Self Empowerment

cHICAGO, iLLINOIS

The interrupters

• Founded in 1995
• Past experiences led to involvement 
• All ex-gang members
• Renamed Cure Violence in 2013

Ameena Matthews

• Daughter of Jeff Fort
• Experiences transformed into something positive
• Helps children and women

Untitled Slide

"We got a responsibility to bring up our community to be vibrant. Whatever it is that's going on, cease fire, call a truce." -Ameena Matthews

Sierra Leone

behind the scenes

• Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa
• War began in 1991
• Rebellions overtook Beah's village in 1993
• And his journey began...

Rehabilitation

• Chance at survival
• Clean of drugs
• Mental Stability
• Esther 

NYC Conference

• Speech about child soldiers
• Inspired by fellow speakers
• Planned to dedicate time to the cause

Work with unicef

• Moves to NYC for good
• Joins UNICEF as advocate
• Pursues Education

"If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen"
-Ishmael Beah

AFghanistan

WHy Here?

• Soviet Union, Taliban, Warlords
• Need for natural oil
• Corrupt government

WHy Here?

• Soviet Union, Taliban, Warlords
• Need for natural oil
• Corrupt government

"When elephants fight, it is the grass that is trampled" -Malalai Joya

Education

• Educated herself
• Taught in homes and empty rooms
• OPAWC
• Inspires others to learn

Political work

• Loya Jirga Conference
• Speaks out against Warlords
• Gains respect and support from many
• Experience from being told no drives her
• Earns seat in parliament 

SOcial Work

• Human Rights Advocate
• Promotes Health Care
• Hamoon Clinic

troy, NY

This semester has taken us around the world and opened our eyes to things happening everywhere. By hearing the stories of these people and learning about the things going on in different places we have become empowered to get involved and help make a difference.

Nelson Mandela

WGBH Educational Foundation (2014, February 14). The interrupters. Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/interrupters/

Unferth, D. O. (2011). Revolution: The Year I Fell in Love and Went to Join the War. New York: Henry Holt.

Beah, I. (2007). A long way gone: Memoirs of a boy soldier. New York: Sarah Crichton Books.

Joya, M. (2009). A woman among warlords. New York, NY: Scribner.