Tanu Mondkar attended PTPI’s Global Youth Forum (GYF) in 2007 and 2008 and the Global Youth Forum Humanitarian Conference (GYFHC) in 2008. She recently wrote to Sarah Houston, PTPI’s Managing Director of Student Programs, to share how her involvement has had an impact on her life.
I wanted to thank you and everyone else for providing such enlightening programs through this amazing organization that has not only become a significant part of my life but become such a defining part of me. Today, as I was brainstorming possible college essay topics, everything links back to my participation in PTPI programs and events from my volunteer work in my own community to my journey in every PTPI program I have been a part of.
After I attended the 2007 GYF in Chicago, I was literally hooked: I came back home only to bombard my parents with what I had learned and all the past PTPI humanitarian programs I had missed out on and my start on making a difference in my own community. During the 2007 GYF, our group went to an elementary school and I had paired up with two boys to work on an arts and crafts “All About Me” project: one of the two boys has asked me to draw him a gun to go along with his alien under his favorite alien video game drawing. So, besides thinking about media’s influence upon young children, I began to search for images of a gun to help him draw it.
However, I realized that maybe I could put PTPI’s theme of Peace through Understanding into action: so, I asked him ‘why not make your alien a friendly alien and let’s draw him without the gun because we do not like mean aliens, right?’ and he replied, ‘a friendly alien…okay’ …although, I knew that it is difficult for a seven year old to understand the deeper meaning of abstract terms such as peace and understanding, I felt that even within that moment I had made a difference, whether temporary or permanent.
Another thing I had realized was that these young children are the messengers of word, and they are the main part of making the difference. This a very personal experience of mine that led me to realizing my passion of humanitarian service and combining them with my other passions of travel and international relations; also, this experience led me to start making a difference in my own community by volunteering at various organizations and at a local hospital.
After such a great experience, I had thought that no other program could even beat that experience. I was wrong. Besides the cultural enriching and magnificent GYFHC in Egypt, this last GYF, was definitely, a grand finale from my departure of student programs and also gave me another reason, an initiative, to provide education to the children of Gurion (Francis Bok’s hometown in Sudan). Once again, I had the good fortune to hear fascinating speakers such as Amb. Charles Hostler, the former diplomat to Bahrain, Beatrice Biira, Deepa Willingham, and Francis Bok.
Also, our group was amazing: I have never seen or never been a part of a group so united not only because our combined passions of humanitarian service but also because of our common goal and cause of helping Francis Bok. It was an amazing GYF that I will always remember. As you know, after the total of four thousand dollars we together had all raised, we did not decide to stop our goal of helping Francis but we decided to take this powerful story, cause, and goal back to our communities. We recently had a conference call with everyone and it was great to hear everyone’s voice and be so connected through Francis’ dream and vision. So, again, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to organize such great programs that have and continue to inspire young leaders all around the world.
I am sorry for the lengthy letter but I just had so much at mind to tell you…well, I hope you are well and take care…
Love, Tanu Mondkar
The 2009 GYF will be held from November 11-15 in Washington, D.C. USA. Registration for this event will open in the spring of 2009 – we do hope that you will join us!
