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Thursday, July 11, 2019

Malala Day

July 12th     

On Malala Day,

we celebrate the young leader,

role model and Nobel Peace Prize winner.


Malala is the first  Pakistani and the youngest person to receive a Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. In her acceptance speech for the Noble Prize, which she shared with Kailash Satyarthi of India, she said – “I tell my story not because it is unique but because it isn’t. It is the story of many other girls.”

She dedicated her award to children in need of education. “This award is for those forgotten children who want education, for those frightened children who want peace and for those voiceless children who want change. I am here to stand up for their rights. Raise a voice so it becomes the last time we see a child deprived of education.”

On her 16th birthday, she gave a speech at the United Nations. Her birthday, 12th July was declared as Malala Day by the United Nations. This year she is celebrating her 19th birthday.

Don’t ever give up, if you want it enough it will happen

Malala spoke up for education for all children and peace early on in life. Her experiences as a young girl under the Taliban regime, where education was threatened made her realize the value of education and peace.

She has been single minded and devoted to her cause for education. After she was shot and survived, the world came to support her and show their solidarity with her fight for education. In 2012, Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister and UN Special Envoy for Global Education visited her in the hospital and launched a petition in her name.  “I am Malala”, was the slogan that was used. The petition’s demand was to ensure that no child be left out of school by 2015. The attack on Malala and the petition prompted Pakistan to create their first ever Right to Education Bill.

Stay focused on your goal

The attainment and prevalence of education and peace are Malala’s primary goals. It is something that she has never lost sight of. Through the fund, she has campaigned for education for Syrian refugees in Jordan and started projects in Pakistan, Kenya and Nigeria. She writes, “I have spoken to world leaders and encouraged them to raise the education budgets of their countries and pushed powerful nations to give greater education but I know there is so much left to do. I thank God that I have been given this platform to campaign for. This is now my life’s work, my mission and my dream.”

In the face of success, it is easy to lose sight of one’s goal, but it is essential to not waver, not stray but stay on course with what you started in the first place- your original goal.

Giving is important

This young woman carries a lot on her shoulders, but as a young leader and role model who has received tremendous support from the world, she is doing her bit to help others.

When Malala gets prizes she sends them to the Swat district to help children get an education or adults to startup some small business so they can support their families. With the Malala Fund, she has been doing a lot in Kenya, especially in Masai Mara.
Though she is girl who was shot down by the Taliban and survived, and is a young leader and activist, she is also a refugee. In her book, her longing for her homeland is visible.

In talking about herself and her journey, while Malala talks about her big dream and goals for education for all, she also points out that she is like any other young girl. A young girl who likes to indulge in school gossip, fight with her brothers over an ipod and has a messy room, loves Physics, and is competitive when it comes to exam. So while many things have changed, some things have remained the same for her.

As she beautifully sums it up – “I am Malala. My world has changed but I have not.”


Act Today
To support education for all children everywhere!

Listen to “I Am Malala” Speech here


Read more about the Malala Story
and her Fund Raising Activities around the world here
https://www.malala.org/

Monday, July 8, 2019

July 2019 Stop Trafficking Newsletter

July 2019 


Awareness   : 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report
  • Message of U.S. Ambassador-at-Large
  • Humanity Unites Response to TIP
  • Focus of the 2019 TIP Report
  • TIP Topic of Special Interest
    • 'Sham Marriages' & Human Trafficking in Europe
    • Increased Focus on Labor Recruitment
    • Promoting Human Trafficking Survivor Leadership & Input
Advocacy      
  • 2019 TIP Report Tier Placement
  • 2019 TIP Heroes
  • Sister Gabriella Bottani, a TIP Hero
Action          
  • Legislative Issues Need Your Voice

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus


  “Behold the Heart which so
loved mankind”!
  
St. Margaret Mary Alocoque






The deepest longing of Christ's Heart is that we discover how much he loves us, the extent of his tender love for creatures who, cooled by their selfishness, look only inwards at themselves, as if they were afraid to let themselves be loved unconditionally by their Creator, who asks nothing and gives all.

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI speaking of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus two years ago said: “In biblical language, "heart" indicates the center of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. In the Heart of the Redeemer we adore God's love for humanity, his will for universal salvation, his infinite mercy. Practicing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ therefore means adoring that Heart which, after having loved us to the end, was pierced by a spear and from high on the Cross poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life” (Benedict XVI, Angelus 5 June 2005).

The call which comes from this important feast day is first of all a call to Eucharistic adoration, because in the Sacred Host the Lord Jesus is truly present and He offers each of us His Heart, His Merciful Love. To spend time in the Presence of the Eucharistic Lord, to adore Him, is the best expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which, as we know, spread all over the world thanks to Jesus' revelations to Saint Margherita M. Alacoque in the 17th century: “Behold the Heart which so loved mankind”!

On this annual feast in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus let us pray with the Church the traditional Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

THE LITANY OF THE
SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Lord, have mercy on us. 
            Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
            Christ, graciously hear us. 
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 

            (Repeat have mercy on us. after each line)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in
the Virgin Mother's womb,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the
Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures
            of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us. 

Hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g3WUdbwJMA