eYs Magazine Winter 2021

4

CONTENT

Editor’s Note

6 Cover Feature

8 eYs Child

10 Tokens of Life Uganda

14 The Arts

20 Decorate

2 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

22 Create

24

INSPIRE MENTOR

26

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN IN FOCUS

28

ENTREPRENEUR

30

SUSTAINABILITY

32

LAW SOCIETY

34

MEDIA

36

ENVIRONMENT

40

FEATURE – UNDERSTANDING OSCAR

44

LIFE COACH

46

SO TELL ME

48

BOOKWORM

52

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

56

YOUNG AND AMBITIOUS

58

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: eYs Magazine are a group of determined individuals, who are inspired and empowered to share kindness, through our positive vibes and support. We encourage, help and motivate others and support local communities and charities to prosper and grow. eYs Magazine is committed to our purpose and people-centred ethos, reinvesting back into our future generations and the opportunity of a global online platform connecting to experts from all walks of life. We support charity, community and organisations in their development as a publishing platform.

OUR COVER: Thank you to St Pauls Nursery School, Uganda for allowing eYs Magazine to publish the images of the students and school. A special thank you to Christopher Mukasa for organising the photo shoot.

FIND US ON LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/company/eysmagazine Facebook: eYs_Magazine Instagram: @ eYs_Magazine Twitter: @ eYs_Magazine www.eysmagazine.com.au View Magazine: https://issuu.com/eysmagazine Chief Executive Officer : Jasmina Siderovski Email: info@eysmagazine.com.au

PUBLISHER eYs Magazine Pty Ltd

CREATIVE Minhazul Abedin

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

62

Email: mnhaz.abedin@gmail.com WhatsApp: +8801622131189

GYMHA

68

HEADQUARTERS

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES

70

eYs TEAM

74

eYs Magazine Pty Ltd Level 35 International Tower One 100 Barangaroo Ave Sydney NSW 2000

ALL MAIL PO Box 7781 Norwest NSW 2153 Australia

Copyright © eYs Magazine Pty Ltd 2021 All Rights Reserved.

DISCLAIMER

eYs Magazine has made constant care to make sure that the content is accurate on the date of publication.

The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher and editor. The published material, advertisements, editorials and all other content is published in good faith. eYs Magazine cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by this website, publication and errors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers.

All content in eYs Magazine may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of eYs Magazine. It’s contributors cannot accept any liability for reader discontent arising from the editorial features. eYs Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit this material before publishing. eYs Magazine cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to provided materials. We accept no liability for misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the contents of these pages. In this publication, you might find links to websites, third-party content and advertising. By using our website, you acknowledge that and agree that eYs Magazine cannot be held responsible and shall not be liable for the content of other websites, advertisements and other resources.

By using this site, you agree to all terms and conditions listed above. If you have any questions about this policy, you may contact us.

3 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE

THE DAY I DECIDED I COULD, I AM, AND I DID!!

I

am always asked what does leadership look like for you, who is your inspiration and what motivates you to get up, get dressed and do the impossible?

We all have different motivations that inspire us to challenge ourselves at the helm of what we do. A leader’s strength is understanding what it means to be grounded. The ability to stay positive and listen to the needs of others, set goals, learn from challenges and stay motivated to the end. Never give up and redirect their sails when things aren’t working out.

Everything is possible when we commit and dedicate ourselves to deliver and mentor the Champions who surround us. Learn from each other and support what they bring to the table. Never replace kindness for anything less and remain true to yourself. Our life skills and experience are the core values and ingredients behind our success.

The reward and ability to change others’ lives is PRICELESS!!!

My entire life, all I wanted to do is create MAGIC. It was always about celebrating others’ achievements, milestones and lifechanging gestures that millions of us do every single day behind the scenes with no expectations for anything in return. They are

4 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

the game-changers that create change in our world and slide under the radar because they aren’t a celebrity, a politician or a media influencer. It is these people who go above and beyond for our underprivileged communities, under-supported groups and individuals, the voices unheard and the people who have lost hope.

In this edition, we celebrate eYs Magazine’s 3rd birthday, since our first launch in 2018. In the three years we have won an accolade of awards in many categories, established an international publishing firm in the International Towers of Barangaroo, Sydney, Australia, and just recently launched our subsidiary, eYs SDGs World Council.

We have recognised thousands from around the world and provided a voice to be loud and proud of. We dedicated our birthday edition to our unsung heroes, the children. We thank the children and community, Tokens of Life Uganda and are honoured to feature our gorgeous heroes on the front cover. A special mention to our mentor Nassaazi Theopista (in blue), a widow, who creates hope and helps these children find their purpose through education, mentorship and love. Alongside her is and Kabahemba Claire Gift (in red), who is a Champion for girl child empowerment, an active

and empower individuals, groups and organisations to prosper and grow while committed to our purpose and people-centred ethos and reinvesting back into the community. Our primary purpose is to inspire, inform, and connect people around the world to do meaningful work and create an opportunity for the voices of our world. We thank our volunteers for their hard work and dedication and the wonderful, caring way in which they provide their time.

Join us as we recognise, celebrate, and thank volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives We action and demand that governments, corporations and individuals stay committed to the 17 Global SDGs by 2030. Help us RAISE YOUR VOICE for OUR PLANET! I couldn’t have achieved any of this without my team. It is them who are MY HEROES! To our readers, thank you for supporting us and sharing our milestones along the way. Without your love and support we wouldn’t be here.

humanitarian and loves the world of fashion. The children (from left). Nassuuna Maria Assumpta, Nabunje Flavia Gift, Akomolot Patricia, and Matovu Jordan.

Despite the set challenges through a global pandemic our biggest gift for eYs Magazine was to see the glimmer of hope and beautiful smiles on our children’s faces. Their strong belief, one we should all be reminded of, that if you smile at the at the world, the world will smile back at you.

Also, celebrating this edition we introduce you to some incredible game changers throughout the world such as Ivan Mircevski, Aleksandar Kimov, Izabela Sokolovska, Rose Ilioski, Jade Chapman, Eleanor Parker Sapia, Kimberley Coleman, Gabriela Ming, Lumbie Mlambo, Kez Whickam St George and Alessia Piemonte who have taken the world by storm through their creative gift to inspire, motivate and empower our global community for change. And we are in for a special treat from your favourite eYs Contributors who have once again raise the bar.

You are NOT alone We are in this TOGETHER Happy 3rd Birthday eYs Magazine

Jasmina Siderovski CEO and Editor-in-Chief eYs Magazine

eYs Magazine. believes the media play a crucial role in informing the public about issues of interest and universal access to information through the freedom of the press. We support the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and our global community of diverse and hardworking creators and changemakers.

We feel lucky to be part of a united vision where the role of humanitarians and philanthropy is simplified by generosity and kindness, empowering our vulnerable communities to shine. This is essential in shaping our society and achieving the global vision and mission for a sustainable future and the 17 SDGs. eYs Magazine continues to create the voice for a sustainable world and highlight the importance of peace and growth. We celebrate

5 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

COVER FEATURE

ST PAULS NURSERY SCHOOL UGANDA

A

s eYs Magazine celebrates their 3rd Birthday we dedicated our Cover to the children of our world. The children on the front cover are pictured in front of St Pauls Nursery School Uganda. These children require essential basic resources toward their education and well-being, and we urge the international community to help the community through much needed essentials.

6 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

All proceeds will go toward books and stationery, backpacks, and educational resources. The pandemic has been a challenge faced by the global community and especially in vulnerable communities such as these.

The children’s smiles are a reminder of Hope in a time we all feel so lost, their beautiful smiles are a promise that the

world is smiling back at them. Let’s make their smiles count. A Facebook donation page has been established where you can change the lives of these children.

Please go to https://www.facebook.com/ donate/546100313306185 and pledge your donation today or contact Jasmina Siderovski e-mail: info@eysmagazine. com.au

7 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

eYs CHILD

8 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

Hayden Auntie Kwabia Photography: Biney's Art 9 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

TOKENS OF LIFE UGANDA

‘WHEN I WAS 10 MY STEPMOTHER TRICKED ME IN TO SETTING MYSELF ON FIRE – BUT I FORGIVE HER!’ Story by Christopher Mukasa

Aisha Nabukeera shares how she found peace after suffering burns over 80 per cent of her body.

Warning: there are distressing images ahead

“I experienced child abuse. I am now a child activist and leader of the Aisha Nabukeera Foundation, which advocates for children’s rights and assists survivors of child abuse in Uganda.”

A

lmost 15 years ago, the public was awash with news of a young Aisha Nabukeera allegedly burnt by her stepmother. Then, she couldn’t stand the immense pain and the mere look at her deep wounds around the chest, hands and fingers. Today, she smiles at her past life after beating all odds to overcome the emotional and physical violence inflicted onto her.

Aisha Nabukeera about this interview, her quick response was a striking surprise.

10 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

“It’s very fine. I am very strong now,” Nabukeera said, bursting into laughter.

“If it’s about violence and children, let’s meet and talk. I hope my story will inspire other survivors or children undergoing violent situations.”

I thought the interview would be punctuated with tears, but my guess was wrong. “I have moved on. I have come to appreciate the scars on my body; no more crying, and I’m thankful to God for everything,” the 25-year-old narrates.

Nabukeera is now a bubbly, confident and soft-speaking young lady. And though her life story has been a sorrowful one, she narrates her journey with ease. While her heart has moved on, sad memories of the night of February 6, 2006, still vividly live with her.

“It was around 7pm when my stepmother sent me to buy paraffin for our lamp. When I came back, she gave me a new long-sleeved dress that stretched slightly below the knees to put on,” she recalls.

When Nabukeera interjected that the dress stinks of Petrol, the stepmother gave her a cold look.

“She just barked at me to put on the dress, nevertheless. She was a very tough woman,” she says in a low tone.

Later, she ordered her children to move out of the house, and Nabukeera to light the lamp. As soon as she lit the lamp with her right hand – which bears more deep scars to date – flames engulfed her.

The puzzled Primary Six girl screamed for help, but no one came to her rescue until she found her way out of the house.

“As I headed for the well behind our house, a man dressed in an Arsenal jersey came and put out the fire. My stepmother later came with a bucket of water and poured it on me,” she recalls.

Later, Nabukeera and her biological mother were abandoned in hospital by her father.

To her, this was the most traumatizing moment. She poses a question: “Have you ever been in a situation, and you don’t know what to expect the next day?” She asks all those who are undergoing violent situations, to rethink whatever they do.

11 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

“My mother was so poor and had no money to pay for my medication. I know many children are going through the same and others have not yet recovered from violence but that’s not the end of the world. Your life is more important, and you will make it,” she says.

“The scars are the reminders of what I have been through, but they will not dictate where I am going.”

TURNING POINTS After two years of undergoing treatment and later flown out of the country – thanks to businessman Frank Gashumba who mobilized the funding – Nabukeera was set to resume school again.

This time, she changed from Nyendo Public School in Masaka District to City Parents School in Kampala where she completed primary seven in 2008. She says many people counselled her to accept her new looks, focus on her studies and look forward to the future.

“Sometimes, I would feel like being alone, but Uncle Frank has always been there for me. He told me my scars shouldn’t determine my future. Today, I believe these scars are now a blessing in disguise,” she says.

Her resolve to resume school together with hard work caught the attention of the late Prof Lawrence Mukiibi who gave her a sixyear scholarship; she joined senior one at St Lawrence School, Horizon campus in 2009.

Nabukeera says a positive attitude took center stage to win Gashumba’s heart and other well-wishers who offered her support.

During her senior six vacation in 2014, Nabukeera disclosed to Gashumba that she wanted to try something she called “Odd and New” by contesting in the Miss Uganda beauty pageant 2015/16.

“I was bored and wanted something to cheer me up. One time at home, I asked Sheila [Gashumba’s daughter] whether I would make it. I was worried that Ugandans would insult me because of my scars, but she encouraged me to pick the forms and try my luck,” she says.

12 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

“I knew Miss Uganda usually has very pretty girls with nice bodies; however, I didn’t join to win, but to inspire other people like me who had lost hope.”

True, the insults at Nabukeera came through but that gave her the zeal to work hard. She made it into the top 21 girls headed for the boot camp before emerging among the top 10 at the grand finale; she also scooped an award for the Miss Rising Woman at the pageant.

During the boot camp, she says, the only difference with other contestants was the visible scars but she remained focused, looked elegant and perfected everything.

“If your body is deformed, it can be a turn-off to other people, but it should be your strongest point. Use every opportunity before you to shame whoever makes you feel small,” she advises.

After the pageant, Nabukeera joined Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono in 2015 to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration.

AISHA NABUKEERA FOUNDATION She preferred this course because her aim was to study anything related to engaging with communities.

“I am here because of people’s support. I owe a lot to Ugandans, the media and people abroad. Even those who didn’t know me helped me and I want to do the same,” she adds.

It was around this time that she started Aisha Nabukeera Foundation aimed at advocating children’s rights and assisting survivors. She kicked off activities with visiting schools and engaged in community awareness. However, at some point, she couldn’t juggle foundation activities and studies; she put the former on hold.

RESPECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Graduating from UCU recently was another dream come true in her life.

In a bid to protect children’s rights, Nabukeera urges governments all over the world to strengthen penalties on persons who violate children’s rights as well as sensitize communities on the bad results of child abuse and how to overcome it. She says oftentimes when children’s rights are abused, responsible authorities don’t take serious action, which gives room to other perpetrators to violate their rights.

“On graduation, I saw my mother cry. When my name was read, I screamed and proudly walked to the front. Some people thought I wouldn’t make it, but I thank God, I made it. I was not favored in any way because of the sad history but worked hard to attain my degree.”

“In my case, my stepmother is still walking scot-free. Investigations were done and got stuck along the way. Uncle Frank tried his best to go back to court but in vain. When Kale Kayihura was Inspector General of Uganda Police, he ordered for reinvestigation, but nothing materialized,” Nabukeera says.

Her mother, who had thought of taking away their lives then, today believes she has a strong pillar in her life. “Whenever I visit her, she doesn’t believe how far we have come. She is a single mother and low-earning businesswoman who encourages me to work hard and take care of my five other siblings that were abandoned by my father,” she says.

She advises children to refrain from being tight-lipped whenever their rights are abused. If one fails to get assistance from their close relatives, they should talk to neighbours or nearby authorities. To parents, she calls for equal attention to their children, whether they live in polygamous or monogamous families.

As her search for a job continues, she is optimistic that employment will soon knock from one of the several NGOs where she has applied. Currently, she is mobilizing funds to support her foundation and as well as volunteering with Tokens of Life Uganda as a Social Worker.

13 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

THE ARTS

IZABELA SOKOLOVSKA Artisan Game Changer, on a Mission to Shape the Future of Artisan’s Interview by Jasmina Siderovski

“To be happy. When you make someone else happy it makes you happy as well.” – Izabela Sokolovska

C

an you please tell our readers about your background and life growing up?

I was born and raised in Skopje Macedonia. Before I start to go to school, my mom thought me how to do knitting and embroidery. I loved it and always have been keen to handcrafting. I grew up in Skopje, where I studied French language and literature and right after that I started to work on a cruise ship and yacht. I have visited a lot of countries and exotic places. I had an opening of my spirit seeing all the different cultures and meeting wonderful people.

One of the things I loved most were the products made by the local artisans. For example, in Bali the wood carving and knitted bags were one of my favourites. After I came home, which is ten years ago, in one of the most boring periods of my life, I started doing quilling. It is a craft really contagious and once you start it you cannot stop it.

14 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

At that time, there were no tools or materials in Macedonia neither a workshop where I could’ve not learned everything. That is when it all started. I have faced many challenges and struggles. This was ten years ago I started to develop my artisan’s skill and I found myself wanting to make it my way of life, as an artisan. I wanted to turn this work into my livelihood but unfortunately hand-made products here are not that highly rated and it is difficult to survive by making them. You need to work another career and create handmade products as a hobby. But I wanted to turn this work into my profession. I visited many bazars at the time and depending on the time of year the bazars sometimes were already full or were very expensive to take part in. So, I decided to organise one of my own and rented a hall in a big hotel and accepted everyone who wanted to participate and sell their products.

Is there any particular moment or memory that stands out for you?

I have many that defined the course of my life. I would choose now the first bazaar that I have organized. The first time about 60 people wanted to participate, which is quite a lot as normally the biggest bazars here have up to 30 artisans. It was like Christmas magic – it was in the month of December.

After that, it had been several months, and I quit my day job and dedicated myself to continue in this direction. I founded the non-profit Creative Macedonia, and I organised many bazaars after that. At the bazar there were a group of artisans who contacted me and asked me if I could help a woman who makes candles join the bazar. This woman was a mother of two children with disabilities. I agreed to help her and let her join the bazar without charging her, so I gave her a free table.

Now the word spread about this and there were lots of people with disabilities such as Down Syndrome who were vulnerable and were not able to join the existing bazars. And I welcomed them free of charge and promoted them big time. And

I felt that this was something that needed to be done – how to support this group of people – artisans and especially this group of disadvantaged people.

What was your key driving force to become a social enterprise entrepreneur?

When I started to organize the bazaars, I received many applications from artisans.

Amongst them were a group of people that had more challenges than the others, people who fought cancer, single parents, people with disabilities, with Down syndrome. I knew how hard it was for me to start and develop and I could not imagine how these people were able to create such amazing work. I supported their participation in the bazaars and the happiness and the help to showcase their products was something that really was necessary for them, and it made them happy and something that they needed really much. The social model developed naturally. Being an artisan is quite a challenge. It takes a lot of courage and a lot to invest in it. Macedonia is a really small country, and the craftsmanship is not at its best to be able to live on it. I formed

the social model in a way that all the profit from Esnaf, goes back to developing the disadvantaged people. They will be able to learn new crafts, develop new products and designs and at last, they will have a place to sell the work and provide income.

I started the social enterprise to be able to do what I love – quilling – and make a living out of this. Of course, now that I am running the social enterprise, I actually have very little time to do any quilling as I am very busy I am looking forward to being able to do more of that again once we become sustainable.

Now for me working with these people, and the happiness and support they receive and their gratefulness for being for instance able to pay for things like therapy for family members with disabilities, this is what makes you feel that you are doing 100% the right thing. I quit a highly paid job and haven’t made any income for the last two years doing this. I am financing this, but the happiness and the fulfilment is on another level. No money can buy that.

So that is why I wanted to create this social enterprise. To be happy. When you make someone else happy it makes you happy as well.

15 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

How did you come up with the name for your company - Esnaf?

them to have it as a way of life and to be happy is the most important thing.

It is a quite interesting story I have been brainstorming and exploring and finding the best word to describe what it is all about for about three months. Esnaf means Guild. It is a community of artisans.

Unfortunately, the domain esnaf.com was not available (it is on sale for 10 000 USD), and I was sad not be able to build it under that name. My mentor, Blaze Arizanov, who is a successful entrepreneur, find out that the domain esnaf.eu was available and the moment I found out, I went straight to buy it! I was jumping of happiness on street Macedonia when this was happening. There is now better way to describe a community of artisans who present themselves under one brand.

When I see a person’s way of going through difficulties that are eased by being part of Esnaf, it is a pleasure of the soul and a true satisfaction in my work.

What was the most important lesson you learned building a brand?

It is all about the people. I am lucky now to be surrounded by amazing successful women and man who are familiar with what I do, and they are always here when I am having difficulties. The most important lesson is to do something that you believe in and be surrounded by the right people.

This is the only way to be successful and be able to be the change and make the change you want to see in the society.

What motivates you?

Everyday life, every detail I am surrounded. It became my instinct and passion in my daily life to find inspiration in nature, when I play with my son, when I travel to a different place. I really love every single artisan’s story. Many of them have started to create because they have fought different battles in their life. They find they joy and healing through creating handmade stuff. Providing a solution for 16 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

women taking part like Tamara Kotevska - Co-Director of Honeyland, Elizabeta Gjorgjievska – the First Lady, Biliana Angelova - Bulgarian Ambassadors wife, Rachel Galloway -Great Britain’s Ambassador, Danela Arsovska - President of Macedonian Chambers of Commerce, Ida Manton - International Negotiations Trainer at Teaching International Negotiations, and also a mother of a beautiful girl with Down Syndrome, Biljana Markovikj Stamenova - Founder and Managing Partner at PrimePoint Partners Macedonia, Stefani Taskova Miteva - Global Co-Chair, Generation M young Maceodnian Leaders. This initiative is something I am really proud of.

You can check the video of Beti on this link: https://www.facebook.com/ vidivakamedia/videos/2556517971324486

How do you generate new ideas?

What are your ideals?

It happens while doing everyday work.

My brain is constantly working, and it can have happened while having a regular conversation, sharing a thought and just like that. Being surrounded with all the artworks from more than 100 people is really inspiring and it is a way to learn and grow every day. Different combinations and products are true inspiration. The ideas are limitless. Every day a new customer joining is a new idea for a product. I am really happy and satisfied when I imagine something and the next thing it is a reality.

My ideals are really something I hold on to when I make everyday decisions. I believe that we can succeed in anything we can imagine, be leaded by true moral values against doing unjust things. I have a difficult time promoting the non-profit since it is fully self-sustainable and my private personal investment to start my dream. I am struggling to position on a different level as a personal story amongst the highly funded grant and project organisations who haven’t done any change over the years. I believe and I am driven that Esnaf can be self-sustainable and bring a lot to improve people’s lives and drive the local economy in its own pace. Every project and grant after it finishes, their story has a due date.

I believe that Esnaf is a story that will last a lifetime and truly change people’s life.

One example of that is the initiative, Unstoppable”. While talking on the phone with the mother of Elizabeta Petkovska, amazing and creative lady who has a Down Syndrome and is doing crocheted works, she told me that Beti is at home for a year and all she does is knitting nonstop. That she needs a direction or anything that will change her daily routines. At the moment I started searching online for something that she could do and that Esnaf would buy from her, and I decided for it to be bracelet, and the name Unstoppable. Then what to do with the bracelet, I wanted to share her story and the way she supports her therapy by crocheting and selling her stuff.

The bracelets we give to successful women who make a real change in the society so they can promote Unstoppable.

The initiative took of a huge success and people started to respond and recognise Beti’s work and her story. We had many

How do you define success?

On one side is the accomplishment of the thing I set to do. I have always followed my instinct and feelings. On the other side, success for me is to find your own way of being happy, without having to comply to the standards set by the society.

It takes a lot of courage and determination while making a progress. Surpassing the problems and challenges that come along every day without giving up. A true success with a meaning that will impact positively my life and also the life of others.

Greatest success is when I see smile and joy in people because of what I do. When

I receive a call that they make it thanks to Esnaf. When I see, people being inspired to start crafting and open a store themselves.

It means that we grow. It means that what I believe is something that is true and that it can be real. I believe in Esnaf. I live Esnaf.

I am proud that people believe in Esnaf!

If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?

I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything that I have been through has led to another and that is why I am here where I am. It is not something that happens overnight. It has been growing and maturing until it was the time for It to happened. Well, maybe I would invest differently right before the pandemic happens.

When I founded Creative Macedonia, I was driven by passion and enthusiasm without having a reality check on how to do things better and calculate the risks. After opening Esnaf, we had only 3 months of existence and we had to shut down because of Covid.

I am grateful for every happy experience and every lesson that I have learned along the way. It has a deep meaning and reflects on the plans for the future. I have learned to find the good in every kind of thing that happens.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

The people I work every day. My inspiration are the amazing women I am happy to work with and develop Esnaf. Every single one of them is my true inspiration and a motivation. Marijana, Biljana, Suzana, Stefani, different designers and artisans. I see their everyday stories and how they do and manage everything. I know what I have been through a lot, and I wish that I can solve everything and bring more creativity and happiness in them. I hope to show what we can do it here in Macedonia.

Third what I would love to change is the mindset of people. I want them to believe in themselves and believe that they can change the world for the better.

Stop the online hatred and having them look inside and be better persons. Our life on this world is short and we should spend it wisely and happy. Not to share hatred and negative but positive thought and encouraging others.

What do you consider to be some of your greatest achievements?

Bringing Esnaf to life. If I had a penny for every single time I heard, that will not work”, I would be having Esnaf stores around the globe by now. I truly believe that by developing Esnaf I will be able to bring more artisans on board, develop more successful stories of people finding their way of happy life. It is a lot of hard work to educate the artisans, to understand the business model and promote it as such.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I wish I could do have more spare time. I am balancing between my work, I work three days a week, the rest I am home and be with my family. I love to do walks in the nature, visit different places. I have inspirations and creations that are building up in me over the years that I hope one they will see the light of the day.

Links https://www.esnaf.eu/ https://www.facebook.com/esnafeu/ https://www.instagram.com/esnaf_eu/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/esnafeu/

If you had a magic stick, which are the three things you would change in the world?

Stop the pandemic!

Stop the pollution! I want to have everything produced environmentally friendly.

17 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

THE ARTS

MY MATRYOSHKA DOLLS STORY

By Maya Apostoloska

S

ometimes we cannot correctly value the art, the objects and the things we are doing because of many reasons or being overwhelmed by subjectivity. When an artist creates art, he cannot predict if he is creating a masterpiece. It needs time to read or recognize the secret meaning we are painting or drawing. I have a sketchbook, primarily for drawing while I am talking on the phone. In the moments when our ideas brighten up the light of our thoughts and everything seems to have a sense of knowledge, ecstasy and beauty on the canvas, the moment of internal peace.

We must distance ourselves, so I leave the canvas overnight because in the morning the painting always looks different. The finishing touches can be done afterwards, sometimes maybe after days, years…

Since I have moved to my new house, I became good friends with the neighbour from number 12 - the mysterious Mr. Willem De Witt. He is brilliant, wise and

18 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

sharp in his words, has blue eyes, always styled white hair and is 93 years old. In the last four months, we have built up a beautiful friendship. His wife passed away in 2015 and since then he lives alone in this enormous house. His two sons and one daughter visit him almost every week.

Willem’s wife was an artist just like me, and he used to work the same job as my husband. We have so much in common.

When I asked him how she died, he just told me she was threadbare and old.

When I went for the first time to visit his house, I didn’t expect to see so much heritage in their home. I recognized a reach small museum, a stunning private collection of artworks. There were many paintings, aquarelles, prints, sculptures, original sewn art pieces… There was art everywhere, on the walls, between the books, in the hall, even pieces on the ground. Amazed by that beauty, I needed

to sit down on the red chair to take a deep breath. Willem lent me the book catalogue of their private collection where besides reproductions were also described the stories about purchasing the art pieces.

That’s how I started borrowing books from his library. There were over 150 artist pieces in house numbered 12 at Franklin.

D. Rooseveltlaan in Rijswijk, collected from artists from the entire world. I was speechless.

From the décor in the house and the buildin lift chair on the stairs, I realised that someone from the family was an invalid.

For the last seven years, his wife Wies De Witt was bedridden, and she couldn’t create any art. On the upper floor were the studio and all untouched paintings, brushes, and pallets from his wife. Cantered in the studio at the painting monkey was her last painting of yellow-orange flowers surrounded by a dark purple background.

Willem brought strawberries two times to our door, chocolate cakes for my children, many handmade letters and postcards for the occasions and fest days, a bouquet of 150cm long flowersthat is not Dutch behaviour, but a reflection of his character. Mr De Witt is a typical Dutch at our meetings only. He has been working as a leader and Director in the Architectural Building Company, Beton, Holland. Willem is always prepared and very well organized at all our meetings. He has his brown handbag and handwritten notes on paper that he would like to show me or discuss. We always plan our appointments with an agenda, even though we are separated by a few houses on the same street.

Sometimes, I see him walking outside, passing my house on the street with or without his walking stick; (and I can see that because in Holland it’s not common to cover the enormous windows on the ground floor of the house with curtains because we do not have to hide); I am thrilled to invite him to come inside my home or in the garden to have a coffee, tea or even rose wine.

In a spontaneous meeting, there was one of my old sketchbooks laying at the table. He asked if he could have a look. Of course, I said and let him look at it while I was preparing the cappuccino.

He saw a sketch of my Matryoshka Dolls I made in early 2008. It was not very significant to me, not until that day. He asked if he could borrow it and make a copy. He took the sketch, finished his coffee and went almost running to his house. He was so fast the landscape view of the trees crossing the highway disappeared. I think he was not feeling comfortable at all, and I was right.

After a few weeks he showed me a letter he wrote to his friend Wenda- an artist from Amsterdam. The letter was handwritten, referencing the copy of my sketch with the Matryoshkas. Willem was explaining my story in his words. He wrote in the letter: “There is the Matryoshka nesting doll Maya-the mother.

Matryoshka dolls traditionally depict a mother carrying her children within her, representing fertility-carrying on the family legacy through the child in their womb. Because the dolls are associated with family and fertility the Matryoshka on the sketch has got 5 children. Three are healthy boys and two were miscarriage abortions. As the Matrushka opens where the belly is to give birth to the smaller dolls, that way Maya’s C-sections are.”

Beautiful, simple and realistic interpretation of my life through my art. That is the biggest price for one artist- when the art piece is provocative. My sketch created a story of feelings by the observatory person and returned me in time, reminding me of the warm love I own and have. Love for my children and my art.

The sketch has become so much more valued because of the story.

I am honoured to have been already asked by Willem De Witt to paint him a painting of this sketch and became a piece of stone for his mosaic art collection. I will be thrilled to do that for him and for myself too.

I wish everyone has one Willem in their life. Someone who can teach you and listen to you.

19 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

DECORATE

LOU LOU LIVING PANDEMIC PINK. PINK THE SOOTHING COLOUR OF 2021 TO CREATE CALM

By Pamela Dalseno

Hi

everyone, as times passes, we all realise that the Pandemic is still creating havoc across our world, and we all need to find the best way through. Hope you are well and as happy as possible.

There have been so many ways that many of us deal with present life to find improvement. Can you relate to a Colour having influence? Can you believe that pink has been such a favoured colour in home decorating this Pandemic 2021?

Let us have a chat about it from my personal view. Pink is traditionally a colour of youth, the good of health and perhaps

20 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

the nurturing of femininity. That perhaps is said, however most of us think pink is a gorgeous pretty colour and may not think anything more or have most likely never allowed it to influence ourselves and our life. It is foremost in my mind as the colour used for the movement to support breast cancer research. It is also said that it is representing the colour of universal love of oneself and of others. I know I will never tire of the colour, and it will be a favourite for me way beyond this Pandemic.

This all leads to pink and Covid-19 and to how we can relate to a Colour having influence. Many Aussie (Australia)

homeowners have sought soothe of pink during this Pandemic which has seen a change in domestic makeover. The Pandemic has influenced for many reasons and many homes have been given attention and changes due to lockdowns, changes in work situations and just the realisation that home is precious. Prior to the Pandemic darker hues were very popular but of recent times the light colours and especially pink colours provoke a cosy and positive feeling to our home spaces. Who doesn’t wish to have these feelings of comfortable living in this present situation that we all face day by day? Perhaps it is time to try it yourself.

The fact that many have faced cancellation of overseas travel of their holidays has created a shift of money by many Australians to spend on home improvement instead of the lavish holidays that had been planned. This in turn created increased business for home improvement suppliers. Many of our residents have now become workspaces as well as living spaces so many have made changes to their homes as we also spent more time there and wanted, needed and reached out for more comfort with that feeling of security.

Pink in any hue has always been a favourite colour of mine with the pale and softer blush of pink an overall favoured hue as it brings a feeling of calm. Did you know that a paint colour can impact on our feelings and even create change to our mood and processing life differently? White has been a most favoured colour choice of Lou Lou Living clients because it is a neutral, however there are many that do love pink and have made the change and this colour should never be underestimated.

Instead of the colour pink being thought of as femininity and beauty it can be so much more in your home as colour of furniture and accessories. Lou Lou Living knows as clients have fallen in love with pink painted upstyled furniture. You don’t need to paint walls if you feel it may not be to your liking but be game just the same. Where can we find how pink works for us? Is it in the petals of a beautiful vase of roses, could it be in our accessories of a gorgeous throw, cushions or crockery? I personally adore throws to change and enhance a space and to have there to snuggle with if needed and with pink did you know that pink is definitely a mood regulator to your senses. In saying that balance is important as if used in excess it can be draining. Choose the pale pinks for more soothe.

In writing and sharing this with you it’s realised that this colour is not for everyone, however if you are willing to trial it in your home decor it can embrace a totally new vibe. Are you thinking

PINK now? Life and our time are precious, it is not a rehearsal so why not see what can evoke from a change for your home space after all it’s easy to change, it’s only paint and a few accessories that can make such a difference. I leave you with this thought of ...... Why not try change!

Lou Lou Living wishes you all safety, health and happiness ahead until the next eYs Magazine Edition. Always each day at a time with a smile even when it seems insurmountable as we all step towards caring for each other and to progress our way through Covi-19. Pam x

21 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

CREATE

THINGS OF STONE AND WOOD

By Anita Roe From Rachelle Roe Studio

W

elcome back to our loyal EYS readers and hello new supporters. Each of you motivates us to creatively roll forward and share our journey along the way. It’s exciting to see new team members and watching the content grow. Every edition boasts something new and intriguing to look forward to.

I continue to enjoy handcrafting and designing new jewellery for my clients and the Toowoomba climate provides the opportunity for definitive seasonal styles.

With the cooler months approaching, I decided on a jewellery and fashion theme to suit our gorgeous Autumn/ Winter season here in Toowoomba, Queensland. Our parks and gardens put on a spectacular display whilst the trees shed their gold and bronze layers, leaving a textured carpet of natural sheer beauty.

To compliment the season, I chose wood and stone elements in general teamed with silky tassels and subtle colours to compliment such textures.

The results were above and beyond my expectations.

I reached back out to fashion stylist and business owner Aaliyah of A’lia Collective and in perfect harmony we chose some incredible garments to compliment both my jewellery and the style of the clothing we decided on. The mixture of cotton, linen and both crisp and earthy colours produced the style I was looking for.

Cherie, owner and artisan of The Flower Grocer, contributed by creating the most beautiful, dried flower bouquet.

Our look was then complete and ready to be showcased by local models Kaitlyn Hele and Madeline Armit.

22 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

My location of choice was Spring Bluff railway station, which is nestled in the most beautiful setting and just a few kilometres from my home.

The leaves had already begun to fall and carpet the ground and the rock escarpment made for a superb backdrop. This day was nature at its best.

Rachel, my resident makeup artist and owner of Rachel’s Beauty, wove her magic and created two very different looks for Kaitlyn and Madeline. The warm and earthy tones melted into this season’s theme and complemented our vision.

Creating with stone and wood predominantly was such an experience. I love the idea that gemstones come in all different shapes, colours and textures and teamed with wood and robust chain works so well. Mossy green and shiny bronze tones make such a statement against crisp white and with turquoise in the mix, we created a little colour pop.

I absolutely love getting behind the lens of the camera and bringing everything to light. The entire experience of a collaborative photo shoot is exciting from the start and there really is no finish as the images and culture lives beyond the day we all prepared for.

Thanks again for your support of our dynamic magazine. You can always rely on discovering something new, unique and real in every edition.

Until next time, please stay safe and well and don’t forget to like EYS Magazine on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Special thanks to the following contributors for “Stone and Wood”

If you haven’t already had the chance to visit my new website, be sure to check in. Navigation is very easy, and you can visually experience how the jewellery looks when worn, via my “Lookbook” page www.rachelleroe.com.au

Fashion: Aaliyah - A’lia Collective

I will be bold and let you in on a little secret to be revealed next edition. As we speak, I am working on a brand-new collection with a like-minded team of jewellery designers who handcraft elements to my personal requests. I am already excited about sharing my new pieces in the next EYS edition.

Models: Kaitlyn Hele and Madeline Armit

Bouquet: Cherie - The Flower Grocer Makeup: Rachel - Rachel’s Beauty Jewellery and Photography: Anita - Rachelle Roe Studio

23 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

INSPIRE

IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.

By Cosette Awad

I

Once, someone told me “You’re funny; who hurt you?” And I realized that not every time we take the pain and cry, sometimes it’s the opposite. We wear our smiles and pretend that the world around us isn’t falling apart. I thought when we lie “that white lie” and we say, “I’m okay.” when we aren’t, it’s heavier than telling the truth but we still don’t want to worry the people we love.

some are strong at the broken places.” No one is born to endure pain, but we live we learn and life will give us more hardships and we will survive them all so we can reach our goals and dreams, and it’s from a personal opinion I’m talking, because of everything that happened to me, all the tragedies, all the losses, everything I wished for that I didn’t need and didn’t as much as the ones that happened, that lead me to where I am now, for being halfway through where I need to be in the future.

We adapt; we cope with pain, each one in his own way, some of us bury our wounds, and some of us show them and grow. We hide, but never from ourselves. We don’t have to be strong all the time, we are allowed to break down and fall apart. As Hemmingway said, “The world breaks everyone, and afterward,

It’s okay to not want to move from bed for a day or two, to want to be left alone for a while, to process grief, a break-up, to have to say goodbye over and over again to people in our lives, the pain of losing someone is indescribable, who doesn’t have painful experiences?

But they are memories now, we

t’s okay to not be okay.

I’ve heard this a thousand times.

24 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

fight to get through them, and we live. Adapting to change needs courage. Some days I’m on the urge of giving up, and some days I fight even more.

Have I made it alone? No, it was always the people around me, and the inspiring people I read about, the series and documentaries I watched, books I held so dear.

Everything in life inspired me, but it wasn’t always this way, sometimes I didn’t want to hear a sound, I couldn’t look at a screen, and I didn’t want to understand that it’s not constant what I’m feeling, that no one is unbreakable, and we all called ourselves defeated at least once in this life. At times nothing makes sense, not even when someone tells us that everything will be okay. We question ourselves a thousand times, “How will it be, okay? How can I survive this? You

are a warrior, of course, you will survive this, and you are not allowed to give up on your life because you don’t know what to do, it’s okay to pause for a while, but it’s never okay to stop. Whenever something happens in our lives, we think that this is it, we panic we fall and we don’t realize that nothing is permanent, that every pain we feel starts big and get smaller with time, we adapt to change, that’s human nature, but we also want sometimes to stay in our comfort zone. We choose how to live it’s not always the circumstances.

Sometimes we make that call and we prepare ourselves for a better tomorrow because no matter how hard it is, it shall pass because time takes care of everything.

It’s too dangerous to think that the world will not get better, because that also means that our life will not get better, and this is not true. Not looking forward to a better future and avoiding certain events to happen because we are afraid of failure is not living as well.

With all the choices we make, come consequences, it’s better to fail instead of not trying at all, because what’s wrong with falling and stumbling, with making mistakes and getting hurt. It’s okay to not have to overcome everything. We can pick up ourselves later, but always choose to not sit around and say It won’t get better, so I’ll just let life pass me by. I know sometimes that theories are easy; giving advice too, but sometimes when we deliver a message that the person in front can understand, it’s the ultimate help that we can give.

Sometimes not asking if they are okay and observing and waiting for the right moment to tell them to hang in there, not telling them to stop crying and lend them a shoulder to cry on, is the greatest decision to make, because when they are in the middle of a crises nothing, we can tell makes sense to them, and it’s hard to console them because they tend to lie that they are okay. And these days we’re all going through something, the pandemic, and the global economic crises on a personal level people are struggling with.

Sometimes someone can trust us with their pain and started telling us their story, as human beings we all make our pain bigger than others, when they say they are in pain we tell them “You should see what I’m going through.” This is wrong, so wrong, nobody’s pain is less important than ours. We should learn to listen

more, and sometimes they don’t need advice; they just need someone to hear their stories. Some things can’t be solved, but it hurts less when we share them with someone who cares about us. And for me, the thought of knowing that I am not alone in this gives me a sense of comfort every time.

We’re all trying hard to be okay, and people grow when we trust they will get through anything, when we believe that they already survived everything they been through so why not, now. Sometimes only the love we have for them can save them.

Life doesn’t always give us answers, and it’s nearly impossible to know everything.

Photographer: Omar Adawiyeh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adawieh_ photography Omar Ali https://www.instagram.com/omaarali11 Models: Pablo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablo_gfar 25 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

MENTOR

DR JOHN HARRISON Education Influencer, Philosopher, Polymath, Writer, Humanitarian, and a Counselor

HARRISON speaks ……….

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

P

rayer brings out the divinity in us. It awakens spirituality within us. Prayer makes us find favor with God. God has promised to use anyone who is willing to pay the price, and the price is prayer. Time spend with God in prayer is the price.

God hides Himself from us because He expects us to seek Him. The longer and the more we seek Him, the lesser the flesh (worldly things) remains in us. Prayer is the heavenly and spiritual function of our prayer life. It is communion with God. Absence of prayer opens the door to evil in our life. Prayer keeps the door closed. If we are prayer less, the devil becomes strong.

If we are prayerful, the devil becomes weak. When we do not pray, we empower the devil. When we do pray, we empower God. The more we pray, the more of God will be poured in our lives. If you want to resemble God, spend more time in prayer.

Every time we pray, we breathe in God and breathe out the flesh. The more I pray, the more the flesh dies and withers away.

Prayer denies the flesh.

We can defeat sin in our lives only through prayer. We cannot fight sin without prayer.

We will win only if we pray or else, we will lose. Praying everyday activates God’s power and presence in your life.

Prayer fulfills the promises of God. If God has promised you something then He will wait on us to pray and ask, it will not happen until we pray. It happens only when we pray. After that, he says he will do it. God will never force us to pray. It is up to us whether we want to be strong or weak. He never helps us to pray but he helps us while we pray.

Being sleepless unto prayer is what we should be. Given below are few points as to why it is imperative for us to pray.

26 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

1. As there is evil in this world, we should pray.

2. Prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things, and the great secret of all lack in our experience, in our life and in our work is neglect of prayer.

Prayer connects us to God. God will neglect us if we neglect prayer.

3. Prayer has the power to change everything in our lives. God’s power and strength becomes perfect in us when we pray.

4. 4. Prayer is a spiritual discipline. We should begin our day with prayer and end our day with prayer. Prayer should be the means to seek God’s face and His righteousness every day.

5. Each and every person should have a ministry of intercession, meaning that we should pray for each other and bless one another in prayer.

6. The only way to receive God’s mercy and grace is through prayer. Mercy is what we need, grace is what we must have, or all our life and effort will end in complete failure. Prayer is the way to get them. There is infinite grace at our disposal, and we make it ours experimentally by prayer.

Oh, if we only realized the fullness of God’s grace, that is ours for the asking, its height and depth and length and breadth, I am sure that we would spend more time in prayer. The measure of our appropriation of grace is determined by the measure of our prayers. Who is there that does not feel that he needs more grace? Then ask for it. Be constant and persistent in your asking. Be importunate and untiring in your asking. God delights in us when

we ask Him, for it shows our faith in Him, and He is mightily pleased with faith.

7. Prayer makes us complete beings. It gives us joy. It makes God real in our lives. It gives us true contentment and happiness. When we ask something definite of God, and He gives it, how real God becomes! Prayer gives us communion with God. 8. Prayer gives us peace that passes all understanding and frees us from all anxiety. It makes our life more beautiful from within. Our inner world has the power to change our outer world.

9. Prayer makes us receive the spirit of God who becomes our mentor, our guide, our teacher, our friend, our comforter, our protector, etc.

10. Prayer prepares us for heaven and rules out the possibility of us going to hell.

11. Prayer makes us accomplish much.

12. Prayer promotes our spiritual growth. It creates a pure heart in us and cleanses us from our sin and all iniquities. It gives us wisdom and strength in our walk and talk with God.

13. Prayer brings power into our work because when we pray God works alongside us.

14. Prayerful life will help us to transform people with whom we work or fellowship.

15. Prayer brings blessings. Prayer will root out heresy, allay misunderstanding, sweep away jealousies and animosities, obliterate immoralities, and bring in the full tide of God’s reviving grace.

Prayer brings us into God’s presence.

We can really meet Him face to face in the place of prayer. Real and true prayer gets us an audience with God. Prayer can change circumstances and situations in our life. God delights in the unity of His people and there is lot of power in united prayer. Prayer also pleases God; He loves obedience of His children. God loves and answers prayers which are sincere and persistent. We must pray according to God’s will, then will we beyond a peradventure get the thing we ask of Him. But can we know the will of God? We can know His will by reading His word, being filled and led by His spirit. The spirit of God will help us while we pray, the spirit lets us know what God’s will is for us. True prayer is prayer in the spirit; that is, the prayer the spirit inspires and directs.

Prayer should be a lifestyle and not a periodic ritual that we indulge in every now and then. Prayer and faith go hand in hand.

There is no more blessed training in prayer than that that comes through being compelled to ask again and again and again even through a long period of years before one obtains that which he seeks from God. We should never practice spiritual laziness and give up. The key lies in the fact that we should live our lives in God’s presence, obeying His commands. We should know he is the vine, and we are the branches. If this happens, we will bear much fruit all our life. When we do this, and in so far as we do this, our prayers will obtain that which we seek from God. This must necessarily be so, for our desires will not be our own desires, but God’s, and our prayers will not in reality be our own prayers, but God praying in us. Such prayers will always be in harmony with God’s will, and he will always answer them. The prayer that is born of meditation upon the Word of God is the prayer that soars upward most easily to God’s listening ear. This way God becomes the author of our prayer.

God is deeply grieved by the thanklessness and ingratitude of which so many of us are guilty. We should never ever forget to thank God for answering prayers. Thanksgiving adds power to our prayer life. Life should be prayerful and not prayer less.

the supreme place in our hearts.

Everything and everyone else must be subordinate to Him. God should be our first love. Is God absolutely first? Is He before wife, before children, before reputation, before business, before our own lives? If not, prevailing prayer is impossible.

4.

There is perhaps no greater hindrance to prayer than stinginess, the lack of liberality toward the poor and toward God’s work. It is the one who gives generously to others who receives generously from God. The generous man is the mighty man of prayer. The stingy man is the powerless man of prayer.

5.

An unforgiving spirit is one of the commonest hindrances to prayer. God cannot deal with us on the basis of forgiveness while we are harboring ill-will against those who have wronged us.

6.

A wrong relationship between husband and wife is a hindrance to prayer. It is an unpardonable neglect. Marriage has to be kept sacred and holy.

7. Prayers get hindered by unbelief. God demands that we shall believe and trust Him fully.

Conclusion We should pray early morning and seek God’s face in first place, this way the whole day is sanctified. The first thing we do each day should be to go alone with God and face the duties, the temptations, and the service of that day, and get strength from God. We should get victory before the hour of trial, temptation or service comes.

The secret place of prayer is the place to fight our battles and gain our victories. We should pray before all the important things in our life. All our important decisions should be taken in prayer.

Prayer must be a habit and a lifestyle and should happen daily. Our whole life should be a life of prayer. We should walk in constant communion with God. There should be a constant upward looking of the soul to God. We should walk so habitually in His presence that even when we awake in the night it would be the most natural thing in the world for us to speak to Him in thanksgiving or in petition.

Wishing you a happy, successful, and fruitful prayer life.

Dr. John Harrison

MA in Education, MBA, Doctorate in Divinity (Education Influencer, Philosopher, Polymath, Writer, Humanitarian, and a Counselor) Feel free to write to him or connect with him on:

Hindrances to Prayer

Mobile: 0091 9811656057 (whatsapp)

1. A selfish purpose in prayer robs prayer of power. Very many prayers are selfish. The true purpose in prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer.

2. Unspoken and unconfessed sin hinders prayer. God is sinless.

3. When we replace God with something else in our lives, our prayers will not be answered. God alone has the right to

Email: dr.johnharrison@yahoo.co.in Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-john-harrison8675b6120 Drawing Credit: Shireen Harrison

27 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN IN FOCUS

LET’S GO WAHINE

By Clare Erasmus

K

imberley Coleman is an extraordinary woman who is changing lives in remarkable ways. Christchurch’s very own Kimberley has used her life experiences and humanitarian heart to light up the lives of many women, touching their lives with hope and helping them find their inspiration. Meeting Kimberley for the first time leaves a lasting impression of a woman who loves life, is happy and wants to change the world. Likewise, meeting those around her and those who work for her delivers the same message.

Kimberley’s effervescent personality is contagious. Despite being a successful business owner of Lady Lady Studio and Academy, she is aware of challenges that face others and is keen to empower and inspire them. Describing herself as a surfer, skier, business owner, mother of two children, Bella (13) and Kobe (11) and wife to Liam, she has a passion

28 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

for making things happen. Her desire to action this passion, through her empathetic heart, has its roots in her life in her early twenties. Kimberley was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 16. She is indebted to her life-changing doctor in Sydney. Kimberley Coleman is now taking New Zealand by storm with her Let’s Go Wahine initiative.

Kimberley shares, “​ Throughout my life, I have needed a lot of help to survive. My doctor in Sydney gave me the chance to live a life. Once I was well enough, I made it my mission to live a life of purpose and to help and inspire as many people as I could. I wanted to encourage others to never give up and follow their dreams; to work hard towards their goals. Interestingly, after I had recovered from Crohn’s disease, I had a freak accident when I was living

Kimberley Coleman in Fiji that taught me the ‘never give up’ lesson again. I was stabbed in the foot by a stingray, and I thought I was going to die. I was helped by so many people, both at the time and after, that led to my survival. Unfortunately, I needed two hip replacements due to the poison from the barb being in my system. Still, once again, kindness and compassion from surgeons and specialists helped me receive incredible hip replacements and I can live a very physical and fulfilling life.”

Let’s Go Wahine

Kimberley explains,

For a long time, Kimberley was interested in creating a programme for women unsure where they were heading in life. Having the personal experience in her early twenties, she was able to identify with this deeply. She explained that when she was so unwell with Crohn’s, she was reliant on the benefit. She could relate to how hard it was to break that cycle and connect with everyday people in the working force. With this manifestation close to her heart, her ideas came into fruition when the Ministry of Social Development approached her.

“We took the group surfing, a solo activity sport but also made more fun when done with friends. The girls bonded over wetsuit struggles, carrying large boards along the beach and getting taken out by big waves. They all helped each other and cheered one another on, and very quickly, personality types started shining through. We also did a dance class and a yoga session, where the girls got to move freely and without worrying about what the outside world thought. While partaking in these activities that were definitely out of their comfort zone, as well as a lot of chat and discussions about their life, morals, values, goals and dreams, their personality traits and their individual strengths became clear.”

“It was pretty awesome to be approached by the Ministry of Social Development, to have a chat about me developing a mentoring programme for women. This chat started with the suggestion of me teaching eyelash extensions to women on the dole. I soon realised the Ministry wanted me to teach more than just lashes; they wanted me to create a course that was basically ‘life school’ to help people on the benefit get jobs. This was everything I had dreamed of. After a few deep conversations about goals, life and luck, Liam (my husband) and I decided to take on the task of creating a programme to inspire and motivate young women.”

The Let’s Go Wahine programme creates opportunities for Kimberley to engage with people on the benefit who find it hard to get out of the system and into the working world with confidence.

Let’s Go Wahine is where the magic happens. Kimberely provides experiences where individuals can feel valued and find their strengths. The programme begins with socially empowering events such as dancing, surfing, yoga and meditation. While these initial experiences are done in social groups, the experiences ignite the self-confidence of each member through self-discovery.

Kimberley recognises that the people she works with each have something special within. She is the catalyst for them discovering what their passion is. Honest conversations occur between Kimberley and her team; they take personality tests and engage in peer feedback.

The realisation of strengths for each of the women was empowering. Moreover, it was a great start for the women to find what could come next for them: ‘many of the girls were unaware of the powerful strengths that they had. Strengths, such as compassion and leadership, emerged and this was empowering’.

Some of these women have found themselves in their dream jobs - jobs that once seemed out of their reach. These experiences are self-perpetuating and pay forward for others. When others in similar positions notice the success of these Let’s Go Wahine women, they too will be inspired and encouraged.

Kimberely Coleman is an empathetic humanitarian who cares to share her time, passion and commitment to show others their strengths. At eYs Magazine, we acknowledge Kimberley as the leader in the work she does. At her core, she aims to initiate and embrace challenge and change to enable others to lead improved lives.

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” – Nora Ephron *Wahine – is the Maori word for Women

29 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

ENTREPRENEUR

ALEKSANDAR KIMOV KIMOV WINERY Story by Jasmina Siderovski “I knew that the competition in this business is huge, but I believe that if you really love something the results will be visible.”

W

inemaking has been around for thousands of years. Wine production is a natural process that requires Mother Nature to provide everything that is needed to make wine; it is up to humans to embellish, improve, or obliterate what nature has provided, to which anyone with extensive wine tasting experience can attest.

Premium wines are much more labourintensive and take longer to produce– from hand-picking grapes in vineyards planted on the hillsides, to ageing them for several years in real oak barrels. High-end red wines have a higher level of tannins 30 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

which help them develop a more complex character while in a bottle.

wines is also another matter; both require additional human intervention to succeed.

There are five basic stages or steps to making wine: harvesting, crushing and pressing, fermentation, clarification, and then aging and bottling. One can find endless deviations and variations along the way. It is the variants and little deviations at any point in the process that make life interesting. They also make each wine unique and contribute to the greatness or ignominy of any wine. The steps for making white wine and red wine are the same, with one exception. The making of rosé wines and fortified or sparkling

Aleksandar Kimov is the owner and founder of Kimov Winery. A Macedonian owned and operated family business with a clear vision and committed to producing World-Class Estate wines from Macedonia’s finest - Tikves Wine Region.

Kimov Winery produces premium quality white wines. The love for the winery business started when Kimov was a young child. His father, the owner of the winery, and he spent time and resources to learn everything they could about the business.

Kimov says. “I had a solid background,

but without love, none of this would have been possible. We have to love what we do.”

Growing up as a teenager, Kimov lacked motivation and started listening to motivational speeches. His admiration for Les Brown, one of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers, a dynamic personality and sought-after resource in business and professional circles for Fortune 500 CEOs), won his respect and changed Kimov’s life. Forever. “His speeches taught me a lot of things about believing in myself and my dream and that everything is possible if you love it.”–Kimov says.

After graduating from college, Kimov stayed in his country and continue the family tradition of making premium wine. In 2018 he founded “Kimov Winery.” His passion and love for wine helped Kimov establish a brand and a legacy. In their first year, they could produce a premium quality Sauvignon Blanc, that took flight and a perfect score of 100% by the Professional Wine Tasting Judges in not one but several wine competitions. The recognition encouraged and motivated Kimov and his team to pursue his love for producing an impeccable quality of wine nationwide.

A dedicated entrepreneur with and goal to be the best in the business, Kimov knew the enormity of competition in business and dedicated his success to his love for wine. “I knew that the competition in this business is huge, but I believe that if you really love something the results will be visible.” Says Kimov.

During the grassroots of Kimov Winery, he knew his only chance to be a major competitor in the production of premium quality wines was to ensure premium quality. He and his team are upskilled in the latest developments of the wine industry, educated and trained to improve, perfect and create a quality masterpiece for the wine connoisseurs of the world. This is achieved through

his investment in resources, equipped with premium in ox tanks designed to produce the wine. The tanks are kept four meters underground, which maintains their constant temperature the essence for making fine wine. When the wine is fermented, it is bottled, and stored horizonatlly in another area, five meters underground and left to age. A necessary part of the process for achieving premium quality of the wine.

Kimov Wines are also dedicated to marketing their products, a fundamental part of the business. “I believe that marketing is very important for every business because it helps the brand to be recognized. We organize wine tasting events, we make videos about our wines, we promote them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Our next goal is making a wine tasting room made of stones and bricks, this will allow us to share our story and our wines to be tasted by a larger group of people.”—Says Kimov.

His experience and culture, heritage and overall expertise have taught Kimov many lessons along the way. As with any entrepreneur, the ability to grow and learn from trial and error is a key to success. “The most valuable lesson that I have learned is that to do business, people have to trust you, and in this business, we gain the trust by producing premium quality wines.” - Kimov “I don’t have any particular skills and talents, but I am a very ambitious person. I consider myself a dreamer and an entrepreneur.”

We asked Kimov what his advice to others dreaming of being an entrepreneur?

“We must fight for our dreams, we don’t have to give up when things don’t go the way we want them to go, we must believe that God is with us through the path to success.”

31 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

SUSTAINABILITY Chairman of the Executive Board

BIO SOAPS

SANIDA KAPO KLARIC LEADS THE WAY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

W

ithin the project Acceleration of the Circular Economy 2021, which is implemented with the support of SIDA and UNDP Serbia, Bio Idea for Sustainable Development in cooperation with eYs SDGs WORLD COUNCIL, organized free workshops from July 6-9, in the premises of the city centre for social entrepreneurship Belgrade, for unemployed women with the aim of spreading knowledge about the production of ecological hygiene products from used kitchen oil for frying.

The goal is to stop throwing away the oil we use in the kitchen, to produce useful soaps from it that replace conventional hygiene products that are based on petroleum products.

Three groups of 15 unemployed women each had the opportunity of theoretical and practical workshops on the topics of climate change, circular and inclusive green economy and technology of making ecological soaps. Beneficiaries of the program receive manuals with technology and recipes as well as innovative pots with a zeolite filter for collecting used cooking oil.

During August, a new cycle of workshops will be organized in Belgrade, and in September, trainings will be held in Sjenica - a municipality located in an ecologically protected area. We invite and encourage individuals and local communities to

32 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

jointly share knowledge and skills, locally produce and consume the soaps they have made and thus make deeper connections in the community to contribute to addressing the consequences of climate change.

For those who want to learn more BIO IDEA provides mentoring within the Social Franchise BIO SOAPS. Small entrepreneurial workshops within the social franchise operate on the principle of solidarity and the desire to initiate changes that do good for our planet Earth.

The workshops are led by Sanida Kapo Klarić, social entrepreneur from Belgrade, creator of the Social Franchise BIO SOAPS program, with the support of Bojana Bogojević, Lawyer, Corporate Governance Specialist, EU Expert, Accredited Climate Change Teacher and Climate Reality Leader in the areas of climate change, green economy, circular economy and sustainable development.

Bojana Bogojevic lectures at Bio Soap Workshop

33 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

LAW SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

By Bojana Bogojevic

S

ustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a popular catchphrase in contemporary development discourse. And are important to humanity.

Wherever we are there is always reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and everyone seems to have an opinion. As an educator it is only appropriate that we focus and learn the basics.

History of sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the centrepiece of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, were adopted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. In September 2015, all member states of the United Nations have agreed to adopt “Transforming the World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

34 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, the planet, and prosperity. Agenda also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. The new goals and targets came into effect on 1 January 2016 and guide the decisions we take over the next fifteen years.

Definition of Sustainable Development

Challenges of SDGs

Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, published in 1987, defined the term Sustainable development, “It is a development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Each country and every region face specific challenges in its pursuit of sustainable development. The most vulnerable countries are African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states that deserve special attention, as do countries in situations of conflict and post-conflict countries. Also, challenges within many middle-income countries are expected.

In the same reports, it is said: “Sustainable global development requires that those who are more affluent adept lifestyles within the planet’s ecological means - in their use of energy, for example. Further, growing populations can increase the pressure on resources and slow any rise in living standards; thus, sustainable development can only be pursued if population size and growth are in harmony with the changing productive potential of the ecosystem.”

How many sustainable development goals do we have?

You would be surprised because the initial list of about 300 proposed goals over three years was negotiated, prioritized, aggregated objectives and by the middle of 2015 came to 17 goals we have now. SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

17 SDGs are: 1. No poverty.

2. No hunger.

3. Good health.

4. Quality education.

5. Gender Equality.

6. Clean water and sanitation.

7. Renewable energy.

8. Good jobs and economic growth.

9. Innovation and infrastructure.

10. Reduced inequalities.

11. Sustainable cities and communities.

12. Responsible consumption.

13. Climate action.

14. Life below water.

15. Life on land.

16. Peace and justice.

17. Partnerships for the goals.

Our task is to recognize the urgent present situation and to do our best to achieve these goals.

Achieving SDGs is even more important while humanity is facing a pandemic of COVID-19.

We shall emphasise that we are at the beginning of the “Decade of Action” (2020-2030), to reach the goals everyone needs to do their part: governments, private sector, and civil society.

We all are responsible for our future and the consequences of our acts.

University Prof. and Director - Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, Jeffrey D. Sachs and Bojana Bogojevic

35 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

MEDIA LEADING THE MEDIA AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE!

CEO, IVAN MIRCEVSKI TV KANAL 5 MACEDONIA Interview by Jasmina Siderovski

I

n the lexicon of management, the CEO is the epitome of leadership. While CEOs are the ultimate power in their companies, they face challenges and constraints that few others recognize.

Running any company is a complex job.

The scope of the organization’s managerial work is vast, encompassing functional agendas, business unit agendas, multiple organizational levels, and myriad external issues. It also involves a wide array of constituencies—shareholders, customers,

36 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

employees, the board, the media, government, community organizations, and more.

Unlike any other executive, the CEO has to engage with them all. On top of that, the CEO must be the internal and external face of the organization through good times and bad.

CEOs, of course, have a great deal of help and resources at their disposal. However, they, more than anyone else in the organization, confront an acute scarcity of

one resource. That resource is time. There is never enough time to do everything that a CEO is responsible for. Despite this, CEOs remain accountable for all the work of their organizations.

The way CEOs allocate their time and their presence—where they choose to personally participate—is crucial, not only to their own effectiveness but also to the performance of their companies. Where and how CEOs are involved determines what gets done and signals priorities for

others. It also affects their legitimacy. A CEO who doesn’t spend enough time with colleagues will seem insular and out of touch, whereas one who spends too much time in direct decision making will risk being seen as a micromanager and erode employees’ initiative. A CEO’s schedule is a manifestation of how the leader leads and sends powerful messages to the rest of the organization.

Ivan Mircevski, CEO of Macedonia’s privately owned Channel Kanal 5, founded in 1998 with its main office in Skopje is known for his leadership for truth and justice and not afraid to stand up to the daily challenges faced by the media. It is no secret the recent events that the Macedonian people have been through; a turmoil of uncertainty, public corruption and name change has left a sour feeling and sense of un-easiness and fear in the citizens and the future of their country.

While the leadership that signed the ‘Prespa Agreement’ remains an ongoing debate globally, a combination of political inability to bring itself to order, the constant public narratives used to divide its people – especially the party cards, an economy that has been mismanaged in a destructive alliance between parties, the ruling party and corrupt corporations and ultimately a devastating and unpredictable pandemic have created a perfect storm and silenced the people who live in fear.

Mircevski, has the ability to forecast beyond the paradox and has a purpose to protect, encourage and stand up for the facts, truth and honour of his people. An ethical leader who places the best interest of his nation above ego, a leaf many can take out of Mircevski’s book. Mircevski, was raised in a loving family and a cultural fusion of the Balkans have taught him that identity is about heritage, history, respect and our ancestors who have fought for freedom.

A representative for truth and honour, (known for his sharp tongue and fight of justice) Mircevski lives and works in Skopje and enjoys being the CEO of a privately owned television channel— Kanal 5. He is followed by 98% of the Macedonian population and reminds the media and television industry why we signed up for a career as the voice of the current events and interest, while educating society of the important issues that matter.

I caught up with Ivan Mircevski and interviewed him about the importance of standing up for who you are, what you believe in and paying it forward as humanitarians and being a public figure.

My instant observation was his passionate, easy-going and positive minded attributes that spoke volumes about his true character as someone who seeks to be the voice of the people for all the right reasons. A visionary for truth, pride, integrity and justice and not to mention well respected and followed by the Macedonian Diaspora worldwide. It’s, Mircevski’s, connection to his roots and heritage that are the essence for his vast creative talent and knowledge.

What was your life like growing up?

My father is Macedonian, from Prilep, and my mother, Montenegrin, from Pristina, Serbia. So, you can imagine the lovely childhood I had. I spent half a month in Serbia (cities where my late grandmother and aunt were living, Pristina, Kraljevo, Chachak, Belgrade), and half a month in Prilep.

At home, stemming from parents who spoke two different languages, I spoke Macedonian to my father and Serbian to my

mother. Lunchtime conversations were quite interesting as my brother, and I would listen to simple statement such as when speaking to my late father— “Dodaj mi ja casata,” (give me the glass) and to my late mother— “Dodaj mi tanjir ne mnogu da ga dohvatim,” (give me the plate I can’t reach it) where my mind automatically changed from one language to another, something I am quite proud of.

My mother was Montenegrin born in Kosovo, Serbia, and worked as a history teacher at a High School in Skopje. She used to tell me-”I am Montenegrin, I am married here, gave birth to you and raised you here, and do not forget—you are Macedonian first, and then–you can be a Martian if you want.”

My lovely parents… RIP! What did you do before becoming a CEO? I have always seen myself as a computer engineer. In my school notebooks I always wrote–Diploma Ing (Graduate Electrical Engineer).

When my grandmother (from my mother’s side) passed away, she left my mother, money to buy me whatever I want. I bought my first computer - ZX Spectrum from famous UK innovator Clive Sinclair. I was 14-15 y/o when I became one of the most famous “hackers” in former Yugoslavia–hacking games and my hacks were published at prominent computer magazines in Ex-Yugoslavia. No one knew how young I was.

37 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

I studied at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. I soon realized that music and girls were much more interesting to me than the faculty. I left the faculty and worked at Macedonian Radio Television, MRT, a public broadcaster, as a video editor. Then they offered me to become the music TV host. In 2009 I transferred to another network - Kanal 5 as the Editor of the Entertainment Dept.

How did you become the CEO of a television station?

You should ask the owner of Kanal 5 TV, not me...One day he invited me into his office, and asked me if I was ready to become the CEO of Kanal 5 although I had only been there for six months?

I said, why not? There is no faculty to become a CEO, so no one was born a CEO ...

I will tell you a “secret” of mine. I have never changed my office of previous position–Head of Entertainment Dept., I am still at that office, which I love. I have changed nothing except the chair I sit on...because of superstitious reasons.

What are the challenges you face daily in media?

The major challenge is fighting for the truth. Yes, you read well, fighting! Since there are plenty of TV networks and websites which are inclined toward the left or right political parties, and the viewers/readers cannot get the truth, non-biased and non-partisan information. Kanal 5 is strictly balanced and we, and I, often “slap political faces” both to the ruling SDSM and opposition VMRODPMNE coalition.

I will tell you, both parties dislike that position of ours, to be balanced and to fight for Macedonia, and I have, daily, a lot of complaints, even threats of our TV news articles. Only the Truth/ Interview are my TV creation, and both TV formats brought me huge ratings and headaches at the same time...But I do not care at all. The truth, the viewers, Macedonia and Macedonians along with my employees are most important to me.

As a professional in media, are you governed by censorship?

What are your views on freedom of speech?

As mentioned in the previous question, since I have been dealing with constant complaints and threats, I have built a “firewall”. I spend at least one hour at the News Dept. at Kanal 5, to encourage and support the reporters, journalists, editors...saying—WE ARE KANAL 5! When someone calls you and try to interfere in your article, always say—please call Ivan. He will talk to you ...and they never call me, since they know my “sharp tongue” and my temper.

Name some prominent leaders that captured your attention and what made them stand out as a Leader—either through KANAL 5 or other?

The first leader is myself and thus, of Kanal 5, my family who always supports me, even if they are afraid of the consequences because of my “sharp as a knife” tongue.

If you ask me about political leaders in Macedonia, all of them in the past 30 years should be ashamed of themselves...we have spent 30 years in so called “transition” from a communist society to transfer into a modern European society – but we are still locked in the middle of that process, due to our Balkans mindset only!

38 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

What are the key attributes of great leadership?

The first and last key – to be honest and transparent!

A leader who hides his /her agenda, has hidden political ideas, will finish as all previous Macedonian PMs. To be cursed by plenty of Macedonians around the globe.

Pride—if you are a leader of a small grocery, you should be the pride of your business, just like I pride myself on the results and work of Kanal 5 TV. But if you are the first political figure, you must show up the real meaning of the word Pride—pride at home, pride abroad, pride everywhere, since you, as a leader, it is the highest honour to be a leader of a Biblical nation–Macedonians.

What are some of your proudest achievements?

To give hope to all Macedonians around the globe, that we have been, and will be always–Macedonians. That says a lot. And that hope I always try to reduplicate into Kanal 5 TV programme... since I cannot wake up in the morning, to go to the bathroom and to look myself in the mirror, if I didn’t do any good thing in the past days, for any person on this earth. At least be able to give a glass of water to someone who desperately needs it.

What are your ideals?

I am not that kind of person to be a “dreamer”, I am a real lifestyle man. As a professor of philosophy.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I hope in the EU parliament.

Do you support any humanitarian causes and how?

Always! Most of them are not publicly known, meaning I support any employee at Kanal 5 and the members of their families, I support plenty of Macedonian families “behind the cameras” since I do not want to expose poor people to gain media points.

Even my pressure to authorities regarding the UEFA issue with our nationality, this is in some way a humanitarian cause as well and help our identity not to be forgotten.

What advice would you give to anyone who would like to pursue a media career?

We, media workers, are not any kind of “ordinary people”. We have, as I say— “a scratch into our heads.” So, media workers do not know what the holidays are, Christmas Eve, normal summer vacations, since TV works 24hrs a day. And the most important thing is to have are “butterflies in your stomach”, just like when you fall in love. I still have those butterflies, and they lead me forward.

What are 3 things that annoy you?

Sloppiness–if you work, do your work Dishonest and hypocrisy Describe who is IVAN MIRCEVSKI in 3 words?

Disloyalty

Me, Myself and I!

What do you do in your spare time?

What are the secrets to your success in media?

I enjoy walking, driving around our beautiful Macedonia and sleeping...do not forget, I have Montenegrin roots as well.

First, even it is far from modest to say good words about myself, I am a creative person and a quick learner. When I become CEO, I studied all-important laws, so I am privy to domestic laws, especially the Media Laws, the Law for Copyright and Related Rights, the Act of Criminal Code, etc.

I love creating original TV formats, which are non-biased. I love advising all hosts at Kanal 5, and we work together to achieve this media success. I am not the CEO who sits in the office and gives orders only... I spend at least 7-8 hours at work, and I pass at least 4-5 kilometres per day during work time. Therefore, you could imagine, I am “buzzing” all up and down the building.

How do you define success?

Success is something I always compared to the army of Alexander the Macedonian. He was a great leader and one of the equal warriors. No pain, no gain. No happy employees, no success.

Success is one big chain with plenty of links, and if you have a problem with any weak link, you will fail!

Who inspires you?

No one, I try to inspire the others!

What are the five things on your bucket list of things to do?

Buy a small house by some lake/sea.

Meet some aliens, since I do believe–we are not alone.

Enter EU parliament.

Go back in time and correct a few huge mistakes I did in the past...

The fifth is for your reader :) What is your favourite food and beverage?

Because of health reasons, I lost 33 kg over 14 months, the food is something I do not care about. Last year I was 116 kgs, and I ate a lot. I can tell you that spinach and yogurt were my favourite food and beverage. Now I adore peanut butter and beetroot juice mixed with carrots and apples.

39 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

ENVIRONMENT

MISSION OF THE GREENDEN BRAND MARCO PIEMONTE

The Community Green Hearts Dignity has a specific purpose, to found a new form of thought and to design an architecture to guide the current society towards a dynamic Environmental Transition, giving life to a new form of thought that the Founder (Marco Piemonte) has baptized with the name of “Design Dignity” a realWorld Academy of sustainable thinking.

U

nleashed this small community born just a year ago, to expand the Mission of the Greenden brand… Don’t you know it yet? If your heart is sustainable (green heart) you will fall in love with it, why?

For the simple fact that it is a connecting link for people who are scattered all over the world and care about small businesses that do not have enough voice to be intercepted and that in their small daily life create added value to combat climate change by investing part of their income in Eco Action.

40 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

Design Dignity is already a reality in Italy, for example we could mention the Sustainability March (already seen in the previous editions of eYs Magazine) an event that brings together in a single day Institutions, Entrepreneurs and Consumers to make known the 17 Sustainable Goals sanctioned by United Nations. Today Design Dignity manifests itself above all through an unprecedented Format “THYd 2050” (which in its synthesis reflects the acronym of the phrase Tell us how you did), visible on the Greenden You Tube

channel, yes because, about a month ago, a series of national and international interviews were launched which intend to tell how the “pioneers” of the SocioEnvironmental Transition are reacting and in what form they are helping to mitigate pollution. The various protagonists, in fact, are virtually interviewed by the Speakers Marco Piemonte (Italian version) Dario Ruggiero and Meghami Zulhash (international version) fifteen minutes of content of the highest social value and of great effect, given that the Green Hearts Dignity will call from 2050.

Short rundown of guests: In the first interviews we find people already known to the public (Italian) for their professional background, ranging in various fields, Political, Social, Scientific and Entrepreneurial. To date we can watch and listen (Italian version) Andrea

Giuliacci “Climate and seat belts” since 2002 he has edited the weather forecast on video for the news of the Mediaset networks (Italian TV), has published several books on meteorology and climatology, all published by Alpha Test. He is co-author of several academic articles aimed in particular at the study of the ENSO phenomenon (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) and its influences on the Italian climate. Since 2007 he has been a member of the CBN-E (Climate Broadcasters Network Europe), a body that brings together about 50 meteorologists from different states of the European Union and which, under the guidance of the Directorate for the Environment of the European Commission, aims to provide European citizens with correct and comprehensive information on climate change. Since 2007 he has held the course of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Milan-Bicocca. In the summer of 2014, he was chosen as an advertising testimonial for the European research portal Trivago.

He is currently professor of meteorology at the Antonio Locatelli Aeronaval Institute in Grottammare. He is also testimonial of the TV series “MeteoHeroes Podcast” a cartoon that provides young listeners with an information pill on the secrets of the environment and the climate, Giuliacci himself will be the protagonist of a great novelty: from 2021 he will be transformed into an animated character and will appear in some episodes with the six little superheroes.

Antonio Rancati “European Green Deal, the path to the Common Good”, National Coordinator of CETRI-TIRES, promotes PCUP as an economic model of the Third Industrial Revolution, based on innovation, the circular economy and the sharing economy.

Head of Education European Program and Training - Office of Jeremy Rifkin and finally President of the Editorial Committee of an important publication on education and environmental protection since 2009 called “ENVIRONMENT”.

Edoardo Magnotta “The Socio-Environmental Transition through Education” Senior Marketing and Commercial Manager with responsibility for the income statement and extensive knowledge of International Marketing Innovation, Digital Transformation and Corporate and Business Development processes. “Digital Disruption on Marketing and Communications” with great ability to lead large organizations and SMEs through a rapid turnaround, together with leadership that can inspire teams especially in the social sphere.

41 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

Giuseppe Li Rosi “Codes deriving from seeds” pioneer of organic agriculture on the Italy island Sicilia and owner of the organic farm Terre frumentarie, the foundations of our civilization and the rules of an ancient practice to combat malnutrition and hunger in the world in this sense the three pillars that identify Green Hearts Dignity. Founder of Simenza, a community where every farmer, together with the breeder, gardener, miller, baker, pasta maker defends and enhance local resources, to defend the precious heritage of Sicily and its biodiversity.

Dario Tamburrano “Our children will live healthy and happy in 2050 thanks to our eco actions”, environmental activist in 2005 is one of the first members of the meetups that refer to Beppe Grillo and the 5-star movement, in May 2014 he was elected to Europe Parliament with the Five Star Movement, in the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group for the entire legislature. In 2020 he was called by the Administration of Roma Capitale led by the Mayor Virginia Raggi to complete the Action Plan for Sustainable Energy and Climate (SECAP).

Sanjeev Kapoor “Sustainable sport” (International version) Thirty years of experience in business development, marketing, sales, international business relations, technology implementation, formulation of strategies for creating joint ventures, financing, media / entertainment, education, education sports / sports management, health care, public speaking and mentor. He has been instrumental in launching various technology projects across India and served very large Indian / multinational companies.

He has held many important roles in various large Indian and international groups, keynote speaker in many industry forums on broad topics such as leadership, ethics, personality development, appears regulating in public on many Indian radio / TV channels, associated with many engg / institutions. mgt in the social field.

Vandana Teji “Life without fear” HR professional, her work is aimed at restoring human contact in India in the HR sector. She is committed to the cause of women’s empowerment and all 17 other sustainable development goals (SDGs).

42 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

The future of THYd 2050: From these activities the CODICI project was born, which we will take to all schools, to encourage children to view and from observation to derive the right words, the codes that unite their world with that of adults in terms of sustainability and which we will see operational in the “My Planet First” platform I don’t know if it is well understood, the Green Hearts Dignity and its Partners deal with Health Economics ... the Health of the Planet, the health of people and all living animal species ... the goal in the short term is to enhance the Companies that really create added value for environmental decarbonisation by giving them the opportunity to join a dedicated economic corridor, in other words a very exclusive e-commerce platform that will be followed by a large audience that already supports our Mission.

Green Hearts Dignity are increasingly convinced that as the number of those who purchase products from companies investing in Eco Actions increases, the greater the fight against climate change will be effective and exponential from year to year, and therefore a real sustainable and long-term economy, a true Gentile Revolution.

43 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

FEATURE

UNDERSTANDING OSCAR Story by Debbie Kemp

I

am thrilled to write this story about an exceptional book titled Understanding Oscar, and the incredible Mum and Author behind it.

Understanding Oscar is a wonderfully entertaining and educational story for children. It offers a range of perspectives of living with autism and is a story that can help all children and adults to be more understanding and compassionate towards our differences.

Understanding Oscar is about 3 young brothers, Banjo, Oscar and George. Oscar is autistic and the book tells the story of his older brother’s frustrations around some

44 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

interactions between them and the differing expectations of his parents. It also shares the conversations that Banjo’s Mum and Dad have with their eldest son to help him understand why Oscar has different rules, needs and expectations. In the end Banjo’s new understanding and compassion leads to the boys having lots of fun together.

My own children are lucky enough to be friends with Banjo, Oscar and George, and they so enjoyed this story about them. They already knew that Oscar communicates in different ways, such as a high five instead of speaking the word hello, but this book really helped them to understand more about autism and some of the behaviours

autistic people possess. It also explains that autism is different for different people, by introducing an autistic friend who displays different behaviours and traits to that of Oscar.

My own family was gifted a wonderful discussion about differences, acceptance and inclusion, after reading this book together, and I imagine this happened for many other families too.

According to the World Health Organisation, about one in 160 children are on the Autism Spectrum. Autism Awareness Australia says that people on the Autism Spectrum experience

difficulties with communication, social interaction and restricted/ repetitive interests and behaviours. These are often accompanied by sensory issues, such an oversensitivity or undersensitivity to sounds, smells or touch. All of these difficulties may lead to behavioural challenges in some individuals.

Jade Chapman, the author of Understanding Oscar, says that her son Oscar was diagnosed with autism at the age of 15 months.

Oscar has non-verbal autism, and Jade says it’s important to know that Oscar does communicate in other ways, including eye contact, leading by hand, and vocalisations, as well as on a communication device.

Jade wrote Understanding Oscar to create awareness of autism and promote acceptance of kids who are different.

After Oscar’s diagnosis, Jade searched for the right book about autism to read with her eldest son Banjo. It was important to her that it was the right book for her family, but she found that there weren’t many children’s books about autism, and those she did find were mostly about children who were verbal. She wanted a book that helped Banjo to understand some of Oscar’s challenges, and as Oscar has non-verbal autism it was important to Jade that this was reflected in the book she chose.

After borrowing a book about a child with non-verbal autism from her local special needs toy library, Jade found it extremely helpful in developing Banjo’s understanding of Oscar’s challenges and behaviours.

When Oscar started attending childcare, Jade wanted to help Oscar’s educators to understand his different behaviours and ways of communicating, to support them to support him. So she wrote a book about Oscar, that not only helped the educators, but this book was also read to the children that attended childcare with Oscar. It was so well received.

It was Jade’s husband who suggested that she turn this wonderful resource into a published book. Jade loved the idea of creating a book for children, because she knew one of the best ways children learn is through story telling. Because of her own experience of struggling to find a book that best suited her family, it was important to Jade to share a story to help families with a nonverbal child. She says, “If I can just help one family, my job will be done”.

Jade has received a wonderful response to Understanding Oscar, from not only special needs families, teachers, and therapists, but says families with neurotypical children have also found it to be a good resource. It has sparked open discussions about difference and acceptance in a wide range of settings.

Oscar is now 7 and thriving. When I ask Jade to share what she thinks is key to this success, she talks and talks, and I can’t help but feel moved by the incredible support surrounding Oscar.

Jade says that Oscar has a very supportive and loving environment.

“We are so lucky. We have a strong ‘special village of people’ who support and encourage him. He’s surrounded by amazing therapists who are all working towards the same goal, and a common understanding that Oscar will do things in his own time. There is no pushing, nor big expectations. We’re here to encourage. When he’s ready, he’ll do things. It’s about him being happy. That’s when he’s at his best.”

Jade explains that their special village of people celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small, and that this makes the world of difference. “As long as Oscar is moving forward, it doesn’t matter what pace, we’re over the moon.” Jade says that sometimes Oscar’s behaviours are challenging, but that her family focuses on the things that they all love to do together, such as being in the outdoors. “This makes us all happy.”

Oscar is in Year 1 at school and Jade recently received feedback from teachers that he has improved so much and is a pleasure to have in class. He’s trying hard to communicate and to join in.

He’s also trying hard with vocalisation (attempting to talk) and using his communication device. He is an engaged participant in mindful meditation. He’s happy and moving forward.

Jade says that in addition to this, Oscar is now coming to his brother’s football games, which was overwhelming for him in the past. “Social environments can be overwhelming for him, but with lots of forward planning and support, we are able to go out on more family outings together.”

Jade adds how proud her family is of Oscar, asking “Can you imagine getting through a day non-verbally?”

Understanding Oscar was launched in April this year, and when I ask Jade about her vision for this book, she says her goal is to share it with as many families as possible. She has also come to realise how well it translates in educational settings, so would love to share it with schools and early childhood centres as well.

Jade hopes to help families with children with additional needs, and others, to understand the difficulties, but also the great joy and love, that life can bring. I think she has certainly achieved that with Understanding Oscar!

Read more about Understanding Oscar or buy a copy of this wonderful book here: https://understandingoscar.com FB @understandingoscar INSTA @understandingoscar Home | Inspiring Children’s Book | Understanding Oscar ‘Behind every story is an inspiration. Oscar, my silent warrior, this book is for you. Different, not less.’

- Jade Chapman, Oscar’s Mum and Author of Understanding Oscar.

45 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

LIFE COACH

WHO’S BEEN FEELING BUSY LATELY?

By Debbie Kemp

I

often turn to my instincts when considering topics for this column, and this time I felt a strong urge to talk about busyness. I’ve certainly felt busy lately. Have you?

I turned to the dictionary as I waited for the flow to come, and it revealed that busyness is a state or condition of having a great deal to do. The context provided: “it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life”.

It sure is!

But it’s not just that it’s easy to get caught up, is it?

It’s become a way of life… a societal culture that many of us subscribe to!

46 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

We work many, many hours, we commit to hours at the gym, we raise busy children whose lives we must facilitate, we have pets we must exercise, we have large or many social circles and many social events, we have hobbies and studies, some of us grow our own food and bake our own bread, and others squeeze in massages and beauty appointments, or wellbeing and specialist appointments.

And after all this we still want some time for us, and some time to relax. So we schedule an early morning routine; a walk, some yoga, or journaling. We spend evenings on the lounge, reading or watching a series, and somewhere in the day we plan lunches and coffee with friends.

All of that before we’ve even done the chores. The washing, the cleaning, the folding, the gardening, not to mention the administration that comes with life, from bills to registrations to licences to apps for all the things!

I still haven’t mentioned the side gig.

Do you have one of those? So many people have a money making venture on the side these days. Some hope it’ll turn into something lucrative, and some are pursuing a passion that they may not see as an option for huge financial gain. Either way, it add to the busyness.

How much of this do you relate to? How much of it describes your life?

Reading this now, are you realising why you feel so exhausted all the time?

Given that recommendations are that we sleep for 8-10 hours a day, that’s a lot to squeeze in to 14-16 hours!

There lays the next problem… so many people sacrificing their sleep hours to stay on top of everything else. This has the potential to create all sorts of health problems, which is a story in itself.

So… What do we do about this busyness?

It’s important to recognise that being busy is a choice. Sometimes it can feel like there is no choice, life is just busy. If this is how you feel, I encourage you to sit with the concept of everything being a choice. For example, choosing not to do anything about your busyness is the same thing as choosing for it to continue!

So once you accept that you are the creator of your own reality, you get to decide just how busy you’re willing to be.

I want to be clear, I’m not suggesting that it’s bad to be busy. In a business setting, it can be considered great to be busy, as busyness often translates to income and profit.

From a personal perspective, I suggest you judge your busyness based on how you feel. Are you busy but calm, grounded and present? Or are you frantic, rushed and overwhelmed?

If the latter is your reality, here are 5 tips to reclaiming some time to stop and smell the roses…

1. Take stock of ‘what is’.

What are all the things that are keeping you busy? How important are these things to you and your family? Rank everything you do in priority order, and consider whether any ‘lower priorities’ can be removed from your list.

2. Schedule your time.

If we don’t do some intentional scheduling, we can easily spend too much time on our low priorities, and accidentally leave ‘not enough time’ for our main priorities. Try taking a blank calendar and adding your schedule in order of priority. Then consider the time you spend doing certain things, and whether you can be faster or more productive. If not, can anything be delegated, eliminated, or postponed?

3. Reassess your situation.

Reassess your current situation in relation to your dreams, goals, and ‘ideal’ situation. Would a career change be helpful? Can you afford to hire someone to help with time consuming tasks, freeing you up for higher priorities? Can you simply let go of some of the pressure you’re placing on yourself?

4. Set Boundaries.

No-one has more clarity than you do regarding what you want for your life and what that looks like. If you’re not clear, take some time to get clear. When you are clear, make choices that create the life you dream of, and set boundaries for yourself and others, so that you have the time and space to make it happen.

5. Practice presence and mindfulness.

Sometimes a change in mindset is all that is needed for someone to have a different experience. Being present can stop the mind from rushing, and the practice of meditation or mindfulness can create enough peace in the body to mitigate some stress.

Try these things above for a period of time and observe the difference. Share the changes you notice in yourself with those around you. The more that people understand that we control our reality and our destiny, the more empowered they will be to make meaningful changes to their schedule and life.

47 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

SO TELL ME

By Natalie O’Connor

A

s you may or may not know, for over a year now, I’ve been writing for the eYs business section – Focus on Business.

With my background in photography, corporate business consulting and MBA studies, it was a very natural fit for me and I truly loved show casing people’s business. Through meeting some amazing people and talking to them about their passions, I began to want to learn more about them. More of what excited them, what their passions were and what made them tick.

Not all people have a business that is aligned to their passion, but a lot of people have passions or interests that they explore, spend time on and volunteer their time to. This is what I wanted to uncover and this is why I developed. “So, tell me…”. It was born out of an innate curiosity for humans and their interests and what lights them up. Why they do what they do. Why they are drawn to certain things and why they spend time doing it.

To certain things and why they spend time doing it. It is my hope that you will enjoy reading about the stories of everyday people and what they are passionate about. This will also become a podcast and a You Tube channel, so you will be able to listen and watch these stories too.

48 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

I had the privilege of sitting down to talk with Gabriela Ming to discuss shamanic healing and the importance of nature. She explains how important nature is in reconnecting people back to their true self among other things.

So, tell me… about Shamanistic healing, with Gabriela Ming, Soul Blossom https://soulblossom.com.au

Hello, Gabriela.

Hello.

Thank you for speaking with me today. You are a modern-day medicine woman, among other things. Could you tell me about shamanic healing and the healing that you do?

Thank you for having me today. Shamanic healing is really one of the first healing forms that ever existed. For me, shamanic healing is so powerful because it addresses what I call the “undercurrent of human existence”. It goes beyond the mind, it goes beyond the emotion, it goes beyond the traumas. It goes into what we call the tapestry of our human existence.

In shamanic healing or in shamanic philosophy, you look at every human being, who is born with a tapestry, and that tapestry is perfect, and that tapestry is beautiful, and it exists behind us.

When the traditional shaman, looks at people who come to them for healing, they can see the tapestry behind the person, they can see how they were hurt or how this tapestry has been disrupted. In shamanic healing, we’re going onto the journey into the landscape of a person’s soul and into the tapestry, and reconnecting things that have been disconnected, or have been isolated due to trauma. This is where there’s soul

loss. We’re calling those soul fragments back home via basically bringing the person back in touch with their life force.

When did you know you wanted to be in this field of healing?

I grew up in Switzerland, in the Swiss Alps, and I studied nursing and became a practical nurse. As a nurse you’re working hand-in-hand with doctors, you’re very independent and competent and make a lot of autonomous decisions. You have a lot of patient contact, and you get a lot of insight into the patient’s life. In my job as an emergency nurse, I started to understand that there is more going on for people than just the accident that they had, or the stomach ulcer that just burst, or the migraines that just disabled them again.

When I heard their story, I thought, “it’s no wonder you have a migraine. I would have a migraine as well if I was having your life experience.” That made me really curious about how I can actually work in a preventative field. I started to feel, as a nurse, that I was helping people when it’s too late – when they were already sick.

I studied Bach Flower Therapy first, and through that course I came in touch with transpersonal psychology, which really fascinated me. I was working with a practitioner, and she was able to open up

these inner spaces and provide healing experiences for me. When I came to Australia, I studied Australian Bush Flowers, and I also found a transpersonal psychology course.

It was during that course I heard of a shamanic healing course. Someone mentioned it and it was a clear yes, I had to do it and that’s how I got to shamanic healing.

You mentioned that nature is of really strong importance in your life, but why has it always made sense to you?

Nature has always made sense to me because it’s simple. Nature is such a strong mirror through mind, or to channel people’s experience. I recall a moment of walking through the forest after a lot of things were going wrong in my life, and I saw a fallen tree. This ginormous, beautiful tree had fallen, and it just grew sideways.

I thought, “Ah, just because I’ve fallen, I can still continue growing.” So, nature has always had these beautiful, simple messages that went straight to the heart. It always has given me the space where I can just ground and be present. It has given me an opportunity to be alone, and be me. I don’t have to prove anything to nature. I can just show up in nature and be who I am in that moment.

49 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

The power of that is profoundly touching in the heart, and also in the tapestry of myself and what I see with my clients. That’s why I do a lot of my work outside in different sacred places, or just in nature. There is this moment that happens when a bird flies past, or the breeze picks up and someone is like, “Oh, now I get it.”

You cannot achieve that deep sense of healing or understanding in the confines of a room. That’s why nature is almost like an extra ally that supports people’s healing process, and also my personal journey and my personal process.

Do you find that we as a society, by and large are quite disconnected with nature? Is this why there are a lot of issues with people feeling disconnected from their true self?

I believe so because we are nature, essentially, and we’re the only species that separates ourselves from nature. All animals live outside, naturally. We used to live outside, but we have created a separation between us and nature. We are sheltered, we’re indoors, and we’re not experiencing nature. We actually have created a barrier of who we truly are as humans and recognising our human nature, and being able to live that. I think that’s a big aspect of it.

I see that when we take people to the desert for a vision quest, when you sleep under a tarp, not in a tent, people really love it. They experience this space of non-separation. It allows an experience of wholeness and connection that cannot be achieved in any other way. Just having that experience and that memory creates a completely different foundation of healing for a person.

So, people come to you to help reconnect to themselves?

Yes. The first step is to go into nature, or even bringing nature into your home with whatever means you have, such as a pot-plant. It’s not something you go and receive something and then go home.

It requires your active participation, and the more you participate, the more you will experience change within yourself. We have to get ourselves out into nature. I know some people call it the

50 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

“wilderness”. They have to go into the wilderness. The indigenous people call it “going home”.

My work supports people that want to discover their own, wilderness and also that want to feel the connection to their own life force. What happens when we live disconnected from nature, we forget that we have the same life force like the trees or the wind. Just being in touch with that and being touched by that reminds us, “Oh, I have that force within myself,” and opens up the channels within us so we can access it. That’s where our life force comes in and comes through, and we can act from that place that is sustainable, nourished, and whole. If you’re in a deep place of depression or if you’re in a place of ecstasy, it doesn’t matter.

When we have access, we have this resource within.

Why is being of service important to you?

In my work, I’m really honored that I meet people. I don’t meet masks, I don’t meet personas. I just meet humans, and that’s such a gift to provide a space for humans to be humans, and all experiences of humanity are accepted. I think that’s what the wheel of life provides. It provides a space for us to step in and just be humans, and we don’t have to exclude or deny any aspect of ourselves. That’s what’s important to me to offer, a space that is not available in any other way in our society.

I see myself complimentary to the medical system. The medical system and the mental health care system holds the space for physical and physiological support, while I hold the space for the emotional and the psycho-spiritual support, and they’re both equally as important. I have a lot of people that are in both systems and work together to get the return to wholeness. In my experience, the medical system doesn’t provide support for the heart. It doesn’t provide the whole thing that a traumatic experience requires, and that’s why being of service is really important to me, that this space is provided, because we need it.

I can imagine there’s a lot of successes and challenges in your line of work. Is there anything that springs to mind in regard to successes and challenges?

A personal challenge right at the beginning was moving away to Australia. I stepped into a corporate career as managing a private hospital and staff, and I had a very good job. Transitioning careers and convincing society that I am a healer was a challenge of my journey. The whole stories that people hold around, “You can’t make money from that”. “You won’t survive”. “It’s a lot of cheats”.

“It’s charlatans”. All of that, was one of my biggest challenges, to say, “Hey, this is me, and this is my niche and my expertise, and that’s where I really want to work. So that’s where I shine my light.” That process I remember was really, really difficult.

I remember one particular conversation around the time when Donald Trump got elected. There was a lot of upheaval during this time, and a friend came to me and said, “The world is going to end. The financial market will collapse, and businesses like yours will just not go anywhere. They’ll just disappear.” I looked at her and said, “No, that’s not my truth.” In that moment I knew I was part of the counterbalance of holding that space of trust and hope.

Is there anything else that has come up for you? Or anything else you want to tell people about yourself or what you do?

What I’d like people to know is it’s worthwhile to opening the heart. It’s worthwhile to step into your own sacredness. It’s not to create a better world, or be a better husband, or a better wife, or a better worker, but just purely for your personal life experience. It’s worthwhile to step into the unknown of yourself. It’s only when you’re on the path of the heart, that’s when you know real change is going to happen.

I always say, everyone has to do at least one vision quest in their lifetime, so they have this gift of being on their own, and just being your own company and to meet yourself without any distractions.

What a blessing in our time. Be brave to meet yourself, because you’re beautiful, and the world needs your beauty more so than your sorrow. The world is feeding our sorrows, but remember who you are, and take that leap, and step into that truth of yourself.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

That was sort of a breakthrough moment where you say, “No, this is where I’m sitting, and I’m holding that space.” That was one of the biggest challenges to overcome, including convincing my family. We all have challenges, but I guess my work just speaks for itself, and my clients like what they are experiencing when they see me and for the first time in a long time are reconnected to themselves. That’s a really wonderful gift that I get to witness.

I get to witness souls, and I don’t get to witness titles. That’s very special to me.

51 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

BOOKWORM

AUTHOR ELEANOR PARKER SAPIA WRITER OF CARIBBEAN FICTION AND WOMEN’S FICTION, POET, AND ARTIST

By Marsha Casper Cook

P

lease talk about your roots and how you found out who you wanted to be in your new life. Your story is very inspirational.

I was born in Puerto Rico into a family of exceptional oral storytellers: my grandmother—the matriarch of our family—my mother, and my aunt. Their magical stories included lives of struggle, spirits, herbal recipes, ancestral rituals, good food, and a fierce love of family. I was the child at my grandmother’s knee, always begging for one more tale.

I doubt it surprised anyone in my family when I turned to storytelling through painting and later with writing. A simple trip to the corner store can yield ideas for new stories or poems, and a cast of characters for future novels. However, my journey to publishing novels set in Puerto Rico with a good dose of history and magical realism took a circuitous route. Publishing my first collection of poetry took even longer. Each stage of my journey was as important as the last—steppingstones to where I am today—living and thriving in a creative world.

Following in my parent’s footsteps, I married a US Army officer, and we raised our children in Belgium, Austria, and France. To date, I have lived in Europe longer than I’ve lived in the US and Puerto Rico.

For 25 years, I painted and exhibited portraits and still lifes in the most unforgiving medium—watercolor— which speaks of perseverance and keen observation. I stashed drafts of poems in an old cookie tin and volunteered with refugee organizations and counseling

52 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

centers in Belgium.

Brussels,

In 2000, two life-changing events coincided: my maternal grandmother’s 90th birthday and receiving a copy of Julia Cameron’s seminal book on creativity called The Artist’s Way. The following year, I invited five girlfriends to experience the course with me. I learned just as much as my friends, who encouraged me to keep writing. Around that time, the paintbrush no longer told the stories of my soul—I was hooked on writing. I would go on to facilitate four more creative clusters with participants who felt blocked creatively or were interested in discovering their artistic passion.

In honor of my grandmother’s 90th birthday, I wrote a tribute to her that included many of her life stories. After reading the tribute, my then-husband encouraged me to write an outline. That outline turned into the first draft manuscript of A Decent Woman, set in turn of the century Ponce, Puerto Rico, my hometown.

In 2005, life changed dramatically. Before I knew it, I was a single woman in her 50s. I left one life and started a new one in the U.S. when my children headed to American universities. I was forced to face the unknown, dig deep, and tackle many challenges, much like a baptism of fire.

How has writing novels changed you as a person? If yes, please feel free to elaborate.

I believe my creative journey had more to do with my personal growth than the actual writing of my books. Before my divorce, I volunteered as a Spanish language refugee case worker and as a volunteer counselor in the only English-speaking counseling center, both in Brussels, Belgium. After my divorce, I moved back to the U.S., where I graduated from a massage therapy institute, I worked full-time as a bilingual (Spanish) social worker with the immigrant/refugee population and became a Reiki Master.

During that same time, I honed my writing skills, but the draft manuscript of A

I understand it’s human nature to often put people in boxes to better understand them, but I don’t enjoy limits, literary or otherwise. I was ready to unpeel more layers of my emotional onion. To stretch out and take up more room as a mature woman and as a writer.

I didn’t shy away from writing about controversial, delicate, taboo themes in A Decent Woman and there were many. Writing poems about controversial and delicate situations and exposing raw emotions wasn’t difficult either.

Now, although every poem isn’t about me, I admit to feeling a bit vulnerable about the intimate nature of some of the poems. What helped me move forward with publication was the Coronavirus pandemic and turning 63. We were and are still living in a world of unimaginable loss, grief, and fear. The year 2020 moved me enough to retrieve the poems I’d stashed in the old coffee tin for over twenty years and to write new poems for my first collection.

In my opinion, it was the perfect time to release Tight Knots.

Loose Threads. I hope readers will relate to the poems and not feel alone as we’ve all experienced heartache in love and relationships.

I thought, if not now, when? I’m glad I listened to my gut.

What do you think the Publishing Industry could improve on?

Decent Woman wouldn’t see the light of day for five years until a shoulder injury precluded me from continuing a career in massage therapy—I was at a fork in the road. I made a life-altering decision to leave my job and to move from the Washington, D.C. area to West Virginia, where I could afford to write full-time.

Through writing novels and poetry, I found my voice quite organically. My previous career choices bolstered and inspired me to write novels of courageous women living simple lives in extraordinary times. The characters in my book said what I needed to share with the world—stories of misogyny, domestic violence, racism, and early feminism. Sterilization of women against their will or without their knowledge. Hate crimes against women and prostitutes. Class struggles. I use it all in my stories.

I believe life helped me grow into the role I was destined to fulfill—that of a storyteller. My hope is to continue to honor my maternal line and my Puerto Rican roots with my writing.

In your new book, a debut collection of poems titled, Tight Knots. Loose Threads, you expose a side of you that no one knew. Was that decision difficult for you?

Just before my first poetry collection was published in April 2021, a good friend, a therapist, read my collection. She wondered if readers would view me in a new way, and wondered if my raw, emotional poems of love desired, love denied, and heartbreak would confuse friends and readers who’d loved A Decent Woman.

While readers and friends on social media know me as a writer, a divorced mother of two awesome adult children, a feminist, an activist, who loves to garden and travel, my reply to my friend was, “How well do we know anyone?” My close friends and family weren’t surprised, at all.

One frustration I share with many writers is the push by some publishers and agents for writers to garner as many reader reviews on Amazon and Goodreads before and after a book is published, as if that guarantees literary success. Honestly, writing and marketing our books are hard enough. Of course, I absolutely adore hearing from my readers and am incredibly grateful when a reader takes the time to review my books, so the last thing I want is to annoy them with constant requests for reviews. So, there’s a delicate balance.

Then, there’s paying for literary reviews—a gray zone. Most writers I know don’t have extra money to pay for reviews. I don’t know the answer to the dilemma of literary reviews. I write stories I’d like to read, and if I connect with a reader, that’s wonderful.

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

I’m a slow writer. On occasion, as I watch writers publish a book or two each year, I can fall into doubting my process. But that is short-lived. My process works for me. I believe in allowing a story to come together in an organic way. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about my story 24/7. I don’t begin with a firm outline or a firm ending. I always have a rough idea of where I’m going and what I want to highlight in the story, such as domestic violence, misogyny, racism, growth, or battling personal demons. Being locked into a particular storyline or ending without deviation disrupts my creativity. What I want for myself as a writer is to reach others. As a reader, I want to be moved.

Life has taught me to be open to change, discovery, and that starting over can be golden. I am a big fan of rewriting as much as necessary and to listening to my characters. It’s not uncommon for my story to change and evolve. That can only come from knowing your characters inside and out. With time and patience, the dividends pay off.

53 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

54 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

What keeps you up at night as you near the end of finishing one of your books?

Great question. What I struggle with is knowing whether a story is finished, which is easier to discern with painting.

I ask myself if I’ve done my best with what I know today to rewrite a sentence, a page, a chapter for clarity, rhythm, and lyrical meaning and weight. Ultimately, I listen to my gut—I trust I will know when I’ve reached the end. Readers may, of course, feel differently about our story!

What does Literary Success look like to you?

While receiving literary awards and accolades were a thrill, success of any kind can be a short-lived, slippery slope. I remind myself to not rest on past laurels. After each published book, I’m back at the beginning—learning more about the craft of writing, honing my skills, working hard, and doing research for the next novel.

If readers love, remember, and recommend my book(s) to other readers over years and years, that is literary success to me. I want to move my readers as much as I need to be moved to continue to write good literature. It’s never been about making money.

Because of your new book, a collection of poems called Tight Knots. Loose Threads, you have increased your readership into a different market. Will you continue that path?

I wrote poetry long before I considered writing a novel. So yes, I will continue to write poetry, which feels as natural as painting, writing novels, and keeping a journal, where many poems are birthed. Painting for over 25 years helped me write A Decent Woman and The Laments. Writing poetry helps me access emotion and continue to write poetic prose in fiction, and writing fiction helps me write deep poetry. It’s all connected.

Writing poetry is also cathartic and healing. It’s a great way to peel away, examine, and discover old or new layers of my personality and life experiences in an intimate way. While poems of a more sensual nature may bring up feelings of vulnerability or of feeling a bit exposed, I tell myself that by being “naked” and unafraid, I’m connecting with readers who I hope will realize they’re not alone—we’ve all experienced love and heartache and pain. It’s universal.

I had hoped readers would find themselves in the collection. It reads like the journey of a love affair from flirtation, passion, and love to confusion and sadness, followed by anger and grief. The death of love. There are many voices in this collection. It’s real life. Love is universal.

While I don’t consider it an act of courage to put out a poetry book of this type, it did require me to reach deep into myself and to push the boundaries of my comfort zone. I grew as a woman and as a poet.

What advice would you give to new aspiring authors?

Sounds cliché but learn to write by reading. I encourage aspiring authors to read books in their chosen genre, books by their favorite authors, and books recommended by favorite writers.

I also encourage folks to write through the scary bits of the story as that’s usually where the meat and essence of the story are found. If you’re not passionate about your story or if you rush the creative process, it will show.

Lastly, your story matters. The saddest thing to me are unwritten stories.

What are you working on now?

Since 2016, I’ve been working on a second novel called The Laments. The story begins in 1926 in a Roman Catholic convent in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and a Spanish-built leprosarium on Isla de Cabras, an islet located five miles off the coast of San Juan.

The Laments is the story of an idealistic novice nun whose monastic life is shattered by crimes at her Convent. As a means of escape, the conflicted novice volunteers to serve the patients at Lazareto Isla de Cabras. A colorful cast of characters and chaotic events will clash with the nun’s mission to save souls for God. She will be challenged to take a hard look at making her final vows and to take an even harder look at truth.

The Laments will be in reader’s hands in early 2022. I hope readers connect with this story.

My thanks to eYs Magazine and to you for the wonderful opportunity to connect with the eYs audience.

In the future, I also hope to write a poetry collection and a novel in Spanish, a beautiful, lyrical language.

You can find out more about Eleanor at linktr.ee/ EleanorParkerSapia

Are you pleased with the way readers have admired the courage it took to compose such a wonderful collection of poems? And did you expect readers to find themselves understanding your journey in a way that many poets never achieve?

Special note to Eleanor: It has been my pleasure to interview you and I would also like to thank you for the wonderful friendship we have developed over the years.

Marsha

Thank you for your kind words, Marsha. The readers who reviewed Tight Knots. Loose Threads before and after publication were gracious and generous with their praise. I am grateful for the gift of their precious time as many are busy writers. It is always heartwarming and validating when others understand our journey and resonate with what we’re trying to convey.

55 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

KEZ WICKHAM ST GEORGE CREATIVE PUBLISHED AUTHOR AUTHORS MENTOR

K

ez has a passion for life and an incredible desire to encourage all whom she passes in this life to tell their story. Once Kez had made that decision that this was who she was meant to be, Kez embraced the many roads of authorship that have been opened to her as an Author. She has become a best seller in my Genre of Paranormal adventure. A Trilogy specialist in romance/ paranormal with her publisher MMHpress. She is a cohost with RadioToni, we interview each author globally, broadcasting four different countries which now includes not only the USA, UK, AUS plus Germany and Russia.

An audience of over 1. 4 million listeners.

Kez has been an invited guest to attend retreats in Ako Japan and Crom Castle Ireland as a guest speaker for creative writing. Resulting in two anthologies being created by many authors in different countries. Kez has her own book review page in Facebook and YouTube every Tuesday on Facebook, and her own book review Radio spot with Australian wide Inspire Radio Rockingham. Kez enjoys giving back to her global writer’s community often in a volunteer basis with Rare Birds and Australian reads. She has also recently signed a contract with Lyrical infusion movie company, her next book scribe has proven to be of interest to them.

Kez has accepted the challengers of life as an author and encourages you do so. “Now with all I have been offered I can help you take your book to the rest of the world which is the Why in my life. It’s an honour and pleasure to be invited to these many platforms to encourage and mentor you to write your story.” - Kez

56 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

57 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

YOUNG AND AMBITIOUS

ALESSIA PIEMONTE

A

lessia Piemonte born in 2005 is a young Italian student, currently attends a professional school with a specialization in Art and Entertainment, she has always written for passion and her stories range between reality and fantasy.

She was the winner for two consecutive years of two film competitions “A book to be recommended” and “Binario 21” (remember the shoa) through a video.

Alessia treats narrative art as something more “ornamental” rather than necessary, something with which to make reading more enjoyable to make known an event, one’s history or how a society evolves in this case ... and then let’s face it, it is almost impossible in fact to present oneself to the world if not narrating oneself.

The monologue you are about to read is unpublished, the editors of eYs Magazine decided to publish this little pearl which is taken from the fictional novel that Alessia is writing, the other side of contemporary reality, a leap into a decidedly embarrassing dimension.

58 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

In Alessia drawer of desires there is a goal, to be able to publish her novel and why not in the future it could also become a plot of a film.

Powerful, profound, disconcerting text by a teenager who looks in the direction of future generations, a text that echoes several questions; “What is” good and evil for our civilization “really for today?

What is our real mistake?

Could it be that we haven’t defended ourselves enough?

That we have not exposed or listened to the real reasons for a culture in free descent between consumerism and digitization?

Alessia will open a window on another dimension of our fragile blue planet by telling the story of Whait the very young girl protagonist of this incredible fictional novel, the description of an announced catastrophe and the fate of the protagonist not entirely rosy due to the innumerable unimaginable catastrophic scenarios ... so

much so that mankind, animal and plant in the original dimension of Whait will be forced to live indoors in a huge building for obvious safety reasons, LINKAST CITY the name of this abominable reinforced concrete structure. Linkast City takes its name from the acronym “LINKED BY THE PASS” synonymous with shelter from heavy acid rain, from a threatening sea due to violent tsunamis and massive solar radiation.

The survivors will be just under half of the people who populated the United States of America of the parallel dimension (our current dimension). A reality different from our present that we could define apocalyptic, the citizens of Linkast City almost do not distinguish themselves from each other because they wear a white suit, complete with a mask that covers most of the face. In the distance you will be able to see only tiny islands of crystal or what remains of the huge skyscrapers that only a century ago left you breathless by how majestic.

In the parallel dimension, no earthling has a house of their own, but rooms, inside this huge building that can be clearly seen from Denali, the highest peak of the great mountain range of the United States of America.

Human relationships, those “vis a vis” to be clear, hardly exist, digitization will take over everything and everyone, few will be the chosen ones to reproduce the human race, all strictly controlled, and locked up in sterile areas, unlike of other people. Short platonic encounters for the chosen ones deprived of the passionate dimension, women forced to conceive their children through artificial insemination.

No physical contact, the man will have to donate his semen to the woman who was destined for him and will never know the identity of the children who will be conceived.

In all this scenario, an ordinary day in a day of ordinary boredom in Whait is told to report to the headquarters in the Medical-Scientific Studies and Research area to check for a potential malfunction of his suit.

Malfunction of the suit? You may be wondering ...

Yes, you got it right, the clothes people wear are anything but normal items of clothing or just passively protect the body of the people of Linkast City, their suits, suits to be exact are special because they are able to communicate with the soul and the surrounding environment, actively protecting them from bacteria and viruses that dominate the Earth’s atmosphere.

During their life, the inhabitants of Linkast City develop their own personality and awareness, which, as we have said, will all be interactive and therefore will highlight the person through their own color tone.

Whait even though she was in the awareness stagem, Whait still lacked a nuance of her own due to a mental dysfunction, which inhibited the characteristics of her suit.

The novel once described in the various scenarios of the dimension from which Whait comes, comes to life and focuses on her again and it will be discovered that her routine and her piloted life will be interrupted due to a hasty exit from the “trivial” building. and random” since along the way to get to the Headquarters located on the top floor, he finds the door to the roof open and.... she meets a boy who will try to harass her, Whait to escape from her attacker starts running and as soon as he reaches the edge of the building and seeing no way out, he will throw himself into the sea and suddenly find himself in our dimension.

Once out of the water completely naked, she will find herself in a completely different scenario ... a swimming pool with a beautiful sunset ...

59 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

Gryson and Whait will be a succession of twists, the novel aims to gather us in some reasoning on the existence of everything on the beyond boundaries that we used to hear and see.

MONOLOGUE LINKED BY THE PAST Hey ...

Hey ... yes you, I say you!

My name is Whait, bizarre name you may be thinking, but believe me it’s not random at all, Do you want to know something? I have always seen white as a shade waiting to be dominated by a colored spectrum, I have been waiting for so long for that infamous colored spectre that life flows away from me and I am always there motionless, I know at school there is a lot of talk about me, maybe because I always know a little too much, I learned to accept, to accept myself ...

But then ... acceptance is not really my strong point, it will be for this reason that I am writing this monologue.

Let’s start from the basics, Now take a deep breath!

Why am I saying this?

I bet the first thing that didn’t cross your mind is; A group of young people notice her....

Whait is shaken, disoriented and incredulous, she cannot imagine that that leap into the void caused a temporal ascension that took her to the present day, in the so to speak parallel dimension.

The experiences lived by Whait in our dimension during the novel will prove to be the same that she would have lived in the parallel dimension only in a different, non-mechanical way ...

She will find that the true colors of life will come from parties, from the toxic noise of music from the noise of people and will not be dictated by a suit, she will come out of a toxic relationship with her mind, from emotional breakdowns and all this will happen in a way. accelerated.

She will discover a life worthy of a teenager like her, she will demonstrate in this dimension her total independence, Alessia describes in the course of the novel a character of the protagonist completely unexpected, strong, free of connections, of distractions, until she enters, I play the relationship with a peer named Gryson.

“I breathe all day involuntarily” until now, you together with other people, will surely have breathed deeply, others have not, they are in a state of apnoea, why? I point out that the vast majority of people don’t think, who breathe involuntarily all day long.

Now think about the most important person in your life in your life, think of his face, his hair, Think that in this moment you have it in front of you, but you can’t hug her, smell her perfume, her voice.

Finally think of the sun, think of the warmth of its rays and all of a sudden ... nothing you are visualizing a cloud covering it feel the cold that has fallen down your body Did I confuse you?

Really ... try for a moment to see you again While you’re feeling nostalgia, repentance, anger,

Gryson’s profile is of an insecure boy, a sick optimist they say, who deceives even his conscience and ‘the classic funny boy a clown, touchy but at the same time extremely caring, kind and sensitive, his joking way is to take lightly life Alessia will make us discover a lucid maturity in him

and now try to summarize them in one word the reason why?

Why did you feel this way?

The answer is block !!!

You would like to collapse that block already, right?

Gryson associates with bad people and Whait will help him untie himself from bad company, he will unknowingly help her disconnect from the dimension he comes from by finding his right innate balance, Gryson will make him discover the wonders of the blue planet and all its frailties which for Whait are not taken for granted, in short, in him he will find a man when he least expects it, between mysteries and coincidences the relationship between

That block makes you feel weak weak and defeated Your actions even before your thoughts create this block ...

60 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

to be continued...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHAT DO I KNOW? WISDOM ESSAYS

BY JACK REMICK

ISBN: 978-0-9914258-8-4 $16.95 ~ Paperback 5.5" x 8.5" ~ 204 pages Sidekick Press ~ Fall 2021 Book Launch Village Books: Date TBD

Contact: Lisa Dailey, Sidekick Press Phone: 360.224.5535 Email: lisa@sidekickpress.com

The Essays in this book center around the questions of love, wisdom and knowledge through time. What is love in the twenty-first century?

Is there a wisdom to marriage? Are our bodies ‘naturally wise?’ What is the nature of orgasm? The meaning of sex? The author uses examples from ancient authors such as Pascal, Marcus Aurelius, and Descartes to clarify the issue of the decay of wisdom and the relation of nature to science, while at the same time drawing on present-time social and cultural mores to ask the enigmatic question—Is there such a thing as “stupid wisdom?” This is not a how-to book on becoming wise, but an interrogation of human wisdom in the Anthropocene. Will the “speaking word-ape” destroy itself as well as the environment it lives in?

In his thought-provoking and yes, wise little book, Jack Remick poses variations on the question, “What is wisdom?” Is knowledge wisdom? Can wisdom become obsolete? Whatever you think of his conclusions, following the threads of the author’s reasoning is a fascinating pastime. You may even find yourself drawn to sources you believed to be musty and irrelevant. Clearly the author has assimilated a vast wealth of philosophy and knowledge in his rich years of living and learning, even if, as he claims, a majority of it has been forgotten. In our digital world of distractions, it’s good to be reminded that the answers to these questions cannot be Googled. The search for wisdom is all about the journey.

—Catherine Treadgold, writer, editor, and former publisher of Coffeetown Enterprises Once again Jack Remick has proven his talent to fascinate his readers with his passionate choice of words and unpredictable feelings in his new work, What do I Know? He is a man of many words and offers his readers the gift of learning how to express their feelings with less fear of discovering who they are. Jack is my friend as well as coach. I admire his commitment to his craft and for the art of spectacular storytelling abilities that he shares with all of us.

—Marsha Cook, Michigan Avenue Media Inc.

61 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

ROSE ILIOSKI INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN TO LIVE THE LIFE THEY TRULY WANT TO LIVE! Interview by Jasmina Siderovski

“I am passionate about empowering people to be their best selves and live their best life!”

R

ose Ilioski is a loving and devoted wife, mother, “glam-mother,’ and a friend to thousands. Those who have met Rose are drawn to her aura and feel the passion that unleashes her inner love for life, humanity and purpose. You can’t help but be mesmerised by her inner peace that has an everlasting affect.

Rose is a ‘Women’s Empowerment Coach,’ and considers herself to be a women’s change agent. Her wealth of experience

62 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

coaching for 17 years, Certified, Level 1 Life Coach, with Results Coaching Systems, runs a coaching clinic from her home office in the Sydney region - the Sutherland Shire.

Rose’s passion is clear to inspire and empower women to live the life they truly want to live. Her vision to is to reach women in the wider community and around the world to live confidently and achieve success in all aspects of their lives.

And her mission is to empower women to believe in themselves, take action, and gain confidence in order to achieve what they want in life. Rose is determined for women to understand how amazing they are!

A life coach is a type of wellness professional who helps people make progress in their lives in order to attain greater fulfillment. Life coaches aid their clients in improving their relationships, careers, and day-to-day.

Rose’s strength as a warm, compassionate and goal-oriented personality helps everyone overcome the Monday morning blues, build confidence, determine your career path, find your purpose in your life, start your own business and so much more. She is a believer that we all have a place in the world, and unique through the strengths and weaknesses that surround us These strategies help Rose target your unique skills and gifts. She is always, ready, willing and able to work with functioning individuals who are looking to create a pathway to reaching set goals. Whether it is work, personal or family her ability to unlock untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership, is astounding.

Please tell our readers about your background and life growing up?

Where do I even begin?...

Hi, I’m Rose…

First of all, I’m a kindred spirit. A lover of people, peace and harmony.

I’m a wife to my amazing husband of 38 years, and mother to three amazing young men, Jason 34, Julian, 33 and Shannon 26. I’m also a glam-mother to our one and only 9-year-old granddaughter, who brings delight to our life. By heritage, I’m Hungarian, born in the small European country, Former Yugoslavia. I was born to great parents. Parents who worked very hard, who were loving, caring and provided as well as they could to my brother and me.

My name was lovingly chosen by my father.

My life started in a lovely city, near the Hungarian border. I have fond memories of my life there. Everything seemed honky-dory.

Kindergarten… Piano lessons… Tennis lessons… Performing in school… Walks in the park… White Christmas… Friends…

Fun Etc. Then… my parents got an idea that it would be good to move our family down south to a small village where they come from originally. A very small village where there was virtually nothing. That’s when everything changed for me. Literally, slowly, everything went ‘south’.

My time at school… Friends… Confidence… Self-belief… School grades.… Somehow, I got through… In hindsight, I realise that people (kids at school) in the village couldn’t handle me ‘being different. I remember, as a young girl, I loved people. Children younger than me, used to flock around me, as I was talking to them (Probably giving them ‘life principles’, or motivating them?).

Looks like LIFE had a different plan for me than just remaining in that place.

Adversity forced us to leave our country, seeking a better life, a brighter future… Australia was picked as the destination. The country of milk and honey. I was barely 15 when we arrived in Australia, a suitcase each in our hands. Equipped with few words of English, but very hopeful that this is the country that’ll give us that ‘better life’ we’ve been wanting. This country is where I’ve spent most my life. This is my forever home. This is where I set up the life I live now, together with my family.

There is so much more I could share, but I know there’s no room or time for that.

Is there any moment or memory that stands out for you?

I remember, when I was about 13, living a very simple life, I must have noticed the lack around me, the no friends. Noticing that life was so bland and bleak, I made a ‘declaration’ to myself; Some day, I will live a beautiful life; a life of plenty.

As a young teenager, (17,18,19) I made some incredible decisions which ended up being one of those ‘sliding doors’, life-changing decisions. My life wouldn’t be what it is today if I were to stay in those situations.

The day when I attended an Information Night on Life Coaching.

That’s when I fell in love with Life Coaching, and that’s when I found my ‘vocation’.

You are a successful Life Coach what are the most valuable lessons you have learned in your professional journey?

I chose Life Coaching on the premise of passion. Passion for people. I always wanted to work with people. I had a deep desire to ‘make a difference in people’s lives. This has been my motto for years.

My most valuable lessons have come from gleaning and learning from other coach colleagues, who have ‘sparked’ strength and confidence in me, that helped me become the Life Coach I am today.

63 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

My most valuable lesson or breakthrough, if you like, has been the ‘practice of complete self-expression’. As I go about life, I express who I truly am. To coach from the deepest and most authentic part of me–coach from the heart. I teach and pass on these principles to my clients. Giving myself the FREEDOM to be FREE to be ME. Is there any useful advice you would like to offer anyone else who may be interested in pursuing the same path?

From my point of view, if someone is considering pursuing the path of Life Coaching, do your research on which organization you’re going to do your course with.

Check-in on how much you really like to work with people. Set yourself up (business system-wise) right from the get-go.

Get an excellent mentor. Engage a Life Coach at least at the start of your journey.

What are three aspects that you learned about yourself along the way?

I’ve learned that I am tougher than I thought I was.

I’ve learned that whatever I set my mind on, and am passionate about, and is important to me, I CAN DO, and will achieve.

Setting a VISION for my life was a catalyst for the life I live now.

I’ve learned that my personality and qualities are my uniqueness, therefore, I am freely and confidently applying them in my coaching and everyday life.

Unfortunately, the world has changed drastically overnight due to the global pandemic COVID-19 and has played havoc on the world economy and mental health. What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year or two?

My goal is to impact as many people’s lives as I can. One person at a time.

With the help of social media, I am able to reach people around the world in larger numbers, like the UK, US, Hungary, Serbia, Germany, Austria of course here in Australia.

One of my main goals is to help minimise ‘SELF DOUBT’ amongst women.

(My niche is Women-Solo Mumpreneurs—I love to empower and inspire women from all backgrounds, really.)

As a professional in media, I am more and more aware that this is the time for growth and change in the way we as individuals/organisations think, operate and face challenges in a changing era. Up-skilling is vital for survival—what are some other ways we can grow and learn to overthrow stagnation?

That’s an interesting question?

Yes, upskilling is important and valuable in this forever changing world.

My personal view on this is that, if we get connected with ‘groups’ that we will feel supported in, where we can learn from others, and thrive as individuals, stagnation can fade away.

64 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

Mastermind groups are fabulous too.

Engaging a mentor or a Life Coach has tremendous value if one wants to grow and learn.

Finding ‘new purpose’, new goals for ourselves can also help overthrow stagnation. Collaborating with someone as a ‘confidence buddy’ can help tremendously with growing and learning.

Who is someone you admire, and why?

There are a few people I admire, but one that stands out to me is Oprah Winfrey.

(I am yet to read her Biography.)

I admire her for her inner fight, tenacity, for her determination and hard work of eventually achieving what she has achieved— affecting millions of people’s lives.

What do you consider to be some of your greatest achievements?

1. My marriage to my husband. We are an awesome team!

2. My 3 boys, they are my treasures!

3. Becoming who I am today 4. My life as it is now 5. Becoming a Life Coach 6. Becoming a leader of a women’s Networking group Mums in Business International in my region (MIB Int.) Tell me three pet peeves.

This is a hard one! Would you believe it, I can’t think of anything at the moment? Admittedly, I don’t focus on these things.

Do you have any other skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

No, not really. I’m an open book. Maybe deep down I am a famous piano player or a Fashion Designer?

What are some things on your bucket list?

I want to live in Budapest for 6 months with my hubby.

Travel around Australia, especially going across the Nullarbor.

Live in Noosa for 6 months with my hubby.

What are some causes you care about, support or play a role?

I care about single mothers who are having it tough-raising children and are suffering from mental illness and don’t have a good support network. I know of one such person that I have been supporting for 13 years.

Links www.boutiquelifecoaching.com.au https://www.facebook.com/boutiquelifecoaching https://www.facebook.com/rose.ilioski https://instagram.com/BoutiqueLifeCoaching

65 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

LUMBIE MLAMBO CEO and Founder at JB Dondolo Inc.

By Jules Lavallee

Y

ou are an Advocate for clean water and empowering women to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Tell us about your work.

No one can live a healthy and fulfilled life without clean water. On the most part, our bodies are made of water, so I can’t imagine anyone going without it. Water is a human right! It is a basic necessity. Everyone deserves equal access to clean water. The ethical issues that women and girls face with water can be helped. All it takes is action. So, my organization JB Dondolo, Inc. focuses on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are in line with our mission: SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 5 – Gender Equity, and SDG 6 – Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. We know that women and girls in underserved and impoverished communities are the most disadvantaged. Collection of water heavily relies on women who must walk miles to fetch water. So, addressing water first, solves the issue.

66 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

At one of JB Dondolo’s projects at Matobo Hills, women and girls walk up to 18 miles a day to fetch water for their families. This leaves women with no time for anything else. So, how can girls go to school when they have to assist with the collection of water? At school, there are no facilities with water for girls to care for themselves, especially during menstruation periods.

The lack of education puts them deeper in poverty. So, if we’re to close the gender equality gap, we need to focus on women and girls first. To me, the best way to solve the problem is to start with water.

We provide access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene so everyone can pursue a better and more equitable life. When everyone is healthy, they live fulfilled lives. By helping women and girls, we help the whole family as well. When women and girls get them out of the cycle of poverty, they can focus on other things such as entrepreneurship and education to improve and advance themselves.

Share your background. Who inspired you to help others?

My background is in technology and philanthropy. However, I’m a mother and wife first. I graduated from Indiana University South Bend and Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. I’ve been working in IT for

some time now and I love it. However, I’m called to do something greater than myself to help people in need. Empathy is in my DNA and most likely has everything to do with my upbringing in Zimbabwe, Africa.

•

Looking back at my life journey, I’ll have to say my parents were a huge inspiration to me and in shaping me to be the person I am today. I was never a philanthropist, but I feel like I’ve found my purpose. I did not choose to advocate for clean water. It’s just that I stumbled upon the water issue by accident. The water crisis exposes the ethical issues women and girls face today.

So, I feel I have a duty to play my part to uplift those in need.

Through my work with water, I’ve met experts and scientists and learned a lot from them. Every day I learn something new and apply what I learn. My background in technology is a big plus because we live in a digital world where things change fast, and we have to act and adapt quickly so we thrive.

Tell us about your nonprofit, Dondolo, Inc. What are the initiatives of 2021?

JB Dondolo, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded by Dondolo’s children in November 2012. The organization is named after the late father, JB Dondolo, an orphan, farmer, and humanitarian advocate whose values and principles on giving continue to inspire his children, friends, and families across the world. JB Dondolo played a critical role in the fight against poverty in his community and Dondolo’s children saw the need to form this organization in honor of their father, so his legacy of good deeds continues.

Our mission is to remove barriers of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in underserved and impoverished communities to reduce poverty and promote gender equity. We see a world where clean water is not an obstacle to pursuing a better and more equitable life.

The following are our 2021 initiatives: •

Music for Water – This is an annual international music competition to find a song that is water inspired while we benefit a community in need.

This year I’m happy to say we’ve partnered with Viva Con Agua Music to expand and benefit Skid Row with sanitary and hygiene products.

The top song winners get a one-time distribution deal with Grand Mountain International Records (G.M.I.R.).

•

Matobo Hills Water – This initiative is in Zimbabwe, Africa, where women (mostly widows) lack access to clean water. They walk more up to 18 miles a day to fetch water. We have engaged our ground manager Dot Bekker and our value partner National University of Science and Technology (NUST) to assist with testing of water in the lab so that we know how to proceed. There is currently no infrastructure. We’re in the process of digging boreholes and installing hand pumps. We’re making sure these boreholes are located in the community, so women and girls don’t have to walk miles to get water.

We’re also exploring the possibility of restoring wetlands as this would offer more value to the community.

Our long-term goal is to build the infrastructure and bring water directly to every household as well as create jobs through tourism.

Sweet Compassion – This initiative is all year around and nationally in the USA. We are showing empathy and compassion to the underserved communities and frontline workers who sacrifice their lives for all of us.

Together with our youth ambassadors “2 Brothers in a Kitchen” and partners “Vi Bella”, “Fashion Community Foundation” and “Disinfect & Shield” we are delivering cookies, face masks and hand sanitizers to underserved communities across the nation.

As a UN advocate and active supporter of the United Nations’ Global Goals, what are the challenges you are seeing?

We want to end inequalities and poverty in all its forms everywhere, period. This effort is a huge undertaking by humanitarians and all sectors that have to interact to ensure we achieve this goal. More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty, lacking the most basic needs such as health, education, and access to water and sanitation, to name a few. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made things worse and put us decades behind.

People can help by visiting https:// jbdondolo.org to make a donation to support any of our initiatives or contact JB Dondolo team at team@jbdondolo.org.

We’re always looking for helpers, angel donors, advisors, and interns.

We need to have more empathy and more participation globally because the only way to solve the inequality and poverty issues are to work together “collectively” with one goal and one mission. We need to pull our resources together and continue to raise awareness, so more people get involved.

What do you want people to know about the people of Zimbabwe?

Lumbie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ lumbie-mlambo-7ab65019/

I want people to know that the ancient civilizations, rich nature, and history keep Zimbabweans rooted to their traditions and norms. Zimbabweans share a common thread somewhere that keeps everyone together. Although they all have different personalities and strengths, they take pride in their shared dreams and visions. They are competent individuals who believe in creating and building positive change together for a better future. Each person is unique and adds value to the core system. In general, Zimbabweans are generous people who welcome you into their homes.

JB Dondolo: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/2874343/admin/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ jbdondolo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ jbdondolo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ jbdondol

67 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

GYMHA

AUSTRALIAN BASED INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, GYMHA TO HOLD A WORLD CLASS STRESS MANAGEMENT SUMMIT.

By David David issues, and concerns without any stigma or prejudice. As a not-for-profit, GYMHA in collaboration with Empowering Your Soul (eYs) magazine and many other local and international reputable organizations present the annual Stress Management Revolutions Summit.

I

t might seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. The vast majority of health problems are caused or influenced by stress. It’s important to understand how stress affects your body and learn effective stress management techniques to make stress work for you rather than against you. To help you master the art of stress management, an Australian based international organization GYMHA, Global Youth Mental Health Awareness is holding a world class stress management summit in August tagged Stress Management Revolutions Summit (SMR) 2021.

GYMHA Incorporated is a global network of professionals whose vision is to make psychology a household term and to be an advocate for raising awareness and improving youth emotional and mental health outcome. GYMHA aims to empower anyone, especially those experiencing psychological health problems, emotional turmoil, adjustment 68 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

In the forthcoming event, the world’s most renowned humanitarians, psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, allied health practitioners; political leaders, community leaders, youth activists, artists, and researchers will come together and openly share insights to improve the mental health of the participants inside and outside the corporate world.

In its first revolution in 2020, the Summit had more than a thousand registrants from all walks of life. In the forthcoming second revolution, over forty speakers and panelists from top industrial bodies and corporations will be present. Looking out for those unrecognizable signs of stress? There will be six hours of power-packed LIVE sessions with Q&A. The Summit will have two master classes. First, participants will bag a full knowledge of ancient wisdom practices to enjoy a lifelong mental balance. Second, institutions get to formulate effective activities for World Mental Health Day. Also, those in search of learning about first aid, role-plays and so on should not miss this opportunity.

Over a hundred on-demand webinars will be available on the platform from some of the biggest names in mental health. There will be high energy activities like exercises, music, drama, quiz competitions and artful

performances. Additionally, there will be heaps of virtual exhibition stands.

The forthcoming event is suitable for: Youth, Schools, GPs, NHS Staff, CAMHS, Charities, Youth Clubs, Staff in Residential Housing for Children and Mental Health, Foster-Carers, Rehabilitation Centers, Colleges, Sports Clubs, Spiritual and Holistic Therapists and anyone interested in empowering the youths.

The key objectives of the summit are to familiarize participants with stress and its causes, effects, early signs, and solutions, help participants learn to live by self-regulating health and overcoming stress forever, create opportunities for the participants to network with stress management practitioners, facilitate organizations to make meaningful approaches to stress/mental health and teach methods of stress abatement through first aid, role-plays, counseling.

Managing stress is all about taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships and relaxation – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.

That’s what GYMHA’s second revolution Stress Management Summit 2021 aims to achieve.

For registration, please click on the link below: https://smr-masterclass.eventbrite.com.au or inbox jude@gymha.org

69 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

CENTER FOR PEACE ADVOCACY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CEPASD

About CEPASD Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) is a youth focused non-governmental organization registered in Nigeria with corporate affairs commission in November 2018. Also registered with UN volunteers with roster number 2150227.

CEPASD has a profile with UN DESEA. CEPASD focus on Peace building, fostering sustainable development goals, preventing violent Extremism (PVE), advocacy against gender-based violence, leadership, education, innovation, youth empowerment and social justice.

CEPASD work on policy formulation/ implementations and Humanitarian Actions. CEPASD is a member of U.S Youth, Peace and Security Coalition, Alliance of CSO’s and NGOs for South South Cooperation (ANCSSC) Nigeria Youth, Peace and Security Coalition, Coalition Peace, West Africa Civil Society E-directory and Restless Collective Youth Development and many more.

CEPASD works to engage, inspire and build the resilience of youth on peace building, advocacy against gender-

70 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

based violence, promotion and fostering of sustainable development goals and leadership across Africa while building their capacity to become peace ambassadors and champions of peaceful coexistence as well as mentoring them on nation building, patriotism, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, development and sustainability. CEPASD promotes and foster the international Youth, Peace and Security agenda of UNSCR 2250, 2535 and AU Peace and Security agenda also work on policy formulation to enhance global practices in peace building actions and peace education.

It is our firm belief that young people possess the creativity, tenacity, capacity and innovative ideas to create a better society thus we build their resilience in the fight against gender-based violence and violent extremism.

CEPASD pushes to redefine the narratives and rekindle the passion for peace building and sustainable development while taking holistic measures in addressing the root causes of violent extremism, gender-based violence and violent conflict to towards achieving sustainable peace, social justice

and policy formulation and implementation in peace building actions and peace education to meet global practices.

Our mandate is to foster and actualize the sustainable development goals and build the capacity of young people in peace building actions, and achieve youth for peace agenda UNSCR 2250 We are making indelible mark to ensure that the youths discover and utilize their latent potentials for sustainable development through peace building action and innovation. We are driven by our core principles of uplifting and putting Smiles on the faces of those affected by conflict, violence and terrorism.

Our priorities are youth development, women empowerment and child education as well as leading advocacy campaigns against violence, conflict, terrorism caused by natural by natural or manmade phenomena such as climate change, drought, poverty and unemployment in Africa.

CEPASD prospects are to inspire the 21st century youths to imbibe the culture of

peace and tolerance and shun violent conflict and terrorism advance youth peace building actions, leadership acumen and innovation.

We believe that in order to achieve sustainable development there must be a peaceful environment. We are making giant strides in the areas peace building to encourage the youths to become peace ambassadors, peace builders and champions of peaceful coexistence and ensure the domestication and implementation of UNSCR2250

GOALS

VISION

• To use innovation and technology to solve underlying problems of violent conflict and gender-based violence

CEPASD envisions a world where everyone will live in peace and harmony, have access to quality education, advocate against gender-based violence and empowerment of women and youths MISSION To Foster and Actualize Sustainable Peace and development while building youth resilience in promoting peace, social justice, human right, leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and development To enhance policy formulation and implementation in peace building, gender-based violence and domestication of UNSCR 2250, 2535, 2419 and African continental framework on youth peace and security CORE VALUES Peace and Justice Tolerance Respect Passion and Commitment Innovation and Excellence Integrity

• To build youth resilience to achieve peace and development and ensure access to quality education • To foster and actualize the SDGs goals and eliminate genderbased violence • To foster inter-ethnic and inter-religious peaceful coexistence • To engage the youths on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship for self-reliance

OUR NETWORKS We consist of global network of pragmatic, passionate and committed young people that are inquisitive to solve world most pressing challenges. We aspire to learn, unlearn, relearn and build resilience. We are always open to teach, mentor each other and create a value that builds capacity. We relearn and share knowledge.

We are great people that thinks out of the box which has been our driving force propelling us into great ideas, successes, legacy and stewardship OUR NETWORK GOALS • To bring innovative intervention to solve societal problems.

• To create synergy between the youth and relevant stakeholders.

• To bring interventions that will solve African most pressing challenges.

• To actualize SDG Goals and AU Agenda 2063.

• To bring millions of youths together under one platform

71 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

OUR STRUCTURE To ensure efficiency and effectiveness, CEPASD is organized into five departments Human Resources and Admin Programs and Operations Finance Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Median and Communication Team Our Team consists of dedicated and pragmatic leaders, professional eager to make impact and contribute their quote to the development of the society and humanity through championing peace building activities and fostering sustainable development goals WHERE WE ARE 1. Nigeria 2. The Gambia

72 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

3. Sierra Leone 4. Zimbabwe 5. Ghana LANDMARK INITIATIVES Global Youth Movement against Gender Based Violence Center for Peace Building and Conflict Management Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development Center for Leadership and Development Center for Education and Women Empowerment Resilient Youth Fellowship Resilient Youth Engagement Network OUR PROGRAMS/PROJECTS Educational STEAM Project on GBV Digital Skill for Peace Youth Can End Violence Nigeria Youth Summit African Youth Peace Summit Youth and Peace Building Actions

Peace Friday ONE Global Peace Summit Global Youth Dialogue on SDGs SDG Watch Global Youth Engagement Summit Global Youth Engagement Model United Nations International SDG Innovation Challenge Community Youth4Peace Ambassador Nigeria Youth Aspiration Peace and Education Connecting the Dot Peace and Environment Connecting the Dot Teen4Peace Project (Peace club in secondary school) Emerging Young Leadership Program African Youth Leadership Forum Women and Youth Empowered4Peace Projects ACHIEVEMENT CEPASD have created real value by impacting about 10,000 people both directly and indirectly through it programs and projects CEPASD in just two years of operation have executed about 15 programs and programs both online and onsite and build both local and international partnerships there reaching more people around the world Global Youth Movement Against Gender Based Violence which is a landmark initiative of CEPASD in partnership with Federation of International Gender and Human Rights have trained over 100 youths as train the trainer and as ambassadors and advocate against gender-based violence with over 15 cases of GBV and several programs carried out by the Ambassadors in their respect countries and community, the movement has over 500 ambassadors CEPASD through its Educational STEAM project on SGBV have trained 100 students on SGBV/GBV and raised awareness on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence SGBV and Gender-Based Violence GBV for more than 800 students of Government Science Secondary School, Maitama and Government Science Technical College, Area 3, Garki

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Project and saw students stage drama presentations that addressed SGBV/GBV in the society and students are now champions and advocates against SGBV/ GBV in their schools, immediate environment and the society at large. Project also built the culture of peace among students CEPASD overtime have advocated peace across Africa, engaged youths in championing peace building and preventing violent extremism. Also, we have built youth leadership acumen on nation building and sustainable development. CEPASD through its Global dialogue on SDGs have contributed significantly to achieving UN sustainable development goals agenda 2030 Our peace begins with me I stand for peace campaign have reach thousands of youth over the years, this has necessitated youth action for peace not violence across Africa. Our peace advocacy campaign has reached over five thousand youths through our various social media platforms. We have impacted the lives of orphans through our project Humanity first: Give to The Orphans as part of our humanitarian action program CHALLENGES Lack of collaboration with government agencies and ministries due to many bureaucracies Enabling policy reform and implementation with major stakeholders and government Lack of access to funding, grant and partnership OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANSION CEPASD programs and projects have presented opportunity for expansion with needed supports expansion will be possible • Scaling up the GBV movement across Nigeria • Getting capacity building training from international donors • Carrying out GBV projects in local communities

73 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

eYs Team

MINHAZUL ABEDIN

KRISTINA APOSTOLOSKA

BANGLADESH

BANGLADESH

THE NETHERLANDS

CREATIVE – eYs Magazine UI/UX Designer, Amar iSchool

R. MACEDONIA eYs Youth Ambassador

Graphic Artist - Conservation and Restoration, and Business Owner

MAYA APOSTOLOSKA

CLAUDINE BURGESS

MARSHA CASPER COOK

PAMELA DALSENO

AUSTRALIA

USA

AUSTRALIA

Define and Shine Life Coach and Photographer

CEO Michigan Avenue Media, Author, Screenwriter & Entrepreneur

Lou Lou Living Founder and Creator

DR JOHN HARRISON

DEBBIE KEMP

INDIA

AUSTRALIA

Educational Influencer & Philosopher

Intuitive Life Coach, Speaker and Businesswoman

DR NASRIN PARSIAN

MARCO PIEMONTE

DEME McDONALD AUSTRALIA MaxAus Beauty Scientist, Businesswoman and Motivational Speaker

ANITA RACHELLE ROE

AUSTRALIA

ITALY

AUSTRALIA

Emotional Health Consultant and Educator Senior Lecturer/ Course Convenor, Holistic health Professional/Researcher

CEO at Greenden

RACHELLE ROE STUDIO Jewellery Designer, Businesswoman, and Photographer

74 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021

eYs Team

COSETTE AWAD

BOJANA BOGOJEVIC

BELLA BOURGEOIS

SERBIA

USA

Law and Corporate Governance Lawyer, Post-Grad Specialist for Corporate Governance, UN Climate Teacher, and Author

Photographer and Global Artist for Planetary Peace

PROF. JUDE EDIAE

CLARE ERASMUS

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

No Limits Consulting Pty Ltd Cognitive Scientist & Resilience Expert

Founder and CEO Global Youth Mental Health Awareness GYMHA

Author, Educator and Researcher

Christopher MUKASA

JULIE MICHELS

UGANDA

AUSTRALIA

Founding Director at Tokens of Life Uganda

Solution Hub Bookkeeper, Reiki Practitioner, and Business Owner

LEBANON Author

PAULA DUNN AUSTRALIA

NATALIE O’CONNOR AUSTRALIA Photographer, Businesswoman, Author and Traveller

JASMINA SIDEROVSKI AUSTRALIA CEO & Editor-in-Chief at eYs Magazine Publisher, Award-Winning Author, UNAA, UN Women and UN Volunteer, Honouree World Greatness Award– Civility Humanitarian, and Philanthropist

75 | eYs Magazine, Winter 2021