What does this mean to you?

So here I am, writing these blog posts for you. And here you are, reading about an issue that is dear to my heart, and maybe dear to yours, too.
So why are we both here? What is it about female empowerment that has you up at night thinking diligently?
Do you want to empower others? Do you want to be empowered? I believe the answer to both of those questions is YES. Because we can all be impacted positively from a reciprocal relationship. I've highlighted Nonprofit Organizations, programs, leaders, and companies from around the world but I hope you understand that these are closer to home than you think. These women are the same as your friends, neighbors, family members; and when such people in our lives are in need of help, inspiration, or direction, we listen to them, don't we?
Through my blog and the stories I've read and shared with you all, that's the lesson I learned; in order to help others positively, we must first learn to listen to their needs and to work with them. Before I began my blog, I had an ignorant idea about how NGOs went in to communities after coming up with a strategic solutions in their offices. Instead, what I learned is that many global leaders and organizations go in to communities in need first, immerse themselves in the people and their cultures to get a better understanding, and then create dialogues to dig deep into communicating what exactly the communities need.
This process of dialogue is what makes powerful connections and what leads to successful programs that empower the voiceless all around the globe.  My initial interest in empowerment and leadership development came from my own backyard experience, too, by working with a group of students at my university. Serving as their president, I aided in the leadership and professional skill development for students ranging from freshmen and seniors. When I truly started to see my own peers gain confidence and let their personalities shine, I myself felt inspired, empowered, and grateful to see that the friendships and dialogues I craeated with these young leaders lead them on the right path to success.
As I continue my journey to expand as a global leader, I will keep my experiences and the lives I've encountered close to heart. And I encourage you all to do the same; start small by talking to someone you want to help; hear and listen to their stories and see how you can help each other. The language of compassion and respect are universal and has no barriers. We need inspired leaders to empower the powerless around the world. I hope the stories and thoughts I've shared willl help inspire you, too.

Global Leader Highlight:

Therese Caouette: Executive Director of Partners Asia 

Therese Caouette is the Executive Director of Partners Asia which works on community development with local communities in Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. As a leader, Caouette learned at an early age that the most important way to help others is by showing respect in order to help them be more empowered. In the last three decades, Caouette has worked on emphasizing community engagement as a means to building leadership and skills to bring resources to the local levels where they are most needed. She believes in using her privilege to listen to the people in need and to personally work with them to find the best solutions that work for each community. 
This is the method Caouette values because she understands every community works differently and in order to bring change to the world, organizations must find ways to help others in personalized ways. Through participatory action research and creating dialogue with local citizens, Caouetteand Partners Asia have helped sex workers, refugees, and migrant workers find their voice, stand up for their rights, and become leaders and advocates for themselves. 
Caouette was honored for her work and received the second annual Global Hero Award in Seattle in 2012. This award recognizes Washington based change agents who have made significant contributions to global issues. Caouette will continue to work with people in SE Asia and help empower future leaders in developing countries. For her compassionate and brave approach to changing the world, I believe that Caouette is a true global leader and hero.

More about Partners Asia:
Mission:
Partners Asia supports community initiatives to improve the lives of the most vulnerable among the people of Myanmar. Many of these people live in unstable areas within Myanmar and along its borders, where they are at risk of displacement and exploitation. At Partners Asia, we build relationships with innovative organizers in these communities and with international donors, bridging the gap between local leaders and global resources.

Approach: 
We believe that local initiatives led by local leaders stand the strongest chance of weathering unpredictable challenges and creating positive, lasting change.
 More here

Values: 

“Learn from the people

Plan with the people

Begin with what they know

Build on what they know

Of the best leaders

When the task is accomplished

The people will say

We have done it ourselves”

-Lao Tzu

Make your donation today or get involved with Partners Asia

Flash Feature of the Week!

Trochet - Saudi Arabia  

"Upcycling Saudi women out of poverty"
Trash + Crochet = Trochet

Who would have thought that recycled garbage could be a trendy fashion statement? Trochet is a new startup to support women in need in Saudi Arabia. The project gathered recycled plastic bags and sends them to women in high poverty areas around Saudi Arabia who then knit or crochet the material into creative products such as coasters, pillows, yoga mats, and bags. The revenue from the sold products are cycled back to the women who are then able to support themselves. This new project is gaining public attention all around the globe and currently working on expanding.

Check out their Facebook page here.
Learn more about how the project got funding here.