A Mexican penguin called Klaudia Gonzalez.

This article was written as a compulsory assignment for the Voices of Our Future Contest http://worldpulse.com/pulsewire/programs/voices-of-our-future

Once I read that some penguins come always back to their birth place. I like to think of myself as a Mexican penguin. Even if I have seen the world, I am always back loaded with hope and eagerness. This is my land; I would like to die here. But I also want to pass on the Mexico of my dreams: a safer, healthier and more democratic country to be proud of.

I came from a tradition that considers education as a powerful tool to change destinies for good –Catita’s spirit. I have been always encouraged to fulfill my academic endeavors sponsored by international awards to achieve them. If a girl from a small town could do it; any women can. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge I was loved, healthy and provided with a safe environment. Many Latin American women were not this lucky and they are having girls in the most disadvantaged scenarios. Food, education and health are still basic needs to be supplied.

I currently work for RENAPRED,2 a very unique Mexican organization that promotes a culture of prevention with respect to maternal risks and situations that can cause disabilities for a newborn. My main task is to reproduce RENAPRED’s course of action in Latin America. Most of our efforts are focused on real time training delivered to thousands of young people; nevertheless, we still need to reach millions of future mothers, focusing on indigenous and people wirh disabilities. These efforts need funds, volunteers and a great knowledge on the use of web 2.0. How to come up with a good strategy that includes these three elements?

I started doing quite well on social networking; however my friends and followers are not enough. We need an army of lucky penguins. Imagine how they can influence and convince women to follow simple measures such as folic acid intake.3 Since, RENAPRED owns an internet broadcasting station,4 I thought of launching a radio show called “My tomorrow is today”.5 I saw this as an effective way to attract the attention of educated, empowered, committed or motivated Latin American women. I finally had a good way to recruit more penguins, but I do not have training in media or journalism. Seneca said” luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”. We need to be a great success, so my good intentions are not enough.

On April 1st, just hours before it closed, the Voices of the Future’s calling for applicants came to my hands. I had tons of work to do; but an inner voice encouraged me to apply. What were the odds of coming across what I was looking for? I was so excited that I even asked other colleagues to apply. So here I am, enjoying and learning from this unique journey with other fellow penguins. Women who believe in transforming our loved countries because we want to die in them and pass on better places for the future voices to come.

p.s. my poem is below

1. http://worldpulse.com/node/68348
   2.RENAPRED The National Network for Disability Prevention (Red Nacional para la Prevención de la Discapacidad www.renapred.org.mx)
   3.Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube disorders and other congenital deficiencies that can cause disabilities in newborns. It has to be taken daily before, during and after the pregnancy. Folic Acid also helps to prevent preeclampsia and eclapsia among other illnesses.
   4.http://www.renapred.org.mx/rtv/
   5.RENAPRED's slogan

The mission

The breeze smelled like her
How was it possible?
Two continents apart we were
Get prepared
Catita said, when I left

She asked me never to give up
She told me she’ll be with me
She demanded me to be brave
She urged me to look after them

They are so many
And always in need
They are so weak
And I was only myself
All alone I thought

I needed a voice
For those who didn´t survive
I needed a voice
For them, who never spoke up
I needed a voice
For those who are always ignored
I needed a voice
I couldn’t find it
And was so scared
Giving up was not an option, she said

I´ve been cold
I've been hurt
I've been in need too
I needed a voice
you'll find it someday, she said
Just keep looking for it

I saw their faces
I breathed their hope
I took their dreams
I made them my own
I just needed a voice

And suddenly,
a sweet whisper came along
It said you’re not alone
Our voices will be your own
We´ll support you to speak for them
Until they also find their own.