It began with predatory stares. My young thigh, catatonic glances, his scary blue eyes that turned from my gaze less and less. Glares mutated to creaks on stairs, and those young and tender years when other girls whispered of crushes, were to me, filled with felonies in the night. He wasn’t my real father, but was to protect me as if he were. If he could hurt me, then what was stopping anyone else?! With …
I was born in Santiago, Chile in 1949. It was a turbulent time in my country and the surrounding nations. The economic and political instability meant that living conditions were very challenging and sadly my home life was also very unstable. My parents had a very volatile relationship that was made worse by my father’s infidelity. My mother suffered prolonged periods of depression and anxiety that meant my brother and I were often left to …
I was born in regional Victoria, the youngest of three girls. Our family was close and loving and my parents worked very hard to provide a great life for my sisters and I. When I was five years old my best friend died. This was the first time I had ever experienced deep grief, loneliness or rejection. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t go to heaven with him. Without realizing it, a hole opened up …
About 5 years ago I started an NGO, as you do when your marriage is falling apart and your heart is breaking. A friend in rural Fiji needed help sending her daughter to school, and before too long, a grassroots program was born supporting Girls to overcome barriers to education. My friend became the Fiji Coordinator with her local contacts and networks and I watched her get busy making a difference. I pulled a team …
