The Ambassador: Issue 20, May 2022 : simplebooklet.com

There's been a lot of focus on crime and its tie to mental health issues in theheadlines. This month, being Mental Health Awareness Month, we decided totouch on the subject as it perhaps affects all communities worldwide. Ourcover story, "Bully Aware" by Titia Niehorster, talks about the long-lastingeffects of bullying on our lives. Mental Health should be treated as essential and given the same amount ofcare as physical health for the overall well-being of our lives. It affects how wethink, feel, and how we handle stress. Families, employers, and friends canhelp by actively listening and asking, "Are you feeling okay?" This can helpidentify what is upsetting someone and give those who need it a gentle prodto seek professional help. Many factors can affect our mental health, and we have seen this through thelast two years of a pandemic and other crises around the world. Work-lifebalance is also important and not only for us to recognize but for employers tounderstand and offer a workplace culture that doesn't place added stress onemployees. Mental health has been tied to heart disease so remember that your sense ofwell-being is important. It also helps with self-esteem, being more productive,and a sense of inner peace. Seek professional help or reach out to your familyphysician before symptoms are overwhelming. Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation is proud to be supporting AlinePelka (GGAF Poland) and YORGHAS Foundation with birthing kits which arebeing sent to hospitals in Ukraine where these are desperately needed. Thankyou to all of our donors for helping to make this happen. Executive's Cornerwww.globalgoodwillambassadors.org

Page 4

3 Executives Corner10 Learning Institute19 Child Abuse Prevention Program:MBiMB Team Sudan24 Cover Story: Bully Aware (Cover Story)By: Titia Niehorster30  SDG 11,12 and 13 How To Explain SDG'sTo ChildrenBy Chrissy Sykes46Mukib Hope Foundation Nigeria46 EYES In Sierra LeoneBy Mohamed Mansaray45 The Challenge NigeriaBy Chrissy Sykes57ISL: MBIMB In Sierra LeoneBy Dr. Adama Kohlokah52 What I Have Seen; What I Have Done:What I Have LearntBy: Dee Russell-Thomas68Are You Fed-Up At A Crossroad?By: Linda Sage10  GGAF Learning Institute"Come Learn With US"New classes being added each weekPage 4AMBASSADORAMBASSADORTHEA P R I L 2 0 2 2 | I S S U E 1 946 EYES In Sierra Leone17  My Body is My Body; Keeping Children Safe

Page 5

84 Charity Begins At Home60 May: Mental Health Awareness MonthBy: Christina Junker61 Hope Ambassadors: Water for LifeProject; MBIMB; Clean Hands SavesLives ProBy: Mandy Olowu64 Why Food Sustainability Is Not Just AMatter of FoodBy: Dario Ruggiero67Kwandala Foundation PrisonersProjectBy: Shehu Musa68The Fold Children's Home & SchoolBy: Henry Osabutey71 Ukraine: The Lasting Scars of WarBy: Manna Dabholkar - GGI78 My Italian Cultural RootsBy: Franca Colozzo79 Migraine IrelandMigraine Association of Ireland82Mother's DayDr. Adel Eldin84Charity Begins At HomeBy: Faith MuthokaPage 584"Charity Begins At Home:By: Faith Muthoka60 May: Mental Health Awareness MonthAMBASSADORAMBASSADORTHEA P R I L 2 0 2 2 | I S S U E 1 912 Months of KindnessJoin Us

Page 6

9  |  B O O K I S H M A G A Z I N EGET A SECOND OPINION WITHOUTLEAVING YOUR HOME. Better Healthcare. We are bringing the heart back inmedicine.It is a beautiful story that I would like to share with the world. Hopefully,this will. Specifically, here, I mean the chronic, complicated, and seemunsolvable Healthcare crisis. I have witnessed a lot of devastation to bothmy patients and my fellow physicians. On one hand, patients are sufferingfrom increasingly uncontrollable out-of-pocket expenses as more ( cost isbeing shifted to consumer responsibility) Patients can not afford to eat,support their families because a big chunk of their earnings goes to payfor healthcare bills. This effort has picked up substantially after the World Economic Crisisstarting in 2008 when I knew then that the current Healthcare model isunsustainable, as healthcare cost is breaking the bank and forcing manypeople into bankruptcy.Also, the doctors got hit with denied, delayed, or ridiculous paymentsafter spending more than 38% of their time dealing with Insurancebureaucracy, and paperwork,!Thus I have developed a ( Direct Contracting for Healthcare Model) withcombined Internal Medicine and Cardiology services in incrediblyaffordable pricing with transparency, greatly trusted care andimpeccable credibility which qualified our program to be offered by theCity of Tampa for Non-Medicare Retirees for three consecutive years.

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

The G GAF L e arning Insti t ute is desig n ed wit h worki n g stu d ents a n dprof e ssion a ls in m ind. T hat's w hy ou r class e s are ' on-de m and"mea n i ng yo u can t a ke th e se as t hey f i t your own sc h edule . Each class has an instr u ctor w h o wil l inter a ct wit h you a nd ans w erany q uesti o ns you may h a ve. We ' ve al s o crea t ed a s t udent - centri clear n ing e n vironm e nt gi v ing st u dents a way t o disc u ss th e cours emat e r ials a nd lea r n dif f erent i nsight s by i n teract i ng on thedisc u ssion board. We r e alize that e v eryon e learn s diff e r ently and wi t h our a mult i -mod a l set- u p, you will b e offe r ed rea d ing m a terial , vide o s,assi g nment s , disc u ssion s , live Zoom m eeting s and m uch mo r e. Our i nstru c tors a r e mad e up of indus t ry pro f ession a ls, l o ng-tim eteac h ers a n d prof e ssors , and S M E's i n their area. Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

How to teach the My Body is My Body Programme 1. My Body Is my Body Song - Song Objective To teach children that their body is their own and no one has the right to hurt them or touch their private parts.2. If It Don’t Feel Right - Don’t Do It - Song ObjectiveTo teach children to listen to their own feelings. To talk about peer pressureand help children with body empowerment.3. The “What If” Game - Song ObjectiveTo teach children to say NO with authority.4. If You’ve Got A Problem - Song ObjectiveTo reinforce the learning of telling someone if there is a problem, if that person doesn't listen, keep telling till someone does listen.5. Love Is Gentle - Song ObjectiveTo teach children that love is gentle and kind and is all about caring, sharing and trusting.6. Say No To Secrets - Song ObjectiveShowing children that keeping secrets when someone is bullying them or hurting them is not a good thing to do. GGAF Learning InstituteThe My Body Is My BodyThe My Body Is My BodyThe My Body Is My BodyProgramme Course 2Programme Course 2Programme Course 2Pass this course and get your certificate to be a MBIMB Programme Presenterscan this codePage 13

Page 14

Social Media Responsibility Inthe Age of Digital CitizenshipTestimonial "It is my pleasure to note that the course conducted by the GGAF Learning Institute on DigitalSocial Responsibility and Digital Citizenship was very well organized, crafted, and presented!" The topics covered in the course starting from basics to deep concepts are necessary and adequate. The topics on the proper use of the internet, email, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn without risks of hackingand leakage of personal data are so well explained that I feel better informed as a digital citizen aftercompleting this course. The etiquettes on the use of WhatsApp and Zoom are a great value addition fordigital conduct and safety. About the quality assignments, I want to add that the exercises, questions, and case studies are so veryrelevant and inclusive that as a learner one has to be serious and regular about the studies much less beingconsistent also. The review of the assignments and evaluation by Lisa Jones was so timely that one has topush for the next topic on and on till the end with full excitement.The suggestions given by me were alsovalued by her and accepted gracefully.I look forward to joining such state-of-the-art courses by GGAF learning at the soonest possible. Thank you! 5 stars!DR. LABH SINGHPage 14

Page 15

Women In LeadershipTestimonial“The Women In Leadership course was informative, thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. I have always had a strong commitment to equality of opportunity, awarenessof gender traits and the commitment to addressing imbalances. This courseallowed me to explore a range of avenues, expand my awareness andconsider subtle nuances. I would highly recommend this course to others and,may I say, not just women but to men also. If we wish to make this world amore equitable one then we need to educate men and empower women.Thank you Chrissy for the leadership, the Learning Institute for theopportunity and the GGA for the amazing platform of kindness, developmentand shared activities. I have gained so much in knowledge and application of ideas.I would highly recommend this course and am very grateful tohave been supported throughout. “by dee russell-thomas Page 15

Page 16

"STICKSOLOGY T-Sticks of London are hands down the best teaexperience I’ve ever had.‘Hey, that’s saying something!’ I’vebeen brewing tea for decades and know my tea.‘This #TEA is thebest! So many wonderful teas from around the world are thewhole leaf condensed in these porous sticks. "THE WORLD'S BEST TASTING TEA VARIETIES... AN INNOVATION TAKING THEWORLD BY "STORM"! TEA QUALITY LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER TASTED!...OUTRAGEOUSLY SIMPLE!! UK CREATED...GLOBALLY ENJOYEDAlso Enjoyed By Richard Branson Who ReallyAppreciated The Quality, Flavour & SimplicityOf The Unique Concept & Stated...."This Is A Very Good Idea".WORLDWIDE SUPPLY FROM THE FINEST PLANTATIONSOur innovation teams quality flavour, aroma, strength, andconsistency to experience convenience ...IN A WAY... NO OTHER PRODUCT DOES! THE WORLD'S BEST! Stir the T-Stick in the water, giving it an optimal time to infuse theflavour. We recommend a minimum of two minutes. IF YOU LIKE STRONGER,STIR FOR LONGER. Sweeten as required and stir.Remove the T-Stick and gently shake out excess water. Turn upside downso no drips. HOW IT WORKSTHAT'S IT! ENJOY! hi@sticksology.comEMBRACE A NEW LUXURY TEA EXPERIENCE!T-Sticks is inspired by real life. Our T-Sticks look to the futureby being portable, acting as both a strainer and stirrer, andreducing washing-up.Ricky KothariCo-Founder SticksologyA Tea Expert Since 2007If you want it stronger...Just stir longer!Exclusive Reader Only. Tea Deal of the Year!List Retail: £8.99 Discount £4.00 per pack...Cost only £4.99 each!Go to sticksology.com Claim your discount with each purchase: Add code: BIZ4GOODsticksology.com

Page 17

THE FUTURE OF TEA CONSUMPTIONBRINGING TEA CONSUMPTION INTO THE 21ST CENTURY THROUGHREAL INNOVATION. NO NEED FOR MESSY TEA BAGS, NO DUST, NODRIPS, NO SPOON NEEDEDTHE WORLD'S BEST FULL LEAF TEA QUALITY... 10 DELICIOUSVARIETIES.....A DELICIOUS EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE. EACH STICK CAN MAKE UP TO 2 CUPS...REAL VALUE FOR MONEY TWO PACK SIZES ARE AVAILABLE...CONSUMER RETAIL PACK...15 STICKS PER BOX PER VARIETYWORLDWIDE HOSPITALITY SECTOR SPECIAL BULK PACKS ...180 STICKS PER VARIETY. THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR DELIGHTS IN THE FACT THAT OFFERING THIS AMAZING INNOVATION RAISES ITS IMAGE & PROFILE,ENSURING REPEAT BUSINESS AS A RESULT. WE ALSO OFFER BOTH PACKS AT EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE & ATTRACTIVE WHOLESALE COST PRICESYOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME....: HI@STICKSOLOGY.COMYou are most welcome to come and join our millions of satisfied customers many of whom have stopped using tea bags for a simple, convenient hygienic fun way, to enjoy delicious quality Tea varieties.hi@sticksology.comsticksology.comPlace Your Order:Varieties choices that will delight your palateunlike many artificial tea bags flavors! EXCLUSIVE READER ONLY. TEA DEAL OF THE YEAR!List Retail: £8.99 Discount £4.00 per pack...Cost only £4.99 each!Go to sticksology.com Claim your discount code with each total purchase: Add code: BIZ4GOOD

Page 18

Page 19

CHILD PREVENTIONPROGRAM MBIMB TEAM SUDAN MBIMB TEAMSUDANThe Team Consists of Ghada Saleh Sofia HabbaniIntisar SalahAwatif Alkazin Rehab Mutasim Omnia Emad Hind AlfakiLearning & Coaching Team Ghada Saleh Sofia HabbaniIntisar SalahHiba Hassan Hind AlfakiAny big project needs a very strong teamthat has the same goals and believes inthose goals ..The MBIMB team Sudan is a very strong team that wework with under my leadership and supervision The team are all volunteers to serve children and thecommunity with the MBIMB prevention program. When there is an assignment in the schools or in thecommunity, and I am not there in Sudan, this wonderfulteam is available can accomplish the assignment.. Each member of the team is unique and is willing to helpand serve, but sometimes we face some obstacles suchas transport costs for volunteers, communication.. butwe were always to help each other.By Ghada Saleh Volunteers AdministrationGhada Saleh omnia Emad Awatif Alkhazen Volunteers Who HelpGabas Ahmed Sahar AhmedAisha khalidHawaNahid abdelrahimRogaya Mohamed Amel Ahmed Aisha Khalid and Ghada Saleh (Right)Page 19

Page 20

MBIMB TEAMSUDANThe rest of our team are volunteers whoalso help in some way with thepreparation and other items related toaccomplishing the programmesBecause of the situation in Sudan last year, the team wasnot working as efficiently as we would have liked, and Ihope we can continue what we started. We reached somany children and families and empowered manyvolunteers who were willing to help us .. By Ghada SalehFrom this platform I would to thank each one of the ProgrammePresenters for every effort they have given, you are a powerful teamand we are so proud of you.I would also like to thank our gentlemen for their help. Monib MohammedMohammedAbazer Ahmed Hassan Mohammed AlaminWe hope you stay with us and when things are settled in Sudan youwill continue with Course 2Ghada Saleh GGA country chair SudanAmb: MBIMBPage 20

Page 21

CHILD PREVENTION PROGRAM MBIMB TEAM SUDAN Our "My Body is My Body" Team in Sudan is an amazingly powerful group of peopleheaded and guided by our Country Director Ghada Saleh. They have taught manythousands of children all around schools in Sudan and in refugee camps. They are atrue inspiration and show the powerful impact of what can be done by great volunteers. Thank you to you all - Chrissy Sykes (MBIMB Founder)

Page 22

Page 23

Available on the GGA Learning InstituteMake a difference inyour communityMy Body is My Body Course 1Introduction To Child Maltreatment and Safeguarding Children1. Why we need to teach about Maltreatment2. Worldwide Facts about Maltreatment (from ISPCAN)3. How Child Maltreatment affects a community’s quality of life andeconomic prosperity4. Different Types and Signs of Maltreatment5. How to react if a child discloses their abuse to you6. Basics on how to report child abuseJoin over 2200 people that have passed this free coursescan this code

Page 24

I thought really hard to change schools withher but as I was going through a divorce atthe time and she had one best friend in thatclass, I made the decision to not changeschools. Until this day I regret that decision, but at thattime I thought I was doing the right thing. As parents, we do what we think is right atthat moment. By: TITIA NIEHORSTERGGAF Chair - NetherlandsThe Ambassador May 2022Bullying can have long-lasting effects on our lives. Being bullied as a child myself, it resultedin me changing my name going frommiddle school to high school. This lasteduntil I was 42 years old…. Only then I foundthe courage to change my name back. I’m also a mother of six children and as aparent unfortunately I have also had todeal with bullying of my children.One of my children was bullied in the fifthgrade: it was so severe that one of the girlseven created a club against my daughter. The school teacher was very supportiveand spoke to the parents of the girl. The bullying then got less but it didn’tentirely go away.Page 24

Page 25

My daughter was always a child that stoodout from the crowd and was never afraid tospeak her mind. She had her own style andwas therefor an easy target for bullies. Ialways kept encouraging her to be her ownself and dress the way she liked and ifothers didn’t like it, that was their problem. In my forties I came across bullying againand I then decided to create Bully Awareand start helping children and parents onhow to deal with Bullying. Since then I have talked to many children,parents and schools about this.During webinars and multiple interviews Italked to parents and teachers from allover the world who shared theirexperiences and gave them tools on how todeal with bullying. Bullying affects all youth: children who arebullied, children who bully other children,and children who witness bullying. Theeffects of bullying often continue into adultlife.Bullying doesn’t discriminate by socialstatus, race or religion. It happens in alllevels of society and affects our wholesociety. In fact in one of the first articles Iwrote about bullying, I wrote about one ofthe Dutch Princesses being bullied. Being ayoung public figure doesn’t make it anyeasier if not more difficult. Numbers and statistics The numbers about Bullying don’t lie.According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics:One-third of the globe’s youth is bullied; thisranges from as low as 7% in Tajikistan to 74%in Samoa. Low socioeconomic status is the main factorin youth bullying within wealthy countries. Immigrant-born youth in wealthy countriesare more likely to be bullied than locally-bornyouth.Source: http://uis.unesco.org/en/news/new-sdg-4-data-bullyingThe Ambassador May 2022Titia's children taking self defence classPage 25

Page 26

During my research, I came across a school where part of their anti-bullying policies was to teachchildren how to mediate when bullying and or conflicts occur in the schoolyard.Children were given a mini-course in mediation skills and were then appointed mediators in their classon a rotating schedule.I’m very excited about this approach. Being a certified mediator myself I know how important andrewarding it is to help others resolve their conflicts and help both parties be happy about reaching asolution. It prevents conflicts from escalating at an early stage and I believe that if we teach childrenabout this, it can really help in preventing bullying. Plus this helps to raise children into confident adultswith strong communication and conflict resolving skills. Anti-Bully Policies Many countries have anti-bullying legislation.Creating solutions and policies to stop bullying is not easy. Approaches that work best take the entiresocial surroundings of our children. The entire school community, from teachers to school nurses, togenitors, bus drivers and all parents, must be involved and committed to standing for a culture ofinclusion and kindness. Everyone needs to commit and be on the same level when it comes to standingup against bullying. Adults such as teachers, parents and caregivers need to set the right example and model kindness,respect for everyone’s differences and inclusion. Adults can also make a huge difference when they intervene on behalf of someone being bullied and setthe right example as a bystander. Children MediatorsThe Ambassador May 2022Page 26

Page 27

The Ambassador May 2022What can you do: In my work with parents and children, I work withmultiple steps to tackle bullying and Become Bully Aware. Steps to take to Become Bully Aware Recognise The SignsWhenever a child is being bullied, you will notice changes in their behaviour. They will start withdrawing from social situations and become shy, quieter, less excited,and less happy. It might happen that their property is suddenly damaged or lost. If you notice behavioural changes then it’s very important to talk to your child.Create an environment of support where your child feels safe to open up to you. Be approachable. The first to do as an adult is to take children seriously when they open up to youabout being bullied. Opening up about being bullied can be a huge step for a child. Children who are being bullied often believe it’s their own fault. They believe there is something wrongwith them and they feel ashamed. Bullying thrives on secrecy, guilt and shame.Make sure you tell them it’s not their fault and they have nothing to be ashamed about.Be approachable and take them seriouslyOpen the conversation When you learn that your child is being bullied, talk to the school and ask about their Anti BullyPolicy. A school needs to be a safe place for your child to grow up. Schools, therefore have theobligation to make sure that all children experience a feeling of safety. Ask the school what measures they will take to provide that safe environment for your child.If the school is unwilling to take measures, then you need to address this with the proper authorities.This can be a huge step but know that your child is probably not the only victim and you’ll behelping more children by reporting this to the proper authorities If I have learned anything over the years it is that we take ourselves with us, everywhere we go. Bulliescan be everywhere, so the most important thing to do , is to build a strong inner self. There are manyways to help build your child’s self-confidence. Here are some ways to do so: Take ActionOpen the conversationPage 27

Page 28

There is nothing better for a child’s self-confidence than their parents showing them they areworthwhile to spend quality time with. If you have more children, then make sure you also spend one on one time with each of them. Positive thinking is proven to be one of the most effective ways to create a happy mindset.Practice gratitudeSpend Quality time with your children There are multiple apps where you can listen to meditation specifically created for children. Practice Positive Self TalkListen to Children’s Meditation for Inner PeaceCreate imaginary stories where the child’s favourite stuffed animal went through thesame thing, stood up for themselves and ended up being the hero of the story. In mywork with parents, many times I helped them to create a customized story for theirchildren that they could read to their children. Children have a high level of imagination:)Creating these types of stories, helps children to imagine that in fact, they themselveshave the courage to stand up to themselves. Create StoriesTeach your child to talk positively to and about themselves. Self-Love is the Number One Tool wehave to help us feel good about ourselves. Don’t become your own inner bully! Many studies have shown that martial arts or other self-defense sports contribute to building self-confidence and discipline. See if they like to learn a Self Defense SportHaving a pet is a great way to create an unconditional friendship for your child as the love of animalsis often unconditional. I know my little sausage dog is still the happiest when I come home.Consider having a PetPage 28

Page 29

Approach other ParentsApproach other parents and ask forhelp: open up about your problem andask for playdates: you will be surprisedat how many parents will be willing tohelp you if you ask them.Talk to the parents of the child who isbullying your childI know this is hard,but as a parent, if I would know my childis bullying another child, I would want toknow so I can talk to my child about this. Get a JarA good practice with your child is tomake a “compliment file”. It can be abox or a jar that’s full of praises yourchild has earned. Any time theyreceived a compliment, they are to writeit down and put it inside. When yourchild is having a bad day, they can takeout those compliments and read all thewords of praise they received. They arereminded about all the great thingsthey have done, and it will make themfeel better about themselves.Bully Aware MissionI hope this was helpful for you andthat I have given you some tools on howto deal with bullying. It is the mission ofBully Aware to create a communitywhere we can come together to protectand save all children from theemotional damage of Bullying. The Ambassador May 2022Page 29

Page 30

Page 31

Page 32

Page 33

Page 34

Page 35

Page 36

Page 37

Page 38

Page 39

Page 40

Page 41

Page 42

Page 43

Page 44

Page 45

Mujib Hope Foundation hosted an Easter Party Celebration and found it important to sensitizechildren and their parents about their body safety. Child abuse preventive measures andreasons why children shouldn't keep secrets due to the rampant cases of child abuse and rape.This Activity was achieved using educative materials (MBIMB) course two (2) created by ChrissySykes The program was held on the 18th of April, 2022 at Shagari Estate Barnawa, Kaduna and wasanchored by MHF Kaduna State Coordinator Rachel Ngunan AmberMujib Hope FoundationBy Munirat JibrinPage 45

Page 46

GGAF fund the printing of over 2000copies of the MBIMB program Child Maltreatment is surrounded by esteempoverty in many homes across Sierra Leoneas NGOs and Donor keep creating theawareness so parents are responding, tocollectively provide safer care for children,however children from very low-incomefamilies suffer every day from emotional,neglect, and physical abuse, a combinationof these forms of child maltreatment hasalways exposed children to child SexualAbuse especially girls as the third party isalways prepared to accommodate her withwhat parents or guardians cannot offer thiscall to action for economic empowerment. Executing the Children’s Power Project 001has been a ground for learning both fromparents and children and a special call toaction in the area of economicempowerment, parent income level hasalways got an effect on their mental healthand this has led many young parents toabandon their children in the hands of familymembers and 3 out of any five of thesechildren every day faced neglect, emotionaland physical abuse and this has have a greateffect on the wellbeing and mental health ofthe child. Poverty and Child MaltreatmentEYES-SL is grateful to the leadership of theGlobal Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation LisaJones and the Creator of the free musical MyBody Is My Body Program for funding theprinting of over 2000 MBIMB leaflets which willbe benefiting over 20000 children in SierraLeone as these will help open discussion aboutchild abuse among parent and children. Every teacher wants to hear from us, every parentwants to hear from us. Our mission to end childabuse has been tested by a few parents andeducators in Sierra Leone, it works and it is fruitfulGGAF together with EYES-SL is calling oneducators to join together to roll out the My Body IsMy Body program across the 16 Districts come letstart the conversations together and see reasonswhy it is now to end child abuse. The My Body Is My Body Program continuesto be the best subject for discussion Page 46

Page 47

Page 48

Page 49

Many of these problems are caused by social behaviours which include violence againstwomen and children, violent discipline against children and old fashioned communitybeliefs. Working towards gender equality in Nigeria is of the utmost importance as inmany areas women are considered subordinate to the men in their communities. More than 23 million girls in Nigeria have been married as children. These marriages aremainly found in rural areas. This is the largest number of "child brides" in the world and isset to increase as the young population of Nigeria continues to grow.Over 25% of girls have also undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This process tothe female genitalia is solely traditional and has no medical benefits. Many women sufferfrom lifelong health issues because of FGM.Nigeria is not alone with all of the aforementioned problems, but I do know there aremany wonderful people seeking a change to many of these problems. The weapon wecan use against many of these problems is EDUCATION. It is only through educatingcommunities about the benefits of safeguarding all children (both boys and girls)enabling them to learn and develop into strong educated community members andenabling gender equality will we be able to change things for the better.THE CHALLENGE Child Abuse in Nigeria

Page 50

Page 51

Page 52

WHAT I HAVESEEN; WHAT IHAVE DONE:WHAT I HAVELEARNT In the past few months, I have been backworking overseas. I have been privileged tohave experienced observing someamazing practitioners who have spenttheir lives helping others.I have worked alongside dedicated,experienced fellow colleagues who haveworked long hours and who have tirelesslyshared their wisdom, their experience andtheir support.I have supported a range of organisationsand have learnt much. I know I can helpsome but I cannot reach all. I can respondto requests but I have my limitations.There are so many in the world who needhelp but if we spread ourselves too thinly,we put ourselves at risk of not impactingsignificantly on anyone and of reducingour own well-being in the process.M A YA M B A S S A D O R2 0 2 2By dee russell thomasPage 52

Page 53

All countries have their challengesAll humans are vulnerableChildren are children across the worldThey need protection, understanding and beliefThere is poverty within the wealthiest of countriesThere is deprivation, homelessness, hunger, fear, prejudice and sadnessThere is also HOPE, FAITH, LOVE AND KINDNESSMaterial wealth does not ensure happinessEveryone has feelings; losing loved ones hurtsWe all laugh, cry, bleed, live and die. There is more goodness in the world than evil.What I do know is that: -M A YA M B A S S A D O R2 0 2 2By dee russell thomasPage 53

Page 54

At the moment many of us are aware of theplight of the Ukrainians and indeed, theinnocent Russian families who are also losingloved ones. But let us never forget the ongoingdevastation still impacting Yemen, Syria,Afghanistan, DR Congo, the Rohingya, theUyghurs… sadly the list is ever increasing. People often ask me to help them. Theypresent valid, poignant cases BUT need iseverywhere. We cannot be all things to allpeople. We can only do what we can only do. And we do our best.Keep up the good work fellow ambassadorsbut be sure to look after yourselves too. Helping others can be rewarding andabsorbing but it can also be daunting andexhausting.Be kind to yourself as well as to others.Take care, my friends.Take care.Page 54

Page 55

Page 56

Page 57

Page 58

If any of these statements are true, you have got to wonder about your future…Ask yourself, what will it be like if you keep things just the way they are?The mental health pandemic is not going away anytime soon. You can’t keep putting off thinking about yourself, making excuseswhy everyone and everything is more important than you. ARE YOU FED-UP AT ACROSSROADS?MAYBE YOU’RE STUCK. MAYBE YOU’RE FRUSTRATED.MAYBE YOU’RE JUST TIRED OFDOING THE SAME THING DAYAFTER DAY. By Linda Sage MA, BA Ed (Hons), DTMPage 58

Page 59

As a parent, spouse, team leader or manager, your actions speak louder than words. You know theknowledge of how to care for yourself, but doing it just gets put off. So, the message you are givingothers by your actions is that it is ok to abuse yourself, to self-harm, to devalue yourself and whenthey start doing it too, you will be upset and ask yourself, why are they doing this to themselves?The hard truth is they learned it from you. Valuing yourself, and treating yourself well makes youfeel happier and it has a knock-on effect on all those around you too.Believing you are worth the effort, keeping your promises to yourself and valuing your needs not asselfish, egoistic, or pretentious, but as the right of you as an individual.Crossroads can be scary, or they can be exciting, but there is nothing worse than looking back on alife of what-ifs, I could have, resentment, guilt and unfulfillment when none of it needed to happen.Feeling stuck and frustrated is our internal system telling us something is wrong, change is needed,by ignoring it, or making excuses for it does not make it go away. It grows in the darkness until itexplodes and then all sorts of hurt can happen.Listen to your inner self, it is time to act on it and to make your life and those around you better,happier and healthier.A week, a month or a year from now will you still be feeling stuck, frustrated, out of kilt, or will yoube on your path to enjoyment, fulfilment and happiness? The choice is yours today.ARE YOU FED-UP AT A CROSSROADS?MAYBE YOU’RE STUCK. MAYBE YOU’RE FRUSTRATED.MAYBE YOU’RE JUST TIRED OF DOINGTHE SAME THING DAY AFTER DAY. By Linda Sage MA, BA Ed (Hons),DTM

Page 60

May: Mental Health Awareness Month(Photo Credit: Christina Junker-College students onboard her ‘Islander’ sailing vessel in San Francisco Bay)Make time to listen, learn, and be supportiveLearn to understand and recognize symptoms, find local support groupsMake time to teach our youth new skills, coach, be a mentor and inspire!According to the Center for Disease Control, new 2021 data reveals, “…more than a third (37%) ofhigh school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19pandemic, and 44% reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year.” The CDCalso reports, “… Before the pandemic, mental health was getting worse among high schoolstudents…” (www.cdc.org).Many young individuals living with mental health challenges may not feel comfortable sharingconditions/feelings with their loved ones nor do they share any of their struggles. This mixed inwith the stigma of mental may contribute to their battles.So, how can we provide support to our youth ‘who’ may be victims of mental health challenges? Yes, May is Mental Health Awareness Month but let’s not stop there. Let us make awareness part ofour daily lives and activities. “Life is slippery. Here, take my hand.” ― H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Page 60

Page 61

Page 62

Page 63

Page 64

Page 65

Page 66

The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better andmore sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face,including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation,peace and justice. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals,were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call toaction to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation hasproudly joined forces with the UN SustainableDevelopment Goals -Partners PlatformCLICK THE LINK BELOW TO CHECK OUT OUR GGA FOUNDATION AND TOP INITIATIVE ON THE UN PAGE.Page 66

Page 67

Page 68

Page 69

About the Founder: Henry OSABUTEY is a professional teacher, a multiple award-winning humanitarian, and a Youthleader in Ghana. He’s been awarded the most outstanding SDG4 advocate of the year 2021 by theHumanitarian Award Global (HAG) and the Most Influential Youth Leader 2021 by the 5th Ghana -Nigeria Achievers Awards 2021 for his outstanding support for quality and decent education forunderprivileged children from deprived communities in Africa. He was nominated and awarded as a Global Goodwill Ambassador fellow in 2018 for hishumanitarian activities in Africa. He is also YALI West Africa Scholar and a fellow at the AfricaChangeMaker fellowship. AMB. Henry OSABUTEY Global Goodwill Ambassador |GGA|YALI WEST AFRICA FELLOW Africa ChangeMakers Fellow Fellow: US -GH alumni To donate or support with any resource kindly visithttps://www.hoef.org/causes Call: +233 243 131 088 follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/hoef.ghana Email: info@hoef.org / ceo@hoef.org /henryosa@gmail.com / ihenry.osabutey@gmail.com Page 69

Page 70

Page 71

Page 72

Page 73

Page 74

Page 75

Page 76

Page 77

Page 78

Page 79

Page 80

Page 81

Page 82

The holiday we observe today is one that people of all faiths, and even those whohave no faith, can agree on. It is a day we honor our mothers, and on this point,there can be no disagreement: Each of us is blessed with life because our mothergave it to us. Without embellishment, it is fair to say that the very existence of humanity restssquarely upon the shoulders of mothers. As nurturers, teachers, and protectors,they arguably perform the most important job in our society. Each religion pays tribute to mothers in its own way. I am a Muslim, and we aretaught by the Prophet Mohammed that "paradise is under the feet of mothers,'' andthat our mothers have three times more rights to their children than fathers. Judeo-Christians are commanded by God to "Honor thy father and mother.'' And Buddhistsare told in their oldest texts that carrying their mothers on their shoulders withoutcomplaint for 100 years would not be sufficient repayment for childbirth.And sometimes, newer traditions are born. About five years ago, my male friendsand I began to honor our mothers, the mothers of our children (our wives), and lessfortunate mothers of all faiths by cooking and serving a special meal on Mother'sDay. Even men who do not cook have no excuse on this day; they can fire up thegrill and they can clean up the dishes. The important thing is to serve your mother.Honoring all mothers transcends all faiths as she has served you for so long and inso many ways. This is our way of demonstrating unity and appreciation for the veryimportant roles mothers play in our lives. Think of all that mothers do, especially in today's society. Many find it necessary toraise children while working one or maybe even two jobs outside the home, not tomention the underappreciated jobs inside the home, like cooking, cleaning, andlaundry. And, in too many cases, those overworked mothers are the only parent inthe home. I am convinced that respecting and caring for our mothers, especiallythose who are abused, abandoned, or alone, would cure many of society's ills.Mother's Day Page 82

Page 83

My mother worked as a teacher and a socialservices supervisor. She is largely responsiblefor helping me achieve my goal of becoming amedical doctor through her unconditionallove, kindness, and prayers. But she also wasthere for other children who neededmothering, providing them with food andclothing for their bodies and books for theirminds. They and I are eternally grateful.We should resolve to acknowledge our mothers' roles in our lives and ourcommunities every day, not just one day a year. And we should show our esteemand our gratitude with acts of love that go beyond the commercial.Making the best effort to become a better person as Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)said that to care for your parents. On this day, people of all faiths should resolveto better ourselves - and our entire planet - by taking better care of our mothers.