CHAPTER TWO
A book collection to encourage the Millennials to consider new ways to achieve self-fulfilment and approach mentors.
Those Who Inspire is a book collection first and foremost, the purpose of which is to encourage the Millennials to pursue their dreams and believe in themselves. We give them local role models and mentors from their own country. Each book is a source of inspiration to the youth of a given region of the world, featuring several ways to achieve self-fulfilment, through a scope of inspiring, fascinating and accessible stories of men and women from all walks of life, the Inspiring People – IP.
We meet face to face with all the IP, discover their story, experiences, and advice to younger generations, and we turn their words into a beautifully written narrative, just long enough to capture their voice and to celebrate who they are and how they’ve made an impact. With about 45 to 107 people portrayed in each book, we include people from all backgrounds and walks of life, both famous and everyday heroes – anybody who is living their dreams and simultaneously adding real value to the people around them.
The books' distribution is done within the same spirit as its creation: Donate a maximum of books to youth. No young person should have to pay for it. We partner with companies who receive half of the books for their young employees and training center. The other half is donated to all public universities. A few months later you can also read it and share it online for free.
Be citizen of the region or country
Be inspiring
Be passionate and daring
Give back & sharing (Mentoring, Volunteering, Philanthropy…)
Pledge to some mentoring if contacted by the local youth via TWI and/or do talks for the youth
Athlete, adventurer and UNDP Climate Champion Michael Haddad has used the power of his mind, his faith and his determination to overcome a spinal injury that left him paralysed from the chest down, and go on adventures most of us only dream of. “We have to remember who we are,” he says, committed to doing his part for the Earth, humanity and Lebanon’s unique identity. “We must break our barriers and start giving back to humanity and the world.”
Michael Haddad
UNDP Lebanon Climate Change Champion
March Co-Founder and Director Lea Baroudi is determined to help Lebanon reconcile with its past and move towards a future of coexistence. March uses art and culture to promote freedom of expression, diversity, women’s rights and conflict resolution, and to foster a more participatory and collaborative community in Lebanon. Despite tough odds, her efforts are paying off. “I’m not saying it’s easy,” she says, “but anything can change.”
Lea Baroudi
Co-Founder & Director March
Through their organization Unreasonable Mexico, José Medina and Raúl de Anda dedicate themselves to supporting social entrepreneurs in Mexico – anybody working to solve the country’s most urgent social challenges. The two of them work very closely together, helping to inspire and change the realities of the people around them. For both of them, it’s all about doing work that is meaningful and finding new ways to add value. They agree on a lot of common principles, including this: “It is important to be different, to ask questions, and to achieve your goals.”
José Medina and Raúl de Anda
Co-Founders Unreasonable Mexico
Cultural curator, entrepreneur and founder of i AM HERE, a platform that uses inspiration as a tool for empowerment, Bárbara Arredondo Ayala promotes kindness, authenticity, and positivity as the cornerstones of social change. “It is our responsibility to live truthfully, be open-minded and inspire people to question their ways of thinking,” she says, positive that change can only come from nurturing hope and creative potential. “What moves us as humans is the experience of loving and learning, creating and releasing, giving and receiving, forgiving and being forgiven. That’s what matters in life, more than anything.”
Bárbara Arredondo Ayala
Cultural Curator & Entrepreneur i AM HERE, We Matter strategies
From raising awareness about good health practices in Tanzania to mobilizing Kuwaiti youth, creating health informatics solutions and protecting the country’s marine environment, Dr Dari Alhuwail, Assistant Professor of Information Science at Kuwait University, has found the golden balance in turning his passions into volunteering opportunities, most so through his work with the Kuwait Dive Team. “We are called upon by different government agencies,” says Dari. “They know that we can get the job done. For us, it a service to Kuwait. We help because we want to make Kuwait a better place.”
Dr Dari Alhuwail
Water Rescue Captain
Esteemed economist. Mother. Human rights advocate. Businesswoman. Poet. Kuwaiti. Sheikha Dr Souad M. Al Sabah is nothing short of a living treasure, a force of nature whose contribution to Kuwaiti intellectual and cultural life over the past fifty years has been immense. Passionate about many causes and long-time advocate of the women’s cause, human rights, and education, Dr Al Sabah also seeks to preserve the Arabic language and share its wealth and complexities with the younger generation. “Believe in yourselves,” she says. “Believe in your country. And believe in your heritage—language and the culture it carries.”
Dr Souad M. Al Sabah
Poet, Human Rights Activist & Economist
Simon Murray, CBE, has lived a life of intrepid pursuits, always carving out his own path. He moved to Hong Kong fifty years ago and was one of the few expatriates who stayed. His contribution to the country is expansive and impossible to fully measure. For him, it has always been a matter of following his instincts and listening to others when it counted most. “When I look back, it’s impressive to think about all the people who have been there at every crossroads in my life, people who have guided or inspired me. But really my life has been like an unplanned scramble up the mountain.”
Simon Murray
Chairman and Founder SMC & GEMS
Despite a busy professional life as CFO and COO, Malaysian-born Quin SQ Thong dedicates much of her time to helping others. In 2014, she helped create a social enterprise that empowers weavers in Bhutan. She also teaches financial literacy to schoolchildren, and in 2016, she published a children’s book on wealth management. “If you can manage five dollars, you can manage five thousand dollars or 500,000 or more, and therefore you can manage your life. That’s what we teach in the book,” Quin explains. “It’s about appreciating, about knowing how to spend, save or share – but not just money. You can also share your time. You can also share your knowledge.”
Quin SQ Thong
Hope Officer
Nwankwo Kanu worked hard to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most recognized footballers, but not long after leading the Nigeria team to the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics, he was diagnosed with a heart condition and needed surgery. Thankfully, Kanu made a complete recovery and was back on the field in a matter of months. The life-changing experience led him to start the Kanu Heart Foundation, raising awareness about heart health and helping young Nigerians receive treatment for heart conditions. “Each and every person must find a way to give back in some way, shape, or form to this country.”
Nwankwo Kanu
Footballer & Founder of Kanu Heart Foundation
Zuriel Oduwole is a girl of far-reaching and dynamic aspirations. And having already accomplished so much at an extremely young age, inspiring other children and even adults throughout Africa, she is well on her way to realizing those aspirations. Born in the U.S. to a Nigerian father and a Mauritian mother, Zuriel considers herself a Pan-African child. ...To be continued...Read the whole story!
Zuriel Oduwole
Student/Activist
Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a mind for creative solutions. Never content to rest on his laurels, he remains determined to embrace challenges on his own terms. He sees the potential that business has to generate social change and encourages young entrepreneurs to get involved, to be unafraid of failure. “Your experience curve goes up with your problem curve. If everything is smooth sailing, your experience curve is going to be a lot flatter. So don’t be afraid to get those failures in your pocket!”
Badr Jafar
CEO Crescent Enterprises
Budreya Faisal, fashion designer, car enthusiast, and one of the first Emirati women in sports marketing, inspires those around her not just with her marketing acumen and creativity but the sense of passion she carries throughout life. “Do not be afraid to be different, to pursue what it is you want in life; people may not understand you at first but they will come around,” she says. “At the same time, don’t ever hesitate to seek support, whether it’s advice or anything else – I don’t think any country can give as much support to its people as the UAE does.”
Budreya Faisal
Head of Marketing and Sponsorship Arabian Gulf League Fashion Designer, BLEACH
Tariq Al Barwani aided the Sultanate’s transformation into a digital society, which opened countless doors for economic growth and job creation. “Today, most of the world’s ICT projects are outsourced to India, but we can do it in Oman too, even better,” he says. “We have the knowledge and we can be both creative and effective. But first we must believe in ourselves.”
Tariq Hilal Al Barwani
CEO and President knowledgeoman.com
Maha Al Lamki is a successful businesswoman who refused to abandon her dream. After launching two highly profitable companies in a short span of time, Maha has become a beacon of hope, strength and determination for all Omani women. Most importantly, Al Lamki’s support of young female entrepreneurs in Oman has helped unlock the vast creative and economic potential of aspiring Omani girls. Her success against the odds is a reminder to all Omanis that, in her own words, “nothing is impossible.”
Maha Al Lamki
Owner and Managing Director M Events and Decor Bait Al Dhahir
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