The Malala Fund and Future Goals

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Learn more on the Uber app. I never thought that they would target a little girl for sharing her story, but that bullet changed the trajectory of my life. If you're born a girl, your life looks very different. The only reason that I could express myself It was because my father never stopped me. but then this armed group peered out of nowhere and they're using terror and violence to punish people for simply having these rights. That's why we really need to question our leaders. You wrote in your book. Everyone wanted to tell me who I was. An inspiration, a hero, an activist. You know, I was fifteen years old So my twenties has been that true begin again phace for me. and I'm like looking up Selena Gomez's casual outfits. I want it to be cool Oh God, Mala, I can't love you anymore. I was also scared of marriage because I just did not want a life where I had no control and that scared me more. What aspect of your life was troubling you the most? When I share this with people, they're like so shocked, but my whole body just froze. And suddenly I felt that I was rel liiving the troting I cannot figure out if I'm alive or not, but actually being brave means doing what you believe in, even when you are scared So I just want to welcome you, Malala. and I thought I would introduce you by reading the forward that you wrote in your book out loud because I feel like this is an amazing introduction to you because the way you have described yourself in this intro is exceptional So would it be all right? off course I'll never know who I was supposed to be Maybe everyone feels that way curious about the invisible crossroads in their lives the wrong turns and the chance encounters that change everything but I am haunted by it gulf between how I imagined my life and what it became can't escape the feeling giant hand plucked me out of one story and dropped me into an entirely new one On a mild October afternoon, a bullet changed the trajectory of my life passing me off from my home My friend everythingvery I loved, spinning me out. into an unfamiliar world. at fifteen years old I haven't had time figure out who I wanted to be when suddenly Everyone wanted to tell me who I was An inspiration, a hero, an activist but also a wallflower Bag Paycheck to my parents, I was an obedient daughter to my friends Good listener When I was alone I unraveled because the hardest thing. be. Myself My early twenties were a tangle of anxiety and indecision, reckless nights, foggy mornings, friendship and first love It was never going to be easy in this wonder struck season of life I love the way you write when the world feels full of possibility to find the path that was right for me. Still, I tried to shrug off other people's expectations and hear my own voice to reckon with what I had lost T. I might become what I wanted more than anything was to make sense of my story. I mean, thank you. It's an honor that you read it. Oh no. I mean, I've read it Fifty times, I can't quite get over the way you are able to so beautifully describe what you've been through with words. I mean, A am Malala was obviously incredible, but there's something about you as a grown adult as a woman coming into your own this journey finding my way. Yeah which is out in paperback very soon. Yes Yes. very exc to bed. Y. And look how nicely my glasses go with the colour of the book. Exactly That's so nice there's something about your writing maturing U and your descriptive power Paints a picture so beautifully for us And I'm going to get back to that final line in the introduction because I I feel like that is the end of our story. but I would like to start at the beginning. I want you to paint a picture for us of ten year old. You Um in SWT. with your family, what's life like then In Swat Valley, I always felt that I was a lucky girl. becausecause firstly I was living in the most beautiful place on Eth, which was heaven to me Beautiful tall mountains We had rivers, we had greenery And we had amazing people around us it was always the food, the music, the hospitality everything I treasured and most importantly, there was peace Yes. there was beace And I also felt lucky that I was living in a house where I had supportive where I had a supportive father So I knew that this was not normal for a lot of girls Well What was life like for like girls usually So there were many cultural challenges. veryer much lived in a patriarchal society. and the The society was very segregated for women and girls. So it was not as common for girls to be allowed into school or women to be allowed into work You know was it was evolving, it was changing and my father was part of that change because he saw his own five sisters never went to school So he's realize that it is gender based discrimination. If you're born a girl, your life looks very different. So when he became a father when I was born, he said that he would allow his daughter to be in school and allow her to be able to follow her dreams. different wasn't it? It was such a brave in a way It was it was brave. It was U Very feminist You know for our community and You know like I have stories when I share it with people. it makes no sense to people. When I explain that my school best friend in Pakistan wanted to participate in a speech competition. and Hur older brother told her that she could not go and speak in public And the only reason that I could go and participate in speeches, I could express myself was because my father never stopped me. So there's always something in society, there's these voices, there's patriarchy. and sometimes it's, you know, it's the men speaking those words or is the mother in the house who is reimposing all of that, but it it's just telling girls to It's just pulling girls back. What I ask you about when your father would let you do these things and not just let you, but wouldould it be fair to say he encouraged you as well Yeah, he loved speaking in public himself. So it's like like father, like daughter. So he always wanted his kids to express themselves And I remember whenever my dad would be hanging out with his older friends, his colleagues he would just encourage the kids to be there as well, just to listen to the conversations. and whenever I wanted to share my opinion, even though I was like nine or ten years old, He would be like listening to me very carefully and sometimes like adultsore ignore kids because they don't think that the kid's point of view is important or But for my father, like if I asked a question, it was a very serious, thoughtful question and he would take time to respond to it. So I felt valued I mean culturally you know, we know the challenges that you you were facing in Swap Valley. But even if we think about around the world in more permissive cultures is a wrat thing to have a father who will Listen to nine or ten year olds opinion and value it. and make that child feel seen and heard. I mean, that's such a beautiful thing Yeah, I wonder like why was my father so different than a lot of the other men in the community? And it's one of those questions that, you know he he has tried to answer as well himself. He sometimes say that he had to unlearn a lot before he had to learn. Wow. Because when you growrew up in a patriarchy, you have to Dismiss the privileges, you have to question why you get favors and others don't. And for him, it was simple, like why could his sisters L why could he go to school while his sisters could not? It was as simple as that And for him, you know, it was like, okay, how do I need to do things differently for my daughter He was a teacher as well. And that makes a huge difference because teachers to listen because they know that you can learn, you can comprehend things if you are allowed or given the space to question it, to process it, you know at your own pace. So I think that teacher personality was also there I still And I will stop banging on about it in a minute. and I still kind of feel that he is such a strong and an independent man to be able to go against the tide of what was It's not even that it was socially acceptable, it was just the done thing Yeah. And in terms of also it was It was benefiting him as a man, the patriarchy idea but he was interested in hearing everybody's voice. The point that you mentioned about how men can privileges in patriarchy and a lot of men just love to continue that even if they know it's wrong, even if they're aware of it But I think what my father saw was potential in having a more liberated society. Yes. And he would always call my mom beautiful, but also wise. My mom never went to school. My mom never got to learn English and all of these languages and other subjects. like when she was in Pakistan My father was always appreciating her wisdom and he knew that she was hardworking. She was looking after the kids. and he could see the same potential in his daughter as well. So you know when a man truly liberates himself That's when he he, you know, hes he's able to see women as equal humans. and I think that's, you know that's the power he found out. And that's when he was able to break the patriarchal norms and do things differently And it's finding his confidence in himself that he doesn't find empowering his wife doesn't make him feel in secure. And they makes him feel better. And they just redefine what pride means and they defeat their ego. and they they, you know, it's a form of liberation. It's hard to explain but once once you defeat You know or kill eg or you you feel Yeah, the world becomes a whole new place for you So I've got this picture of you Andy Did you feel even at that point before your life changed immeasurably? and when your land, your home was invaded Did you already feel a little bit different because of the way your parents were bringing you up with this freedom Yeah, one hundred percent. I've you know, I felt that our home was like a typical home where The father was always on my side. My mom was more on the brother's side. so I have two younger brothers And she was growing up in a very different environment She never went to school. For her. the idea was that she needs to have sons and boys are the ones who have more power. So if you have you know you just need to maintain the patriarchy. That's when you will receive the approval of the society. And she was very strict for me as well. She would always be like, you know, she would be less on my side So I all I thought that my mom was like So I was not that close to my mom growing up And I was always scared of my mom And I just thought like my dad would always you be there to be on my side But as I got older, like I realized that price she had to pay. for rebelling against the rules was so different than the price I have to pay or the price the next generation of women have to pay. In her time, It was honor killing It was force marriages, it was you know this lack of opportunities around her. So I one day asked my mom and it was in the recent years When I myself was graduating from college and thinking about marriage And I asked my mom What was your dream growing up? And she said, Well, you know, I wanted to just find a husband who was supportive so I could get to live in the city and have, you know food and comfort and all of these things. And I said, Mom, that's like marriage I mean, what was your dream when you were growing up There was no answer. And to this day, like my mom does not have an answer to what she wanted to be when she was a child because They could just never imagine themselves in a profession. in a job, earning for themselves, be out as active participants in the community or in public life because There were no role models. there were like no women who they could relate to So for me, like I could finally understand that yes, like my mom think like, okay, you know, like maybe, you know, what how could it be different for my daughter they could not see that path. Well like, sure my daughter is going into school now, things are slowly changing. but how much could it be different? In the end, it might be just the same thing Madage and having a slightly supportive husband, so you don't have to face the terrible things. And that's like the pathway that they see. But of course, like in my case, I was imagining everything very differently. I said, no, like, I want to get my education. I want to get a job, I want to earn money. I want to stand on my own twooth feet. I just hated like the dependency that I was seeing of women on there husbs and on their male family members and just like like you're just stuck, you're just trapped there and so for me, it was like, I don't ever want to be on that side. Can I Can I be more like my dad It's really fascinating like even as a girl, you want to be like a man rather than A woman in the family because you're like, you know, I just I know how hard it is for my mom. So I want to be like my father, you know out there expressing myself, being able to make decisions for myself. But later on I realized she had gone through so much And I started respecting my mom more and loving her mom Hmoria How is your relationship with her now I think we're becoming friends, which is nice. So nice. Yeah. And I talk about my mom more in this book and I don't talk about my dad as much. I think in the previous book I was talking a lot about my dad and you can see the shift in these two books as well because I I I felt similar things that a lot of women feel as they get older when they reach this adulthood, they are making life choices and I was nervous, nervous about marriage, what that would mean for me? What does it mean to start a whole new life when you are in these relationships and there are societal expectations Do I have to adapt to new roles or something? I was like thinking more, you know, traditionally like Oh, what would my in laws think about, you know, about the work that I do and ye. you all like, would I face more pressure? Do I have to constantly be like Thinking about everything. so for me, I was like, I cannot take so much. But I started thinking about everything that my mom had gone through, how she was adjusting into a whole new life with the in laws It's a whole new life. You just start to trust a man and a whole new family and You know, as we know that in our culture, the The daughter is sent to the husband's family and it's like a reset. This is a new life now. Yes I just quickly want to finish off with your mum because I do think that's one of the gifts of getting older. I showed you a picture earlier of me and my stepmum and how we've fallen in love all over again because our relationship has got better as I've got older. Are you Enjoying kind of getting older and seeing her with a different pair of glasses Yes, I think my mom is also changing. It's not just that I'm changing. I think For my mom, like she's now seen me as this young woman rather than just the little girl that I once was I think they still teach you that That way it's really hard. I was going to say it's quite hard for a mum to cross over because you can't Yeah. so but you know, I love that we you know, we talk about clothes, she loves shopping. She wants me to like, you know talk about her shoes and her bags and all of those things. so I love that. I think she spends more time shopping, you know, being being in these shopping malls than at home She also is very much into fitness, which I love.. And now I have got into fitness as well. So I was like, wow, you know my mom was ahead in the game And she has made a lot of friends now in Birmingham. She is becoming like so fluent in English, which is so impressive. She has learned a whole new language. She's learning how to use a computer and learning a bit of math as well And she has become a student, you know, in her fifties So when I see that, it just is so rewarding because I I started advocating for girls education because at age eleven ills education was banned my hometown by the Taliban. That's how I became an activist. But I thought, you know the chang is out out there in the world, we want to make a difference For the next generation of gls, which then to see that there was a student at home who had missed on that opportunity and she she wanted to learn. so that's it's It's so fulfilling, so rewarding Yeah I mean helping a younger generation of girls is also inspiring their mothers Yeah that maybe I can learn as well like it's It's helping everybody. Yeah You mentioned there about your life really changing beyond imagination at eleven years old when the Taliban came and invaded your home um town. and indeed the entire area and how everything just flipped in a moment. Could you describe to me, did you know it was coming? Did you have warnings? What was it like when it happened for you Um I think the you know, the group claimed that they are the Taliban around end of two thousand seven Ender Initially their restrictions were on things like they would not allow music, they would not allow any form of art. And then they were encouraging girls to drop out of schools and said that if you go to school you are going to go to hell and if you a part of school, you're going to go to heaven They were targeting artists and activists as well. and then eventually like around two thousand nine at the start of it They banned girls education. They said that No girl can go to school and if a girl is seen daring to step outside her home and enter school They will know the consequences. they will be punished And they said that womomen belong inside the house and Gals should not be learning or working, these are according to them on Islamic, which is completely wrong. and they were bombing schools. they were targeting people, like the this is the part that a lot of people don't understand. like it's not just those cultural conservative sort of things that are already there. It's like an armed group that has appeared out of nowhere that is now using violence to impose these restrictions. And that's a whole different story. It is terrorism. They're using terror and violence to punish people for simply having these rights As a young girl who'd grown up with relative Freedom rather than doing what most people would do, which is power and fear. and do everything they were saying because you were afraid it kind of lit a fire in your belly. Can you talk me through what happened to you and how why were you different do you think from other Children I had seen the Power of education that I just could not imagine a life without it. Yes. And I could also imagine a much er future for myself to education that I knew that if I am not able to go to school, I would have such a dark future. I had seen that So many girls who could not go to school were married off And they had children before they were twentywenty years old and I You know, I just did not want a life where I had no choice and no control what I want to do with my life. And that scared me more. I know people say that, you know, you should have been scared of the Taliban, but I said, I am actually more scared of a life that is trapped, that has no freedom I that isn't a life. That isn't a life. So so I saw no choice honestly and that's why I had to Speak out And then I was alsoah following the footsteps of my father. Yes, of course. He was also an activist And But also, let's remember, you were eleven when they evaded I mean, when I think back to myself as an eleven year old, I was just such a little girl playing like not even hitting puberty just so such a child still. but I've heard people talk about you and say that you were like a an adult You were very grown up when you were a little girl. Yeah. Yeah withith grown up thoughts, you know? Yes. I was the oldest daughter in the house. so you do become you know the wise one in the family, the more mature And I think I became well aware of what was happening in our community. I was well aware of the The fact that life was different for girls than it was for boys. I mean, I had two younger brothers. I knew the privileges they could enjoy and what I couldn't have And u And I also knew that education was something that I could not take for granted. E Yeah, and you know, and and my father always made me feel valued. So that adds to it Yeah, so I was acting very like gring up mature when I was a kid and then Later on in college I was like, canan I be a child again? I mean, can I go back to my childhood? Yes. Can I be silly? Can I jump around and laugh with friends? ye I mean, that my heart slightly breaks for you in that way because You had a topopsy turvy childhood.. You were having to be incredibly adult at eleven years old and deal with and Terrifying. situations and changes happening. And changes that well, it was a life that you had no control over You had no control over your own destiny and which would have been terrifying for most, but you decided that you would take a leaf out of your father's book become an activist yourself, how did that manifest itself So when people ask me about my activism You know, they feel like it was all like you thought through and planned. It didn't go anything like that At the time there were like a few journalists who wanted to cover the story of what was happening in Swat Valley because you know these are the things that you might see you know, on TV or in newspapers saying something like Terrorists have taken over this area or just say there was a suicide attack in this place. This many people were killed And you just hear nothing about what is happening to children, what is happening to women. What are like the personal stories So the journalists were coming into you know our schools before the Taliban ban and they were saying, like how are these girls feeling? about the fact that they would not be able to continue their education So I stepped forward and I spoke to the local media channels, the national and international media platforms like CNN and BBC And the New York Times, I was volunteering, I was stepping forward. I was participating in peace protests, and I had no training of what it's like to be an activist or any of that. I just was telling my story which are simple, like I deserve to be in school. Our school should not be bombed, O our schools should not be banned. I want leaders to do something about it. We cannot live under this terrorism and violence forever. because you know, we had peace before This is not the life that we should be living under and But you know, these are the things that we are seeing around the world right now We hear about Gaza, we hear about Sudan, we hear about Afghanistan in different parts of the world. and like people are not talking about The life of a girl, the life of a child in those places, they have dreams just like any child in the world. They want to play, they want to be able to read and write and to have fun time at school. they have a future. they want to have a future, they have dreams just like everyone these the violence, the wars, the injustices are denying them that opportunity It's actually very thought provoking. Thank you and And let's not forget the children and what they're going through right now everywhere around the world where there's war. Yeah it's very easy. You're so right actually about that idea of reading something and it's a long way away and you forget. And that is why you talking that. that your father not only had given you a voice but he' taught you how to use words in an order. Yeah them in order in a way that you write or speak that makes people listen and that was not just a gift for you. But it was a gift for the world You know, and all girls aroundround the world Yeah I I've never felt that my story is in any way important And for that reason, it should be heard by people The fact that I wanted to tell my story was because I wanted to tell people that it is a common story of so many girls out there, so many children out there in the world And it's not a story of the past This is happening right now So many children are denied their right to be in school. in Afghanistan Taliban for the past five years banned girls from going to school likeike, you know, that's that's if you read I'malali, if you read or you know, like finding my way these books This is this is the story of Afghan girls as well This is the story of All the children in Gaza who have been displaced Constantly, their schools have been bombed. Like you know, the literacy rate was like nearly like ninety nine percent or plus Litroed it was so high there And all of a sudden, like every school and university has been decimated and destroyed like I want people to know that this is about What is happening right now and This is impacting millions of children. So we really need to question our leaders, we really need to question ourselves. What kind of future are we giving to children What kind of world are we creating for them U and And you know, sometimes Like, have you like, you know, whenever there's like a little baby in the house O you know, we see a cute baby with our friends like All the disagreements, the unease, the anger, the frustration sort of disappear and everybody starts smiling. Because when we think about children, we know that they're innocent and they deserve. more happiness and joy and peace around them and they deserve to live in a better place Like we should address the injustices and we should make the world a better place for them So that is the state of the world right now. like we should We should look at children with more empathy We should see all children equal And we should all agree on this principle that they dis ofve A fairer, peaceful in a more prosperous world I'm going to go back now to u you and talking to CNN and the BBC and talking to journalists And you at this point this under a pseudonym or an alibi Did you know that you needed to do that to stay safe so I didn't do all the interviews so I did one blog for the BBC And that was under the pseudym. And I actually didn't want to do it under a pseudym. The BBC decided to do that because they said like they could not take any risk But everything else like, you know, I was stepping forward as Malala and showing my face And for me it was important for people to hear my story. for me it wasn't even like a thought that, you know, something could happen to me Honestly, I thought that the Taliban might target my father because they were targeting these activists these men campaigners I never thought that they would target You know, like a little girl, a little girl, a teenager simply for sharing her story. Yeah A. But, you know, D didn't turn out to be the case now. So I mean, u There was that fateful day You were you were fifteen. Um, wereere you on your way to school? For home. Yeah coming home. Yes. comoming home from school. Yes and Could you just talk me through what happened? Are you okay talking? Yeah, yeah. okay. The good thing is that I don't remember the incident. Right I have flashbacks. I have these different visuals, but I can never prove or never be so sure that I actually saw everything that day These are the stories that I have heard from my friends who are with me on the school bus And they said that two gunmen stopped the school bus. One was distracting the driver at the front and this other boy sort of comes to the back of the van And he asks who's Malala and then fires bullets And, you know, that Wer change the trajectory of my life because I was short at point blank range I was fifteen years old Blank range guys And after that I, you know, I just I don't know what happened. But I was told that that you know as soon as the driver realized that there had been this shooting. he drove the bus straight to a local hospital. I was moved from that hospital then to another city hospital and then another city hospital. you know some the initial main surgeries were done in Pakistan And when they shot you, they shot you straight at the head. Yes., but on the left side of myhead. throughrough your head. Yes. So it was like yeah. intont your shoulder So yeah it went through like the left side of my forehead and then sort of went through the neck into the into the shoulder into the back I was also told like Doctors for like hours could not find where the bullet had gone And that's when like it was, I think like many hours later that they they realized like the bullet was actually in the back It's seen as really like a miracle T truly a miracle. L if it was just like millimeters away from the brain U So I feel very lucky, very, very lucky. Can I tell you something? Yes We all feel really lucky to We're really glad you're still here. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. What a life. You've lived since then and I You know It's funny in a way. I feel sad that you lost your childhood day like that really well, really, you lost it when you were eleven when when they when they invaded, but You know I'm reclaiming that and childhood continue want I want to hear about that actually as we go on. but I you ended up going from hospital to hospital, but you actually ended up coming to the UK because it has a military hospital. Yes in Birmingham. Yes that actually could help you a bit more Can you just talk to me because I also want to u and pick a little bit because it really shapes who who you are and what you've become. I mean this obviously this podcast is called Begin againain. Yeah. I don't know if you know why I called it Begin again No. Well, I can't cl in again because I had brain surgery. Okay and before I had my brain tumor removed, I wanted to let go of whether I lived or died. But you know, I'm fifty eight. So I'm at a different stage where I'm not as young as you. So I was like Okay, well we need to talk about your skincare later, but yes, make c. Yes. but I was like, what do I need to make it okay for me to die But the big thing was my kid. A my kids okay and they are They' great kids, they don't want me to die but They're great. ye But I thought, oh, the big thing is that I have changed shifted D differenterent tracks all through my life hadad a go at everything had a go. And I'm really proud of that. Yeah. and I've had a good life. And I thought, I want everyone to get there So beginning again L what do you need? Yes, to start your life over? Yeah, the way you want to go? Like you just telling me. Yes I'm a child again. Yes. I'm rel liiving to my childhood and I'm doing it now. You're beginning again. Yes. but you've had to be you've had to begin it. You were forced to begin again many times. but I want people to have a choice sometimes to make those really difficult changes in their life where they think I'm not happy here I want to do something else and hearing stories like yours And what you've been through is so inspiring for people to think, oh, that thing I want to do, if she can do all of this can do that You know, like yeah, that's why this Yes. This isn't just about a young woman, an activist changing the world for other women, which is in itself extraordinary Yeah It's about inspiring other people to be brave I love this concert and When I think back and just try to reflect on how it has been like for me. I would say that, you know, for me, it was this begin again, but I was not making those changes myself. Yes. they were being forced upon you. It's all external. then it's nothing in your control. You are trying to adapt to it you are trying to figure out how you fit into that the Taliban taking over I was eleven years old. The Taliban attacking me, I was fifteen years old I'm winning the Nobel Peace Prize, I'm becoming this activist. I have to advocacy, all of these things. I'm just seventeen And the moment when I felt that I could actually Begin again, but with my rules with my preferences was when I started college That's when I realized I don't have my family here. There's no parental, you know watch. I don't have anyone, you know, like the team or anybody around me. I'm just here on my own, like every other student How would I like to live this life If Let's assume are there's nobody watching and there are no expectations And that's when you can begin again and reset the rules So yes, my twenties. has been reliving my childhood And that has been that true begin again face for me Can you tell me what reliving your childhood has looked like? What are some of the things that you've done They were phases to this process. I think the first thing that I was deciding was what do I wear Because my whole life I had only worn traditional Pakistani clothes. you know, Shalwar, Kamis and I love them. They're beautiful, colorful college, I saw that everybody is wearing slightly different clothes. like it's more Western, it's jeans and tops and it's dull and it's like, you know it's just gray and it's fine because that's what students are supposed to wear I was like, I want to blend in. I don't want to stand out. I don't want anyone to sort of see me in this traditional outfit and then see me as like the malala they have seen in the news. I just want them to see me as a fellow student because I'm just so desperate to too like go in and blend in and make friends. I done that? Yes And I go on Google and I'm like looking up these outfits and then I search Selena Gomez casual outfits. And wait, wait wait And wait, that' so random. Wait, you searched Selena Gomez casual outfits. Why Selena Gomez Be I want it to be cooy Oh God, Malala, I just I can't I can't love you anymore. Stop being so great. U Eczema. as unpredictable But you can blare less with elyiss, a once monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema After in an initial four month or longer dosing phase, about four in ten people taking eBGLS achieved itch relief and glare are almost glare skin at sixteen weeks. And most of those people maintain skin that's still more glare at one year, with monthly dosing.BGLS Libivesap LBKZ a two hundred fifty milligram per two milliliter injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children twelve years of age and older who weigh at least eighty eight pounds or forty kilograms with moderate to severe eczema. Also called a topopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin, or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. 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Okay. pink, blue, bright tops, They colours. and a lot of you know, necklaces and jewelry and bracelets U and leather jackets, denim jackets Um, and like u like boots R black leather boots. o And I was like There it is So yeah, I was like, I was you know, I'm wearing a bomber jacket, I'm wearing jeans, I'm wearing these, you know tops and it's still like a modest. But I realized like I was not the only one from Pakistan or you know, or a Muslim who was wearing those outfits. There were like so many Muslims in Pakistani and South Asian students who were wearing Western clothing and you know everybody was dressing up differently. and you just see the diversity of it. and I loved it. So that was like for me like the first start. then the second one was like making friends. I was like, okay, I don't want this to be the same way as it was for me. A school in the UK. C we just talk about going to Birmingham because that was very you were fifteen when you went to school in Birmingham. That is a very, very tough time to join a secondary school because everyone's made friends. I know. So what was that experience like? You know, you can see those groups and you can't fit in, you can't go in. Yeah. So I felt like an outsider. I also thought that I was just being too serious because even I just had forgotten how to be young and how to be a child. wait, let's just think about. Yeah You know, you're like meeting the presidents and prime mininisters of the world and you are like attending these things and you just have no idea how to be a child again. But that's And I want it to be but you need friends to be able to to be yourself because they just give you that comfort zone and I missed my school friends from Pakistan. I would always call my friends from Pakistan on the phone and ask them like You know, like how what's happening with that friend and what's happening with that teacher and like what's the school environment? And I'll just picture myself back in my school in Pakistan But you couldn't go back It was really challenging. I mean, it took me like five or something years to go back to Pakistan and meet everyone. But I go now, but But yeah at the time it was very difficult Um you know, it is it is safe off course, the cities are safe and but it's It's hard to like move back Yeah easier to go and travel and visit friends but A lot harder to move back here. So how did you work it at secondary school? Because you were trying to learn skills that maybe you would use at university Yeah. how I mean, the other thing that I think the other challenge for you a little bit. Yes was that Well, you were shocked by your first test results when you got to secondary school, but then you turned into like, right Yeah. I'm going to ace my GCSEs.. was Were people annoyed with you for being so clever And O were they proud You know, I felt really invisible at school. I didn't even know if anybody was even thinking of me or noticing me because I thought I was not in the cool friends groups So At high school, I wouldll just highlight two things. One was and The day when I felt like people sort of noticed me was when they found out that I had won the Nobel Peace Prize because I was on the day of the announcement. in my chemistry class I had no phone or anything And and you know, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee usually calls the recipient because they're like all older people. They have there has never been a seventeen year old school student. You were the youngest ever and The school depy teacher walks into the class and she calls me outside And I'm like, am I in trouble? What have I done? And then she says Malala, you have won the Nobel Peace Prize. And I was in shock What? I'm like who Who gets to be called outside Class, lagh and justall anyway So that I felt like You know I could see more friends looking at me and more people saying hi to me or congratulations to me. You feel just being more seen But you know, it just like dies down the next day And So you know, and then the second thing was that by the end of my high school, I had only made one friendnt Albert you'd made one. Just one friend. I'm still bestie with her. like we're bestieies forever. let's please talk about her. E was Alice. Yes So let's just talk, let's just pay homage to Alice, please for a moment because I'm going to be her bridesmaid Yeah getting married in August. And this is going to be like my first time being a bridesman. I've never been a bridesman. It is crazy. I don't even know the rules or what am I supposed to do and all of that. She'll tell you. Alice' tell. I know I know. So can I How did you and Alice find each other and what was it that brought you together? Yeah The reason Alice and I became friends was firstly Alice was, you know, was sort of encouraging me to speak with her and to sit down with her. So I remember like, you know, in the dining hall She would sort of offer me to sit down with her and I'd be like, no, no, I'm okay and she would insist. She should be like, no, you know, we are sitting together and should be like, we are getting that ice cream. You know, we are going to the gardens. We are going to do this And I just like, you know, you know, I would just follow her. I was like, Yes, ma', you know, like follow her command. And that's what I love because, you know, there's like somebody who tells you like They want to be friends with you. Yes because I never wanted to be a burden on anyone. I never wanted them to feel like they have to be with me , you know, I was like, but because you know, you friendship is like it's It's such a genuine U Commitment? Yes. you can never fake it? Yes. You know, when it comes to trual friendships It's a commitment. It's being there for each other, caring for each other And you know, in her company, I realized that, okay, she wants to be friends with me I'm not like a burden on her. So that's how I became friends with Alice But I wanted more friends in college. I was like, I can't University time can't be the same as my school time I don't want to be just like This lonely quiet student stuck in the library who ends up making just like one friend I was like, no I do not want that. So I want lots ofes between school and university. Yes. It was like, okay Yeah I'm changing. Yes. This is all changing. Yeah, Selena Eers. You made an active decision. Yes. to take control your life and who you wanted to be before you went to university How were your parents when you got into Oxford I was telling my parents like I'm off stay out of my business. So my yeah, I mean, my parents would call me You know, anyt time in the day and I'll be like, dad, I'm busy, M. I have a class, mom, like I'm busy with friends So I kind of was like really enjoying my time without my family.. It was a lot of fun. And I was really like Of course I was like college it became one of my like In college like it became my goal that I would I want to make friends. I want to get that exposure and I want people to like Did like get to know me y More than that, I just wanted to get to know myself. like, you know, if I have no Um constraints and if there's like no pressure or expectations that I'm setting Who am I And and I was like, you know, I'll be able to know if I actually getet out of my comfort zone So I knew that I will I'll have to meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends And for that, I actually signed up for so many clubs and societies. I had no clue. if I was capable of any of those things and if I had any talent, but I was signing up for rowing. you know, I was I signed up for the Christian society, Hindu society, Muslim society I was like, I just want to meet everybody But that fascinating Crick by different cultures and religions and stuff. But I love the sporty stuff. rowing. I mean, rowing is challenging Yeah, I know, I know you know now. I know now yeah. It's very challenging. You have to get up ear It's so risky, you know how you should know how to swim. I couldn't swim. You went rowing and you couldn't swim. Yeah. Oh my God. But that was like my first and last attempt rowing. I never went back. No. Yeah, cricket Cricket Yeahah well it's just so hard. like you have to Keep learning But I think But I love it. I love it. You love that. What was your favorite club you joined My favorite club was the South Asian society and like the Pakistan society I really love being a part of the South Asian community Because it made me feel closer to home. Yes We could speak the same language, we could share the same food, we could dance to the same music, we could enjoy the same poetry And I loved all of that and I felt like was I was, you know back with my old friend from Pakistan I mean, you were talking about you wanted to make friends and u have a new collection of friends. And often I think when people you know, when you move area, when you divorce, when you like whenever kind of you have a big life change You have to venture out and make friends and that is Kind of weird and difficult it's like sort of please like me. I like you. Do you like me. It's such a funny thing. but I think you were talking about letting people get to know you and There is something about revealing something about yourself and in turn something then revealing something about themselves I mean, obviously, you'd been through so much. What was that journey like for you letting people in and would people like Wow, you know Honestly, like I I don't know it from their perspective because you know now that you're just you. Now we have been friends for more than seven eight years. and You know, it's like we feel like we're like sisters, like we have known each other our whole lives But I think for them, it was more like, you know, they also wanted to make friends And yes And you have to like tell each other that you know, set these things that we have heard about each other before aside and let's get to know each other You know like as just new friends, like you know It completely new people. O almost on a more shallow level. Y. Yes So that's kind of how it starts. and, you know, for me, it was Also just like trusting my friends and what they were planning to do and like being willing to join anything. We were like punting and going out for dinners together, staying up late, gossiping, talking about boys, talking about astrology, things. And then I heard about this you know this group of students who climb up the rooftop ono the bell tower of the collllege And it was a very risky journey It was like I was like, I don't know. L what if I get into trouble or like What if the college finds out and I'm like kicked out of college and everything where I was like, you know what If this is what the c students do, I'm gonna do it And u I even climbed the colleage rooftop It felt like a bit of a rebellion, but I was like it's worth it It's worth it. I was enjoying a bit of that disobedience. And you know, it became more symbolic to me because you know, your whole life were sort of constantly meeeting the expectations. and you feel like you have a role to fulfill because that's what everybody thinks you should be doing And then in college, I'm like Climb the roof Why not? And then when I go up there, I'm like, Am I defeating something bigger It's that sense of liberation that you feel when you make it to the top and I was like, It is helping me a lot more in life as well It's making me think about You know, what are the things that I'm just accepting because I think that That's what people want me to do what people expect me to do And in college I found a way to sort of be able to Question things more and then make sure that I do it my way Isn't it funny how people go to college just to learn more information and to have a bit of fun make some friends, but Miss Lan and you're learning. how to break free from what has been an expectation of you to break free from that expectation and liberate yourself Yeah How much kind of more you got from it than was expected really? Yes. At the same time as you being at university, most other kids are just at university, you know they're just learning, they're having fun. Can you talk me through the pressures that were on you to deliver on all the other fronts that you've been working on throughout your life because there was a lot going on on top of University Yeah. So like In this book I actually share about this journey for me, how As much as I'm trying to be a student And to be like every other student I also have these other roles that I have to fulfill. So I remember like in one week or so in college time. I traveled to three countries. I was doing advocacy at the World Economic Forum I was in Lebanon with the Air Co Tim Cke to raaise awareness of about girls education and get their support and like You know, I And then I have a meeting with my senior tutor and she is really concerned that I am actually really behind in my essays, in my performance And that's when I was realizing that actually even if I think I'm going like do my best and like you know workor, you know, even when I'm traveveling, but it's like impossible to manage all of these things al togetheret So in the end I realize like I have to stay no to things as well to ensure that I am giving more time to my studies and to my college life in general And You know, eventually I u I also started getting more accademic support as well. Because in the beginning, I was just so worried that if I if I'm struggling with the studies and everything that you know, it's like it's my fault and I don't deserve to be here So you know by the end of my first year, I performed really poorly in my exams. I nearly failed my exams and I was like, this is a disaster. like I am an education activist. I can't fail my exams. So I' thought about that. Yeah That is so that's so The to feel yourself, it's so much pressure. It was choice between like, do I want to be stuck in the library and be sad and have no friends? or you know do I sort of socialize and have fun and like do everything that I want to do, but still be a student but also not fail my exams. make it to the end. It's a lot, isn't it? a juggle. Yes And then I found out about this academic support at school and I was like, wait there's like a counselor and they can help you with your studies. And it took me a bit of time, but I eventually received that support. And you know that's something I talk about in this book because I wonder like how many students feel hesitant because you know we all have that imposter syndrome and I was hoping that Am students who feel that way. I want them to know that we you know, I have felt that. like many of us have felt that. And It's okay. If we have moments of doubt, but we should not hesitate in asking for help I think that's such a strong message. and I think that actually stands for anybody at any age, you know, to write about and say, it's alright for you to go do this It's such a beautiful thing. So thank you for sharing your vulnerability Yeah Part of the reason why I wanted to write this book was because I was thinking there might be someone out there who has gone through what I went through struggling to make friends, doubting themselves, struggling with mental health hesitant to ask for help and support I want them to know that It is okay if you have moments of doubt It's actually not a sign of weakness. to get help and support. It's actually a strength because you are navigating your way yourself And I'm so grateful that I found my way through all of those obstacles and challenges and I hope that this book can be guidance for them. And if even like one person, like one girl who is struggling in any way, find some hope through this book I would be like, I have done my job You were saying that you were struggling with your mental health. What aspect of your life was troubling you the most? So u When I share this with people, they're like so shocked I never got therapy. after the Taliban attack never received any mental health support I was offered, but I said, or or like, you know, the This I'm supposed to be brave and courageous. I know I have overcome all of this. I don't need mental health support. So I took it as a sign of weakness. Fast forward seven years later out of nowhere in the middle of my college time You know friendriends were trying bon for the first you know, like bong and I saw it for the first time and I'm like, I don't know what this is, but they were like, give it a try I was like, okay, I was like, I don't even know what the effects are. So I was like, what's the worst that could happen And like I cough a bit and then on the second attempt, I felt like just my whole body just like absorbed it and That's the moment like I froze Everything changed after that becausecause suddenly I felt that I was reliving the Taliban shooting Like it's midnight, it's past twelve and I'm in this friend, but I feel I'm with these friends, but I feel like it's like I'm just frozen. I can't move. And the shooting is happening. time has slord, and I'm And I feel like a that I'm know, I cannot figure out if I'm alive or not And that night just turned out to be a terrible night. I felt sick. I could not go to sleep. I was shaking. My heart rate was so high and I was so scared to even Go to sleep because I thought if I close my eyes I would never be able to open them again. Wow. It's like you feel that trauma of like. I mean it ches the whole trauma all over again, right? Closer to that moment again. So after that, like, you know, the next day I was like, I wanted to like reset everything and take myself back to yesterday You know, the all life, the happy life. I'm laughing, I'm giggling could never do it. The next day, the next day just could never do it And then I realized, U I'm stuck. I'm stuck. I'm not that brave and courageous person anymore who can get herself out of theseese challenges And you know, my friends started noticing that I wasn't being myself And I u that I needed some help. And I'm so grateful and feel so lucky that it was a friend of mine who said that I should get therapy I was like therapist I was like they no I was like, they have no clue what I have been through. becausecause we all feel that our circumstances so exceptional And it took me a few months, but I finally booked an appointment with the therapist. I was so scared. There were like moments I was like I should look back. I'm not going I'm not going. I don't want them to know anything about me And then I have my first session and I start talking and then I'm talking and talking and talking and then I don't stop and I'm like you know, you're just like opening up all of these things that you have been sort of suppressing and You let it all out, we just let it all out And that's when I realized, o my goodness, I should have received this treatment a lot earlier. Oh were you sad for your little self? because I was like, you know, this I had to unlearn and relearn so many things firstirstly did. actually not a sign off weakness to get help It's actually not a sign of weakness like to feel sort of scared and then like help yourself through it because and I was just constantly told that like being brave means you just have no fear at all. But then I was like, no, actually Being brave means doing what you believe in even when you were scared this fear that I have now, this anxiousness, this this anxiety, you know, like I am. Yes, like, you know, I faced this trauma of the Taliban attack, I saw terrorism growing up and all of those things. like yes, those images, those flashbacks are there and I know that I'm I'm so lucky that I survived and I'm living in a comfortable place. but It's still there And and it's okay to have that fear becausecause it's not thatm just I'm scared for myself, but I'm actually scared for so many girls out there. Even girls in Afghanistan right now. You carry that who still have to live under the Taliban. of all there' They' extreme gender Um bias and D The Taliban have imposed like a system of Gender apartheid. That's what Afghan women, activists are calling it So just to know that that's a very good name for it, isn't it? Because it's systemic. It's deliberate It is you, a system of segregation that is deliberate and it punishes women for daring to learn work, step outside their homes, be in public spaces. So it's really heartbreaking and like you know, I really look up to the couourage and resilience of Afghan women, and I know that they are scared and terrified but I really look up to them. So you know, when I you know thinking back about the trauma that I had faced. like I just could think about other girls who Just like me, eleven years old, twelve years old had gone through so much Therapy really helped me think differently. and I Um And I was hoping that, you know by sharing that story in this book, I can help a lot of people from my own community especially. to know that it's okay, it's okay to ask for help, to get more professional help as well If I ask you something very quickly about that? culturally, then is it harder in your community do you think for women to step forward and ask for help think it depends. I would frame it differently. I think it's the It's a more professional like psychiatrist help. is very difficult to get access to access and also like the availability of it as well and then the awareness about it as well. And I know that mental health is also like a very new conversation globally. Yes. It has only come up in the recent years So I know it will take some time, but I think this you know it's good to tell your story now and sooner because I hope that, you know so many people will be able to like relate to it I loved what you said about your friend saying You're not okay. Yeah, you need to go get some help. Yes. And u Be that be that friend, you know, if someone's watching and they know someone who's struggling They might need that littleittle push You know for like a long time I like I had seen this this like word like, you know, post trauma PDS PDSD and all of these things. And I wouldd always just feel like a like u Yah like. That was I was like, not me me I was like, yeah, I wonder why people talk about it because I faced a trauma and I'm completely fine. Look, I'm strong, I'm focused and I'm happier and You know the therapy sessions helped me find out that actually I had PDSD and I had flashbacks and So It's just coming to an agreement like it's it's coming to agreement with the fact that, you know things are happening in your life. and you embrace them, you accept them and then you you know, you start to sort of live with them. So of course like I couldn' I could never take my life back to you know what it was before, but just like. finding Strength in a new way is sort of the way forward living with it. Yes, not against it. Exactly But when you left university What did your life look like? What does your life look like for the last few years? And Where are you at now Well. Immediately after I finished college, I graduated in a pandemic So was the class of twenty twenty And I hated it. I was like, yeah I'm supposed to go and travel and like explore things and get out of the house. Why am I just like back to where I was? Why am I back in Birmingham with my family, with my siblings? and I just like was so desperate to get out of it, but you know we all were stuck in that pandemic time But I, you know, I had found somebody in these college years who I really, really loved Usar is this guy who I had just met and he was tall and handsome and good looking and compleomtely my type and I was very scared of love. you know How did you actually meet We made through friends. And it was just, you know, pure chance that we got to meet and I thought he was funny and hilarious and he was laughing at my jokes as well, which I loved. You are hilarious. I know just And he used to work in cricket. So I was like, oh, he's maybe like a cricketer as well. Wh knows? So I was like, that makes him even more sexy. And we became friends. We became friends. It was long distance. He was based in Pakistan But we got to know each other over the years He would visit in the summer and we would go for dinner and just like spend some time together And I was like, there is that connection there. L I I am happier when I'm in his company. and I you know and we love so many things, you know, together, we love sports and He's just like so cool. But I was also scared of marriage because I had seen growing up how Girls have lost their future because they were forced into marriage. U so It just could not like come to an agreement between these two things. like You know, like I want to live with this guy. That's something like I want. I can't imagine my life without him, but then I I was like growing up, like you know, I said that I will never get married ' I was like, I hate marriage and everything and like it's just always more compromises and it's less, you know, like the opportunities get limited for women So then eventually I came to this agreement that yes, like you know he is an exceptional person. we both See mag in the same way You know, It's like when two people are aligned then it's a different thing, But you know, my concerns about marriage have not gone anywhere Um, I think Empowering women is important. Eduucating girls is very important. I'm very lucky that I found the right person How was it with your parents and your father when you met Asa U'm Initially my parents were really worried. they were like, o my goodness, what's happening My dad could immediately tell that You know, there was like something, you know, like becausecause I introduced Uer to my family like early on and As a friend, as a friend. And even like at the time, I did you didn't know if I had feelings. Oh my dad What' suspicious in'ight I know it was like I am in I know And I was just more worried about my mom because Even though Asar is from Pakistan and my family is also from Pakistan, we speak different languages. Our mother tongue is different Asar's family speaks Punjabi and Urdu language and My family speaks special language. Especially my mom, she struggles with Urdu a lot. So my mom was like No, this guy, you know how am I going to communicate with him? He doesn't speak our language and all of that and But I was like, M, I'm like I'm getting married, not you, you know So and then my mom became friends with him as well and my mom I think Aer knows how to impress everyone Yes. So he knew that my mom loves shopping So whenever my mom is wearing like, you know, a dress and she's like, who's you know, who's going to be the first one to talk about it and you know, or shoes or something. So us' like, wow, you know, you're looking gorgeous and then my mom is so happy . Yeah they love him He's like their favorite person. Yeah. They're always in like as you got closer to the marriage time I remember like one time my dad just sat him down and said Are you sure you want to marry my daughter? Because you know, it's like it's not an easy task and I'm like, Dad I know Yeah, ye. They're like, you know, she can be a lot. It's example. I mean they weren't true. I was going to say they weren't wrong. They weren't wrong. It's a weren't wrong. I think this was something that I found quite interesting because I always think about famous women any famous woman. it is incredibly hard for a man to date Yes, a celebrity because You have to be really confident, not just a celebr yourself, any accomplished woman. An accomplished woman And a high achieving woman. Yeah Yeah I mean, simply like that, I mean Oons her value in her worth. Yes, Yes. Because you've got to be super confident in yourself to not feel intimidated by that Yes Yeah. and I think my parents' marriage was actually a great blueprint. Yes for you because I saw likeike I talk about my dad being an amazing dad. That's true, but I also saw my dad being an amazing husband Yes And we always learen from what they do, not just what they say. Yes. And I knew that, you know, like no matter what, but you know, like the husband has to You know Be respectful and kind and loving and caring. And they need to make your life better and in no way any harder and more difficult and frustrating and bring out the best in you. And like the way he has just like loved my mom and appreciated her and he's just like so impressed by her wisdom and everything. like he just always is like she's so wise and I'm like, okay, you know like it's like very uncommon like to har it from like their generation So I was like, I think it's My my expectation was this generation. it's uncommon. It's such you talking about the way that your father appreciates your mother and respects her. Yes. It' such a beautiful powerful message. Yeah. I can see. So the fathers also have to be good husbands I. Yeah I mean, this is so important. any man Yeah. as an example to other men needs to be a good husband. Yes. and it will bring out the best in their wife. Yeah You know Yes. But I look at your face when you talk about Asa. and I can see how you feel Yeah You know, we We really enjoy our time together. He's funny, he's really entertaining, he has actually introduced me to so many things in life now that I just never thought I would be doing. You know, three, four years ago, if you had asked me what my favorite activity was, I would have just said sitting Honestly, sitting, I just I want to relax and sit and not move around. Well you had a pretty hectic life. Yeah, yeah. But he's the guy who's always standing and walking around and he's always finding like something to do. So he has introduced me to pickleball and paddle tennis now and skiing I could not imagine myself skiing It's hard, but I'm like learning now and golf and I'm taking cricket lessons sometimes. It's just like random, but I'm like I just love it and I go to the gym now And I'm like running. I mean I couldn't even walk. I'm running now I know And weightlifting. Oh great. I do weightlifting. I have like Good muscles now, bicep, triceps courts, whatever, all of those things. And I love it. I love it when I lift heavier weights heavier than him sometimes when it's leg day And I'm, you know He has to like then sort of you know hear me chat about, L, I'm doing so well and I'm doing better than you, but he can tolerate me. it's fine. But yeah, he has really changed my life I mean, I can see he brings out the best in you. And I can see you like yourself with him Yes. That' a great example of love and is is I always say to my kids, Do you like you are with this person. Yeah, That's the most important. Love that. And you do. Yes. So When when you look back? U at your life, I guess I have two questions. Okay. One is Any regrets I don't look back I honestly don't It's not that I don't have any regrets. I'm sure there's a long list. I feel like I have just more time to think about regrets in life. I call it lessons, I call it takeaways and I try to move on quickly because Time is so precious And you have to live more in the moment and think about how you can do better the next day So I try to look forward Um, For me, like if I think about my priorities going ahead, it's always about How can we make this world a better place for the next generation of girls And my goal is to help them get access to education, help them get access to sports opportunities. I want to see things change for Afghans. I don't want them to live under the Taliban rule where they don't have the right to go to school. I'm like I'm dreaming of the day when they can re enter their classrooms But I'm like, yeah, we'll keep doing our best to provide them education through these alternative platforms now like underground schools and secret schools and radio programs and You know, it's But more than anything, like when I think about the resilience and bravery of these girls from all around the world, from Pakistan to Nigeria to Afghanistan to Brazil and how committed they are to accessing education they fight for it and they are finding their way. to a better future. So I'm like I'm just here as an ally and I will do all I can to make sure that You know, you have access to every opportunity and you can choose your own future do feel like it is our duty, every single woman in the world to amplify your message because we owe it to other women. And I do feel like Women have and allies ship with each other that is natural and real that we can empathize everyvery woman in the world we understand and we owe it to each other to look out for each other. and So, you know, My message is we Read your books, like amplify your message Don't forget remember what people are going through I quickly just want to talk about Your foundation well Yes, of course because When did you start the Malana Foundation? How old were you I think it was when I was like fifteen. I this is like this is so uch such a huge thing to create. but you were talking about accessing with underground schools and education, but the Malana Foundation is yes, a lot to do with that, isn't it? Can you tell us exactly what you do and how people can support it Yeah, so No, I started this foundation with the mission to ensure that every girl can have access to education and rough this organization, I give grants to local education activists who just like me and my father are working on the ground to help girls get into schools. They are like working on policy changes. they're working in the most deprived and marginalized communities. They're working in the difficult parts of the countries like know from Balochistan and Pakistan to the north of Nigeria to helping the Afro Brazilent communities Iigenous communities in Brazil And they are like helping girls in Afghanistan to keep learning and they're advocating for their right. So these activists are incredible people who themselves like you know have been gls who were facing struggles and access to education. So a lot of them are girls and young women themselves who are the activists And so far, we have supported more than four hundred organizations and like reach twenty six million girls. And now like my goal is that we keep expanding this work'm And then there's like one project that I love talking about that I have supported through Manala Fund And that is a school in my parents' village in the north of Pakistan It's in the mountains And there was no high school at the time when we started. Yes. I remembering about this. And when I won the Nobel Peace Prize, it came with a cash prize So I said, I'm going to donate all of this money to start a school And since then I have been doing all of this fundraising to support the building of this school, and we launched it around twenty eighteen And the first class of girls graduated last year It was like the first group of girls who could you know who were graduating From the twelfth grade year thirteen And I met them I met them in person last year. I went to Pakistan, and this is something I talk about in the last chapter of this book. likeike that chapter is so close to me because the book begins with my journey of joining college You know, making it in Dxford And then by the end of this book, I am sitting with these girls who are about to join college And you know, I'm like I'm talking to them about what their dreams are and You know, what they're hoping for themselves and they're like talking about the amazing things they have received at the school from sports facilities to mental health support, to counseseling. and I was so happy I was like a school in like the mountains of the you know, of Pakistan and they're getting like mental health support iss like, you know, the best sort of a state of the art school there. Fantastic which is like incredible And then, you know, I just wanted the girls to know like it's okay, it's okay not to have all the answers right now. and I want you to have fun time as well in college. you know, I don't want you to face any pressure or like don't feel like you have to just meet some expectations. like you can set your own rules and I know that you have an amazing journey ahead, but I just wanted to like sort of tell them that I know what college life can be like and I just want you to know that you're not alone and it's going to be okay uch a strong message. And honestly all of those girls that you help around the world will W naturally to want to go and help girs and it would just keep growing You know, you are changing the world And not many people can say that. You are doing that. We would all like to help you So thank you Thank. Thank you. Thank you for talking to us today. I just want to just reiterate this book is out on paperback I think next week, so after this goes out, we' be coming out next week in paperback. but actually I would say buy it in a half pack. It's very nice. coover is very nice, isn it? Oh and the cols. Yes. are absolutely this is your colour. Yes. And you can see the mountains in the beround that's my home It's an absolutely beautiful butth I would just like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this interview today and your honesty and your courage. Thank you, Dam I just admire and respect you so much And I think a lot of people that watching and listening will get so much from this So we are so grateful for you Coming on again again, Thankk you. Yeah. Round of applause for meeting you as well. Thank you. So just in case you missed this episode here, If you love this episode, I know you're going love that