The Book of the Month: Defiant Dreams

“How does it feel to have basic human rights?”- her gaze pierced into my soul.

I replied almost reflexively, 'I've always had them, so I don't feel particularly special,' without considering how ungrateful it might appear in the presence of Sola Mahfouz, the Afghan girl who overcame political, cultural, and familial barriers to pursue education for a brighter future.

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Well, this conversation only occurred in my imagination after watching her interview at the Wilson Centre on YouTube. I understand she would never pose such a question. Individuals who've battled for fundamental rights often develop deep gratitude for even the smallest blessings. I imagine she's among the most compassionate souls to grace this earth. Though we've never crossed paths, she has unknowingly bestowed upon me a great favour.

It was the 12th of January last year, and news of the Taliban regime filled the airwaves. Despite hearing the worst stories, I found myself inexplicably grateful. One would assume that as the most intelligent species on this planet, we would value our evolution, yet we often only recognize appreciation in the face of adversity. What a paradox! I've long pondered why God allows bad things to happen, but how would we discern the good without experiencing the bad? Anyway, right after this enlightening internal dialogue about the nature of good and bad, I resolved to visit the library and explore other topics swirling in my mind.

As I wander through the aisles, my fingers brush against the spines of various books until they land on a hot pink volume with bold white lettering. I carefully pull it from the shelf and read the title aloud: "Defiant Dreams: The Journey of an Afghan Girl Who Risked Everything forEducation." Yes, you're coming home with me.

As dawn broke the next day, my reflection in the mirror held a different perspective. After devouring half her book, everything changed. Farewell to the realm of boundless opportunities for all! Yet, in the end, she found her path, offering a glimpse of a hopeful ending. While online education played a pivotal role in Sola's journey, granting her access to knowledge and opportunities, a light bulb went off in my mind. It starts with me. Now, the question became how? Started to obsessively scroll through LinkedIn for answers for more than 5 hours a day.

Six months passed by. The dust on the book became visible, and my overthinking wrapped me tightly, rendering me immobile. January 5th, 2024: Aleksandra Simic posted on LinkedIn: "I am seeking an individual passionate about making a positive impact on a significant cause, particularly in the realms of human rights and education. This volunteer opportunity is with NSDE – Network of Sustainable Development and Education". Click. A quick scan of NSDE's profile summary revealed a focus on education, particularly for girls in Afghanistan. It took me less than 35 seconds to flood Alexandra's DM with an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm and a barrage of questions. I shared my personal information and secured a meeting with the CEO. During the meeting, I outlined all the ways I could contribute, and long story short, I became the Digital Marketing Director of NSDE. In this role, I truly felt the weight of the phrase "Change the World." This is the favour I mentioned earlier that Sola Mahfouz did for me. She unveiled a reality I had never seen, leaving an indelible mark on me as I strive to leave my own in the world.

Learn more about NSDE here, comment, like, or share so we can further engage with more people who are interested helping or donating:

NSDE LinkedIn Page

We are working hard on designing and developing the website for NSDE. Stay tuned for more information to come next month.

I am looking forward to connecting with individuals who are working on bringing to life more non profits and want to enhance their online brand presence. I am creating an e-book to help with the basics of Marketing for new nonprofits. Send me a DM on LinkedIn and let’s talk more about how I can help!