A few years ago, I traveled to a remote village in Morocco as part of a delegation of women. It was there, among the dusty paths and quiet strength of rural life, that I met Ayla. She was around the same age as my daughters, full of dreams and hope. I still remember the drawing she made for me, a picture of the house she imagined living in one day. It was more than just a drawing; it was a window into her belief in the future.
That moment stayed with me. So much so that I even wrote about her in my first book.
Weeks ago, part of our delegation returned to the area. But this time, the story was different. The village had been devastated by the recent earthquake. Homes were gone, families displaced, children lost. The women who returned were heartbroken. I held my breath when they asked about Ayla.
And then there was the relief. She survived. She’s now in Marrakech, continuing her studies. I hope to reach her again, to tell her that I’ve never forgotten her. That her story mattered. That she is still inspiring me.
In uncertain times like these, I find myself asking: How do we raise girls like Ayla? Girls who dare to dream, even when the ground beneath them shifts? How do we raise daughters who are not only prepared for the world’s challenges but are ready to shape its future?
It’s not just about education, it’s about confidence. It’s about teaching them to speak up, to care, to lead. It’s about showing them the world not just as it is, but as it could be.
Because the world doesn’t just need strong girls, it needs visionary, compassionate, determined girls who believe they can make a difference.
Just like Ayla.
