today I want to talk about the power of a single story in 2012 I decided to go
a single story in 2012 I decided to go
a single story in 2012 I decided to go to the Middle East to start my
to the Middle East to start my
to the Middle East to start my internship and the reason that I wanted
internship and the reason that I wanted
internship and the reason that I wanted to go to the Middle East is because I
to go to the Middle East is because I
to go to the Middle East is because I was very interested in politics and in
was very interested in politics and in
was very interested in politics and in conflict resolutions and once I arrived
conflict resolutions and once I arrived
conflict resolutions and once I arrived to the Middle East I kind of realized
to the Middle East I kind of realized
to the Middle East I kind of realized that everything in the Middle East is
that everything in the Middle East is
that everything in the Middle East is political and I also realized very soon
political and I also realized very soon
political and I also realized very soon that I didn’t really like politics
that I didn’t really like politics
that I didn’t really like politics because politics
because politics
because politics I felt always that it was dividing us
I felt always that it was dividing us
I felt always that it was dividing us and it doesn’t really connect people to
and it doesn’t really connect people to
and it doesn’t really connect people to each other I started my internship at an
each other I started my internship at an
each other I started my internship at an organization that facilitates dialogues
organization that facilitates dialogues
organization that facilitates dialogues between different kinds of people people
between different kinds of people people
between different kinds of people people from all different walks of life
from all different walks of life
from all different walks of life so the workshops that I would organize
so the workshops that I would organize
so the workshops that I would organize for example we would have people coming
for example we would have people coming
for example we would have people coming that were maybe Muslims or Jews or even
that were maybe Muslims or Jews or even
that were maybe Muslims or Jews or even Christians or people that had religions
Christians or people that had religions
Christians or people that had religions that I’ve never heard of in my life and
that I’ve never heard of in my life and
that I’ve never heard of in my life and it works is that I would organize would
it works is that I would organize would
it works is that I would organize would look something like this people would
look something like this people would
look something like this people would gather around in a circle and we would
gather around in a circle and we would
gather around in a circle and we would just sit there and those gatherings they
just sit there and those gatherings they
just sit there and those gatherings they were not focused on politics they were
were not focused on politics they were
were not focused on politics they were actually focused on human stories on who
actually focused on human stories on who
actually focused on human stories on who are we as people and what matters to us
are we as people and what matters to us
are we as people and what matters to us and so for me those gatherings felt like
and so for me those gatherings felt like
and so for me those gatherings felt like a very safe place and it felt like a
a very safe place and it felt like a
a very safe place and it felt like a place where people could actually speak
place where people could actually speak
place where people could actually speak from their heart and conflict and
from their heart and conflict and
from their heart and conflict and politics would not never be between us
politics would not never be between us
politics would not never be between us and I remember this one time we were
and I remember this one time we were
and I remember this one time we were sitting here all together and it was
sitting here all together and it was
sitting here all together and it was actually when this picture was taken
actually when this picture was taken
actually when this picture was taken it was very silent and we were all
it was very silent and we were all
it was very silent and we were all sitting in a group together and all of a
sitting in a group together and all of a
sitting in a group together and all of a sudden this Palestinian lady she started
sudden this Palestinian lady she started
sudden this Palestinian lady she started to speak and she explained that recently
to speak and she explained that recently
to speak and she explained that recently she had desired decided to get a divorce
she had desired decided to get a divorce
she had desired decided to get a divorce from her husband she had been in a very
from her husband she had been in a very
from her husband she had been in a very abusive relationship for the past 20
abusive relationship for the past 20
abusive relationship for the past 20 years and she could no longer take it
years and she could no longer take it
years and she could no longer take it and while she shared her story she was
and while she shared her story she was
and while she shared her story she was actually crying
actually crying
actually crying and I remember that people that were
and I remember that people that were
and I remember that people that were sitting around her again they were all
sitting around her again they were all
sitting around her again they were all different people they were Israelis
different people they were Israelis
different people they were Israelis Palestinians and he will all sit there
Palestinians and he will all sit there
Palestinians and he will all sit there and cry with her they felt emotional
and cry with her they felt emotional
and cry with her they felt emotional over her story and even though they had
over her story and even though they had
over her story and even though they had so many reasons not to connect they
so many reasons not to connect they
so many reasons not to connect they would connect over the fact that she was
would connect over the fact that she was
would connect over the fact that she was crying and they did and that they could
crying and they did and that they could
crying and they did and that they could feel how she felt and that’s exactly
feel how she felt and that’s exactly
feel how she felt and that’s exactly when I discovered the power of
when I discovered the power of
when I discovered the power of storytelling you didn’t need any other
storytelling you didn’t need any other
storytelling you didn’t need any other reason than that to connect with someone
at the time I was living in tel-aviv and
at the time I was living in tel-aviv and then Tel Aviv is a very diverse City
then Tel Aviv is a very diverse City
then Tel Aviv is a very diverse City it’s a city where it’s a city of
it’s a city where it’s a city of
it’s a city where it’s a city of contrasts you have all different kinds
contrasts you have all different kinds
contrasts you have all different kinds of people you have religious people not
of people you have religious people not
of people you have religious people not so religious people secular people
so religious people secular people
so religious people secular people people from all again different places
people from all again different places
people from all again different places different colors and one thing I like
different colors and one thing I like
different colors and one thing I like most about that city was the diversity
most about that city was the diversity
most about that city was the diversity it was actually the thing that made the
it was actually the thing that made the
it was actually the thing that made the city to what it was and I remember one
city to what it was and I remember one
city to what it was and I remember one time I came home from one of those walks
time I came home from one of those walks
time I came home from one of those walks around town and I was crawling on my
around town and I was crawling on my
around town and I was crawling on my Facebook feed and I saw this page and it
Facebook feed and I saw this page and it
Facebook feed and I saw this page and it was called humans of tel-aviv and I had
was called humans of tel-aviv and I had
was called humans of tel-aviv and I had heard about it page humans of New York
heard about it page humans of New York
heard about it page humans of New York before but because I was living in
before but because I was living in
before but because I was living in tel-aviv and I saw that page and I was
tel-aviv and I saw that page and I was
tel-aviv and I saw that page and I was like wait these people that I see on
like wait these people that I see on
like wait these people that I see on these photographs over here I can
these photographs over here I can
these photographs over here I can actually see them you know outside on
actually see them you know outside on
actually see them you know outside on the street and but suddenly I had access
the street and but suddenly I had access
the street and but suddenly I had access to their story and I thought wow this is
to their story and I thought wow this is
to their story and I thought wow this is so cool
so cool
so cool and I remember that night I just keep
and I remember that night I just keep
and I remember that night I just keep reading and reading and reading and I
reading and reading and reading and I
reading and reading and reading and I felt so inspired because I thought wow
felt so inspired because I thought wow
felt so inspired because I thought wow all you need is a camera to actually go
all you need is a camera to actually go
all you need is a camera to actually go out and talk to strangers in the end of
out and talk to strangers in the end of
out and talk to strangers in the end of that year I returned from my internship
that year I returned from my internship
that year I returned from my internship and I returned back to Amsterdam but
and I returned back to Amsterdam but
and I returned back to Amsterdam but this time I felt really different than
this time I felt really different than
this time I felt really different than before because this time I had a mission
before because this time I had a mission
before because this time I had a mission I knew that I wanted to do something
I knew that I wanted to do something
I knew that I wanted to do something with storytelling I wanted to be able to
with storytelling I wanted to be able to
with storytelling I wanted to be able to do the same things that we would do in
do the same things that we would do in
do the same things that we would do in those dialog workshops but this time I
those dialog workshops but this time I
those dialog workshops but this time I wanted to be able to
wanted to be able to
wanted to be able to do it online to share stories online
do it online to share stories online
do it online to share stories online from the city that I was living in and
from the city that I was living in and
from the city that I was living in and since I was living in Amsterdam I
since I was living in Amsterdam I
since I was living in Amsterdam I thought you know what why not give it a
thought you know what why not give it a
thought you know what why not give it a try
try
try so on my birthday my father helped me to
so on my birthday my father helped me to
so on my birthday my father helped me to get a camera and I gathered all my
get a camera and I gathered all my
get a camera and I gathered all my courage and I put on a really big smile
courage and I put on a really big smile
courage and I put on a really big smile and I decided to go out on the street
and I decided to go out on the street
and I decided to go out on the street and actually this is the one of the
and actually this is the one of the
and actually this is the one of the first portraits that I’ve taken this
first portraits that I’ve taken this
first portraits that I’ve taken this portrait of these three guys three boys
portrait of these three guys three boys
portrait of these three guys three boys in the market and the story says it was
in the market and the story says it was
in the market and the story says it was only a quote will the camera make us
only a quote will the camera make us
only a quote will the camera make us look even better well it wasn’t a really
look even better well it wasn’t a really
look even better well it wasn’t a really interesting story and also the picture
interesting story and also the picture
interesting story and also the picture it wasn’t that great but I felt great
it wasn’t that great but I felt great
it wasn’t that great but I felt great because I had realized that I could do
because I had realized that I could do
because I had realized that I could do this I could take my camera and I could
this I could take my camera and I could
this I could take my camera and I could go outside and I could talk to all these
go outside and I could talk to all these
go outside and I could talk to all these different people and I didn’t need any
different people and I didn’t need any
different people and I didn’t need any excuses anymore because I had my excuse
excuses anymore because I had my excuse
excuses anymore because I had my excuse and that was my camera and that actually
and that was my camera and that actually
and that was my camera and that actually resulted in two humans around them it
resulted in two humans around them it
resulted in two humans around them it resulted into a project that I was so
resulted into a project that I was so
resulted into a project that I was so passionate about and I would go out on
passionate about and I would go out on
passionate about and I would go out on the street almost every day with my
the street almost every day with my
the street almost every day with my camera and I would walk around and I
camera and I would walk around and I
camera and I would walk around and I would look for all these different kinds
would look for all these different kinds
would look for all these different kinds of people and again I wasn’t really good
of people and again I wasn’t really good
of people and again I wasn’t really good and the stories my writing wasn’t really
and the stories my writing wasn’t really
and the stories my writing wasn’t really well English is not my native language
well English is not my native language
well English is not my native language but I kept doing it every day over and
but I kept doing it every day over and
but I kept doing it every day over and over and over again and once the stories
over and over again and once the stories
over and over again and once the stories got better the community grew I got more
got better the community grew I got more
got better the community grew I got more and more followers and that was actually
and more followers and that was actually
and more followers and that was actually a really big part of why I kept being
a really big part of why I kept being
a really big part of why I kept being motivated because not only could I share
motivated because not only could I share
motivated because not only could I share a story but other people were responding
a story but other people were responding
a story but other people were responding to that so there was this whole
to that so there was this whole
to that so there was this whole dimension now to this project and once
dimension now to this project and once
dimension now to this project and once the stories got better we grew and we
the stories got better we grew and we
the stories got better we grew and we grew and we go and today humans Aram
grew and we go and today humans Aram
grew and we go and today humans Aram stem has around five hundred thousand
stem has around five hundred thousand
stem has around five hundred thousand followers worldwide so we have a group
followers worldwide so we have a group
followers worldwide so we have a group of people I can connect to a group of
of people I can connect to a group of
of people I can connect to a group of people that are connecting over stories
people that are connecting over stories
people that are connecting over stories all over the world and one of the
all over the world and one of the
all over the world and one of the stories that means a lot to me is this
stories that means a lot to me is this
stories that means a lot to me is this one I met this man his name is Lena
one I met this man his name is Lena
one I met this man his name is Lena and I met him in front of the
and I met him in front of the
and I met him in front of the Rijksmuseum and when I approached him
Rijksmuseum and when I approached him
Rijksmuseum and when I approached him his wife had recently passed away and it
his wife had recently passed away and it
his wife had recently passed away and it was actually the first time that he went
was actually the first time that he went
was actually the first time that he went out by himself on a social event and he
out by himself on a social event and he
out by himself on a social event and he told me that it was very scary to him
told me that it was very scary to him
told me that it was very scary to him because he would always hang out with
because he would always hang out with
because he would always hang out with his wife and they would always go to
his wife and they would always go to
his wife and they would always go to museums together but this time he went
museums together but this time he went
museums together but this time he went by himself he explained that he would
by himself he explained that he would
by himself he explained that he would see all these other couples and he would
see all these other couples and he would
see all these other couples and he would feel a little lonely but at the same
feel a little lonely but at the same
feel a little lonely but at the same time he said that he could hear her
time he said that he could hear her
time he said that he could hear her voice he could hear her speak to him and
voice he could hear her speak to him and
voice he could hear her speak to him and when he was waiting in line for the cue
when he was waiting in line for the cue
when he was waiting in line for the cue he explained to me is a very impatient
he explained to me is a very impatient
he explained to me is a very impatient person and he could hear his wife tell
person and he could hear his wife tell
person and he could hear his wife tell him that you know he should calm it down
him that you know he should calm it down
him that you know he should calm it down relax like you’re gonna your turn will
relax like you’re gonna your turn will
relax like you’re gonna your turn will come and he said that made him really
come and he said that made him really
come and he said that made him really feel good and it also made him feel good
feel good and it also made him feel good
feel good and it also made him feel good the fact that he could do this by
the fact that he could do this by
the fact that he could do this by himself so basically what we were doing
himself so basically what we were doing
himself so basically what we were doing what I was doing I was building a
what I was doing I was building a
what I was doing I was building a community not based on facts I mean
community not based on facts I mean
community not based on facts I mean facts are all over the news but we were
facts are all over the news but we were
facts are all over the news but we were building I was building a community over
building I was building a community over
building I was building a community over stories and people could relate to other
stories and people could relate to other
stories and people could relate to other people’s stories they felt really bad if
people’s stories they felt really bad if
people’s stories they felt really bad if something bad happened to someone else
something bad happened to someone else
something bad happened to someone else for example when I shared Lane is his
for example when I shared Lane is his
for example when I shared Lane is his story other people felt really bad for
story other people felt really bad for
story other people felt really bad for him but not only that they could connect
him but not only that they could connect
him but not only that they could connect to him because they also maybe had lost
to him because they also maybe had lost
to him because they also maybe had lost someone and then other people started to
someone and then other people started to
someone and then other people started to share what it was like to go out for the
share what it was like to go out for the
share what it was like to go out for the very first time
very first time
very first time once you lost someone and how hard that
once you lost someone and how hard that
once you lost someone and how hard that is and so all of a sudden we have all
is and so all of a sudden we have all
is and so all of a sudden we have all these people talking about very personal
these people talking about very personal
these people talking about very personal experiences but in a very powerful way
this is a headline that I found on a
this is a headline that I found on a website on an article and it says number
website on an article and it says number
website on an article and it says number of Iraqis fleeing Mosul near 60,000 I
of Iraqis fleeing Mosul near 60,000 I
of Iraqis fleeing Mosul near 60,000 I believe the total amount of Iraqis that
believe the total amount of Iraqis that
believe the total amount of Iraqis that fled Mosul which is a city in Iraq is
fled Mosul which is a city in Iraq is
fled Mosul which is a city in Iraq is half a million people that’s a lot of
half a million people that’s a lot of
half a million people that’s a lot of people but honestly if I read something
people but honestly if I read something
people but honestly if I read something like that and I have it quite often when
like that and I have it quite often when
like that and I have it quite often when I read numbers in the in the newspaper
I read numbers in the in the newspaper
I read numbers in the in the newspaper I cannot feel anything
I cannot feel anything
I cannot feel anything not because I don’t care because I do
not because I don’t care because I do
not because I don’t care because I do but I don’t know what 500,000 people
but I don’t know what 500,000 people
but I don’t know what 500,000 people looks like I don’t know I don’t know
looks like I don’t know I don’t know
looks like I don’t know I don’t know what it’s like to flee so the story
what it’s like to flee so the story
what it’s like to flee so the story doesn’t have a face it’s just a fact and
doesn’t have a face it’s just a fact and
doesn’t have a face it’s just a fact and facts are very very important it’s just
facts are very very important it’s just
facts are very very important it’s just that I cannot connect to it I don’t feel
that I cannot connect to it I don’t feel
that I cannot connect to it I don’t feel it in my heart and that’s why I want to
it in my heart and that’s why I want to
it in my heart and that’s why I want to give you this example of Nizar nazar is
give you this example of Nizar nazar is
give you this example of Nizar nazar is one of those people that fled masu he’s
one of those people that fled masu he’s
one of those people that fled masu he’s one of those people this is one single
one of those people this is one single
one of those people this is one single story of one single person and when I
story of one single person and when I
story of one single person and when I sat down with him he explained to me
sat down with him he explained to me
sat down with him he explained to me what it was like to leave your country
what it was like to leave your country
what it was like to leave your country to leave everything behind everything
to leave everything behind everything
to leave everything behind everything you know your work your friends your
you know your work your friends your
you know your work your friends your family everything he even had to leave
family everything he even had to leave
family everything he even had to leave behind eight of his cats and he loves
behind eight of his cats and he loves
behind eight of his cats and he loves cats so can you imagine to leave your
cats so can you imagine to leave your
cats so can you imagine to leave your pet behind that’s very very hard he also
pet behind that’s very very hard he also
pet behind that’s very very hard he also explained what it was like to come here
explained what it was like to come here
explained what it was like to come here to make that dangerous journey that
to make that dangerous journey that
to make that dangerous journey that we’ve all heard about so many times what
we’ve all heard about so many times what
we’ve all heard about so many times what it’s like to go on a rubber boat and to
it’s like to go on a rubber boat and to
it’s like to go on a rubber boat and to cross the sea that’s very very dangerous
cross the sea that’s very very dangerous
cross the sea that’s very very dangerous and because I could talk to him and
and because I could talk to him and
and because I could talk to him and because I could see him and I could look
because I could see him and I could look
because I could see him and I could look into his eyes there was a person it’s no
into his eyes there was a person it’s no
into his eyes there was a person it’s no longer effect it’s no longer something
longer effect it’s no longer something
longer effect it’s no longer something that I would read in an article or see
that I would read in an article or see
that I would read in an article or see on the news
on the news
on the news Nizar isn’t was no longer a statistic to
Nizar isn’t was no longer a statistic to
Nizar isn’t was no longer a statistic to me he’s a person and so I can connect
me he’s a person and so I can connect
me he’s a person and so I can connect over emotions and not over facts the
over emotions and not over facts the
over emotions and not over facts the same happened when I saw this story the
same happened when I saw this story the
same happened when I saw this story the headline says it’s in Dutch but I’ll
headline says it’s in Dutch but I’ll
headline says it’s in Dutch but I’ll translate it to English it says two year
translate it to English it says two year
translate it to English it says two year old girl from Amsterdam is kidnapped by
old girl from Amsterdam is kidnapped by
old girl from Amsterdam is kidnapped by father and I kept reading the article
father and I kept reading the article
father and I kept reading the article and I found out that this young mother
and I found out that this young mother
and I found out that this young mother Nadya her child in CI was kidnapped by
Nadya her child in CI was kidnapped by
Nadya her child in CI was kidnapped by her ex-husband he what she was smuggled
her ex-husband he what she was smuggled
her ex-husband he what she was smuggled out of the EU and he smuggled her to
out of the EU and he smuggled her to
out of the EU and he smuggled her to India to Mumbai and something about it I
India to Mumbai and something about it I
India to Mumbai and something about it I just wanted to know more and I wanted to
just wanted to know more and I wanted to
just wanted to know more and I wanted to know what the story behind was because
know what the story behind was because
know what the story behind was because that couldn’t be all it those facts it
that couldn’t be all it those facts it
that couldn’t be all it those facts it couldn’t be there has to be something
couldn’t be there has to be something
couldn’t be there has to be something behind it so I started reading and
behind it so I started reading and
behind it so I started reading and reading and so I decided why not just
reading and so I decided why not just
reading and so I decided why not just contact her you know we have Facebook
contact her you know we have Facebook
contact her you know we have Facebook it’s so easy these days you can just
it’s so easy these days you can just
it’s so easy these days you can just contact
contact
contact people I mean you never know if they
people I mean you never know if they
people I mean you never know if they will reply obviously but you can try so
will reply obviously but you can try so
will reply obviously but you can try so I wrote her a message and I said that I
I wrote her a message and I said that I
I wrote her a message and I said that I couldn’t believe how she must have felt
couldn’t believe how she must have felt
couldn’t believe how she must have felt the your daughter it must be everything
the your daughter it must be everything
the your daughter it must be everything to you and then when you lose it and
to you and then when you lose it and
to you and then when you lose it and your child is kidnapped I don’t think
your child is kidnapped I don’t think
your child is kidnapped I don’t think anyone wants to go through something
anyone wants to go through something
anyone wants to go through something like that and I explained her about my
like that and I explained her about my
like that and I explained her about my platform and I told her that if she
platform and I told her that if she
platform and I told her that if she needed any help or I could help her
needed any help or I could help her
needed any help or I could help her share the story she could contact me and
share the story she could contact me and
share the story she could contact me and she replied and one month later we sat
she replied and one month later we sat
she replied and one month later we sat down and I remember she invited me to
down and I remember she invited me to
down and I remember she invited me to her home and we sat there for three
her home and we sat there for three
her home and we sat there for three hours and she just kept talking and
hours and she just kept talking and
hours and she just kept talking and explained what happened she explained
explained what happened she explained
explained what happened she explained that she had been in a very abusive
that she had been in a very abusive
that she had been in a very abusive relationship for a few years
relationship for a few years
relationship for a few years emotionally and physically and she
emotionally and physically and she
emotionally and physically and she explained that she felt ashamed she felt
explained that she felt ashamed she felt
explained that she felt ashamed she felt ashamed because she was a highly
ashamed because she was a highly
ashamed because she was a highly educated woman and she felt that it
educated woman and she felt that it
educated woman and she felt that it wasn’t possible for a highly educated
wasn’t possible for a highly educated
wasn’t possible for a highly educated woman to be treated like that by a man
woman to be treated like that by a man
woman to be treated like that by a man so she never dared to really express
so she never dared to really express
so she never dared to really express herself but then one day she did decide
herself but then one day she did decide
herself but then one day she did decide to file for divorce she decided that
to file for divorce she decided that
to file for divorce she decided that enough was enough
enough was enough
enough was enough and so what happened was her life became
and so what happened was her life became
and so what happened was her life became a living hell it became a nightmare from
a living hell it became a nightmare from
a living hell it became a nightmare from that moment she received death threats
that moment she received death threats
that moment she received death threats by her ex-husband she was even tracked
by her ex-husband she was even tracked
by her ex-husband she was even tracked and traced and softt stalked GPS
and traced and softt stalked GPS
and traced and softt stalked GPS trackers were placed under her car her
trackers were placed under her car her
trackers were placed under her car her life was a hell until the 29th of
life was a hell until the 29th of
life was a hell until the 29th of September and then was when everything
September and then was when everything
September and then was when everything got even worse she was driving on the
got even worse she was driving on the
got even worse she was driving on the highway when all of a sudden she
highway when all of a sudden she
highway when all of a sudden she received a phone call from her nephew
received a phone call from her nephew
received a phone call from her nephew and he was crying and he explained that
and he was crying and he explained that
and he was crying and he explained that India was kidnapped two three men barged
India was kidnapped two three men barged
India was kidnapped two three men barged into her mother’s home
into her mother’s home
into her mother’s home so Nadia’s mother’s home and they’d
so Nadia’s mother’s home and they’d
so Nadia’s mother’s home and they’d taken away the child the two-year-old
taken away the child the two-year-old
taken away the child the two-year-old girl and she was smuggled out of the EU
girl and she was smuggled out of the EU
girl and she was smuggled out of the EU to Mumbai to India from that moment on
to Mumbai to India from that moment on
to Mumbai to India from that moment on Nadia has not been able to speak or see
Nadia has not been able to speak or see
Nadia has not been able to speak or see her her daughter
her her daughter
her her daughter so basically when I went home and she
so basically when I went home and she
so basically when I went home and she explained me the whole story I just I
explained me the whole story I just I
explained me the whole story I just I needed time really I needed time because
needed time really I needed time because
needed time really I needed time because there was so much emotion in there I
there was so much emotion in there I
there was so much emotion in there I needed time to understand what had
needed time to understand what had
needed time to understand what had happened to her and I felt this huge
happened to her and I felt this huge
happened to her and I felt this huge responsibility I felt a responsibility
responsibility I felt a responsibility
responsibility I felt a responsibility to correctly write her story I wanted to
to correctly write her story I wanted to
to correctly write her story I wanted to do her story justice because if you go
do her story justice because if you go
do her story justice because if you go through something like that as a
through something like that as a
through something like that as a storyteller you don’t want to disappoint
storyteller you don’t want to disappoint
storyteller you don’t want to disappoint someone and especially I wanted to write
someone and especially I wanted to write
someone and especially I wanted to write a good story because I knew that only
a good story because I knew that only
a good story because I knew that only then I was able to reach a broad
then I was able to reach a broad
then I was able to reach a broad audience people need to want to read a
audience people need to want to read a
audience people need to want to read a story so this was the first post that I
story so this was the first post that I
story so this was the first post that I wrote on Nadia
wrote on Nadia
wrote on Nadia and I felt very nervous to post this
and I felt very nervous to post this
and I felt very nervous to post this story usually I don’t feel so nervous
story usually I don’t feel so nervous
story usually I don’t feel so nervous but this time I felt very nervous again
but this time I felt very nervous again
but this time I felt very nervous again I felt very responsible and then once I
I felt very responsible and then once I
I felt very responsible and then once I shared it people started to engage and
shared it people started to engage and
shared it people started to engage and it was a five-part stories so every time
it was a five-part stories so every time
it was a five-part stories so every time a new chapter would be added to the
a new chapter would be added to the
a new chapter would be added to the story and once all the five stories were
story and once all the five stories were
story and once all the five stories were up everyone was responsive everyone we
up everyone was responsive everyone we
up everyone was responsive everyone we we got thousands of reactions and
we got thousands of reactions and
we got thousands of reactions and comments and likes and shares and
comments and likes and shares and
comments and likes and shares and everything so now people all over the
everything so now people all over the
everything so now people all over the world knew what had happened to Nadia
world knew what had happened to Nadia
world knew what had happened to Nadia and they knew about the kidnap also we
and they knew about the kidnap also we
and they knew about the kidnap also we have a really great audience from India
have a really great audience from India
have a really great audience from India and they had a lot of good tips and one
and they had a lot of good tips and one
and they had a lot of good tips and one of them was that we should contact
of them was that we should contact
of them was that we should contact India’s minister of External Affairs
India’s minister of External Affairs
India’s minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj the reason for that is in
Sushma Swaraj the reason for that is in
Sushma Swaraj the reason for that is in India she seems to be able to work
India she seems to be able to work
India she seems to be able to work miracles she seems to be able to know a
miracles she seems to be able to know a
miracles she seems to be able to know a lot about these kind of cases so she got
lot about these kind of cases so she got
lot about these kind of cases so she got tagged over thousands and thousands of
tagged over thousands and thousands of
tagged over thousands and thousands of times everyone started to check this
times everyone started to check this
times everyone started to check this Minister to get her involved people
Minister to get her involved people
Minister to get her involved people started to tweet her unfortunately she
started to tweet her unfortunately she
started to tweet her unfortunately she didn’t respond which was really a big
didn’t respond which was really a big
didn’t respond which was really a big shame but something else magical
shame but something else magical
shame but something else magical happened the next day and that was the
happened the next day and that was the
happened the next day and that was the fact this the PowerPoint actually cut it
fact this the PowerPoint actually cut it
fact this the PowerPoint actually cut it off but we have really like if you go on
off but we have really like if you go on
off but we have really like if you go on Google you see almost every Indian news
Google you see almost every Indian news
Google you see almost every Indian news let picked up the story which was
let picked up the story which was
let picked up the story which was amazing because I have a reach to
amazing because I have a reach to
amazing because I have a reach to 500,000 people but these news outlets
500,000 people but these news outlets
500,000 people but these news outlets are huge so now the whole country a
are huge so now the whole country a
are huge so now the whole country a country of 1.3 billion people was able
country of 1.3 billion people was able
country of 1.3 billion people was able to read this story which was amazing
to read this story which was amazing
to read this story which was amazing because they needed to know they needed
because they needed to know they needed
because they needed to know they needed to know that a Dutch citizen is kept in
to know that a Dutch citizen is kept in
to know that a Dutch citizen is kept in Mumbai and that’s illegal a few weeks
Mumbai and that’s illegal a few weeks
Mumbai and that’s illegal a few weeks after it got quiet again around Nadia’s
after it got quiet again around Nadia’s
after it got quiet again around Nadia’s story and we went back to regular
story and we went back to regular
story and we went back to regular posting so I went back to posting
posting so I went back to posting
posting so I went back to posting stories of the street but obviously I
stories of the street but obviously I
stories of the street but obviously I didn’t want to leave Nadia like that I
didn’t want to leave Nadia like that I
didn’t want to leave Nadia like that I wanted to help her I wanted to be able
wanted to help her I wanted to be able
wanted to help her I wanted to be able to continue this story and so we thought
to continue this story and so we thought
to continue this story and so we thought how what is a great way to mobilize all
how what is a great way to mobilize all
how what is a great way to mobilize all these people and to give them also a
these people and to give them also a
these people and to give them also a voice a voice to say where we don’t
voice a voice to say where we don’t
voice a voice to say where we don’t agree with this there has to be a
agree with this there has to be a
agree with this there has to be a solution so we came up with this
solution so we came up with this
solution so we came up with this petition and we thought ok we’ll add
petition and we thought ok we’ll add
petition and we thought ok we’ll add also a video to it because we need a
also a video to it because we need a
also a video to it because we need a call of action people need to hear her
call of action people need to hear her
call of action people need to hear her speak as well we address the petition to
speak as well we address the petition to
speak as well we address the petition to the Dutch authorities and to the Indian
the Dutch authorities and to the Indian
the Dutch authorities and to the Indian authorities and especially we were
authorities and especially we were
authorities and especially we were addressing it to the minister of
addressing it to the minister of
addressing it to the minister of External Affairs in India swooosh Sushma
External Affairs in India swooosh Sushma
External Affairs in India swooosh Sushma Swaraj because she again seemed to be
Swaraj because she again seemed to be
Swaraj because she again seemed to be able to work miracles everyone was
able to work miracles everyone was
able to work miracles everyone was saying it so again we published a story
saying it so again we published a story
saying it so again we published a story about an idea and this time we had
about an idea and this time we had
about an idea and this time we had something for the audience to do they
something for the audience to do they
something for the audience to do they could sign the petition and they did in
could sign the petition and they did in
could sign the petition and they did in total of 40 1000 times people signed it
total of 40 1000 times people signed it
total of 40 1000 times people signed it everyone was signing it people were
everyone was signing it people were
everyone was signing it people were sharing it
as I said we addressed the petition to
as I said we addressed the petition to dot the Dutch authorities and the
dot the Dutch authorities and the
dot the Dutch authorities and the English the Indian authorities within 24
English the Indian authorities within 24
English the Indian authorities within 24 hours we had a response from the Dutch
hours we had a response from the Dutch
hours we had a response from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Facebook
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Facebook
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Facebook which is amazing I think that they would
which is amazing I think that they would
which is amazing I think that they would respond on Facebook publicly for anyone
respond on Facebook publicly for anyone
respond on Facebook publicly for anyone to read and anyone to see and they told
to read and anyone to see and they told
to read and anyone to see and they told us that they felt for for for Nadia that
us that they felt for for for Nadia that
us that they felt for for for Nadia that they were aware of what happened and
they were aware of what happened and
they were aware of what happened and that it would do their utmost best to
that it would do their utmost best to
that it would do their utmost best to reach the Indian authorities
reach the Indian authorities
reach the Indian authorities unfortunately we had no response from
unfortunately we had no response from
unfortunately we had no response from the Indian authorities at all a few days
the Indian authorities at all a few days
the Indian authorities at all a few days later Nadia met up with the Dutch
later Nadia met up with the Dutch
later Nadia met up with the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs red corners
Minister of Foreign Affairs red corners
Minister of Foreign Affairs red corners and she over handed him the petition the
and she over handed him the petition the
and she over handed him the petition the petition that we worked so hard for was
petition that we worked so hard for was
petition that we worked so hard for was now in the hands of a politician which
now in the hands of a politician which
now in the hands of a politician which was amazing because that’s where big big
was amazing because that’s where big big
was amazing because that’s where big big decisions are being made he took it very
decisions are being made he took it very
decisions are being made he took it very very seriously and a few months later he
introduced it to he gave it to mr.
introduced it to he gave it to mr. Sushma Swaraj so this time there was no
Sushma Swaraj so this time there was no
Sushma Swaraj so this time there was no way around it for her she had to accept
way around it for her she had to accept
way around it for her she had to accept the fact that 41,000 people including
the fact that 41,000 people including
the fact that 41,000 people including Nadia wanted a solution for this issue
Nadia wanted a solution for this issue
Nadia wanted a solution for this issue for this matter and last week when our
for this matter and last week when our
for this matter and last week when our prime minister met the Prime Minister of
prime minister met the Prime Minister of
prime minister met the Prime Minister of India he also addressed this matter and
India he also addressed this matter and
India he also addressed this matter and not only did he address this matter he
not only did he address this matter he
not only did he address this matter he even had a phone call with Nadia for 15
even had a phone call with Nadia for 15
even had a phone call with Nadia for 15 minutes didn’t aid the day after it’s
minutes didn’t aid the day after it’s
minutes didn’t aid the day after it’s not every day that the Prime Minister
not every day that the Prime Minister
not every day that the Prime Minister calls you on your cell phone but he did
calls you on your cell phone but he did
calls you on your cell phone but he did and he explained again that he will try
and he explained again that he will try
and he explained again that he will try anything to help her and to find a
anything to help her and to find a
anything to help her and to find a solution to this matter so the power of
solution to this matter so the power of
solution to this matter so the power of one single story is immense right we can
one single story is immense right we can
one single story is immense right we can activate people we can mobilize people
activate people we can mobilize people
activate people we can mobilize people we can gather people through one single
we can gather people through one single
we can gather people through one single story we can connect through one single
story we can connect through one single
story we can connect through one single story and that’s amazing but I also want
story and that’s amazing but I also want
story and that’s amazing but I also want to remind you that a story is more than
to remind you that a story is more than
to remind you that a story is more than just a story there’s actually a real
just a story there’s actually a real
just a story there’s actually a real real person behind
real person behind
real person behind that story and that’s why I want to
that story and that’s why I want to
that story and that’s why I want to introduce Nigella sheet to the stage
introduce Nigella sheet to the stage
introduce Nigella sheet to the stage [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] thank you thank you so much first of all
thank you thank you so much first of all
thank you thank you so much first of all I would like to thank Deborah because if
I would like to thank Deborah because if
I would like to thank Deborah because if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be standing
it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be standing
it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be standing here in front of you and she’s been an
here in front of you and she’s been an
here in front of you and she’s been an immense support she has helped me but
immense support she has helped me but
immense support she has helped me but mostly my daughter insya who doesn’t
mostly my daughter insya who doesn’t
mostly my daughter insya who doesn’t have a voice but Deborah has given her
have a voice but Deborah has given her
have a voice but Deborah has given her voice and she has given her face and a
voice and she has given her face and a
voice and she has given her face and a lot of people now know about her it’s
lot of people now know about her it’s
lot of people now know about her it’s very difficult to lose your child
very difficult to lose your child
very difficult to lose your child especially when your child is a life and
especially when your child is a life and
especially when your child is a life and you know where she is also when you
you know where she is also when you
you know where she is also when you don’t know that you were about to lose
don’t know that you were about to lose
don’t know that you were about to lose your child when my daughter got
your child when my daughter got
your child when my daughter got kidnapped I that was the worst day of my
kidnapped I that was the worst day of my
kidnapped I that was the worst day of my life and I did not know what was going
life and I did not know what was going
life and I did not know what was going to happen me being a private person
to happen me being a private person
to happen me being a private person sharing my story with people was just
sharing my story with people was just
sharing my story with people was just not something I’ve ever thought of but
not something I’ve ever thought of but
not something I’ve ever thought of but still when when INSEAD got kidnapped I
still when when INSEAD got kidnapped I
still when when INSEAD got kidnapped I did not have any choice I needed the
did not have any choice I needed the
did not have any choice I needed the help of people I needed to mobilize
help of people I needed to mobilize
help of people I needed to mobilize people in order to make sure that I
people in order to make sure that I
people in order to make sure that I would see my daughter again and life has
would see my daughter again and life has
would see my daughter again and life has been a nightmare ever since but not
been a nightmare ever since but not
been a nightmare ever since but not being able to talk to your now
being able to talk to your now
being able to talk to your now three-year-old daughter for more than
three-year-old daughter for more than
three-year-old daughter for more than nine months is something that you do not
nine months is something that you do not
nine months is something that you do not need a parent you do not need to be a
need a parent you do not need to be a
need a parent you do not need to be a parent to understand the kind of agony
parent to understand the kind of agony
parent to understand the kind of agony that you go through we have made amazing
that you go through we have made amazing
that you go through we have made amazing amazing progress to make sure that this
amazing progress to make sure that this
amazing progress to make sure that this matter would get visibility and
matter would get visibility and
matter would get visibility and attraction from the right people and the
attraction from the right people and the
attraction from the right people and the right people are involved with it not
right people are involved with it not
right people are involved with it not only that we got the story viral through
only that we got the story viral through
only that we got the story viral through unions of Amsterdam but people in India
unions of Amsterdam but people in India
unions of Amsterdam but people in India know it people all around the world know
know it people all around the world know
know it people all around the world know it and everybody agrees on just one
it and everybody agrees on just one
it and everybody agrees on just one thing that this is not something that
thing that this is not something that
thing that this is not something that any child should go through and we are
any child should go through and we are
any child should go through and we are still working hard day and night to make
still working hard day and night to make
still working hard day and night to make sure that I would get to speak to her
sure that I would get to speak to her
sure that I would get to speak to her and that she would know that mommy’s
and that she would know that mommy’s
and that she would know that mommy’s there because somewhere in says waiting
there because somewhere in says waiting
there because somewhere in says waiting for mommy to come and bring her back
for mommy to come and bring her back
for mommy to come and bring her back home
home
home and we just hope that this situation
and we just hope that this situation
and we just hope that this situation comes to an end but we really couldn’t
comes to an end but we really couldn’t
comes to an end but we really couldn’t do it without the help of thousands and
do it without the help of thousands and
do it without the help of thousands and thousands of people who have been so
thousands of people who have been so
thousands of people who have been so supporting and such a strength every
supporting and such a strength every
supporting and such a strength every time when I feel down I go through the
time when I feel down I go through the
time when I feel down I go through the messages and the kind of hope that
messages and the kind of hope that
messages and the kind of hope that people give me keeps me going and that’s
people give me keeps me going and that’s
people give me keeps me going and that’s something that I actually ought to you
something that I actually ought to you
something that I actually ought to you thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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