Global Goodwill Ambassador.....

For my Linkedin followers and connections, I wanted to give an insight into myself. I also want to congratulate Richard Di Pilla on this wonderful Initiative Of Linkedin Ambassadors. Thank you for giving me this great honor, humbled and appreciative.

I was born in Australia to Migrant parents, My mother is from Slovenia, grandfather born in Germany, Grandmother born in Austria. My father was born in India and I have a great grandmother who was Persian. Five generations born in India. When India separated my grandfather took his family to Pakistan , where they lived in Rawalpindi. They were on the same train as Gandhi. My uncle was born in the beautiful Murree district of Pakistan. So as you can see my background is very diverse to begin with.

An interesting fact is that my blood has many streams that lead from the one humanity. My grandfather and father used to slaughter goats and distribute the meat to the poor villages in Pakistan before EID. I was raised with three cultures, which was interesting and challenging at times. So my understanding of cultures is vast. Being raised with exotic foods, learning about family systems and traditions.

I always had a void in my soul, never fully understanding what it was. I have always been a great believer in God. So my faith was with him to go where he wanted me to. After many years I traveled to Pakistan , when I arrived there, the pollution in the air was thick and the noise of the traffic intense, but for some reason, I felt like I was home. The people were warm and inviting, no matter where I traveled from the villages of Sargodha to the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, there was a sense of belonging that I felt.

The children in the villages, were so happy and wanted to learn. I took some colored pencils and the English Alphabet ,even though the language was limited, we communicated.From Villages to cities that I traveled to, the students were all the same, they have a way of showing us humility and that there are no barriers, adults impose them , not children. Like children all over the world, they wanted to learn and felt proud of their achievements.

I embraced the dress code of Pakistan, and the people wherever I went, the farms rich in spinach and oranges, hospitality unbelievable.

One of the greatest things I have ever done, is when I ordered some rice, then placed an amount in bags ,and distributed it to the poor. Many children living in extreme conditions, and so grateful to have a bag of rice. I remember handing a bag of rice to a boy, who was seated in a cart being pulled by a donkey, the boy looked into my eyes and said thank you. the father smiled at me. when English is limited, the heart speaks and mine did on many occasions to many people where words failed.There was family who had no running water, so as the boring was going on I collected the dirt in wheelbarrows and carried it off. Trying to help them with fresh water for their family. Loved the hands on approach. being part of the process not just giving money .

From my diverse background, I know that we are but one people, we need to work towards a greater understanding of one another and our different cultures. Love is the foundation, let us build from that, for a better World for future generations to come.

copyright Tess Martin.