transport those 500 food
I was able to transport those 500 food packs all the way to her Barker as
packs all the way to her Barker as
packs all the way to her Barker as promised and also fond to deeply dug
promised and also fond to deeply dug
promised and also fond to deeply dug wells for the victims over there
wells for the victims over there
wells for the victims over there so looking
so looking
so looking back at that incident I realized that my
back at that incident I realized that my
back at that incident I realized that my parents support has engendered this
parents support has engendered this
parents support has engendered this deeply ingrained you can do it attitude
deeply ingrained you can do it attitude
deeply ingrained you can do it attitude in me that not only turned me into the
in me that not only turned me into the
in me that not only turned me into the mature and a more independent person for
mature and a more independent person for
mature and a more independent person for my age that I am not to toot my own horn
my age that I am not to toot my own horn
my age that I am not to toot my own horn but but it also helped me get over my
but but it also helped me get over my
but but it also helped me get over my crippling sense of self-pity when I was
crippling sense of self-pity when I was
crippling sense of self-pity when I was diagnosed with a chronic metabolic
diagnosed with a chronic metabolic
diagnosed with a chronic metabolic disorder in my late teens because of
disorder in my late teens because of
disorder in my late teens because of which I had to take a gap year from
which I had to take a gap year from
which I had to take a gap year from school and put in abrupt life to stop to
school and put in abrupt life to stop to
school and put in abrupt life to stop to my life and that very attitude gave me
my life and that very attitude gave me
my life and that very attitude gave me the confidence to found my own nonprofit
the confidence to found my own nonprofit
the confidence to found my own nonprofit when I was 21 that has not that has
when I was 21 that has not that has
when I was 21 that has not that has helped more than 5,000 underprivileged
helped more than 5,000 underprivileged
helped more than 5,000 underprivileged patient in just one year and I’m not
patient in just one year and I’m not
patient in just one year and I’m not even a college graduate as yet so um
even a college graduate as yet so um
even a college graduate as yet so um concep consciously since I was raised in
concep consciously since I was raised in
concep consciously since I was raised in a household where my parents supported
a household where my parents supported
a household where my parents supported my ideas I subconsciously followed their
my ideas I subconsciously followed their
my ideas I subconsciously followed their footsteps and did the exact same thing
footsteps and did the exact same thing
footsteps and did the exact same thing with my younger siblings Bernie and
with my younger siblings Bernie and
with my younger siblings Bernie and Mahan were 11 and 6 at the time and I my
Mahan were 11 and 6 at the time and I my
Mahan were 11 and 6 at the time and I my interaction with them over the years had
interaction with them over the years had
interaction with them over the years had made me realize how insightful children
made me realize how insightful children
made me realize how insightful children can be but I never truly understood the
can be but I never truly understood the
can be but I never truly understood the magnitude of their potential when I
magnitude of their potential when I
magnitude of their potential when I about two years ago I had this
about two years ago I had this
about two years ago I had this conversation with the baby of our house
conversation with the baby of our house
conversation with the baby of our house Mahan and he made a very complex
Mahan and he made a very complex
Mahan and he made a very complex connection during our conversation so
connection during our conversation so
connection during our conversation so this is what I did I started this
this is what I did I started this
this is what I did I started this awareness activity at home that was my
awareness activity at home that was my
awareness activity at home that was my attempt to make Barnea a proactive
attempt to make Barnea a proactive
attempt to make Barnea a proactive preteen so we’d read a book about that
preteen so we’d read a book about that
preteen so we’d read a book about that highlighted a social concern and we
highlighted a social concern and we
highlighted a social concern and we would after the book was done we’ve
would after the book was done we’ve
would after the book was done we’ve discussed how we could play our role as
discussed how we could play our role as
discussed how we could play our role as individuals to alleviate the problem if
individuals to alleviate the problem if
individuals to alleviate the problem if not completely eliminated so by the time
not completely eliminated so by the time
not completely eliminated so by the time we reached our third book I found out
we reached our third book I found out
we reached our third book I found out that Bernie I hated reading I hated it
that Bernie I hated reading I hated it
that Bernie I hated reading I hated it and that was a very heartbreaking
and that was a very heartbreaking
and that was a very heartbreaking realization for me since I myself I’m an
realization for me since I myself I’m an
realization for me since I myself I’m an avid reader so I was pretty disheartened
avid reader so I was pretty disheartened
avid reader so I was pretty disheartened and I thought the plan was falling
and I thought the plan was falling
and I thought the plan was falling through the cracks but to my surprise I
through the cracks but to my surprise I
through the cracks but to my surprise I found out that Mahan who was four at the
found out that Mahan who was four at the
found out that Mahan who was four at the time and used to sit in on our book
time and used to sit in on our book
time and used to sit in on our book discussions
discussions
discussions seemed pretty interested in the idea and
seemed pretty interested in the idea and
seemed pretty interested in the idea and wanted to continue with the project and
wanted to continue with the project and
wanted to continue with the project and a conversation that I distinctly
a conversation that I distinctly
a conversation that I distinctly remember having with him was when we
remember having with him was when we
remember having with him was when we were reading this book about this five
were reading this book about this five
were reading this book about this five year old child in Africa who starts an
year old child in Africa who starts an
year old child in Africa who starts an entire healthcare system for her with
entire healthcare system for her with
entire healthcare system for her with age just to help the people in our
age just to help the people in our
age just to help the people in our community so since we’re reading that
community so since we’re reading that
community so since we’re reading that book we ended up discussing things about
book we ended up discussing things about
book we ended up discussing things about personal hygiene and public health care
personal hygiene and public health care
personal hygiene and public health care and I suddenly ended up introducing the
and I suddenly ended up introducing the
and I suddenly ended up introducing the concept of smoking being a joyous to
concept of smoking being a joyous to
concept of smoking being a joyous to health yes I did that to a four year old
health yes I did that to a four year old
health yes I did that to a four year old so when I was reading the book to him he
so when I was reading the book to him he
so when I was reading the book to him he attentively listened to what I had to
attentively listened to what I had to
attentively listened to what I had to say and he made me stop for a second and
say and he made me stop for a second and
say and he made me stop for a second and asked me Ali hibachi do you smoke
asked me Ali hibachi do you smoke
asked me Ali hibachi do you smoke since smoking is looked down upon
since smoking is looked down upon
since smoking is looked down upon especially for women in the culture that
especially for women in the culture that
especially for women in the culture that I come from I straightaway said Noah and
I come from I straightaway said Noah and
I come from I straightaway said Noah and of course not why would you say that no
of course not why would you say that no
of course not why would you say that no no no I’ve never smoked promised and he
no no I’ve never smoked promised and he
no no I’ve never smoked promised and he very innocently asked again then why are
very innocently asked again then why are
very innocently asked again then why are you sick all the time although at that
you sick all the time although at that
you sick all the time although at that moment I could not come up with a
moment I could not come up with a
moment I could not come up with a satisfying answer for that little four
satisfying answer for that little four
satisfying answer for that little four year old brain to tell him why his
year old brain to tell him why his
year old brain to tell him why his sister was sick I did however realize
sister was sick I did however realize
sister was sick I did however realize how if that child could make such a
how if that child could make such a
how if that child could make such a complex connection and exhibit such
complex connection and exhibit such
complex connection and exhibit such insight imagine what he could do if that
insight imagine what he could do if that
insight imagine what he could do if that potential was directed into the right
potential was directed into the right
potential was directed into the right direction so here’s what I did every
direction so here’s what I did every
direction so here’s what I did every time I started a new nan a new charity
time I started a new nan a new charity
time I started a new nan a new charity project I make sure that Bernie and ma
project I make sure that Bernie and ma
project I make sure that Bernie and ma had were equal part of it from planning
had were equal part of it from planning
had were equal part of it from planning to collecting the nation’s do actually
to collecting the nation’s do actually
to collecting the nation’s do actually executing the whole plan with our very
executing the whole plan with our very
executing the whole plan with our very own hands so the very first project that
own hands so the very first project that
own hands so the very first project that we started was in 2012 okay was in 2012
we started was in 2012 okay was in 2012
we started was in 2012 okay was in 2012 called the children’s toy drive we would
called the children’s toy drive we would
called the children’s toy drive we would start planning a month in advance we
start planning a month in advance we
start planning a month in advance we would start spamming our friends for
would start spamming our friends for
would start spamming our friends for donations there was a point where my
donations there was a point where my
donations there was a point where my friends put me on a block list because I
friends put me on a block list because I
friends put me on a block list because I used to spend them so much and my
used to spend them so much and my
used to spend them so much and my friends in the audience who know me know
friends in the audience who know me know
friends in the audience who know me know how persistent and annoying I can be and
how persistent and annoying I can be and
how persistent and annoying I can be and we once we used to go to people’s houses
we once we used to go to people’s houses
we once we used to go to people’s houses to collect those donations and
to collect those donations and
to collect those donations and we would use to go to stores to collect
we would use to go to stores to collect
we would use to go to stores to collect get all the toys and then a week before
get all the toys and then a week before
get all the toys and then a week before eat which is a Muslim holiday that we
eat which is a Muslim holiday that we
eat which is a Muslim holiday that we celebrate we used to distribute power
celebrate we used to distribute power
celebrate we used to distribute power goggles goody bags and then distribute
goggles goody bags and then distribute
goggles goody bags and then distribute them on the day of Eid and help bring
them on the day of Eid and help bring
them on the day of Eid and help bring happiness to those children who were
happiness to those children who were
happiness to those children who were spending their happy day in a
spending their happy day in a
spending their happy day in a not-so-pleasant hospital ward just like
not-so-pleasant hospital ward just like
not-so-pleasant hospital ward just like I had to once when I was on my gap year
I had to once when I was on my gap year
I had to once when I was on my gap year so we last we started our project in
so we last we started our project in
so we last we started our project in 2012 and by 2016 this year we were able
2012 and by 2016 this year we were able
2012 and by 2016 this year we were able to like distribute 1500 goodie bags in
to like distribute 1500 goodie bags in
to like distribute 1500 goodie bags in 2016
2016
2016 all because of pur neon and mahants
all because of pur neon and mahants
all because of pur neon and mahants efforts so um later on I founded my own
efforts so um later on I founded my own
efforts so um later on I founded my own nonprofit and I realized that why not
nonprofit and I realized that why not
nonprofit and I realized that why not take my parents legacy step further so I
take my parents legacy step further so I
take my parents legacy step further so I made sure that Barney and Mohan could
made sure that Barney and Mohan could
made sure that Barney and Mohan could use my foundation as a platform where
use my foundation as a platform where
use my foundation as a platform where they could implement their ideas and see
they could implement their ideas and see
they could implement their ideas and see them turn into actions so now I see my
them turn into actions so now I see my
them turn into actions so now I see my mother who manages the on-site
mother who manages the on-site
mother who manages the on-site management of the foundation in Lahore
management of the foundation in Lahore
management of the foundation in Lahore while I manage everything online from
while I manage everything online from
while I manage everything online from New York and then Bernie and Mahan
New York and then Bernie and Mahan
New York and then Bernie and Mahan accompany her to each and every health
accompany her to each and every health
accompany her to each and every health camp that we’ve held so far um and their
camp that we’ve held so far um and their
camp that we’ve held so far um and their interaction with birkut so far with the
interaction with birkut so far with the
interaction with birkut so far with the nonprofit so far has made me realize how
nonprofit so far has made me realize how
nonprofit so far has made me realize how in the past just six months they’ve
in the past just six months they’ve
in the past just six months they’ve morphed into tiny responsible
morphed into tiny responsible
morphed into tiny responsible individuals of their society that have
individuals of their society that have
individuals of their society that have become have understood how to be a
become have understood how to be a
become have understood how to be a productive human of your community or a
productive human of your community or a
productive human of your community or a productive beam of your community before
productive beam of your community before
productive beam of your community before they could even watch a pg-13 movie so
they could even watch a pg-13 movie so
they could even watch a pg-13 movie so now I see when I went back home this
now I see when I went back home this
now I see when I went back home this winter break I saw pornea redistribute
winter break I saw pornea redistribute
winter break I saw pornea redistribute medication with our pharmaceutical
medication with our pharmaceutical
medication with our pharmaceutical expert I mean how many of us over here
expert I mean how many of us over here
expert I mean how many of us over here can read a hand a doctor’s handwriting I
can read a hand a doctor’s handwriting I
can read a hand a doctor’s handwriting I have a pre dental student I can’t do
have a pre dental student I can’t do
have a pre dental student I can’t do that
that
that that 11 year old can I saw ma hen who
that 11 year old can I saw ma hen who
that 11 year old can I saw ma hen who was distributing tokens to our patient
was distributing tokens to our patient
was distributing tokens to our patient and when he realized that his task
and when he realized that his task
and when he realized that his task wasn’t serious enough if argued with me
wasn’t serious enough if argued with me
wasn’t serious enough if argued with me and forced me to change his
and forced me to change his
and forced me to change his Judy and make him do the medicine
Judy and make him do the medicine
Judy and make him do the medicine inventory a task I was very reluctant to
inventory a task I was very reluctant to
inventory a task I was very reluctant to give to a six-year-old my siblings just
give to a six-year-old my siblings just
give to a six-year-old my siblings just are weird and I just gave in to his
are weird and I just gave in to his
are weird and I just gave in to his requests because I didn’t want him to
requests because I didn’t want him to
requests because I didn’t want him to feel that I didn’t think he was smart
feel that I didn’t think he was smart
feel that I didn’t think he was smart enough to do that thing and once the cap
enough to do that thing and once the cap
enough to do that thing and once the cap was over I recounted all the medication
was over I recounted all the medication
was over I recounted all the medication and I tallied my list with the list he
and I tallied my list with the list he
and I tallied my list with the list he had and I realized it was a hundred
had and I realized it was a hundred
had and I realized it was a hundred percent accurate now um not that now
percent accurate now um not that now
percent accurate now um not that now that I’ve implemented this idea in my
that I’ve implemented this idea in my
that I’ve implemented this idea in my very own household for almost five years
very own household for almost five years
very own household for almost five years now I’ve kind of realized what a
now I’ve kind of realized what a
now I’ve kind of realized what a humongous impact this can have and I
humongous impact this can have and I
humongous impact this can have and I finally realized that I had fulfilled my
finally realized that I had fulfilled my
finally realized that I had fulfilled my goal when I got a phone call from Bernie
goal when I got a phone call from Bernie
goal when I got a phone call from Bernie on a few months ago saying that she
on a few months ago saying that she
on a few months ago saying that she wanted to initiate a fundraiser in her
wanted to initiate a fundraiser in her
wanted to initiate a fundraiser in her school for with her classmates to help
school for with her classmates to help
school for with her classmates to help out the patients that we helped at our
out the patients that we helped at our
out the patients that we helped at our camps so I being I was very excited I
camps so I being I was very excited I
camps so I being I was very excited I encouraged her and we started discussing
encouraged her and we started discussing
encouraged her and we started discussing how we’d go about the whole thing until
how we’d go about the whole thing until
how we’d go about the whole thing until we had an argument
we had an argument
we had an argument so Bernie I was off the idea that we
so Bernie I was off the idea that we
so Bernie I was off the idea that we should let people donate as much as they
should let people donate as much as they
should let people donate as much as they want no minimum limit no max limit I was
want no minimum limit no max limit I was
want no minimum limit no max limit I was off the opinion that Bernie ah we should
off the opinion that Bernie ah we should
off the opinion that Bernie ah we should have at least a minimum of $1.00 that
have at least a minimum of $1.00 that
have at least a minimum of $1.00 that everyone should today so that we can
everyone should today so that we can
everyone should today so that we can have a tangible amount that we raise so
have a tangible amount that we raise so
have a tangible amount that we raise so while we were arguing I accidentally
while we were arguing I accidentally
while we were arguing I accidentally actually not that accidentally ended up
actually not that accidentally ended up
actually not that accidentally ended up saying that Bernie I you have no idea
saying that Bernie I you have no idea
saying that Bernie I you have no idea what you’re talking about I have more
what you’re talking about I have more
what you’re talking about I have more experience in the field so I get to kind
experience in the field so I get to kind
experience in the field so I get to kind of wheedle your decision to which she
of wheedle your decision to which she
of wheedle your decision to which she just said to me the hibachi do you not
just said to me the hibachi do you not
just said to me the hibachi do you not care about the poor I will do it and you
care about the poor I will do it and you
care about the poor I will do it and you will see and she hung up on me so I took
will see and she hung up on me so I took
will see and she hung up on me so I took a minute actually not a minute an hour
a minute actually not a minute an hour
a minute actually not a minute an hour to get over my bruised ego and I and I
to get over my bruised ego and I and I
to get over my bruised ego and I and I realized that I was doing the exact same
realized that I was doing the exact same
realized that I was doing the exact same thing my mother had done when she saw
thing my mother had done when she saw
thing my mother had done when she saw those two gigantic trucks parked in her
those two gigantic trucks parked in her
those two gigantic trucks parked in her driveway so I stepped back and I that
driveway so I stepped back and I that
driveway so I stepped back and I that Bernier do her thing and after a week I
Bernier do her thing and after a week I
Bernier do her thing and after a week I got a phone call saying that
got a phone call saying that
got a phone call saying that and her friends had raised enough funds
and her friends had raised enough funds
and her friends had raised enough funds to sponsor an entire medical camp that
to sponsor an entire medical camp that
to sponsor an entire medical camp that helped more than 100 patients now the
helped more than 100 patients now the
helped more than 100 patients now the reason why I bring this up trust me my
reason why I bring this up trust me my
reason why I bring this up trust me my point wasn’t here just to share my story
point wasn’t here just to share my story
point wasn’t here just to share my story or maybe it was because if you ask my
or maybe it was because if you ask my
or maybe it was because if you ask my friends in the audience they will tell
friends in the audience they will tell
friends in the audience they will tell you how much I love to talk but my point
you how much I love to talk but my point
you how much I love to talk but my point here was to tell you that the nonprofit
here was to tell you that the nonprofit
here was to tell you that the nonprofit world has come a long way since the 90s
world has come a long way since the 90s
world has come a long way since the 90s it was first dominated by men
it was first dominated by men
it was first dominated by men so we diversified it we started
so we diversified it we started
so we diversified it we started including women in it people of color
including women in it people of color
including women in it people of color people from different backgrounds
people from different backgrounds
people from different backgrounds nations ethnicities and then we kind of
nations ethnicities and then we kind of
nations ethnicities and then we kind of moved to the younger generation where we
moved to the younger generation where we
moved to the younger generation where we have 21 year old starting their own
have 21 year old starting their own
have 21 year old starting their own nonprofits but my question to you is do
nonprofits but my question to you is do
nonprofits but my question to you is do we just stop there is that it is it
we just stop there is that it is it
we just stop there is that it is it enough I think not we are still ignoring
enough I think not we are still ignoring
enough I think not we are still ignoring a major resource that we haven’t tapped
a major resource that we haven’t tapped
a major resource that we haven’t tapped into our children our children’s ideas
into our children our children’s ideas
into our children our children’s ideas are often undervalued just because they
are often undervalued just because they
are often undervalued just because they lack experience so my idea is why not
lack experience so my idea is why not
lack experience so my idea is why not include them in the nonprofit world and
include them in the nonprofit world and
include them in the nonprofit world and give them the experience that they need
give them the experience that they need
give them the experience that they need instead of passively making them
instead of passively making them
instead of passively making them participate in volunteering
participate in volunteering
participate in volunteering opportunities so although my my dad and
opportunities so although my my dad and
opportunities so although my my dad and my sister mo who is in medical school
my sister mo who is in medical school
my sister mo who is in medical school are not that actively involved with my
are not that actively involved with my
are not that actively involved with my nonprofit I know that I can always call
nonprofit I know that I can always call
nonprofit I know that I can always call my dad up if I’m feeling low and he’ll
my dad up if I’m feeling low and he’ll
my dad up if I’m feeling low and he’ll say beta u are my hero betcha you can do
say beta u are my hero betcha you can do
say beta u are my hero betcha you can do it or I will send email or text message
it or I will send email or text message
it or I will send email or text message if I’m confused about something and she
if I’m confused about something and she
if I’m confused about something and she will support me even if nobody else does
will support me even if nobody else does
will support me even if nobody else does or if she thinks I’m wrong she literally
or if she thinks I’m wrong she literally
or if she thinks I’m wrong she literally called me out on it without giving it a
called me out on it without giving it a
called me out on it without giving it a second thought
second thought
second thought that’s how sisters are unfortunately the
that’s how sisters are unfortunately the
that’s how sisters are unfortunately the reason why I’m saying all this is that
reason why I’m saying all this is that
reason why I’m saying all this is that we need to change the system by
we need to change the system by
we need to change the system by incorporating our children into the
incorporating our children into the
incorporating our children into the nonprofit world and giving them the
nonprofit world and giving them the
nonprofit world and giving them the experience that they need when a child
experience that they need when a child
experience that they need when a child comes to an adult with an idea we often
comes to an adult with an idea we often
comes to an adult with an idea we often trivialize it by saying it’s stupid or
trivialize it by saying it’s stupid or
trivialize it by saying it’s stupid or childish without realizing how that 10
childish without realizing how that 10
childish without realizing how that 10 second rejection
second rejection
second rejection can have long-term consequences so I
can have long-term consequences so I
can have long-term consequences so I suggest why not come up with ways in
suggest why not come up with ways in
suggest why not come up with ways in which we can empower our children and
which we can empower our children and
which we can empower our children and give them the tools to hone their
give them the tools to hone their
give them the tools to hone their potential and become the proactive
potential and become the proactive
potential and become the proactive citizens that they had the potential to
citizens that they had the potential to
citizens that they had the potential to be we have micro level actions from
be we have micro level actions from
be we have micro level actions from let’s say having meaningful
let’s say having meaningful
let’s say having meaningful conversations with your neighbor’s child
conversations with your neighbor’s child
conversations with your neighbor’s child next door to macro level actions of
next door to macro level actions of
next door to macro level actions of nonprofits and governments starting
nonprofits and governments starting
nonprofits and governments starting projects in which they engage children
projects in which they engage children
projects in which they engage children and actively let them think and make
and actively let them think and make
and actively let them think and make decisions we are planting a seed just
decisions we are planting a seed just
decisions we are planting a seed just like the one that was planted in me
like the one that was planted in me
like the one that was planted in me exactly 10 years ago when I was standing
exactly 10 years ago when I was standing
exactly 10 years ago when I was standing on a stage just like this thinking we
on a stage just like this thinking we
on a stage just like this thinking we are the world we are the children we are
are the world we are the children we are
are the world we are the children we are the ones who make a brighter day so
the ones who make a brighter day so
the ones who make a brighter day so let’s start giving there’s a choice
let’s start giving there’s a choice
let’s start giving there’s a choice we’re making we’re saving our own lives
we’re making we’re saving our own lives
we’re making we’re saving our own lives it’s true we’ll make a better day just
it’s true we’ll make a better day just
it’s true we’ll make a better day just you and me thank you
”
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