VOF Week 2: (Snakes and Ladders)

Where did the journey to the present start for me? There is no defining point, no day when the heavens opened up sent me a sign, it’s been much more like a bad game of snakes and ladders, with lots of downs and an occasional climbing of a ladder. There are a couple significant roles of the dice that have lead me towards Pulse Wire and guided me on my path and vision –a world where girls and women have choice and where inequality and discrimination are reduced.

When I was ten my father died.

Obviously it was a difficult time – probably the biggest snake of all in my life. It was subconscious for a while I am sure – but then I became aware of how I was behaving. I never wanted to miss an opportunity to do or try something new, I always tried to be happy and find the most positive aspect of all situations, and I really try to live everyday as if it was my last. I love life, for adventures and always trusting my gut. I understood that life can quickly be cut short, and I didn’t want to miss a second of it, and I wanted others to see and feel that too.

A big ladder in my life was when I took a chance, and made an opportunity happen – I went on a mission trip to Egypt to work on at an orphanage for a summer. I loved it, the physical work, the spiritual growth and the cross-cultural experience. It was as if something sparked in me and a small light was lit – a good rule of the dice. I love to travel, learn from others, experience new things. With few more snakes and ladders along the way, I have been lead to Bangladesh where I am currently volunteer teaching at an all women’s University.
Education has become by passion, I hope to live in a world where girls and women have the freedom to choose – their education, careers and goals. Watching my students raise their voices, articulate their opinions, and gain the confidence and capacity to become agents of change has inspired me. While I love to teach, expressing my opinions and new ideas in such a forum as Pulse Wire was something I would have never considered applying to because I was shy or embarrassed. But as I encourage my students – and tell them that they can do anything they want, be anything they want, and truly touch the sky – I finally asked myself, why not me? It was time to take another role of the dice, to put myself out there and become a part of a network of women that are the change.

As an educator I understand what an important tool creating dialogue between cultures, genders and ages is – that is something that Pulse Wire promotes and helps women build their capacity in – that is what I want to be part of.