A Voice Out of Poverty
by Jillian Haslam
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Memoir
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BLURB:
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLOG #4 If I’d never heard of me, would I read “A Voice Out of
Poverty”? 620 words
Hey there, folks! Today, I want to
chat about my first book, "A Voice Out of Poverty," and whether I'd
pick it up if I stumbled upon it without knowing anything about the author. So,
let's dive in and see if it's a read I'd recommend!
First things first, the cover of
"A Voice Out of Poverty" is pretty eye-catching. It's got this
vibrant mix of colors, with a young girl standing against a bustling city
backdrop. It immediately gives off a sense of hope and resilience, and I'm all
about that. Kudos to the book designer for nailing it!
As I flip open the book, I'm met
with a heartfelt introduction that sets the stage for the stories that follow.
It's like an appetizer that makes you excited for the main course. The chapters
are divided into different stages of my life, starting from my childhood in a
low-income neighborhood to my journey of overcoming obstacles and breaking free
from the cycle of poverty.
Reading through these pages, I
can't help but feel a sense of vulnerability and authenticity. Each story is
like a glimpse into my soul, sharing not only the hardships I faced but also
the triumphs and lessons I learned along the way. I'm not gonna lie; it's a
rollercoaster of emotions. There are moments that will make you cry, laugh, and
reflect on your own life.
The writing style in "A Voice
Out of Poverty" is conversational and relatable. I've always believed that
stories should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or
education. So, I've tried my best to keep the language simple and
down-to-earth. It's almost like we're having a chat over a cup of tea. No fancy
jargon or complex sentence structures here—just raw, genuine storytelling.
Now, let's talk about the themes
explored in the book. Poverty is undoubtedly at the forefront, but it's not
just a pity party. I wanted to shed light on the systemic issues that
perpetuate poverty, but also showcase the resilience and strength of
individuals who defy the odds. It's about hope, dreams, and the power of
determination. Throughout the book, I sprinkle in some practical advice and
resources for those who may find themselves in similar situations, because I
believe in empowering others through knowledge.
Another aspect that stands out in
"A Voice Out of Poverty" is the diversity of voices. It's not just my
story; it's a collective narrative of the people I've met along the way. I
share their struggles, their dreams, and how their lives intersected with mine.
By amplifying these voices, I hope to challenge stereotypes and encourage
empathy.
As I reach the end of the book, I
find myself feeling inspired and motivated. It's a reminder that no matter
where you come from or what obstacles you face, you have the power to shape
your own destiny. I share my successes and failures with the hope that it will
resonate with readers and encourage them to pursue their own dreams fearlessly.
So, would I read "A Voice Out
of Poverty" if I had never heard of me? Absolutely! Even if I say so
myself. It's a captivating journey filled with real stories, heart, and a dose
of inspiration. It's a book that celebrates the human spirit and reminds us
that no one should be defined by their circumstances.
If you're someone who loves
stories of resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding strength in the midst
of struggle, then "A Voice Out of Poverty" might just be the perfect
read for you. Give it a shot, and let me know what you think. Together, let's
change the narrative surrounding poverty and create a more inclusive world.
Until next time, Jillian Haslman
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jillian Haslam was born in 1970 and raised primarily in the slums of Calcutta. Despite the severe devastation of her family’s living circumstances, she completed her education and landed her first major employment as a personal assistant to the CEO at Bank of America in India.
Jillian rose
through the ranks, and Bank of America appointed her president of its Charity
and Diversity Network in India, where she spearheaded charitable work in four
different cities. This led her to receive three philanthropic awards from Bank
of America: the Star Recognition award, the Service Excellence award, and The
Individual Achievement award.
In 2011, she
published the first version of her memoir, Indian. English, which chronicles
her life growing up amid dreadful poverty, abuse, and tragedy. The book sold
over 150,000 copies, mostly while she was on the speaking circuit. Her story
also incited interest from Hollywood and British film directors and producers,
leading to the development of a feature film.
Charitable
giving became Jillian’s life work. In 2012, she received the first runner up
award for The Asian Woman of the Year in the “Social and Humanitarian”
category. In early 2015, The Telegraph of Calcutta presented Jillian with the
True Legend award for her exceptional contribution to social and humanitarian
causes. In mid-2015, she was recognized as a finalist for the Role Model of the
Year award for her work delivering speeches in educational institutes across
the UK. In late 2016, she received an award for Excellence in Humanitarianism.
And, in 2017, she received her greatest accolade, the Mother Teresa Memorial
International Award.
Jillian became
a speaker in demand and is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). She has delivered
several TEDx talks, among other prestigious speaking engagements, on various
topics that flow from her life story. Jillian speaks on topics that include
entrepreneurialism, the power of the mind, and human resilience.
She has also
been featured on various TV networks, including Channel 5 and the BBC, and a
wide range of print media, including The Independent, The Pioneer, The Times,
The Telegraph, The Metro, Gulf News, and other major media outlets. Jillian’s
charitable work continues under the auspices of the Remedia Trust where she oversees
several separate charities: Ageing Smiles (for the elderly poor), Happy Hearts
(for children), Empowering Girls (for teaching various workable skills),
India’s Disabled (for building a mobile medical unit), E3 Growth (focused on
education, employment, and employability), and the Mother Teresa Project (for
women and single mothers).
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
https://www.facebook.com/jillian.haslam
https://www.facebook.com/IndianEnglishTheMovie
https://twitter.com/JillianHaslam
https://www.instagram.com/jillian.haslam/
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds like my kind of book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great story.
ReplyDeletethis sounds interesting
ReplyDelete