presented by Goddess Fish Productions
A woman’s ascent from devastating poverty and childhood trauma to international standing as a prominent advocate for the poor and helpless.
As a young girl, Jillian Haslam saved a life. Herself tiny and aching from malnutrition, she stood for hours at a tea shop, begging for a ladle of milk to try and prevent her newborn sister from dying of starvation.
From the slums of Calcutta to the executive floors of a global bank, A Voice out of Poverty offers an unflinching look at one woman’s journey from destitution to success.
Throughout, Haslam demonstrates an inexhaustible drive to rise above adversity and find beacons of positivity in impossible circumstances. But her rise doesn’t stop at the top; she returns to her roots again and again to extend a hand to those left in the impoverished communities that she so narrowly escaped.
British by ancestry and born in India after its independence, Haslam and her family suffered degradation and prejudice. They were forced to live on the streets, flee danger in the middle of the night, and face persistent abuse and starvation.
This treacherous environment is the backdrop of an unlikely story of resilience and an unshakable family bond. From squalor and powerlessness, Haslam finds countless moments of grace, community, gratitude, and love.
A Voice out of Poverty is a raw and inspiring memoir that shows how beauty can be found in improbable places, and how “success” is not just the act of making it through. Rather, it is the act of reaching back to bring others with you.
read an excerpt...
A bristly, grey rat jutted its head through a wide crack in
the peeling stucco wall, its long tail draped behind and hidden. It squinted
its beady eyes and sniffed the air, as a light drizzle started to dampen the
ground.
A few feet away, an older homeless woman, sitting under a precarious building canopy, shifted her eyes towards the rat, without moving her head. A stray dog nestled next to her, one of three gathered snuggly around her, bared its teeth, and growled at the rodent, without rising.
The woman swiveled her head in the rat’s direction and shooed it away with a claw-like hand slicing the air. The rat withdrew, vanishing inside the wall. The dog returned its head to rest on its paws and closed its eyes.
The drizzle turned into a light rain.
My mother and I took in the rat scene side by side as we ambled down the street. My eyes remained riveted on the homeless woman. I wondered if she had a family or young children like me. Then, the noisy “pop-pop” of a Vespa flew near my eyes and broke my concentration, causing me to pull my head back abruptly. I gripped my mother’s hand as tightly as I could.
The rain was now steady but not enough to flood the crowded streets or inhibit the pace of the fast-moving foot and vehicle traffic. I looked up to see an old man pulling a rickshaw coming towards us. I stared at him. His emaciated body looked as if his skin could peel off in thin layers, like a stale onion. He stared at me, sharing his single black tooth. I held my stare.
The rickshaw puller veered off the line of his path, forcing a dilapidated scooter that packed an entire family to swerve near us. The scooter splashed mud onto my legs and dress, and I started to cry. My only proper dress was drenched with filth. I now would have to undress to underclothes while it got washed. My mother stopped and crouched in front of me. I didn’t hide my disgust.
about Jillian Haslam...
Jillian Haslam
is a remarkable individual with expertise in speaking on adversity and
Resilience
With a distinguished 23-year career in banking, she brings a wealth of industry knowledge to her engagements. As an acclaimed author, her books A Voice Out of Poverty and 9 Steps to Overcome Adversity-A Handbook for Life have garnered critical acclaim including the prestigious Kirkus Star Review! Her extraordinary journey has earned her accolades, including the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for her humanitarian contributions.
Jillian's unique perspective and powerful storytelling have made her a sought-after speaker on the topics of adversity and resilience. She has inspired audiences around the world with her transformative message, helping individuals and organizations overcome challenges and achieve remarkable results. Her insights have been featured in major media outlets, including The Times, The Telegraph, The BBC, and The Week. Through her speaking engagements, Jillian empowers individuals and teams to harness the power of resilience, navigate adversity, and unlock their full potential. Her profound impact continues to resonate with audiences from various backgrounds, fostering a culture of strength, growth, and success.
Jillian Haslam's expertise as a speaker on adversity and resilience, coupled with her extensive banking experience, has made her a trusted voice in the field. Her ability to inspire and guide others through their own journeys of overcoming obstacles sets her apart, making her a valuable asset to any event or organization seeking to cultivate resilience and achieve exceptional success.
Jillian currently lives in London with her husband.
Connect with
her here:
https://books2read.com/u/3JnzxK (all available buy links are here)
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58948875
Read more personal "stuff" about Jillian Haslam below...
a Rafflecopter giveaway"Embrace Adversity, Unleash Greatness!
Once upon a time, in the heart of adversity, there lived a young
girl named Jillian Haslam. Born into abject poverty in the city of Kolkata, her
life seemed destined for despair. But little did the world know that within
those hardships lay the seeds of greatness and resilience.
Jillian's childhood was filled with struggles, facing hunger,
homelessness, and the harsh realities of poverty. However, amidst the gloom,
she discovered a glimmer of hope - education. Determined to change her fate,
Jillian pursued knowledge with fervor, knowing that education was her ticket to
a better life.
Through sheer determination and hard work, Jillian excelled in
her studies. She didn't let her circumstances define her, but instead, she let
them fuel her dreams. Every challenge she faced became a stepping stone towards
her ultimate goal - to break free from the shackles of poverty and create a
life of abundance.
As the years passed, Jillian's unwavering spirit caught the
attention of a kind soul who offered her a chance to work for a prestigious
organization. This opportunity opened doors she could only dream of before.
With dedication and passion, Jillian climbed the ladder of success, proving
that her past could not hold her back.
But Jillian's journey didn't stop there. Instead of forgetting
her roots, she embraced her past and used it as a powerful tool to drive
change. She founded initiatives to help underprivileged children like herself,
providing them with the gift of education and hope.
Today, Jillian stands tall as a beacon of inspiration and a
symbol of turning adversity into golden opportunities. Her voice echoes through
her book, "A Voice Out of Poverty," touching countless hearts and
motivating others to rise above their circumstances.
In the face of challenges, lies the key to
your transformation. Embrace your struggles, for they hold the power to unlock
your true potential. Rise above adversity and let your resilience shine,
turning every experience into a golden opportunity for growth and
success!
#EmbraceTheJourney #UnleashYourPotential
#TurningStrugglesIntoTriumphs #Adversity
What would
we find under your bed?
The mechanism
to lift, lower and massage since it is a fully adjustable massage bed.
What was the
scariest moment of your life?
When I was
delivering a speech at a college and after telling my story and what I had gone
through, the students almost mobbed me in a wonderful way – all they wanted was
to ask more questions, get selfies, sit with me and didn’t want me to leave. At
first it was very scary but then it became apparent to me that they were just
hungry for hope!!
What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
Hope my
story of resilience reach more people and help them to believe that anything is
possible through hard work, being able to ask for help and not accepting the
circumstances they currently find themselves in.
How long did
it take you to write this book?
Almost 10 years to research, write, edit, publish, promote it and turn into various speeches, excerpts, write children’s books etc. Now working on turning it into a movie.
this sounds like a book I would really enjoy
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