2015, A Great Year For South Africa.
Julie Steynberg, the Executive Director for Difference Makers SA started an awareness program this year to let the people of S.A. be more aware of the tool, the Blue Ribbon that has been used by 34 million people before us in about 11 countries. With this amazing tool together together we can change lives with the power of acknowledgement. So the idea started to have phenomenal people here in S.A. who are making a difference, be nominated as a Top 100 Difference Maker and then take part in the global movement, changing lives in their own community, in the workplace etc. Julie was given the chance by Helice Bridges, the Founder of Difference Makers Int. that originated from San Diego to be a volunteer manager (August 2013), starting to change lives the same as Helice has done since 1983. Julie just added an extra 'flavor' to Helice's work by saying - Pay the love forward, and do it by Changing lives in a minute or less with the power of recognition.
Julie says,"This year (2015) I wanted the people of S.A. to be more aware of what this wonderful tool can do and how it can change lives. I wanted to find a way to make this happen here too, more than last year (2014). MY dream for this initiative is to have the Blue Ribbon been translated into 3 more South African languages and to have a Difference Makers day be proclaimed, the same Helice did this year in America".
Julie added: "2015 clearly was a year with lots of challenges, I still had to make things happen without the help of big sponsorship, to equip me to do more, though this was a challenge, I never give up on my dream and as Helice has stated for so long: Never lose sight of your dream, keep on keeping on. And I did. This year was a great year. Last year's TV interviews on TBN Television was great. I was invited to do a number of Inspirational Talks last year, which all included a Blue Ribbon Ceremony. I had found my Blue Ribbon story for South Africa as I had envisioned! Actually I have so much to be thankful for and like I said: I will, keep on keeping on and never give up! I had started the dream, I followed in Helice's footsteps and surely I want to make Helice proud. I want to make myself and South Africa proud to let this initiative go bigger and better where more people can Change Lives in a Minute or Less with the Power of Recognition."
Some of this years accomplishments
1. What a privilege to have met with the Minister of Education, Panyaza Lesufi and to have a one-on-one 15 minute interview with him myself, says Julie. The Minister adores the programs that I introduced him to. Diffence Makers SA got his attention. The next step would be to let the programs roll in Gauteng schools for starters. As you all know, sometimes it takes time, research and dedication before the right doors opens.
2. In April, we started a nomination challenge for SA's Top 100 Difference Makers. It took off gradually and is now snowballing!
3. We had the privilege to meet with the President of the SACBW, Cerita Nagy who gave us the go-ahead to introduce Difference Makers SA to her organisation. Cerita was nominated as a Top 100 Difference Maker and was honored with a Blue Ribbon at the Yearly Gala event of SACBW this year.
4. Julie was invited to do inspirational talks, and to perform Blue Ribbon Ceremonies at various events. "I love to inspire people letting them know how they can change lives" Julie says.
5. Zelda la Grange, who was the Personal Assistant for Mandela enthusiastically accepted her nomination in September this year. She has been inspired by this initiative.
6. We were invited by the National Rooi Rose magazine to do a Blue Ribbon Ceremony on stage at their Annual Cansa Year event - the editor of the magazine was honored with the Blue ribbon, as well as Cansa Boardmembers.
It was a great year, it still is.
Let us continue to inspire people globally.Let us join hands and continue what Helice started. We at DMI-SA look up to Helice, she is a role model for all humanity and we will do our best to follow in her footsteps.
"Helice I love you, and the people of S.A. love you, thank you for making this possible here too". Julie
For more information visit these 2 Links available that was mentioned above (1) Rooi Rose National Magazine performing a Blue Ribbon Ceremony presented by Julie in S.A at their annual gala event 2015. https://youtu.be/DTbgnXEefT4 (2) The Top 100 as the first top 15 here in S.A. http://www.differencemakers.co.za/top-100-nominees
Kind Regards
Julie B. Steynberg
Difference Makers International- South Africa
Julie says,"This year (2015) I wanted the people of S.A. to be more aware of what this wonderful tool can do and how it can change lives. I wanted to find a way to make this happen here too, more than last year (2014). MY dream for this initiative is to have the Blue Ribbon been translated into 3 more South African languages and to have a Difference Makers day be proclaimed, the same Helice did this year in America".
Julie added: "2015 clearly was a year with lots of challenges, I still had to make things happen without the help of big sponsorship, to equip me to do more, though this was a challenge, I never give up on my dream and as Helice has stated for so long: Never lose sight of your dream, keep on keeping on. And I did. This year was a great year. Last year's TV interviews on TBN Television was great. I was invited to do a number of Inspirational Talks last year, which all included a Blue Ribbon Ceremony. I had found my Blue Ribbon story for South Africa as I had envisioned! Actually I have so much to be thankful for and like I said: I will, keep on keeping on and never give up! I had started the dream, I followed in Helice's footsteps and surely I want to make Helice proud. I want to make myself and South Africa proud to let this initiative go bigger and better where more people can Change Lives in a Minute or Less with the Power of Recognition."
Some of this years accomplishments
1. What a privilege to have met with the Minister of Education, Panyaza Lesufi and to have a one-on-one 15 minute interview with him myself, says Julie. The Minister adores the programs that I introduced him to. Diffence Makers SA got his attention. The next step would be to let the programs roll in Gauteng schools for starters. As you all know, sometimes it takes time, research and dedication before the right doors opens.
2. In April, we started a nomination challenge for SA's Top 100 Difference Makers. It took off gradually and is now snowballing!
3. We had the privilege to meet with the President of the SACBW, Cerita Nagy who gave us the go-ahead to introduce Difference Makers SA to her organisation. Cerita was nominated as a Top 100 Difference Maker and was honored with a Blue Ribbon at the Yearly Gala event of SACBW this year.
4. Julie was invited to do inspirational talks, and to perform Blue Ribbon Ceremonies at various events. "I love to inspire people letting them know how they can change lives" Julie says.
5. Zelda la Grange, who was the Personal Assistant for Mandela enthusiastically accepted her nomination in September this year. She has been inspired by this initiative.
6. We were invited by the National Rooi Rose magazine to do a Blue Ribbon Ceremony on stage at their Annual Cansa Year event - the editor of the magazine was honored with the Blue ribbon, as well as Cansa Boardmembers.
It was a great year, it still is.
Let us continue to inspire people globally.Let us join hands and continue what Helice started. We at DMI-SA look up to Helice, she is a role model for all humanity and we will do our best to follow in her footsteps.
"Helice I love you, and the people of S.A. love you, thank you for making this possible here too". Julie
For more information visit these 2 Links available that was mentioned above (1) Rooi Rose National Magazine performing a Blue Ribbon Ceremony presented by Julie in S.A at their annual gala event 2015. https://youtu.be/DTbgnXEefT4 (2) The Top 100 as the first top 15 here in S.A. http://www.differencemakers.co.za/top-100-nominees
Kind Regards
Julie B. Steynberg
Difference Makers International- South Africa