THE PEACE MAKERS

“It is estimated that there are 150 million street children around the world and unfortunately, this number is increasing. And I just want to see the day that each child of this universe gets childhood that I have not been able to live” said Man Phally. Phally runs an organization called Mithsamlanh. They work for Street children, Migrant children, Drug Using children, children in Prison, children affected by AIDS and children of Sex workers. Mitsamlanh was started in Cambodia in 1994 but after traveling in various countries, Phally realized that this cause and his care should reach to each child who is not safe. Now they are known as Friends International globally. Mithsamlanh runs various programs for Children’s education, Meal and for safety but one program which every country on this planet earth should have is the Child Safe Network. Via Child Safe Network, Mithsamlanh gives shelter, food, education and love to each child who is not safe in the streets or in the home. Phally- The Hero and Savior of Children around the world for De Paix Yatra.

“Rapidly overtaking the trafficking of drugs and arms as the chosen market for organized crime in South East Asia, the trafficking of human beings has now become the third most profitable criminal industry.” said Stephanie Cohen with a long breath. Every year, according to UNICEF statistics, over one million young children and women are sold into sexual slavery and exposed to physical violence, abuse, rape and conditions of extreme physical and psychological cruelty. This element of organized crime has been encouraged by globalization and the inability to reduce poverty in developing countries. The situation of South East Asia, particularly the Mekong sub-region, is especially sensitive; and at such difficult time and at difficult region she is the one keeps trying every single day. Stephanie and her organization AFESIP help the victims in a numbers of ways; ; from outreach work with service women in bars, brothels and entertainment venues to victim rehabilitation, legal intervention, social enterprise-based job training and placement to community reintegration and follow-up. AFESIP is the only organization in Laos providing this type of support for victims, making our role in the fight against human trafficking for sexual exploitation a very important one. She is fighting and doing better in the battle against this horrific crime , every single day. The woman who respects each woman of this universe, Stephanie Cohen for De Paix Yatra.

“Development, Development and just Development of the bottom of the pyramid, that's what inspired me to move here from France.” said Ludo when we asked him why he moved to developing country like Laos from Super Developed nation like France. Ludo is working to create Renewable Energy sources. Laos has tremendous natural hydro-power resources. Till date, a lot of attention has been given to developing large hydro-power projects. Although these projects can yield macro-economic benefits for the country, these projects usually do not directly benefit poor people in remote rural areas and that’s where Ludo and his organization work. Working for the poorest of poor and working for the rural livelihood. He and his team have developed innovations for Hydro-power, Bio-energy, Solar- Water purification and waste water treatment so far. When we asked him what is his mission for this life. He smiled and replied- “A green Revolution in Laos.” Man who truly believes in Karma and in World is one family, Ludovic Branlant for De Paix Yatra.

Meghan Fortune- who born and brought up in Washington DC, where everyone talks about change- But she is the one who is changing lives at grass roots, nearly 25000 Kms away from her home; because she believes that entire world is her home. Meghan works with We Women foundation- which has been dedicated to the empowerment of unrecognized refugee women from Burma. By providing educational and professional opportunities to women of Burma, she is trying to make strong Burma for tomorrow. She believes that each woman refugee’s personal story may differ but the reason for their fight for Burma is the same- Make it free from heavy social and political crisis. Meghan is the one who develops and teaches educational programs to these young unrecognized refugee women, so that they can participate in the struggle for human rights of the Burmese people, and can play an important role within their community. Meghan is the one who is fighting every single day for the ultimate peace for Burmese people. Because of security reasons, other people could not come forward to share their stories to the world but Meghan is the one who stepped forward and said that this cause should reach to maximum people of the world. We salute such spirit of real woman-ism. The girl who sacrificed her life and Youth to save other women's respect, Meghan Fortune for De Paix Yatra!

Ryan Libre- Raised in California and making a difference in South Asia. 4 years ago he moved to Asia and then he never returned back. Couple of life turning events and he decided to help others; started an organization which supports documentary artists in Asia. He believes that Photograph is the only thing that can narrate story beyond words. He thinks that Art is the thing which you should keep giving to community. Ryan’s organization does different workshops in Burma, Thailand and in Laos and teach art to local people. He just believes in giving, giving and just in giving whatever he has and believes that you don’t need to become millionaire to give back to the society, just start from where you are. Ryan Libre for De Paix Yatra! More : http://www.documentary-arts-asia.org/

She believes that everyone in the world needs a second chance to stand up again to live with dignity, to live again his/her dream and to believe again in his/her self. People like her make Bangkok more beautiful. She runs a program called- Second Chance Bangkok, where people come and donate whatever they want to donate, literally whatever they would love to donate- From Computer machine to Cloths, Anything. Then they Recycle it, make it better and raise money for the community development. She born and brought up in the slum of Bangkok, but she believed that she can truly become example for others by giving back to society in whichever way she can. She deserved to get Second Chance and she converted that Chance into Change. Hachaya Tookohplook for De Paix Yatra :) More: www.scbkk.org — with Nitesh N Nitesh, Rekha Kumari, Sanu Verma, Chimera Doll and Anurag Sharma in Bangkok, Krung Thep.

Development and promotion of rural artisans- They are doing it. Microenterprises- They are doing it. Housing Improvement- They are doing it. Solar Electrification Programme- They are doing it. Livelihood Enhancement- They are doing it. Organic Farming- They are doing it. Reduction of Carbon foot printing- They are doing it. Promotion of Green Initiatives- They are doing it. Improvement in the medi cal treatment- They are doing it. Corrective surgeries for hare-lip and cleft palates- They are doing it. Microfinance- They are doing it. School Club Programmes to promote Volunteerism- They are doing it. Scholarship Programmes for Youth- They are doing it. The doer of Bhutan- Tarayana Foundation :) Chime P Wangdi, Secretary General of Tarayana for De Paix Yatra.

What would you do if one day you get to know that your both kidneys have failed? What would you do if doctor comes to you and tells you that you have only couple of months in this world? What would you do if you don't have money for operation and no-one to donate his/her kidney to you? What would you do if your parents are not with you at such critical moment and no-one else to help you? Would yo u decide that if you survive and get chance to live your life again then you will spend rest of your life in serving those who will be suffering from the same? Would you decide to set up the first and only foundation of your nation which will be serving the poorest of poor? Would you get such thoughts at the age of 19 when you have just finished your High School? He is the man who has been gone through the same challenges and decided to help others when he needed it the most. Tashi Namgay for De Paix Yatra.

An Inspiring young man from Rural Bhutan- Pema Tshering. He has no hands, comes from poorest of poor family, and would have been motivated to beg. But he chose to become an example for others. Her Majesty of Bhutan saw him working at one of the village and then asked him to move to Thimpu. He creates this Art models and sell it at one of the famous place. Nearly 1/3 of Bhutan population comes under below poverty line but we bet if you can find any single Bhutanese who is begging on the streets; and as the PM of Bhutan said Happiness comes with self respect :) — with Gowri Raju, Khantil Mehta and Govind Rai.

His Holiness Dalai Lama

Omkar Singh, 53 years - he joined army when he was 21 and served the nation for 18 years. But in 1992-93 he realised, war is not a solution for peace but inspirational stories and talks are. He left the army in the same year and started 'Fouji Dhaba' and share inspirational peaceful stories with people.

Prince Mehra travel all over Chandigarh on this cycle & performs last ritual for birds.

Pramod Sharma- Man who keeps doing better each day with peace.

(From L to R) Manjri Sewak- Working on Indo-Pak Peace Project, Thupten Teswang- who is doing wonderful job under the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Seema Kakran- Working on Education for Peace and have trained more than 250 Teachers so far for the same. They are Thinking Big and Doing Better for the world. Are You? Stay tune to De Paix Yatra for finding out their stories.

Nikki Kapoor: Spreading awareness regarding saving water through her bed & breakfast hotel in Delhi. She is doing better each day, not just thinking from her armchair!

Kavita Shrivastav- Have been working for women empowerment since 80's. She is the one who inspired many women to stand against Sati Pratha, child labor and child marriages. To find out her story, keep riding with De Paix Yatra :)

Maryna Lysyak- Kind, generous and pure. Maryna has been serving poor since childhood. She is quitting her job and going to Japan for 3 months (Fukushima Daiich- where Nuclear disaster happened). She is doing better each day.

This man has given meaningful life to more than 15 lac people. People come to his institute with just 5-10 rs. in their pocket and little hope; He gives them limb and generates employment for each one who visits him. If you go to USA, they will charge you 400$ for the same; He does it free of cost. D.R.Mehta- We salute you! BMVSS - Jaipur Foot- Incredible stuff.

Archana Surana Our Lovely host, in Jaipur. Thank You for your love, support and immense care.

Peace Makers

Syed Salman Chishty with "Thinking Big Doing Better" badge. Man who promotes love, peace and harmony with Sufi Culture.

Peace Makers

Peace Makers

Peace Makers

Peace Makers

Peace Makers

Cancer Center at the New Civil Hospital, Surat. Asia's only hospital which is giving free treatment to Cancer patients.

Peace Makers

Krishna Gurung started Kevin Rohan Memorial Eco Foundation in the memory of his son, who physically passed away at the age of 7. He wanted to make him the man who could serve society in better way. When his son died, Krishnaji did not loose hope and made sure that he would build something which will sustain the community in better way. His organization runs more than 8 different programs that can support local communities. He and his team have also innovated alternative fuel for cooking which has been made from paper waste, saw dust and cow dung. Our special salute to the man who keeps doing better each day for the community. — in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Handicap International is an organization that has been working on a grass root level in more than 60 Countries and providing support for Emergencies, Rehabilitation, Health, Disability Rights and more. These are the humans who have sacrificed a lot to do what they really wanted to do, we can't even imagine. HI has been known for it's incredible grass roots work and has received Nobel Prize in 1997 for the same. Handicap International Nepal Team for De Paix Yatra. L to R (Laurence Degreef, Nishee Adhikari, Zoltan Mihok and Sangay Amina Bomzan). And, Their story teach us that no border on this earth can stop Humanity!

Anuradha Koiralaji devoted her entire life in serving the society and saving the girls from Human Trafficking. In last 20 years her organization Maiti Nepal, has saved more than 25000 girls from Human Traffickers and has given meaningful life to them via providing education, employment and care. She is the world and next to God for those girls. When our team was interviewing her, Friends of Maiti Nepal raced 3 minor girls (11-13 year old) who would have sent to Middle East countries for this crime. When we asked her what is her message to the youth and particularly to the man. She answered very spontaneously that real men don't buy girls full stop :) Photo credit: De Paix Yatra/Olympus OM-D — with Khantil Mehta, Govind Rai and Gowri Raju.

We are sure that you have visited PASHUPATINATH when you traveled to Nepal. But Do you know, a village called Sona Kothi in Kathmandu Valley has much older temple than Pashupatinath? Name of the temple is Bhringeshwar Mahadev. This Temple was destroyed when earthquake came in 1890, and then nobody gave special attention to this one of the historical heritage of Nepal. Now, this man Ramchandra Maharjan has rolled up his sleeves to save the heritage of his village, city and his country. When we asked why are you doing this? He replied with gentle smile why shouldn't I do this? Comes from middle class family of Valley, but has passion to do something for his own community has inspired him to take this mission ahead. De Paix Yatra salutes your young spirit Ramchandra :) Photo Credit: De Paix Yatra/Olympus OM-D — with Govind Rai, Gowri Raju and Khantil Mehta in Lalitpur, Nepal.

Small is always beautiful said Lila (Left side) when we asked first question to her. She and her brother Oman Bahadur BK together started an organization called CHEF in 2011. It is not an organization though; it is a strong family of powerful bonding between 8 beautiful kids. Lila grew up up in very remote village of Nepal. Her passion to love each human being inspired her to take this mission ahead. For more: http://chefund.com/

Saritha Didi, who has been raising voice against Domestic Violence and working for uplifting of Nepali Women. She has been doing this from last 20 years now. Because of her, every single day 5-7 women get shelter and are being saved from Human Trafficking. For More: http://www.saathi.org.np/ Photo credit: De Paix Yatra/Olympus OM-D

"There are no different causes. There is only one ultimate cause which is peace", Tsewang Rigzin, President, Tibetan Youth Congress. TYC is the youth organisation which works for the complete independence of Tibet. They are peacefully pro tecting for for the same since 1970. (More: http://tibetanyouthcongress.org/) This man has not been able to meet his family from last 5 years now. De Paix Yatra salutes such soldiers of Peace! Photo crdit: De Paix Yatra/Olympus OM-D