[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/09/art_sejal_hathi.jpg
caption=”Sejal Hathi, 17, founded Girls Helping Girls.”]
I see it less these days than when I started this series, but the idolization of careless young people continues. When I started featuring the young people who really speak for our generation, I thought of girls like Sejal Hathi, the girls and guys whose names we should know, the stories young people should look up to.
Sejal started Girls Helping Girls when she was 15. The organization aims to empower all girls to transform the world in substantive ways. One of her big initiatives is a program appropriately called Empower-a-Girl, which partners girls in the U.S. with those in developing countries. Another push is the Sisters 4 Peace Network, which provides one-on-one mentoring for aspiring changemakers and those who are actively changing their part of the world.
Girls Helping Girls has engaged 5,000 girls in more than 15 countries in North America, Africa and Asia and has raised more that $30,000 for educational programs. Now 17, Sejal’s ultimate goal is to unite young women behind the same universal vision of self-respect and service, rather than the frivolity and superficiality that has for too long been the only thing some girls see.
Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview
Young People Who Rock 
Good job Sajal. My daughter will turn 15 in January. I am asking her to join your cause. Keep up the good effort. Peace.
JUST TO LET PEOPLE KNOW -TO HELP OUT PEOPLE-SOME TIMES IN OTHER COUNTRIES -THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE IN VALUE -OF THE
U.S. DOLLAR .-SO IF YOU SAY FOR EXAMPLE -WANT TO HELP OUT A CHURCH OR ORPHANAGE IN INDIA OR A ORPHANAGE IN AFGANISTAN -OR JUST A PERSON -THIS CASE -GIRLS FOR GIRLS
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET A NAME AND LOCATION OF A PERSON
-SEND A WESTERN UNION TO THEM –
EXAMPLE -US. TO INDIA COST ONLY $10.00 -I SEND AVG $100.00
MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A MONEY TRANSPHER PLACE NEAR THEM AND A WAY TO CALL THEM OR E-MAIL THEM WITH THE INFORMATION WHEN MONEY IS SENT AS I DO -THEY REPLY BACK
WHEN IT IS RECIEVED .
TO ME THIS SYSTEM IS QUICK AND EASY -THE NEXT PROBLEM IS KNOWNG WHO YOU ARE SENDING MONEY TO -I E-MAILED MY FRIEND FOR A YEAR -IN INDIA -TO GET AN IDEA OF HIS LEGITIMACY –BEFORE I SENT ANY MONEY -AND HE SENT SEVERAL PICTURES OF FAMILY
AND HE AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING AND HELPING EACH OTHER EVER SINCE .
TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW FAR THE U.S. DOLLAR GOES -$
IF SENT -$100.00 TO AFGANISTAN
IF I SENT $90.00 TO INDIA
IF I SENT $80.00 0R $90.00 TO VIETNAM
THAT IN SOME COUNTRYS IS A MONTHS WAGES -OR MIDDLE CLASS WAGES IN SOME POORER -THIRD WORLD COUNTRYS –
S0 IF YOU ARE JUST A KID -TRYING TO HELP A KID ON THE INTERNET -MAKE SURE WHO YOUR TALKING TO FIRST -SO YOU DONT GET INTO TROUBLE OR RIPPED OFF -THEN -HAVE CONTACT ABILITYS WITH THIS PERSON TO EXCHANGE MONEY TRANSPHER INFO. AND RETURN VERIFICATION –
EVEN IF YOU SAVE ALLOWANCE AND ONLY SEND $20.00 A MONTH WITH AN ADDED $10.00 WESTERN UNION FEE
YOU MAY HELP YOUR FRIEND AND POSSIBLY THERE WHOLE FAMILY FOR A WEEK OR MORE AT A TIME -ALLOWING THEM TO
GET CAUGHT UP FINANCIALLY TO WHERE THING IMPROVE ALOT FOR THEM .- REMEMBER DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR SAFETY -KEEP THINGS GENERAL AND VAGUE
IN SOME COUNTRIES -THERE AVERAGE DAILY WAGE FOR WORKING HARD 12 HOUR DAYS -THE FATHER ONLY MAKES BETWEEN $.90 CENTS TO $2.00 A DAY SO TWENTY DOLLARS U.S. HELPS THERE WHOLE FAMILY OUT ALOT .-SPECIALLY IF THEY ARE IN LOW INCOME AREAS WHERE JOBS ARE SCARCE
-AND IF THERE PROBLEMS WITH INTERNATIONAL AID DUE TO TERRORISM -NATURAL DISASTER -OR RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION -BE CAREFULL ALSO WHEN SENDING REGULAR MAIL LIKE CARE PACKAGES -AS SOME MAIL IS STOLEN OR LOST IN TRANSIT -IM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
PLEASE -BE CAREFULL OF ANYTHING YOU WRITE OR SEND THAT HAS AMERICAN FLAG TYPE STUFF OR CHRISTIAN OR JEWISH RELIGIOUS TYPE STUFF INSIDE OR OUTSIDE -AS SOME COUNTRIES THAT ARE RELIGIOS LIKE EITHER ISLAMIC GOVERNMENTS OR ATHIEST-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTS
CONSIDER IT A CHRIME TIO DEAL WITH OR RECIEVE -SUCH THINGS SO YOU INDANGER YOUR NEW FORIGN FRIEND IN ANOTHER COUNTRY IF YOU GIVE THEM RELIGIOUS ITEMS –PLEAS ASK THEM IF ITS OK TO TALK ABOUT FIRST OR HAVE THEM ASK THERE PARRENTS OR CARE TAKERS –OR IF ITS OK TO SEND THINGS LIKE BIBLES ETC .AS SOME COUNTRYS FORBID IT OR FORBID CONVERSION FROMN ONE RELIGION TO ANOTHER -PLEASE KEEP THINGS DISCREET .
DANIEL -TAKE CARE -GOOD WORK
There IS hope for this world…..
KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB SEJAL! It’s individuals like you we need to promote more in the news and help spread the word around instead of all the criminals! It seems like you truly carry a gift of having the ability to unify people for a single cause…something that is essential for the leaders of today (something that President Elect Barack Obama is pretty good @). I hope & pray you carry on and gain worldwide attention in your cause and that you are able to unify women & are able to achieve your dreams! CHEERS! YOU ROCK!
Rick
It is touching to read about Sejal’s work. I am so proud of her.
Why can’t we get this sort of story splashed across the front pages of newspapers and websites instead of the latest escapades of so many trashy celebrities.
Bravo to Sejal and others like her!
That’s awesome. We definitely need an alternative to frivolity and superficiality. I wish we could see more of this and less celebrity coverage. Let’s give young people something important to think about.
Great job Sejal ! I’m not good at words . So , once again , GREAT JOB
It goes to show that one person CAN make a difference. Very impressive work for such a young woman. You have a heart of gold. Keep up the awesome work.
In an era when everything is about becoming famous without consideration of others, it is refreshing to hear such stories. Giving back is definitely the purpose of even being famous.
That is why I have chosen to be a part of http://famous.tm it is because they focus on fame as a vehicle to serve others as well as yourself. Keep up the love! Peace…
You truly are an inspiration to me, as I can imagine you are to so many others! Congratulations on making that first step to bettering this world. It IS people like you that raise hope in times like these.
It is truly inspirational to see such a young American lady so focussed on helping others.
Could you please ask her what lead her down this path?
I am sure that the more publicity this kind of articles generates, the more the world will be a better place to live in!
I am not good with communicating my sentiments. I was truly touched by this young woman’s drive and passion.
May I ask where this picture was taken?
Does she help girls in particular countries?
Great work, keep it up and hope it inspires all of us, young and old to try and make a difference in peoples’ lives.
Supereb work by someone as young as SEJAL.
what is her inspiration for such humanitarian wor,
\\\truly inspirational not only for the young women of today but also all youuths!
Sejal:
Reading about your work has been a very humbling experience. In this world where we are so caught up in our day-to-day lives, you have shown how small measures to help can do such wonders and become larger than life. Your work is not just helping all those girls, but has a wonderful side effect too; it serves as a great inspiration to all girls and women crossing age boundaries.
Peace is possible! And Sejal proves it.
Great work. We’re all cheering you on.
The sentiment that one person can make a difference is truly epitomized by Sejal Hathi. Seeing a young person with such compassion and drive is truly an inspiration to both young and old. Keep up the amazing work!
Dear Sejal,
Congratulations on both your good work and the recognition of that work. To know there are young women out there in this world willing to put their own needs after those of others is inspiring.
On a very selfish note, I am proud to say I know you.
You were a very special student in every way ( especially your understanding of literary analysis!)
You are making your life happen instead of waiting for it to launch.
I look forward to following what I know will be your dynamic life.
Mrs. Sabraw
http://www.CheriBlockSabraw.com
Sejal is an outstanding young woman who I had the pleasure of coaching for two years with another org called Girls For a Change. As you can see, she is really making changes in the lives of others and continuing to help other young women globally. I am very proud of her and look forward to watching her grow on her journey through life.
Dear Sejal,
Great work. It’s heart warming to see the progress and results of your efforts. I hope lot more girls all over the globe will join this movement of empowering each other.
Dear Sejal, I was delighted to read this about you…. and was not a bit surprised. Keep up your great work, as I’m sure you will!
YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME RIGHT,SHE WORKS FOR GIRLSINC.THEY BEEN DOING ALOT MORE FOR GIRLS WAY BEFORE THE INTERNET WITHOUT THE NEED OF SOLICING FOR FUNDS PUBLIC OR PRIVATE,GET A REAL LIFE AND STOP FAKE LIKE YOU REALLY DOING SOMETHING GOOD IN THE WORLD AT LARGE???
I am amazed at some people’s ignorance! I checked all the work this young lady has done in the last couple of years, and challenge the likes of this Doug person to find the energy to do just a quarter.
You are not only an incredible person, but must also thank your parents for creating an environment from which you give so much!
America should be proud of such thoughtful and kind human being and wish for more people with her convictions.
BRAVO!
i think that is nice that she is helping people around the world because we really need that i want to do that some day she could be my idol.
this girl rocks thank God for people like her:)!!
I think helping people is her way of giving back to the world
-Ms.Britt’s students
I think helping people is her way of giving back to the world
-Ms.Britt’s student
Sejal,
people like you are the beacons of light in this world. I wish you the strength to carry on your noble cause and inspire others.
Best wishes.
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Thank you Sejal for all the work the you do! You are an ispiration to young ladies across the country. I wish stories like yours were the headliners and breaing news instead of the crap on everyday. You go girl!!!
You are an inspiration. Blessings on the family who raised you. Blessings on the teachers who I hope inspired you and the learning community that nourished you. Continue the selfless good work you are doing to inspire others. You have already touched into what makes life beautiful and worthwhile–the caring for others.
Sajel is a senior at my high school and I think it’s great that networks and other non-profit organizations are talking about what an amazing girl Sajel is.
I was actually talking to her yesterday about how she recently met with the Dali Lama and in six weeks, is going to talk with President Barack Obama in a small committee. Sajel has so much charisma and drive, i can only see her going to the top.
Hey Sejal, my daughter went to the same high school as you. I read about you in yesterday’s newspaper, and this is not the first time I have read about you. It is heartwarming to read about you. I admire your hard work and your concern and care for girls/women across the world. You inspire us. Keep up the good work!
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