"I MET MARTINA BUCHAL IN 2014 AT THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME HELD IN BANDOS ISLAND RESORT, MALDIVES. SHE WAS ONE OF THE FACILITATORS OF THE PROGRAMME, THOUGH HER ROLE WENT BEYOND THAT.
THE FIRST TIME I MET MARTINA, I REMEMBER THINKING TO MYSELF "WOW! IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF COURAGE TO COME TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY ALL BY HERSELF AND WORK WITH SO MANY STRANGERS!" AND INDEED SHE WAS COURAGEOUS AND BRAVE. HER JOURNEY IN LIFE PROVES THIS. TRAVELING TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD, DETERMINED TO CHANGE PEOPLES LIVES FOR THE BETTER, CAN BE AN UPHILL BATTLE. YET, SHE HAS TAKEN ON THE ROLE OF GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR WORLD MERIT WITH HER HEAD HELD HIGH - ALWAYS LOOKING TO SERVE AND HELP OTHERS.
NOT ONLY IS SHE FRIENDLY, BUT ALSO VERY SUPPORTIVE. THE WAY SHE HANDLED THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US TOOK ME BY SURPRISE. SHE FACES ANY SITUATION WITH A CHARMING SMILE AND THUS MAKING IT EASY FOR ANYONE TO WORK WITH HER. I REMEMBER HOW RESPECTFUL SHE WAS OF OUR RELIGION OF ISLAM AND HOW SHE URGED US TO FOLLOW THE RULES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SHE CAN ROCK ANY SORT OF ATTIRE, INCLUDING MALDIVIAN TRADITIONAL DRESS! AND SHE BLENDS RIGHT IN.
MARTINA IS TRULY AN INSPIRATION TO ALL THOSE AROUND HER. HER PASSION TOWARDS TACKLING SOCIAL ISSUES IS INFECTIOUS. THE JOYOUS WAY IN WHICH SHE SHARES HER EXPERIENCE MAKES EVERYONE WANT TO BE IMMERSED IN HER LIFE. WE CAN ALL LEARN A LOT ABOUT EMPOWERMENT FROM HER JOURNEY. HER CREATIVE AND THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO TACKLING ISSUES AROUND US MAKES US ALL HAVE HOPE FOR HUMANITY. WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE MARTINA BUCHALS TO MAKE THE WORLD A PEACEFUL AND HARMONIOUS PLACE. IN A NUTSHELL SHE IS A WONDERFUL LADY WITH THE BIGGEST OF HEARTS"
HEAD OF DEMOCRACY HOUSE AND CO-FACILITATOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2 WEEK RESIDENTIAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP RETREAT IN THE MALDIVES, CURRENT PROGRAM ASSOCIATE AT UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)