my piece of half the sky

I love to read. Reading comes easy to me. I am one of those people that picks up a book, and quickly gets wrapped into each and every word being read. I tend to get emotionally invested in most cases. Those of you who know me also know that it usually does not take me more than a month to get through a book.

I have been reading Nicholas Kristof's column in the New York Times for quite some time now, and must say I am never less than inspired and impressed. Needless to say, when I found out he and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, were writing a book together, it soared right to the top of my must-read list. Not only are they the first married couple to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism, but the book is about "turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide"- like I said, a must-read. I picked up my copy of Half The Sky at good old Borders one night after work, and after getting over my disappointment of not being able to stay there for the rest of my life (OK, so I admit this happens often), I drove home. I was like child with a new toy, filled with excitement and curiosity.

A couple of pages into the introduction of the book, the excitement turned into indignation, and the curiosity into responsibility to do something about it. As I continued to read, I found myself putting it down at times just to get a hold of my emotions. When I read the stories like that of the 3 year old baby girl that was repeatedly raped by soldiers in the Congo and eventually killed after they fired their guns into her, it's hard not to get emotionally invested. To read, time and again, of the thousands of mass rapes and honor killings, deaths due to lack of health care and education because of their gender, girls being trafficked and turned into prostitutes by age 11, and in many cases at a younger age; the list just goes on and on.

We are wrong if we think this is not our problem or our responsibility. As a young woman, I am broken by the suffering my sisters worldwide have had to, and continue to unjustly endure. I can not imagine what it would be like to be kidnapped, repeatedly raped for days, returned home,and since I am a girl, I am not worth spending the money at a hospital to be treated; so I am left to be eaten by wild animals by my own family because they can not stand the smell coming from the fistulas or infections in my body caused by the rapes. I am a daughter, sister and hope to be a mother some day... these women too. It is our responsibility.

"Every year, at least another 2 million girls worldwide disappear because of gender discrimination. ... We believe that in this century the paramount moral challenge will be the struggle for gender equality in the developing world." -Half The Sky

When I started this blog, I made the decision and stated that "I choose to be an advocate for change and equality for the voiceless." Well, now I am making the decision to advocate through action and social entrepreneurship. So this post is a battle-cry to my fellow sisters to take action. Get educated and get involved.

I encourage you to visit Half The Sky and join the movement. Remember you're not going to fix the global problem, but make a significant difference. If everyone does that, well then we just might change the world after all! Make the decision to make a difference World Changer... that would be You!



As some of you know, Home of Change has become more than a blog for me. After much thought and planning I am looking into taking action formally beginning towards the first months of 2010.

I have decided to hold up my piece of half the sky.

water tweets

Twitter has been described as the prime example of time wasting activities. Sure, as every other social networking site, there are the occasional leeches of social progression roaming around. However, Twitter has become a rally for social causes all over the world, to shine light on some of the most mind raveling global social injustice issues and, in effect, recruit warriors to fight these battles.

My personal activity on Twitter is quite limited, nonetheless it gives me the opportunity to follow some of the heroes of our generation including Rob Morris (founder of Love146.org) and Nicholas D. Kristof (New York Times columnist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner). In my following, I noticed that both Rob and Nicholas tweeted about a fellow named Scott Harrison. Of course, it did not take long for the curiosity in me to strike up and research this man, if he was worthy of Rob and Nicholas' tweets then he certainly must stand for something great. Sure enough, Scott Harrison is nothing less than great. He is the lead advocate for the one billion people who do not have access to clean drinking water. Yes, one billion, that is one in six of us humans around the world.

That is a lot of fathers, mothers, children, sisters and brothers. So I did more research. I learned about the children in these third world villages that, instead of sitting in a classroom, have to walk hours to the nearest water source and find that it is nothing more but a contaminated, mud-filled fest. To my surprise, not as shocking to them as it is to me. It is all they have and ever known. I guess after a couple of walks everyday, the dirty, disease infested water would probably lose its shock value to me too. After a full minute of thought, I take that back.

See, if our bodies are made up of approximately 65% water, and the water these people are drinking is made up of preventable illnesses..well then....that explains the estimated 4,500 children dying daily from water related diseases. Yes children, the future of our generation. Yes, daily.

It is so cliche. The whole "it's the little things we take for granted," "we don't know what we have until we don't." We don't think about the one billion people who cannot open the tap and get a drink. But it is classic. Can you imagine not being able to go to school because your job is to go fetch the water, that by the way, is among the leading contributors to your death. When put that way, it is not such a "little thing" to be taken for granted. More than thinking about these people, we need to start doing for them. It is time we start realizing the world-changing abilities in us.

charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We give 100% of the money raised to direct project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person in a developing nation clean water for 20 years. www.charitywater.org

Scott Harrison is a visionary. Scott Harrison realized he is a world changer. We are no different.

I encourage you to look for the opportunity in everything. A little less Spears, Hilton and Kardashian; and perhaps a little more Clinton, Morris, and Kristof (to name a few!) on Twitter can be a real eye opener.

a homeless encouragement

Of course the last day of the month, I have been once again inspired and changed by one of the most serendipitous of events. OK, so not really that serendipitous, nonetheless still out of the norm. Like on many occasions in my everyday life, I wasn't looking for an experience. My trip to the supermarket was no different. Get the eggs, go home. It was all going according to plan, except I felt a nudge to park my car and engage in conversation with a random homeless man sitting in the parking lot under a tree. By the way, that's the normal part.

I parked my car, and thought about it for like 2.7 nanoseconds. Enough time to remind myself that, first of all if Robert Downey Jr. talked with Jamie Foxx in The Soloist, I could do it; and secondly, that of course God would protect me. I got out of the car, and as I walked towards the man, I remembered the Soloist was just a movie; and that good thing the second thought actually holds its own.

The man was writing on a piece of cardboard, classic I thought. No fancy introductions were made. Just an awkward and quirky "watcha writing there?" sparked a, what felt like endless, conversation about a life filled with ups and lows. I found out he was on a mission to protest. He told the story of how he was involved in spreading the Gospel many years ago, but with time was taken over by false accusations and identity theft. The truth behind his life story remains a true mystery. However, what I do know about this man is that with the utmost eloquence he described this passion against social injustice and political corruption, and at the same time, his love for God.

Needless to say I was perplexed by this man. All I could think of was to pray over him, so I did. But more than that, it made me realize that there is too much lost hope in this city to sit around being a bystander of society.

This month I was honored to encounter an organization that is impacting our Central Florida city in more than many ways. Harvest Time International is a non profit charitable organization that provides relief to disaster, hunger and refugee victims in Central Florida and around the world.

I wonder what would happen to this city if there were more selfless warriors like Harvest Time International. Perhaps less confused, hopeless and hurt homeless families would roam our streets in search of more than just physical needs.



A simple prayer and two dollars later I received this gift from that man. More than just one of his many protests, I believe he gave me the gift of encouragement.

becoming a chlid

So clearly it has taken me the entire month of July to figure out what I should blog about... and then it happened... while looking for pictures for a newsletter campaign I am working on, I found this piece of art...

Such innocence, humility, and genuine joy. They are curious and bold. Ever had a child ask you a question that left you speechless? Automatically your facial expressions turn into that how-am-I-suppose-to-answer-that-question look.

I must admit, at times I may be a little jealous of their carefree spirit. This picture made me wonder why, for a long time, I was in such a hurry to grow up. Now I realize, as my friend Amy Porter once said, "I am just not built to be an adult!"

I want to run around in the rain; daydream about what I want to be when I grow up; play my guitar all day and not call it procrastination. Never mind, I still do all of those things!

On a more serious note, I want to believe in people again. I want to believe that our society and generation can fearless and radically make a difference. I want to inspire and be inspired.

This month was one of spiritual growth and strengthening.
God met with me. I was forever changed.
He gave me a bigger calling and purpose.
I realized that I am a child, His baby girl.

So I have been inspired. Now my purpose includes inspiring others. I choose to see through the eyes of a little girl. I do not mean be naive like a child, but care like one. The more I observe children, I realize they are passionate and fight for what they believe in, and a lot of times win.

So why then are we, as young adults, not being bold and standing up for what we care about, for what is right?

Why are there 2 children being sold every minute into sex and labor trafficking? Why are we allowing more than a billion people to go hungry and starve? Why are millions of people living without access to clean water? Like a child I ask, why? why? why?

Many give all sorts of political responses, but honestly, all I hear is laziness and lack of courage. If it was one of our children being sold or going hungry, I am sure we would hum to a different tune.

So this month is a simple encouragement to become curious and uncomfortable; ask why. Be a child and be bold.


"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
- Matthew 18: 2-4 New International Version

i missed the memo

60.59.58.57.56.55.54.53.52.51.50.
49.48.47.46.45.44.43.42.41.40.
39.38.37.36.35.34.33.32.31.30.
29.28.27.26.25.24.23.22.21.20.
19.18.17.16.15.14.13.12.11.10.
9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1. SOLD

It is estimated that two children are sold every minute. They are forced to live in brothels, and as the nights fall, so do their untouched bodies and the lively innocence that comes with being a child. They are continuously traded, from one perverse mind to another, and back to a so-called home where their biggest worry is not if they missed their favorite TV show, but instead, whether they are infected with HIV or not. Pain, abuse and shame are their closest allies, appearing to be a never-ending relationship.

Would you imagine, you're ten years old and you are sold by your own family to a trafficker, who then sells you to a brothel, in a place you probably don't even understand the language, and that night, and all the rest to come, you are to sexually service the perverse minds and bodies of those who pay the right price. I don't care how right the price is, in my book, this is rape.

I missed the memo when it became acceptable for our children and young girls to become commodities. I missed the growing trend of the high demand for five year old babies that can give "yum-yums".... yes, that's exactly what you think it is, and yes that's the official term they use. There is a problem when a teenage girl can be bought to serve as a sex slave, just as easy and affordable as buying a blackberry. Oh, that's right, a three hundred dollar blackberry is actually more expensive in a lot of cases, I stand corrected. Disgusting, abusive and shameful.

"In September 2002, Love146 Co-Founders Rob Morris, Lamont Hiebert, Desirea Rodgers and Caroline Hahm went on an exploratory trip to SE Asia to determine how they could serve in the fight against child sex trafficking. In brothels they saw young children being sold for sex. In safehomes they witnessed the miracle of restoration as they sang and danced with survivors." www.love146.org

Organizations like Love146 get it. They understand the urgency of this problem. They understand that it is going to take people like you and I to make the difference. I encourage you to get educated. I warn you the numbers are staggering.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -MLK

it's about being human

Imagine after endless hours of pain, because you can't afford to buy the medicine, you are brought to this room to deliver your baby.

Photo taken by Amy Porter on our visit to Haiti March 2009.
Clinic in Ounaminthe, Haiti.

So many times I get asked: Why are you, as a Dominican, raising awareness for a Haitian cause? My answer is simply that it's not about being Dominican or Haitian, it is about being human.


In my personal opinion there is a problem, way beyond the discussion of my nationality, when a country faces statistics like these:

• 60% of Haitians do not have access to even basic medical care

• There are 490,000 orphaned children in Haiti, a country of roughly 8 million people.

• Nearly 1/2 of the population of Haiti are children under the age of 18 years.

• Water-borne illnesses account for a large percentage of deaths in Haitian children and adults. 70% of Haitians do not have access to clean, potable water.

• 1 out of 7 children in Haiti die before the age of 5 years, mostly of preventable or curable diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea.

• According to UNICEF, only 36% of adults are aware that they can transfer HIV/AIDS to their children. As a result, over 17,000 children are infected with HIV/AIDS in Haiti, most of whom are not on proper medication.

I will let you take a moment to let those sink in...
See the problem is that these children are suppose to be the future leaders of their nation. What happens when they are not even given the chance? This world seems to be on a fast train to self-destruction and as the passengers we seem to be enjoying the ride a little too much. I believe it is time we start creating opportunities that enable access to education and basic health care for these children.


Danita's Children is a non‐profit organization with the intent of rescuing and caring for orphaned children, meeting their needs spiritually, physically, academically, emotionally. Danita's Children exists to answer the need for orphan rescue and care in Haiti and around the world. www.danitaschildren.org

Many people think that helping this cause means picking up, leaving behind, and moving to Haiti. But the reality is that many of us do not have that calling. Many times, the best way to support a cause is simply getting the word out. I encourage you to visit the Danita's Children website and learn about how you can get involved.

the beginning

Growing up in the Dominican Republic was quite the experience. Past the clear beaches, fertile mountains and local hospitality, sleep the countless families snuggled by the hardships poverty has brought upon them. Most on empty stomachs and restless worries for the second or third night in a row. It was hard to believe I lived within miles of these people. It seemed as if society had become blind to the lifestyles our very own citizens were forced to endure.

It was a hot Saturday morning when I first visited Pancho Mateo, a Haitian community on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. I remember my first impression and at that moment forgetting all I had ever learned or heard about poverty in the country. That moment was life-changing. As we walked through the village, I could feel my heart shattering and tears welling up. A young girl came up to me in search of a mere hug; not money, food, or clothes, but a single sign of love. I realize now, that moment defined in great part who I am and what I stand for today.

Aside from the tin-made houses and lack of clean water, I noticed a small house. This house was different. The children inside were smiling and it seemed to have a peculiar hope-like glow. This house belonged to Makarios.

Makarios, named using the ancient Greek word for “blessed,” is a faith-based organization that focuses on educational development in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. For more information please visit their amazing website: www.makariosinternational.org

After that trip I felt encouraged and empowered. This blog is a product of the seed that was planted over 3 years ago. I have decided to become an advocate for the voiceless, not only in my country, but around the world. home to change is a small and humble place with the mission to educate others on social injustice issues, highlight extraordinary people who are giving hope, and ways to get involved.

Thank you Makarios, YL DR staff, SCS teachers and everyone who has one way or another watered this seed of purpose in my life.