I have to remind myself to think less and move more. The work I have begun in the village and consulting projects that empower artisan communities has inspired me to develop this skill to a new level. I have applied for a prestigious fellowship at the Schaefer research center for Public Policy back in Baltimore. If I am accepted I will not only receive a free ride (tuition paid) I will also receive a research stipend (pay) to work at the center 20 hours a week. It will be great training to develop abilities in public policy research, program evaluation and survey research for programs.

The plan is to position myself for United Nations work and further my work through future PHD studies and field support around the world. The solution to the ‘End of Poverty’ is not a straight forward process. In my opinion it takes a combination of trial and error and getting the methods and techniques just right. Also paired with time and patience I am sure my work will lead to community changes and advancement that can transform the approach to handmade fashion production that can empower artisan communities rather than exploiting them. It fascinates and inspires me to grow and develop my logical and illogical thinking to see the world in new ways.

Bouncing between countries and cultures has shown me so much that I can hardly put into words. The common thread has always been fashion and giving. This helps to keep my study impact focused so that I am not too consumed with the world of suffering and struggle. I think if I didn’t have the passion for making beautiful things, I might be overwhelmed by the challenges the world faces. The thorn that is effecting the progress of the girls in the AVEH program is the inability to believe that their is an ocean outside of the pond that they live. The girls see only low skill jobs and do not aspire beyond the confines of standard existence. We aim to inspire hope and open the their eye’s to realize the beauty of their own potential.

If in our youth we could see the magic of our potential could we be inspired early on to achieve the desires of our heart?

Social Impact manager Ni Luh is interviewing the students to discover their career aspirations.

Our top student who we look to position to get a scholarship for university. She is kind, smart and hardworking. Just the kind of girl we are looking to develop as a community leader and change maker.

Some boys joined the lessons, but they are rather far behind. The aim is to select the top 10 students for specialized attention. The others will receive free English education support until we can afford an increase in capacity.