The 2008 JusticeMakers Competition may be over but…the global community is just coming to life. This nascent community has been sparked by amazing individuals, coming from all the corners of the globe, from Nepal to Azerbaijan, Benin, Burundi, Swaziland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Colombia, etc., who have pursued their passion for justice with ambition, generosity and courage.

And yet, knowing the personal tragedies that affected some of their lives, I know they must have been twice as determined, perseverant and bold to achieve what they did. One of them tragically lost his father 7 years ago as a result of his abduction by the security forces of his country. He and his family know lives with the burden of not knowing what exactly happened but they are driven by the strong will to put an end to forced disappearances through community-based initiatives.

While she was taking care of at-risk population far away from home, one of the JusticeMakers sadly lost both her parents during the floods. She was just 17. And yet, she found the courage not to despair and to build her own non-governmental organization to put an end to gender discrimination and help women from her community to emancipate from the deeply rooted man domination.

Despite these hard realities JusticeMakers had to face, they refused to give up the fight. I feel like each one of them is driven by a flame, a flame of hope that gives them the courage to move their project forward and guides them through the dark. To me, this flame’s name is passion.

I remember IBJ’s Founder and CEO explaining that when she decided to be a social entrepreneur, everyone told her how crazy she was. One day a caring voice told her she was absolutely not crazy. Passion guided her then and guides her still. I hope that somehow this little voice encouraging you to intensify your efforts has been and will be JusticeMakers. Because, believe me, you are not crazy. You are outstanding, fighting to write a new page of your local community’s history in which justice and love is the way in which people relate to one another.

One of the JusticeMakers just reminded me today that ” Sharing is caring and caring is love”. He added the following note that touched me: “I feel that of caring and love from your sharing”. To me, this means that strength to stand up against injustices comes from relating with other human beings and feeling part of a caring community. So remember…love is always winning.

Again, let me thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, strength and faith. Wherever you are, in Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan, Nepal or elsewhere. Thank you.