The Callander Family photos were taken in the wonderful new Glebe Gardens in Launceston, Tasmania. If you have yet to see this beautiful place of greenery, please do check it out. They have free entry over the weekend and a lovely little cafe' for a warm cup of hot chocolate or coffee and light snacks.
I believe in the power of one person's story, can make all the difference, even if it's a small difference. Because that small difference turns into bigger difference, which in turn is a ripple effect in helping spread the word that person's one story.
In the part of the world where I live in, I see many a girl wandering around in the latest 'fashion' with cell phones in their tiny hands; texting, updating their Facebook / twitter accounts, all in the name of "friendship" and keeping up with everyone, in their lives. Life has become so easy at a push of a button, yet we complain. Complain no-one has "liked" out status, or reply to a tweet, an e-mail a text message. How life is treating us "bad, because we don't this or we don't that. How at 12 years old we think our parents still treat us like children, like little girls.
and yet many of us, don't think about how trivial this things actually are.
and how many of us, as girls are unaware of our worldly sisters, living in another part of the world.
The sisters of this part of the world are at a "crossroads" unable to make the choices, we as girls in less poverty stricken countries take for granted, I in turn take for granted. Everyday I take for granted to simplest of choices without a second thought, without a second moment of care.
Yet;
"There are 600 million adolescent girls living in poverty in the developing world. By giving one of these a chance, you start the girl effect. When girls have safe place to meet, education legal protection, health care, and access to training and job skills, they can thrive. And if they thrive, everyone around them thrives, too" From the Girl Effect Donation Page
How can we, as girls, let this go? let other girls, like us, have no choice....
"Out of the world's 130 million out-of-school youth, 70 percent are girls." One girl is 7 in developing countries marries before the age of 18." According to the International centre for research on Women, "a survey in India found that girls who married before age 18 were twice as likely to report being, beaten, slapped, or threatened by their husbands than girls who marry later" Medical complications from pregnancy are the leading cause of death among girls ages 15 - 19 world-wide." - Statistics courtesy of the Girl Effect.
We can make a choice. We can actually stand up, as girls, and let these girls have their say. Let them share there stories and help other girls have the freedom of choices, let them thrive.
By supporting these girls, and giving back their choice, we are giving back their empowerment to make a better world, that we can all be proud to live in.
So I am going to make a choice.
I am going to take action.
I am going to share this post to all. To spread this awesomeness around my circle.
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