Late December 2016 I decided to apply as a World Pulse Change Maker.
I sent my application and hoped for the best.
I received a message from the World Pulse team early January 2017 to inform me that I had been selected as a World Pulse Vision Mentor.
I was surprised by their message as I didn't believe I was qualified to mentor anyone.
As they say, the rest is history.
My Change Maker is Joanna Smiejka from Warsaw, Poland.
Joanna is 30 years old, is double psychology graduate and an autism specialist/therapist/shadow teacher and trainer.
Joanna has lived with her disability and has overcome it with the support of her family, friends, peers and colleagues.
She is a ''TRUE INSPIRATION'' and would like to share her passion, her teaching to assist children with autism to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.
Unfortunately, autism is an area of education which is under resourced and under funded in her country.
Joanna spent 10 months working abroad with an organisation based in California, US specialising in autism.
She returned to Warsaw to train as a autism therapist.
For the past two and half years she has been tirelessly working with autistic children. She also trains primary school teachers, educators, parents and interns about the best practices and approaches required to teach children with autism and learning needs.
Her Vision
Her vision is to change perceptions and mindsets about autism and learning disabilities.
She hopes that through her work she will encourage government organisations, education authorities, professionals and educators to support everyone with a learning disability.
She would like to see children with autism study and learn with their peers in mainstream schools.
Her vision is to also highlight the need that adult learners with learning disabilities should be given adequate provision and the opportunity to access employment and training of their chosen profession or industry.
It has been pleasure and an education learning about her work.
I am privileged to support her vision and cause.
Since January we have been Skyping and talking every other week and sharing ideas about the modules she needs to complete.
I wish her every success with her work and the World Pulse Change Maker Training Programme.
Please kindly read her profile and support her Story Award below.
WORLD PULSE - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPACT LEADER PROGRAMME
During May I was asked by the World Pulse team Portland Oregon to evaluate 5 candidates for the Impact Leader Programme and select two strong candidates.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through all the candidates applications and watched their videos.
It was a difficult process and I continued to advocate for two of the ladies during the online meeting with World Pulse Training Coordinator Maya Tubon.
If you would like to read about the all the applicants please click on their links below and support them by sharing their videos and stories with friends on your social media channels.
I've listed as many candidates as I could find via the website below for your reference.
1. Edinah Masanga - Women's Empowerment Foundation for Southern Africa
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/76395
2. Cecile Pauline Sanglap - Montenegro
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/users/0813freak/posts/76424
3. Sally Mboumien - #EmpowerMeDontBlameMe Cameroon
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/76439
4. Lily Habesha - Ethiopian Writers Association
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/76826
5. Aramide Oikelome - Nigeria
http://bestspringfoundation.org/
6. Sophia Atadana - Bendowah Foundation Ghana
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/users/adisatu111/posts/76433
7. Kabdablah - Rwanda
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/voices-rising/stories/rwanda-our-periods-should-be-source-pride-and-power
8. Sophie Ngassa FoNsoh - STEM For Girls, Cameroon
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/76441
9. Goak - Keep her in School: Underage-incest cases of young girls
Botswana
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/76454
10. LTuimabu - Women with disabilities FIJI
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/75786
11. Joanna Smiejka - Children with Autism Spectrum, Worclaw Poland
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/76416
12. Katia Anunez, Gender Violence, Mexico
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/75364
13. Lumbiwe Lulu Limbikani Gender Equality, Zambia
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/voices-rising/stories/zambia-can-women-have-it-all
14. Stelz - Fistula and the Bridgender Gap Global (BGG) Organisation, Cameroon
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/intro-digital-empowerment-training-2015/posts/67250
15. Safyty - http://sayfty.com/
16. Mercedes - Domestic Abuse - Argentina
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/groups/advanced-digital-changemaking-classroom/posts/74056#.WJ-H4s19uSw.facebook
Thank you for empowering all these inspirational World Pulse Change Makers.
MAY 2017 UPDATE
My best wishes and regards to everyone!
Sabeena
''Why should we deprive anyone the opportunity to grow?''
Lilfairtrade Shop - World Pulse
https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/users/lilfairtrade-shop/posts/73982
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
I finally managed to record videos for my Six Items Challenge 2024 and upload them to my YouTube Channel.
Translation in Urdu