Guest Blogger: Melissa Foley, "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World."

Guest blogger Melissa Foley volunteered at Asha Sadan, one of Commit2Change’s partner centers in India. Melissa gave up a high-paying career in the corporate world, selling all of her belongings in order to travel the world and volunteer with women, children, and animals in need. This is her perspective on Commit2Change, and why education for all women and girls matters.
 

Be the Change You Wish to See in the World
Each of us, no matter what country we come from, has a dark history of oppression and human rights challenges. What have we learned? What promises have we made to do better? What is our obligation to the rest of the world to protect the innocent? 

In a global world with readily available information, those of us in the first world have no excuse for ignorance. Genocide, war, child slavery and sex trafficking, legalized rape, and infanticide are just a few of the horrors still occurring as we sit here today. What can we do? What can YOU do?

As an American, I am appalled at our historical intolerance of women and minorities. While we still have work to do, things have progressed through the heroic efforts of those brave pioneers fighting for equality. 

However, as a citizen of the United States, I recognize how fortunate I am to have been born here. Although I am female, I have the right to an education, to vote and even drive a car. There are laws meant to protect women and children from abuse, oppression, and slavery, as well as to prevent a father from selling his daughter into marriage at the age of 12. Just a few simple liberties we rarely even take notice of, while our sisters and daughters abroad can only dream of such freedoms.

Helping the Women of the World
After spending my career as an executive riding the corporate hamster wheel, I recently asked myself: What can we do to support our fellow sisters of the world? What can I do to help give them a voice? 

After trading everything I own for a backpack and the freedom to travel around the world volunteering for various non-governmental offices (NGOs) supporting women, children, and endangered wildlife, I found myself in India. 

India has an unexplainable beauty amongst the chaos, corruption, and poverty. The spirit and kindness of the Indian people will forever touch your heart. At times it was impossible for me to imagine the dark side of a culture so complicated that a cow is considered more sacred than their girls. 

As Westerners, it should never be our place to ever hold judgment against the cultural differences we don’t understand. But at what point do we question or object when an entire segment of a population is at risk, or worse—being oppressed? How can social change come about for the greater good of all a society? 

Is it our responsibility to solve this dilemma? I personally believe we all have a responsibility to speak against the injustices of the world. Have we not learned from our own history? These people, these children deserve freedoms and opportunities. To not advocate for those being oppressed, makes us as guilty as those oppressing. 

But how…how can one person make a difference?
Education. Educating our girls and women of the world. Every woman is your mother, every woman is your sister, every woman is your daughter, every woman is your friend. Education is the power that will set them free, and set us all free as a global family. 

There has been amazing research and statistics of social movements throughout the world, showing the astounding economical, environmental, and social benefits of educating women. This is how each of us can make a difference. Support efforts that provide access to education to these girls—anything from collecting donated books, to sponsoring a child, a school, or even a village.

While in India, I had the experience of a lifetime—working with some of the most incredible people I have had the honor to meet. Asha Sadan is a humble orphanage in Mumbai, started by one of the oldest NGOs in India, The Maharashtra State Women's Council. A handful of extremely dedicated, very busy women run the facility. They not only provide full-time schooling to boys aged 5-10 and girls through the age of 18, they have an on-site nursery for the infants of many of these teenage girls, most of whom have lived a life of unspeakable horrors. 

Through a well-established adoption program domestically and internationally, these young girls now have options for their future at their choosing, and always have access to an education. Educational programs are customized for each girl, depending on her interests and aptitudes, offering both academic and vocational training to ensure future success and opportunity. Once the girls leave Asha Sadan at 18, there is an established network of alumni to support with housing, job referrals, and love. 

The Future in Our Children
Never before have I seen children so hungry for knowledge, so eager to learn, so grateful to be in school, as I do in third world countries. These are the lucky ones. They are the survivors, the ones who will have a chance at a better future because of programs like Asha Sadan and partner organizations like Commit2Change that are helping to create awareness and support.

To see the spirit of these young children and girls will change you forever. They have nothing and offer so much. They give so much love and joy even though they have been given so little themselves. All they need is a chance for the future and WE are the ones who have the ability to give it to them.

As you read this, it is my sincere hope you will find it in your heart to give these kids a chance and help a child at Asha Sadan. Together, we can make a big difference.

Guest Blogger: Singer/Songwriter Sonia Rao on why girls' education is important to her

Growing up, I saw the people who spoke out in class as different from me. I watched as people raised their hands to share their ideas voluntarily, yelling out the answers, proud that they knew it or not caring if they didn’t. Later, when I got to college, I looked at the adult versions of these same kids—writers, actors, bloggers, and young politicians—and had the same thought: that they possessed some trait that magically gave them lots of strong opinions and also an ability and desire to express these opinions. Though I loved reading and hearing other people’s ideas, I never felt an urge to say any of my own, nor did I think I had any ideas of my own worth speaking up about. I watched it all and happily figured I was more of a spectator kind of gal.

Things shifted for me when I began writing songs. I was living in San Francisco at the time, working at a job that I was thankful to have, but consisted of staring at a computer screen typing in numbers; I was less than fulfilled. I had grown up learning instruments: violin, piano, and flute. But as before, I was reading notes that were already written. Though I had learned to play hundreds of songs, I had no idea how to go about creating one of my own. 

One evening after work, I sat down at my keyboard and decided that for just one hour, I would let go of my ‘I don’t know how’s and ‘But I’m not a writer’s and ‘But how do I start’s and would try to write for an hour. The song might be terrible and it might confirm my expectation that I have no idea what I’m doing, but I was going to sit my booty down and write a song. What ended up happening surprised the hell of out me. I stayed in the chair and continued to write for several hours, exhilarated at this newfound form of expression. I wrote my first song “Summer and Wine” that evening. 

About one year before that evening, my boyfriend had passed away. There were no words for what it felt like to lose him. Or at least I thought so until I wrote that first song. Once I started writing, words and melodies appeared. They were appearing more quickly than I could write down. This rush of ideas has been the feeling for every song I’ve written since then. For most of the songs I’ve written, I sit down at my piano or pick up my guitar with no idea of what to write about. But once I start writing the first words, ideas come and it is very clear what needs to be said. That summer I wrote song after song – about losing him, about what comes next, about finding happiness in San Francisco. These songs became my first album, “Calm Her.” 

The lesson I learned that summer has stuck with me: once we start writing, the ideas come. Once we start singing, the melodies appear. Once we start asking, help and guidance will arrive. 

The women of Commit2Change are inspiring to me in this way. Commit2Change is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating systemic change by educating abandoned and impoverished girls in India. Each team member is a working professional, some working multiple jobs, with families and busy schedules. Between them however, they have come together to support over 400 children in building a better future for themselves. 

When these women came together around this issue that they deeply cared about, I’m sure there was a time when they weren’t exactly sure how to move forward and how to solve such an enormous problem. However, even though they didn’t have every answer, they put the first words and music down on paper. They did move forward. Eventually the song was written – Commit2Change continues to grow and positively impact the lives of many children. 

There is so much in the lives of young Indian girls that has taught them that they do not matter. People learn that their lives matter when their stories are heard – even by one person. In order for these girls to begin to tell their stories, they need: 1) the basic resources for living, and 2) access to education. Commit2Change works toward addressing both of these needs. The organization focuses on secondary education for girls since that is where the most drop-off is seen and where they think it will be most impactful. Practically, this means providing fees, school supplies, improving nutrition and access to healthcare, and hiring qualified teachers. 

Commit2Change has found that an educated girl marries four years later and has 2.2 fewer children; an extra year of school boosts wages by 10-20%; an extra year of secondary school boosts wages by 15-25%; and an educated girl will invest 90% of her future income in her family. 

It is an uphill battle. There are so many shell orphanages in India that politicians have set up for their own advancement or to gain government funds. According to a 2009 Unicef report, India has the world’s largest and fastest growing population of street children. With the bias against girls, this results in a problem that is growing more quickly than people are working on it. However, change begins with awareness. And with organizations like Commit2Change, more and more people are learning about the plight of orphan girls in India. 

Sometimes with such a daunting problem, the way forward is unclear. Just like the women of Commit2Change, though, I urge you to just start with one tiny change: Make the questions smaller. Asking yourself ‘How can I stop the neglect of girls in India?’ is too enormous of a question. Instead, ask yourself, ‘What is one small thing I can do today towards this end?’ That could be reading the first page of one article about the issue, giving $10 to an organization like Commit2Change, or posting the question that you’ve asked yourself on Facebook to see what ideas that generates. Just start with one tiny step, and change will come. 

Guest Blogger: Artist Shreya Mehta on Why She Chose to Donate to C2C

Earlier this year, renowned artist Shreya Mehta donated the proceeds of one of her gorgeous paintings to C2C. Eight girls are receiving an education, room and board this year because of Shreya’s generosity.

“Humankind is made up of two sexes, women and men. Is it possible for humankind to grow by the improvement of only one part while the other part is ignored? Is it possible that if half of a mass is tied to earth with chains that the other half can soar into skies?”

--Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, first President of Turkey

When I was younger, I thought I could CHANGE the world and make it a better place—by doing something big. I was wrong. I’ve realized that change takes place by small but steady steps. 

When I was introduced to Commit2Change, the organization’s mission statement--to create systematic and cultural change by educating abandoned and impoverished girls—touched me.

C2C first encourages people to “imagine a world where poverty, abuse, indentured servitude and sexual slavery are so common that misfortune is considered a way of life; where children are abandoned because they are diseased, or considered a burden and a curse.”

And then C2C reminds you that more than 30 million children in India don’t have to imagine. It is their reality, and a disproportionate number of those children are girls.

Why C2C?
I was drawn to C2C because they see the problem, but they also see a solution: education. They want to break barriers and invest in the power of girls. But they can’t do it alone.

The question is: How do we help those who need help? How do we judge who needs and who doesn’t? 

My answer is simple: Get in touch with people who are directly involved.  

When I met C2C co-founder Sumana Setty last summer, she told me all the events that led to the creation of C2C. She shared the direct impact dollar to dollar that C2C has. It opened my eyes. 

Other members of C2C told me of the organization’s amazing follow-up communications—that after someone donates, C2C sends pictures of how that donation helped those who needed it. 

C2C clearly was not a “Here, take my money, and then bye-bye” organization. There is a real interaction and a dedicated staff at the other end, to help with receiving donations and doing the work.

The Art of Donation

If we are to help humanity, then we have to invest in educating and empowering girls. So for my small step, I chose to donate my art to C2C. If that baby step can help even one life, my work is done. 

About a year ago, I launched ART for A Cause. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of all my artwork goes to charity. Since its launch, through the sale of artwork, this project has given more than $100,000 to those who need it. 

This is why I chose C2C. Through the combination of my small, steady steps and theirs, we’re working together to do something big.

For more info on the artwork, please visit: www.shreyamehta.com.

Guest Blogger: Sumana Setty Reflects on Recent Trip to Orphanages in India

Commit2Change welcomes guest blogger Sumana Setty, C2C co-founder. Here, Sumana shares why her most recent trip to C2C’s partners in India left her with unanswered questions—and greater motivation than ever.

In India this past Christmas, I had the honor of meeting my namesake. I don't have a very common name; most people in India can’t even say it. I was, therefore, drawn to this girl. She is 3, has HIV and lives in an orphanage.

Three years ago when this little girl was born, her parents were either disappointed that she was born a girl, disappointed that she born with HIV, or were so destitute that they chose not to keep her. Whatever their reason, they left Sumana.

Roughly 30 years ago, I was born to parents who felt differently. But I struggle to come to terms with my fate in comparison to Sumana’s. She, like I, was born a baby girl in a country that doesn’t value girls.

Different paths
I can’t say that my parents didn’t feel sadness when the doctor announced I was born a girl, but I can say that they didn’t love me any less than my brother. My parents brought me to America and provided me with every opportunity to succeed.

By chance, Sumana and I connected this past year, as she lives in one of the orphanages that Commit2Change supports. Local authorities had found her on the street, and once a physical showed that she was HIV-positive, she was placed at the orphanage.

I don’t think I will ever be able to describe my experience in meeting Sumana or any of the children at the orphanages. They are beautiful children, who—for reasons I can't understand—were put on a path with so many challenges. They live every day with the memory of their pasts.

Most of the children were abandoned at an age old enough that they have memories of their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters; the memory of believing they were going on an adventure; and the memory of being told, “Stay here for a minute, and I will be right back.”

Life in India
They live in buildings where the infrastructure is on average adequate, where there is a constant lack of resources—from food, to clothes to caretakers—and with other children whose pasts haunt them nightly.

During my visits, I felt like I was in the audience watching a movie. I was able to leave and go home knowing this is a just a moment in time for me.  

What I don’t know is “Why did my life turn out differently?" Sumana became the embodiment of that question. This scares me and resonates with me more than anything else.

Although I can't make sense of this twist of fate, I can turn it into something meaningful. Through Commit2Change, I am able to continue on Sumana’s journey with her. I can help her to go to school and help her understand that she can write her own story now.

Because although Sumana’s parents left her, I know they saw something beautiful in her. I know this because they gave her a name that means “good heart.”

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DONT LEAVE OUT HALF THE WORLD

"Think about something like the child bride situation around the world. It’s absolutely preposterous that there are places in the world where a 12-year-old girl can be married off to a 70-year-old and then become pregnant at 14. The implications of ending practices like that would be huge not just for that girl, but for the entire community in which she lives. What does it look like when instead she has received an education, gone to college, joined the workforce, become a leader in her community? It’s hard to say what it would mean exactly economically, but clearly there are extraordinary benefits that start with simply giving a woman the right to say what happens to her body."

Penny Abeywardena from the Clinton Global Initiative talks about the future of the world economy and the role of women. Read the full interview here.