Chatterchick, Grace, recently had the experience of a lifetime as our very own BB delegate to the United Nations International Year of Youth Culmination Celebration in NYC…at UN headquarters!
 
The UN International Year of Youth Culmination Celebration, powered by AllyKattz, and hosted by our very own BB friend, Monique Coleman, involved 192 girls selected from all over the world. These girls sat in the very same room that UN delegates meet…and one of those Youth delegates was our very own Chatterchick Grace! Here’s her report
                       
Wow, what can I say? Thanks to Bellaboo, I was lucky enough to participate in the experience of a lifetime. On August 11th 2011, Bellaboo sent me to the International Year of Youth Culmination Celebration at the UN!
 
When I first arrived at the UN, I was sent into the conference room. The very same room that UN delegates meet!  We were seated by age, and lucky enough for me, there was one seat left in my age group. I sat at “Sri Lanka”. The whole morning was about how women, young and old, have changed the world.
 
One of the most inspiring speeches was made by Vivian Thakhuli. At only 11, Vivian lost her mother and having never gotten to know her father, life as an orphan was very difficult. In 2007, The Tomorrow Trust came into her life and supported her financially and holistically. She is currently a Logistics Administrator at Atlantic Internet Service and is working toward her diploma in Supply Chain Management. Through the alumni program at The Tomorrow Trust, Vivian is committed to giving back.” She made an inspiring speech about how she lost everything and is now trying to make a difference in the lives of others.
 
After Vivian’s speech, we were all transported to the French Institute. At the French Institute, all of the girls had a nice lunch, and we were moved into the “booth rooms”. The rooms were filled with different booths, all with a different purpose. When you go to a booth and participate, they stamp your card, and at the end of the day, you get a gift bag if your card is fully stamped.
 
One of my favorite booths was a station where you could pack as many bags as you want with school supplies to send to Africa. Another great booth was the Disney’s Friend’s For Change booth. We packed bags with food and wrote inspiring messages on the bags and napkins.
 
At the end of the day, I was able to meet Monique Coleman. I asked her about Bellaboo, and she was very excited because she knew all about it. She gave me an autographed poster AND took a picture with me. She was very sweet.

Monique’s message to delegates was simple and inspiring. She inspired delegates to give balance. She said that the world is out of balance. In many parts of the world, girls don’t count – they’re not represented in government, are denied education and are forced to marry. Restoring the world’s balance can start with youth…because 87% of the world’s young people live in developing countries!

 

She told the girls that they are the hope for the future and can change things and to feel good about being themselves!
 
It was really exciting to see Bellaboo be a part of this amazing event. Throughout the whole day I met a ton of cool people from all over the world. This was an experience I will never forget! Thanks Bellaboo. -Grace