Thematic Session 7

For more than 25 years, I practiced “love in action” as a nonprofit photographer and fundraiser - supporting children’s education, creating animal sanctuaries, and fostering hope in vulnerable communities.
Then, in rural Ethiopia, I received the devastating news that my son Blaise had died by suicide.
As I waited to begin the long journey back to the United States, a kind man named Assefa sat beside me, holding my hand for ten hours. That simple gesture did not erase my grief, but it revealed something profound: even the smallest acts of care can ripple outward with immeasurable strength.   
Since then, I have carried this deeper understanding into all my work, from creating peace gardens in places scarred by conflict to nurturing global projects of compassion.
The human touch, I have learned, is not only physical - it is the empathy, presence, and love we extend to one another.
This talk reflects on how the human touch - whether through a life’s mission or a moment’s kindness - can heal, connect, and transform.