THE STORYTELLER

- Marjolein Diks -

By Standing Voice

February 17^th, 2017

I've always felt that when you're working to empower other people, you gain an extra bit of energy inside. An extra dose of strength. When I struck out on my own, I knew I wanted to help people find their inner voice.

I was at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1990 until 2015. Whenever there was a presentation or an announcement to be made, I was asked to do it. I liked public speaking, and loved telling stories. My colleagues, I found, were rather less enthusiastic. With practice and experience, I was able to advise my colleagues on how to reach their own audiences. I came to the realisation that I actually enjoyed coaching other people at the Ministry; it gave me added motivation coming into work each day.

Before long, half of my time at work was spent coaching colleagues in public speaking, bringing out their voices and inner confidence. Eventually, and with support from the Dutch government, I was fortunate enough to convert my passion into a blooming business, Dikscommuniceert.

Through Dikscommuniceert, I am always looking for ways to help others raise their voices and make a positive change in the world. This outlook brought me into contact with Standing Voice, whose vision aligns perfectly with mine: helping people to understand and embrace themselves.

"Standing Voice gives people the opportunity to show their true selves and connect with the message they want to convey"

To me, it's not important whether an issue is in the UK, or the Netherlands, or in Tanzania. Wherever you are, you should be able to be yourself, and share yourself with your audience. The rejection of people with albinism by their communities in Tanzania saddens me for precisely this reason. People with albinism must have confidence in who they are, and Standing Voice's initiatives in Education and Advocacy are critical for enabling this.

I am donating 10% of Dikscommuniceert's client commissions to Standing Voice, with the aim of supporting their inspirational work in Tanzania. Standing Voice's mission is so beautifully aligned to my own philosophy that this partnership will give me extra motivation in the work I do. As I continue to coach others in future, I hope the example of people with albinism finding their voices in Tanzania will allow others to embrace themselves too.