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From a Tin Shed to the United Nations: How every one of us can make a difference
At the age of 22, Stephanie Woollard encountered seven disabled women subsisting in a tin shed in Kathmandu. Shocked to learn that disabled women are stigmatized in Nepal, Stephanie started helping the women to help themselves. Soon they had a thriving business selling handmade produce, and Steph had found her calling.
More than 11 years on, the aid organization, Seven Women, has improved the lives of thousands of Nepalese women and the ripple effects are felt around the globe. Steph's entrepreneurship now encompasses sustainable tourism and inspiration speaking. In 2016, she was honored at the United Nations with a Rotary Responsible Business Award.
As you will see on these pages, not only is Stephanie Woollard's work just benefiting, she wants every one of us to understand why and how we can all make a difference.
More than 11 years on, the aid organization, Seven Women, has improved the lives of thousands of Nepalese women and the ripple effects are felt around the globe. Steph's entrepreneurship now encompasses sustainable tourism and inspiration speaking. In 2016, she was honored at the United Nations with a Rotary Responsible Business Award.
As you will see on these pages, not only is Stephanie Woollard's work just benefiting, she wants every one of us to understand why and how we can all make a difference.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2017
5 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 8, 2020
Wow. There are many people in this world that want to “save the world once” but it is rare that you have the great pleasure of coming across someone like Stephanie. Someone whose selflessness, generosity, kindness, resolve, determination and commitment make her an angel.
Her story moves and inspires, delivering the message that to make a difference is as simple the choices we each make everyday when we consume, and as complex as understanding the true impact of your aid.
In her book Stephanie shares her journey from childhood and the influence of her parents and grandmother; high school including her role as president of the Amnesty International club; university as she changes degrees and forms a strong connection and home base at La Trobe then continues on to study her masters in Sweden; her membership with rotary international, numerous volunteering and socially educational scenarios she pursues around Australia and abroad; and her travels to Nepal and beyond, landing her at the UN.
From start to finish her story is grown from the grass roots and Stephanie is analytical and adaptive in her methods and responses to challenges and new information.
Stephanie divulges the experience of all of her encounters (of which there are many!) With her drive to connect with people and learn from them in order to educate and empower herself and others, at the heart of everything she does.
Stephanie also includes a candid recollection of the impact compassion fatigue and burn out have on her. Particularly how when removed from the love, warmth and inspiration that fuels her, the complexity of the issues at hand and lack of compassion in humanity prove overwhelmingly dejecting.
My only critique is that in several areas the chronology is unclear and the book appears to jump from point to point, backwards and forwards in time. Additional clarity in several of these instances would be very useful to comfortably guide the reader through sections where flash backs get crossed.
Reading Stephanies book, having engaged in similar activities with NGOs and studies myself, lit a fire inside me that saw several parts of her book highlighted for further investigation. Thank you for who you are, all that you do, al that you teach and for inspiring and enlightening many, myself included.
Her story moves and inspires, delivering the message that to make a difference is as simple the choices we each make everyday when we consume, and as complex as understanding the true impact of your aid.
In her book Stephanie shares her journey from childhood and the influence of her parents and grandmother; high school including her role as president of the Amnesty International club; university as she changes degrees and forms a strong connection and home base at La Trobe then continues on to study her masters in Sweden; her membership with rotary international, numerous volunteering and socially educational scenarios she pursues around Australia and abroad; and her travels to Nepal and beyond, landing her at the UN.
From start to finish her story is grown from the grass roots and Stephanie is analytical and adaptive in her methods and responses to challenges and new information.
Stephanie divulges the experience of all of her encounters (of which there are many!) With her drive to connect with people and learn from them in order to educate and empower herself and others, at the heart of everything she does.
Stephanie also includes a candid recollection of the impact compassion fatigue and burn out have on her. Particularly how when removed from the love, warmth and inspiration that fuels her, the complexity of the issues at hand and lack of compassion in humanity prove overwhelmingly dejecting.
My only critique is that in several areas the chronology is unclear and the book appears to jump from point to point, backwards and forwards in time. Additional clarity in several of these instances would be very useful to comfortably guide the reader through sections where flash backs get crossed.
Reading Stephanies book, having engaged in similar activities with NGOs and studies myself, lit a fire inside me that saw several parts of her book highlighted for further investigation. Thank you for who you are, all that you do, al that you teach and for inspiring and enlightening many, myself included.
August 6, 2018
I was lucky enough to meet Steph in person when I got a copy of this book. It is an incredible personal story, one that inspires to do more and think long term about the kind of impact you can have.
Especially if you're planning to travel to Nepal, I recommend this book. And if you aren't, consider booking a trip with her Hands On Development tours to see the impact she has had in person.
Especially if you're planning to travel to Nepal, I recommend this book. And if you aren't, consider booking a trip with her Hands On Development tours to see the impact she has had in person.
January 6, 2018
Absolutely loved the book, nearly read it all in one sitting. Stephanie's energy exudes from the pages and gives life not only to her experiences but the people she interacted with on her journey creating Seven Women.
October 20, 2018
Inspirational
Steph has shown how compassion and humanity can make positive change to the lives of others. Empowering people to give them confidence drives lasting change. A great accomplishment by Steph and her Seven Women organisation.
Steph has shown how compassion and humanity can make positive change to the lives of others. Empowering people to give them confidence drives lasting change. A great accomplishment by Steph and her Seven Women organisation.
April 16, 2018
Heard Stephanie speak at our Rotary Conference so had to buy the book. Such an amazing woman with so much passion. I read the book quickly and loved every part of it. Such an insight into her journey.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews