Missing Module 5 Skype Call: I'm sad, happy and grateful
by Stella Paul | March 12, 2012 at 5:45 AM
Dear sisters, Rachael and Scott
Since the VoF program took off, I have been eagerly waiting for the skype calls every month - the only opportunity to hear you all and of course to be rescued by Scott when in tech trouble :)
But this time around, I am gonna miss it. Obviously, I am sad, but the reasons for missing the call is so great, I am also happy. Happy to share, and to say thanks to this program and WP.
As the program VoF progressed, doors have been opening for me all over. One of them is Panos London -a development media organization for which I have been reporting since Dec'11. On 17th March, I will be one of the 7 journalists worldwide chosen to visit London for a series of media activities. This includes getting introduced to editors of Europe's leading media houses. Could I be any more excited?
But excitement isn't the only emotion to mention; I also have gratitude, for helping me go more miles than I expected to, in such short time.
To elaborate it a bit, prior to Nov'11, I was a journalist who had just turned a freelancer and was struggling for survival. I had stories, but not many takers.
And today, I have so many assignments, I am rejecting offers! I can't handle them all.
Just to look at my April schedule: I will be making a documentary on Transparency International - the global social movement against corruption, another documentary on Sustainable development for Friedrich Ebert Stifftung of Germany,. I will also doing a story for Women's News Network on rural entrepreneurs (I have known Lys Anzia of WNN for a while and they have published my stories earlier) and then attend a national seminar on Green architecture. In the last case, I have been inducted into the board of advisers - an absolute honor.
Oh, and as I write this, I am getting an invite to write for a magazine that the UNEP is launching next month.
In short, I can't finish counting my blessings. But I can gauge the gratitude to this program because this is where I found it all: my self-confidence, higher volume to my voice and the beginning of my brand new story. This is a program that helps you discover your strength and use it too.
So, with gratitude in my heart, I prepare to go to London where, beside all the official networking, I also plan to meet the brother of my lovely mentor Sara Collins who is fast becoming my family!
Love and hugs to all and best wishes for Module 5
Comments
A huge congratulations comes
A huge congratulations comes from me to you!! It sounds as if many doors have opened to you, and you have had some great opportunities. I wish you lots of luck, and happy story telling!!
Love,
Noreen
You are too good!
Thanks Noreens! I am a bit ashamed to say this here (the right place would have been under your post), but Noreens, I know you are going places too and making heads think hard. I am not surprised though; whoever read your Front Line journal post would see a powerful story teller in you. So, lots of love and a big hug from me to you too for getting published in New Internationalist and may your journey gets longer with every passing day.
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
I'm proud of my petite fille!
I'm overjoyed, really overjpyed! I might be in London from 28 March for a few weeks (health permitting). Let me know if you're around and where. I would so much like to meet you, meet up with you and with Sara and share hugs!
I'm a very proud ouma (grandmother), proud of you my girl, ma petite fille!
With huge gratitude to WP in my heart, from Monica in France
Monica Clarke, Writer & Storyteller, bringing human rights alive.
I wish you 'Nangamso', that is: May you continue to do the good work which you do so well.
(A blessing from my ancestors, the Khoikhoi, the first people of South Africa).
Oh, meet we will
My favorite woman
I am trying to find a more appropriate way to address you every time, so that it can express the way I feel about you. I am yet to find that though. Anyway, I return back on 25th, so London isn't where we will meet. But meet we will. I have to meet you someday - I want a piece of that wisdom. I have a dream too many: to sit and hear the stories of your fights against Apartheid, and your other struggles and wins. And now I am confident enough to say that it sure will happen one day soon. Until then, let me hug you again. I feel strongly connected to you and that's a gift!
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
what a good news sisi!! happy
what a good news sisi!! happy for you and yes happy for us too as you are making us proud dear.
best wishes,, always go ahead.
hugs
Live and Let Live
Usha
You are a rock
I read in Bible of something called a 'rock' - something you can always bank on, something that always stays. You, my dear sister, have been a rock for me since the day we met in Kathmandu. You are precious and I love you!
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
Congratulations!
What an amazing new story you have begun Stella! Obviously, the world has been waiting for your voice! Your experience demonstrates the best sort of impact this program could have and serves as an inspiration to other women in our network to follow their dreams.
Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Rachael
"In every human heart there are a few passions that last a lifetime. They're with us from the moment we're born, and nothing can dilute their intensity." Rob Brezny
Be very, very proud
Dear Rachael
I think each one of you can be proud of yourself, for building such a program with such impacts. I have seen and heard of a number of programs and projects that aim and claim to create impacts. But in this case its us - the people (and not you the program runners) are talking of impacts. Its real, not something 'claimed', if you know what I mean. And that is the visible sign of what you are doing. I will never tire of telling all the women out there to be a part of this program because it can indeed do magic.
Love
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
GO Girl!!!
Congrats my dear Stella Paul, I'm really happy for you.
CHEERS
Ifesinachi
Thank you Ife
Thank you so much Ife my sister. I think each one of us has a story of achievement to tell by now. You have been published and made the world take notice. Sahro just won a couple of awards, Noreens is writing for magazines... the list is long. Together we are doing some solid good to make an impact, isn't that wonderful? Love you lots!
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
Amazing!
Congratulations! It's so good to hear this success story. This program is just the spring-board for your already amazing talents. I'm glad to hear you're too busy now. :)
You deserve it all, and more.
With love,
Scott
Scott Beck
World Pulse Online Community Manager
Thanks Scott!
Very kind words these are Scott and thank you a lot! But I will surely miss hearing you!
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
Congratulations!! Well
Congratulations!! Well deserved, sister!
Peace,
Mari
Thank you Mari
Dear Mari
But for this forum and sisters like you to cheer on, I would still be fighting for inches of space. SO, all thanks to you! Love
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
Stella dear, This is very
Stella dear,
This is very good news about your engages. Congratulations and best of luck in undertaking the assignments. From what I have read in your postings on Pulsewire, I have the confidence that you will give them your best.
Hugs,
Amie
Thank you my sister
I am going to carry this love and wishes in my heart. I sometimes go very low on confidence, but this time around, I am going to borrow yours :) Love you and wishing the very best to you too Amie!
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe
Great News
Great news you shared with us, Stella. I am just reading it now, I was really 'lost' in the past 2 weeks.
Congratulations sister! You make us proud.
Stella.
Thank you Celine
Thank you Celine. I am doing some last minute packing and your words made me smile, boosting my confidence a little more. God bless you!
Stella Paul
Twitter: @stellasglobe