As a new English as a second language teacher of nine- and ten-year-olds in Texas many years ago, I was profoundly aware of the large gap between my students and those in the mainstream classes.
Speaking at a conference in October, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai recalled a childhood friend in Pakistan who was forced to marry at age 11, ending her life as a school student.
I am so inspired by the account of the Nigerian woman photographing her people’s strength and joy, encouraging them to rise above hopelessness, to uphold their dignity, and to help one another.
This past fall, one of South Africa’s most popular figures, Thuli Madonsela, ended her term as Public Prosecutor after seven years of taking on powerful figures—including President Jacob Zuma—for corruption.