My Message to World Leaders: One Person at a Time

Photography and Video by Emily Troutman
Music by Matthew Dosberg

http://www.emilytroutman.blogspot.com

http://www.emilytroutman.com

http://www.telograph.com/

Dear World Leaders,

I'm sending you this message from the United States of America, from Baltimore, Maryland, where just a few days ago, my friends lost their baby. And in the night, when they went to the hospital, their house was robbed. What happened to them reminded me of what I wanted to say to you.

Everyday, I want you to wake up and know that you work for 6.7 billion real people, one person at a time. People with children and dreams and stories.

Everyday, I want you to wake up and know that you were given a life and a gift that most people weren't lucky enough to receive.

These days, I find that I wake up and I think about my time as a photographer in North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Where I saw what life looks like in a country where 20% of babies will die before they're five years old, where tens of thousands of women are raped each year, where 17,000 UN peacekeepers can't seem to help.

I want us both to agree to say one true thing out loud everyday. To remember one real person. To remind ourselves that our tragedies—yours and mine—are lived and felt one person at a time; just like our hope, our renewal, our future can also be lived and carried out into the world, one person at a time. You have a chance to be that person.

So make a promise with me:

I promise to humble myself.
I promise to grieve.
I promise to bow down to truth.
I promise to argue.
I promise to listen and to live with intention.
I promise to know my own strength.
I promise to risk something.
I promise to stop talking about what hasn't been done
and start doing something different.

We are 6.7 billion real people who want to be remembered, who only want to live a life as good and as safe as the one you live. If we promise to think of you, to work with you; I hope you'll promise to think of us, to work for us. One person, one small baby, one dream at a time.

Sincerely,

Emily Troutman

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Emily Troutman
• Matthew Dosberg
• troutmanemily
• Congo
• DRC
• North Kivu
• rape
• women
• humanitarian aid
• George Clooney
• Video Contest
• United Nations
• UN Secretary-General
• Ban ki-moon
• trip to New York

[rickc1945]

I wish I had the ability to express myself to camera or in this case the world leaders and in reality to the world. You should be very proud of this video and the thought you put into it.

[Ninokhv]

Congratulations to all the winners and good luck in NY.

I hope that someday we all achieve your desire to make the world better and safer place.

I consider myself a winner too. I had the opportunity to speak to the world and share my story with you all.

So thank you UN!

To the fellow participants:

Never give up on your dreams!!!

[acholicry2]

@TomLennox24

This isn't about politics. I get so sick of these partisan battles. I'm a conservative as well, but this isn't about government and policies. This is about being human. Liberal or conservative, we all could use some more empathy. And in my opinion, there are important and good things that the so-called "liberals" do that conservatives never get around to.

"Each man's death diminishes me...

Therefore, send not to know

For whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee."

[acholicry2]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Everyone needs to see this.

[ppmch]

Que gran video. Conmovedor, te felicito.

[goingplaces11]

I cannot agree more.

[TomLennox24]

i do respect the work she does but this is just the typical liberal stuff....i do think about one person at the time...the American worker who lost his job to illegal aliens, the small town girl who deserved to get into a state college but didnt because affiramtive action dictated someone less qualified get accepted, the family of a murder victim who cannot see the killer put to death because of liberal laws, and everyone who lost loved ones on 9-11-01

[diegocasaes]

Congratulations! I heard the result in Global Voices Online and the first time I watched your video I just couldn't stop crying. It is a really touching video!

If one day I ever meet you in person, I'd like to say how valuable it is we still have someone like you on Earth.

Best regards!

[thefinalrole]

I think your video was way more effective than the others I watched. Great photography.

[helunia]

Hey, Emily, congrats! Guys, will you tell us, PLEASE, how it was there, at the meeting? :) Can't wait for further hearing from the winners! :)))

[pjbrennanjr]

Really good, your words are inspirational. You deserved to win. Congratulations

[KhairiyaAbdullahi]

Hi, i just found out like an hour ago about the result/the winners on the UN channel & other youtube channels and i came to see the winners video. Your video is the first that i see among the winners and i must say that i LOVE it. It's simple, so well done and so touching, i absolutely love it > 5* > favorited.

Congratulations, i wish you all the best & Best of luck to you and to everyone who wants to help people, each day and as he or she can.

God bless you.

Take care.