Testimonials

My experience in California was one of the best experiences I have ever had. The activities we did and the people I met have definitely changed a lot of things in me, and on the way I look at things. It made me for once, stop everything and think. Think about Peace, people, leadership and how to make a difference in our communities. I am still determined to make a change in my beautiful country, and still working on it. That will happen only followed by patient with patience, determination, confidence, inspiration and time. :) (Melanie, Deanie, Andi, Josh, Keith, David, Nadine) were the main people to inspire me, and still do till now through facebook or emails. Thank you all so much, for making our lives better. :)

Last but not least, I see you. I am here.
Love,

Farah.

The San Jose experience made a difference in my life and continues to do so whenever I reflect back upon it.The program helped me find my inner leader and taught me how to learn through sharing.The breakthroughs achieved,the failures overcome and the friendships made are all an indelible part of my life. I see things differently and try to highlight the commonalities. This whole experience brings a positive energy whenever I think about it. I am so thankful to the beautiful people I met and their support.

Faryal

The Leadership Summit I took in March was a type of preparation I never expected to be as powerful, and its energy follows me everyday as well as in every challenge. After the wonderful experience, I was able to connect with others in such an open and confident way. I was very touched and when I got back to the state I was in, Maui, Hawaii, I wrote a Reflection Essay about the experience. The team is such an amazing team, and I fell in love with their amazing spirit. They kept in touch with me and have been supporting me in many ways, particularly regarding a Human Right's case about my brother in Yemen. I have been motivated through this summit to influence others in my community through Community Service, Writing, and every skill I will be able to make change with. All in all, it truly gave me a better vision towards humanity - respecting and understanding people by honoring them as well as SEEING them. I have made all my work's focus on PEACE!

Al-Gassim Sharaf Addin

The experience in San Jose is permanently in my heart. I am continually moved as I remember what kinds of breakthroughs occurred when we all began to share our journey, share our fears and see each other. There is undeniable personal and community victory in learning to value the life we see in those around us. Even more powerful still when we stop allowing differences or even apathy to get in the way of love. This Opening Minds Igniting Purpose Program allowed me the opportunity not just to lead...but to learn. I am so forever thankful for the experience and the beautiful people I met that changed my heart forever.

Andi Rojas

San Jose, CA, being selected for the experience in Redwood forests was eye opening in its beauty, the Redwood forest took me into a new world of thought...the passion of making a positive impact with optimistic thoughts. The excitement in me was growing and San Jose emerged me into Youth from different countries and with the great influential people who are Melanie, Deanie, Andi, Josh, Keith, David, Nadine. It was an honor to be selected. It opened my horizons to a new level of curiosity and a will to make a change. Professionally all of the Youth including me shared the idea of a better, healthy and a Peaceful world. The ideas shared, the thoughts told, the stories revealed helped me understand not so much how Peace is important but how to start impacting the surroundings. I felt the difference in me and sensed the difference around me by such lovely people. Finding everyone weather it was Melanie, Deanie, Andi, Josh or anyone it always helped me to empower my thoughts and a respect of difference started to grow into me and it grew strong. Being in San Jose and in beautiful redwood forests helped me clear my mind, patience on its way made a difference and helped me be calm. Thinking and just slipping my ideas smoothly to the people I encountered later in my year in America and also back home in Pakistan.

By using all the ideas and the emerging love for the people around me and the hunger for learning more about the people, culture or anything it helped to impact the people around me in terms of Community Service, Public Speaking and anything which helped anyone in a positive more better way to live their life. I surely am thankful for such a great and wonder opportunity which changed my life, my personality and my surrounding in a very beautiful way. " I see you and I am here" :)

Mubashir Khawaja

After attending the leadership summit in CA, everything seems so easy and approachable. I was never this confident before. I have joined Red Crescent Youth Group in my college. There is more good news, I was selected for the International Youth Conference And Festival, which is going to be held in the capital Islamabad. There will be students from 20 different countries. Our focus will be on

1. Role of youth in Peace building.
2. disaster management
3. Role of sports and other activities in promoting cultural understanding.

I got a scholarship to attend this. I would never be part of this if i had not attended that workshop with you.

I will never forget that time.....and you!!
Once again thank you very much.
God bless you!
I am here!
I see you!

Mian Sarmad Arif