“I can’t believe I am on the plane, flying to have the most impacting experience of my life yet. I’m so excited, yet so nervous. But I’m ready to fight hunger”

This is what I wrote in my journal during the flight from Perth to Melbourne, just before we all flew to East Timor in January. Now the experience has happened. I’ve come home, shared the stories and been a voice for the voiceless. And now that the 2011 40 Hour Famine is over, it’s time to say goodbye to as this year’s Youth Ambassador for Western Australia.

Looking back on this year, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It has been the best, most exciting and most challenging year of my life. I have learnt so much about the hurt in our world today and have had the privilege of talking to thousands of people about it. What an honour that is, as well as a massive responsibility. I have grown in myself and have learnt to have confidence in myself in my public speaking, as well as trusting myself with this huge task and knowing that I am capable and worthy of speaking on behalf of the people that have torn my heart into pieces because of the horrible way they have to live. I encourage everyone reading this to remember how worthy you are and remember to never doubt yourself. If you are passionate about something, don’t let anyone bring you down, because you care about something important. Having strong passions is such a beautiful thing, so chase those passions and seek them. They’re there for a reason. Life is a beautiful, wonderful and challenging journey that we all have been given. Remember that we only have one life to live, one chance to make a difference, so chase those passions right now, while you can. You don’t want to look back wishing you did something. Make this a time where you actually did do something, and you were proud of it.

I will never forget the faces of the people we met in East Timor. Lily, a girl who has completely turned my life around, is someone I will never stop thinking about. Hopefully I can see her again one day. Lily’s story is so heartbreaking. I can still remember my heart sinking, and those tears streaming down my face when I sat and talked with her. I still remember her huge smile when I gave her that necklace. I still remember getting into the car as we were leaving her place and how she jumped up at the car window, trying to get my hand to kiss it goodbye over and over again. Those words she said, “Please tell my story, because I suffer and it hurts”, still ring in my ears daily. Lily, you are the bravest girl in Timor and you are worth so much. I am never, ever going to forget that special life changing time I spent with you. That was when I realised that I have to dedicate my life doing something about poverty. You changed everything, and for that, I thank you.

Don’t forget the stories we Youth Ambassadors have told over the past few months. Keep them close to your heart. Make them your motivation and drive to continue on. I hope that many of you will apply to be Youth Ambassadors in 2012. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I never thought I would be sitting hereright now typing my last blog as a Youth Ambassador, but I just thought to myself, “What have I got to lose?” So if you’re nervous or frightened about applying, just do it! You never know what is in store right around the corner.

Remember, don’t live in fear. Live in hope. Lives can be changed, and lives will be changed.

I want to leave you with something that someone also very dear to me, Fiona Hamilton said. Fiona is the Programs Manager in East Timor and inspired me so much.

“It doesn’t feel nice, but it is good to live with a broken heart. What use are our hearts if they remain full, shiny and whole? What life would we live if we hadn't ripped some out to give to someone else, or we hadn’t allowed the cracks in our own hearts to be filled with love from another? A broken heart is the best kind, because love flows in and out with every beat.”

I think sometimes it feels hard to fight poverty because it can be invisible. We can see the symptoms of it around the world, the scars that it leaves, but we can’t find it to show everyone and to destroy it. It’s a silent enemy that the developed world can easily ignore. Fighting poverty is as much about transforming hearts as it is working with the poor. I am so glad that you guys are out there, fighting the good fight one heart at a time! Sounds corny but I fully believe it. How else will we see change?"

Power to you all, keep fighting. Remember, poverty is a constant emergency. We can’t ignore it any longer.

-Julia