He Named Me Malala

If you're looking for a movie to watch this holiday season, He Named Me Malala is a MUST!  I mean it's no Hallmark or anything, but honestly the movie is excellent.

Released in 2015, this short documentary is about the life of a young girl from Pakistan named Malala.  She stood up for women's education, and in turn, she was shot in the head by the Taliban at the young age of 15. And what's even crazier is that she survived!! If this isn't a modern day miracle...I don't what it is!!
#ilovemiracles

In December 2014 at the age of 17, she was the youngest recipient EVER to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. I mean...........come on!!!  When I was 17 years old I was probably eating Doritos.

 She's an educational activist and an inspiring role model for girls all over the world.   Because of her tireless advocacy, many young girls now understand and believe more in the importance of education. They finally have hope for a better life.  These young girls are beginning to understand that they do in fact have rights and deserve equal opportunities to pursue their dreams just like everybody else.

 This fine young lady from Pakistan also wrote a book called "I Am Malala" which is an excellent read (there's also a young reader's edition which makes it much easier for children to comprehend.)

After reading the book and watching the documentary just the other night, I decided to do a little bit of research about women's education around the world. So in case you're interested...

The following information comes from the United Nations and The Malala Fund website.

More than 130 Million girls are out of school today.

Some of the reasons they may not be in school are because they marry early, have to work or take care of their younger siblings, or they are denied the right to attend school.  In over 70 countries, girls face violence which prevents them from going to school.

If all women in developing countries finished high school, deaths of children under 5 would fall by 49%.

Research from 68 countries shows that a woman's education is a key factor in determining a child's survival.  Each year that a girl attends primary school, it increases their eventual wages by 10-20 percent. It also leaves them less vulnerable to violence and encourages them to marry later and have fewer children.

There are 796 million illiterate people in our world today.  Women make up more than two-thirds of this amount. 
When given an opportunity for education, this not only increases a child's knowledge, but more importantly instills in them hope and confidence that drives them forward with each new day.

 

This educational challenge we are currently facing is only temporary. With positive hope and plenty of prayers and action, these 130 million girls will soon be in school. They are unique individuals who all have real hopes and dreams just like us. It's only a matter of time before they realize their potential... and when that time comes, they are going to make one hek of a difference in this world.

"When we invest in raising our children as global citizens who are educated and exposed to the diverse religions, cultures and characters of the world, peace is possible.”  Queen Rania

Sources:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/ruralwomen/facts-figures.html

https://www.malala.org/girls-education

Images taken from google web

A study using data from 219 countries from 1970 to 2009 found that, for every one additional year of education for women of reproductive age, child mortality decreased by 9.5 per cent - See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures#sthash.YG5Yv7rj.dpuf

A study using data from 219 countries from 1970 to 2009 found that, for every one additional year of education for women of reproductive age, child mortality decreased by 9.5 per cent - See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures#sthash.YG5Yv7rj.dpuf

Some fun refugee tidbits!

The topic of refugees these days can be quite controversial...so I thought maybe we should talk about it. :)

With over 65 million displaced people in our world today, including over 21 million refugees…only a few lucky ones have been resettled here in America.  We are currently in the midst of the largest humanitarian crisis ever….even surpassing the amount of displaced people from WWII.

 

These desperate journeys don't always make it

The journey of a refugee is much more difficult than we can possibly even imagine…and yet here they are…ready to learn about American culture, the English language, and start their life over again. And despite the tremendous amount of frustrations they encounter on a daily basis, many of them still have an outstanding sense of humor. Not as funny as me of course, but close!  Refugees are survivors who exemplify just how strong and resilient the human spirit truly is.  

 

Picture take during a rescue mission off the coast of Libya, 8/29/16

Next year the U.S. will be welcoming 110,000 New Americans into our country. This is the highest number of refugees we'll be accepting within the past few years. But with that being said, out of more than the 65 million people who are currently displaced, accepting 110,000 people is only .0017% of this population. There are millions and millions of people out there who are fleeing their countries and looking for a safe place to call home, many of them women and children.

New arrivals with donated clothes from all of you!  :)

In 2017, it's possible that the US will be launching a pilot program for private sponsorship of refugees….which will allow for individual Americans and communities to help resettle refugees on their own.  This will give new hope, opportunities and provide safety for thousands of more people.

One of my favorite fams :)

I know that many people are worried about the Syrian refugees arriving, but please don't be. :)

They are put through the most extensive level of security screening of any traveler to the United States. The screening process is ridiculously difficult and many of the new Syrians arriving are women with their children.

One of my new favorite families just arrived from Syria about three weeks ago and they are the absolute sweetest. They've already welcomed me with cups of tea and are ever so grateful for every little thing.

Seriously, best Halloween night ever. I must have said something funny

Our new American friends enrich our culture and communities, contribute to our economy, and are a great blessing in so many ways. I understand that stereotypes, worries, and fears do exist, but once you befriend a local refugee, you'll understand how truly wonderful these people are.

Some pumpkins were better than others....

Not Always Peaches and Cream!

Here are some reasons why traveling,especially to Nepal, isn’t always considered a “vacation.”

The other morning I woke up and was greeted by a leech just hanging out on my kitchen floor.  Quite honestly, it was not the first thing I wanted to see in the morning but I was just happy it wasn’t on my body! Although I don’t know how it got in the house, I guess I wasn’t too surprised because of the fact that it hasn’t stopped raining since my mom left almost three weeks ago now.  Which could also explain why my shoes are caked with mud and animal feces.  The other day while walking I stepped in a huge mud pile (at times they are impossible to avoid) or so I thought. Turns out my foot started sinking in and it was then that I realized I was actually in cow manure! I probably shouldn’t have went into a café right after that because I don’t think my waiter appreciated the fact that I reeked like a farm.  Seriously it was disgusting and a little humiliating because I really did not smell good….at all!

I hope I can get these things clean

The other night I left my umbrella outside to dry and the next morning I discovered that two little frogs had taken up residence.  Note to self: keep all things inside.

Because of the rain, it’s taken my laundry days to dry. And when my clothes finally do dry, they smell so musty that I can’t even bear to wear them. My perfume doesn’t even do the trick! The line I hang my clothes on is only partially covered by a small roof.  Which is probably irrelevant because my attempt at washing my clothes by hand is pretty pathetic. I think my clothes actually end up getting dirtier. 

The bucket showers I’m taking are starting to get a little old. Especially when I have to wash my hair outside AND it’s raining.  My hair is probably not getting as many washes as it should and feels like a pile of dirt. Which I guess is a good thing because I now blend in with my surroundings.

After my first few days here, I actually noticed a rash that was developing on my neck.  I proceeded to look a little closer and noticed my neck was in fact quite dirty.  Apparently my bucket showers aren't doing the trick. :)

The huge miracle for my stay this time around in Nepal is the fact that I have my own apt – kindly given to me by the family for my time here. I can’t even begin to explain how much of a miracle this is!

a pretty cute place I do have to say :)

With that being said, at times the apt can still be quite interesting.  The first night my mom and I were here, the toilet clogged.  The draining system here is ridiculously terrible…so terrible that it seems a drainage system doesn't even exist.

I don’t have a refrigerator which isn’t too big of a deal except that I don’t like to waste food. When I tried to eat my leftover soup on day 2, my gag reflexes kicked in and I realized I could probably afford to skip a meal.  Looks like Brandy was on the menu!

The apartment has no internet or TV, I forgot my portable dvd player, and at night the power sometimes goes off. So on certain occasions I find myself sitting in the dark from 7pm onwards.
Luckily I have my trusty headlamp and an awesome smelling candle to keep me company. :)

oh you know....just hanging out.  :)

The dog that lives on the premises of my apartment sleeps the entire day.  However, at night it’s a different story!  This little mut goes nuts and has quite an obnoxious bark! And of course he only starts barking once it turns dark outside and people are finally laying down to go to sleep. Which is always nice. :)

Not as innocent as he looks!

While walking around, taking the buses and just plain old living here, it’s pretty hard for the local Nepali people NOT to notice that I’m a foreigner.  Which can only mean one thing….they stare!! And I’m not talking a quick glance and then they shyly turn away….I’m talking a full on stare! And they don’t even care…which sometimes drives me even more nuts! On my good days I’m able to ignore it, on my mediocre days I flash a huge (sometimes sarcastic) smile that is usually returned, and in my not so proud moments, I do a super obnoxious wave that I’m sure they get a kick out of!

Lastly, my tourist visa expires one day before my flight.  So obviously I went to the Department of Immigration to extend my visa.  However, the immigration officers wouldn’t let me! They said they were certain I’ll be fine at the airport and won’t have any problems.   After trying to talk some sense into them and explaining that I would feel more comfortable having a valid visa while trying to exit the country, I realized it was hopeless.  Here’s to praying the immigration officers at the airport are just as relaxed about an expired visa as the ones in the office! #pleaseprayforme!

The Immigration office...and such a proper sign they have!

So as you can see, traveling is not always peaches and cream, contrary to popular belief!  

And this is why my next trip is going to be an actual vacation, on a beach, by a pool, with a cold beer in each hand!  :)