March 4th 2024.
As I watched my eight-year-old daughter, Moksha, confidently converse with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, I couldn't help but feel a sense of surrealism wash over me. We were standing in Downing Street, invited to attend as Moksha had been recognized with a Points of Light Award for her exceptional volunteer work in the community. The two of them chatted effortlessly about her plans for COP28 and the upcoming climate summit. As Mr. Sunak praised her for inspiring millions of children to take action for the environment, a swell of pride filled my heart.
It was remarkable to see how, at such a young age, my daughter was already making a tangible difference in the world. In fact, she had been aware of the pressing issue of climate change since she was just three years old. I remember her asking for glitter, like the kind she used at nursery, but as a family committed to being environmentally friendly, we had to decline. We gently explained to her that glitter was a microplastic that didn't break down and could harm both us and the planet.
To our surprise, Moksha not only understood our explanation but also took it to heart. She declared that she would no longer play with glitter and would encourage her friends to do the same. She even said, "Together, we can save the fishes, octopuses, and the mermaids!" It was then that I realized my daughter had a deep sense of empathy for nature and a strong desire to bring about change. Her curiosity about the environment and its challenges only grew from there.
Not long after the glitter incident, Moksha volunteered to appear in a video for my workplace, the Center for Big Synergy, which aims to promote responsible practices and policies. In the video, she educated viewers on the harmful effects of glitter and urged them to stop using it. She continued to ask questions and eventually, her father and I explained to her about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - the 17 global goals set in 2015 to create a safe, secure, and sustainable world by 2030.
Moksha took these goals to heart and began making changes in her own life to be more sustainable. She started taking showers instead of baths to save water and insisted on using a bamboo toothbrush. She was mindful of turning off lights and conserving energy whenever possible. Even when it came to purchasing books, clothes, and shoes, she preferred to shop at charity stores and regularly donated her own belongings to those in need.
For her fourth birthday, Moksha made the selfless decision to ask friends and family to donate to UNICEF UK instead of giving her presents. As she grew older, she started to realize that many children were not aware of the impact their actions had on the planet. She asked me, "How can we teach other children about the Sustainable Development Goals?" I explained to her that it was up to the leaders of our countries to make that happen.
Without hesitation, Moksha sat down at the table and wrote a letter to the then-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, urging him to incorporate the goals into the UK's national curriculum. She wanted all children to have the opportunity to learn about and take action for a better future. Today, Moksha continues to use her voice as an invited speaker at events and conferences, inspiring others to join the cause and do their part for the environment. At such a young age, she has already accomplished so much, and I couldn't be prouder.
As I watched my eight-year-old daughter, Moksha, chat effortlessly with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief. It was quite surreal to see her in such a prestigious setting, considering we had been invited to Downing Street because she had won a Points of Light Award for her exceptional volunteer work in the community. And here she was, engaging in a casual conversation with the PM about her plans for COP28 and the upcoming climate summit. I couldn't have been prouder of her.
Despite her tender age, Moksha has always been passionate about making a difference in the world. In fact, she was only three years old when she first became aware of the issue of climate change. I remember her asking for glitter, like the kind she used at nursery, but my husband and I had to explain to her that it was a microplastic that can harm our planet. Surprisingly, she took our words to heart and decided to stop using glitter, even encouraging her friends to do the same. It was a small gesture, but it showed that she could empathize with nature and wanted to bring about change.
As her curiosity about the environment and its problems grew, Moksha became more involved in initiatives that promote sustainability. For example, she volunteered for a video at my workplace, the Center for Big Synergy, educating others about the harmful effects of glitter and urging them to give it up. She also started asking questions about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how we can work towards creating a safe and sustainable world by 2030.
Moksha's eagerness to learn and take action didn't stop there. She began making changes in her own life to be more sustainable, such as taking showers instead of baths to save water, using a bamboo toothbrush, and turning off lights and conserving energy whenever possible. She also started shopping at charity shops for pre-loved items instead of buying new, and regularly donated her belongings to charity. Even for her fourth birthday, she asked her friends and family to donate to UNICEF UK instead of giving her presents, after realizing the impact of consumerism on the environment.
As she grew older, Moksha became more vocal about environmental issues and wanted to spread awareness among her peers. She started volunteering as a speaker at events and conferences, using her voice to inspire others to do more for the planet. She also became aware that many children her age were not informed about the Sustainable Development Goals, and she took it upon herself to write a letter to the then-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, requesting for them to be incorporated into the UK's national curriculum.
It's incredible to see how much Moksha has achieved at such a young age, and I am constantly amazed by her determination and passion for making a positive impact in the world. She has shown all of us that age is just a number when it comes to making a difference, and I am grateful to have her as my daughter.
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