The Pursuit of a Better Life

By Steeve Simbert

Past

In 1682, during the reign of Louis XIV of France, Madame Bourgette gave birth to five little children, five innocent souls whom the impostor doctor called ‘five little monsters’. It was for the first time in history that someone who was enduring so much misery had the audacity to be pregnant and carry five misfortunes in her stomach. Madame Bourgette, a beautiful young woman once, became transfigured by the hardships of life, became more like an eighty-two year old grandma while she was only in her thirties.  Life was cruel. Life was even worse than the 1930’s Great Depression in this poor suburb of France. If the condition of living was so barbaric, how could someone as ill-fated as Madame Bourgette have dared to produce five of these little creatures? How had she dared to give birth to these five sensitive souls who would endure the dreadful state of living?

The answer is that she didn’t want to. Three days before she got pregnant, she swore to death and to the gods of Athens that she would live a life of celibacy. She even had the audacity to climb to the top of a mountain to swear so she could feel closer to the gods. Her words as she swore were: “In the name of the gods of Athens and the gods of gods, I will devote my precious virginity and never share it with anyone until my last breath on planet earth.” Despite her tenacity in carrying out her vow to the gods, she managed to wander around the village as proud as a lioness behaving as a celibate. Unfortunately, in exactly three days, three hours, and three minutes, she was dishonored by three vagabonds that asked her for thirty-three cents or to kindly donate her virginity. She refused to donate the thirty-three cents. She said she didn’t have any. Oh heaven! How could someone as hopeless as Madame Bourgette possibly have thirty-three cents? Madame Bourgette herself had not eaten for seven days. Where on earth would she possibly have such a fortune to give to three gangsters that had just escaped the prison La Bastille? She calmly approached the three vagrants, and slapped each one of them on their cheeks like a perfectly well-measured punch. Fortunately or unfortunately, each of the vagrants lost two teeth at once. Out of despair, the three escapees took Madame Bourgette’s celibacy. Oh sky of heaven! Madame Borgette gave one cacophonous yell that could be heard in the entire impoverished town while losing her heavenly virginity to these wicked animals.

Reflection

This was Madame Bourgette’s earliest sad story. Many of us face some of the most pressing hardships in life. Sometimes we even question existence itself. Sometimes we cannot even understand our purpose for living. At other times, we beg God to take our lives. These same hardships have existed since the world was created. Many of us might even face a similar scenario as Madame Bourgette’s. Other people have it easier. At the same time, others face even worse predicament than Madame Bourgette’s. Despite any destitution we have faced in the past, this does not define who we are. We are greater than our minds could even determine. We have this extraordinary power inside of us. We simply have to harness the strength that exists in us, and transform any adversity into success. Many of you might wonder how someone like Madame Bourgette could manage to live. Madame Bourgette understood that at certain times in life, we need to consider the possibility of our own downfall. But that does not determine that this is us nor that this will be our future. We simply have to learn from our crisis, and become powerful enough to resist anything that we might face in life. We are bound to overcome any suffering. It is not about how many times we take the punches of life, but how many times we can take a blow, get back up, and keep moving forward. In this life, there will be moments in which we will be completely lost and in despair. But the reality is, will we be able to handle our present obstacles, and overcome them at a certain point?

Future

Madame Bourgette understood that the past was not her concern. The only way she was able to overcome this outrageous obstacle was to live and wish for a life of only greatness. After this terrible event happened to her, she was determined that she now had a greater purpose in life. She was resolved that she would give her life to guarantee the well-being of her five little children. In life, many of us do not have a purpose; this is why we are so confused about life. Madame Bourgette took her five little children and decided to do whatever it took to give them a better life than she had had. She was living to the fullest every day because she understood it was only that way that she would be able to accomplish her dreams—to provide care for her children. In life, when we demonstrate incomparable bravery in times of crisis, good things will happen to us. The good Lord will take care of us. Madame Bourgette miraculously was accepted to the convent.  The priest who was in charge decided to support Madame Bourgette in order to provide an education for her children. Madame Bourgette, someone who was deprived in her life, was now for the first time happy as she was watching her children grow. There is truly some mystery in life. Everything happens for a reason. These five little children who happened to come unexpectedly inside Madame Bourgette were now her reason for living. As she grew older, all of her children became very successful. In her late days, her children were the ones that took care of her. As they were all living in the spirit of brotherhood, they all moved to a new castle in which they were living with their mother, family, and grand-children. Sometimes for those of us who are questioning our lives, we never know what the future may entail for us. My advice for you today is: “Live your life to the fullest despite any hardships that you will face in life, and it will all be worth it one day.”

Please visit Steeve’s with Fellow Clinton Global Initiative students’ blog: http://reenvision.tumblr.com/

PRESS RELEASE

PRESS ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   
October 20, 2011
CONTACT:               
Christopher Cashman, Opportunity Nation, 202-262-6249

STEEVE SIMBERT TO SERVE AS ADVISOR FOR OPPORTUNITY NATION, A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND SOCIAL MOBILITY IN AMERICA

Opportunity Nation includes over 150 non-profits, grassroots organizations, social entrepreneurs, celebrities, elected officials, and thought leaders who are working together to create a bipartisan agenda for reinvigorating the American dream

Steeve Simbert has been chosen to serve as a one of 100 national leaders from 44 states and the District of Columbia for Opportunity Nation, a national campaign launching in November that will work to restore access to the American Dream by increasing economic opportunity and social mobility in America. Steeve was selected to serve on this distinguished panel because of his excellent leadership as a student at St. Thomas University.  
Opportunity Nation has formed a powerful, bipartisan coalition of non-profits, foundations, educators, business and political leaders who are working together to put promoting opportunity and social mobility back on the national, state and local community agendas.  The campaign will launch on November 4th with a national Summit cosponsored by AARP, AARP Foundation, Ford Foundation, TIME Magazine, and United Way Worldwide.  Details on the Summit are below.
Steeve will serve as part of the Opportunity Nation Leaders and Scholars Program, a national network of experts with personal experience facing barriers to opportunity and a track record of making meaningful change in their respective communities.  Acting as community mobilizers and lending their insight to campaign policy ideas. Opportunity Leaders and Scholars will be essential voices in galvanizing support across the country and making a tangible difference in their communities in 2012.
WHO:
Confirmed speakers include: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; President of Catholic Charities Father Larry Snyder; Jo Ann Jenkins, President of AARP Foundation; Rick Stengel, Managing Editor of TIME magazine; Luis Ubiñas, President of the Ford Foundation; Commentator and Philanthropist Tavis Smiley; Angela Glover Blackwell Founder and CEO, PolicyLink; Heritage Foundation Distinguished Fellow Stuart Butler; Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick; Personal Finance Expert Suze Orman; and Washington Post Columnist Michael Gerson. Other speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
WHEN:   
Thursday, November 3, 2011 - Friday, November 4, 2011
WHERE:   
November 3, 8:00pm, The Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St., New York, NY
November 4, 9:00am – 5:00pm, Columbia University (Alfred J. Lerner Hall –2920 Broadway, New York, NY)

MEDIA CREDENTIALS/ACCESS:
To attend the summit please contact Elleni@pointblankpa.com. To interview your Leader or Scholar please contact ccashman@bethechangeinc.org.  

More information about Opportunity Nation and the November Summit can be found at

www.opportunitynation.org

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Why I Want to Die Empty

By Steeve Simbert

January 11, 2010 was a pretty typical day in Haiti.  At that time I was attending the New American School (NAS).  The American writer, David Baron, had come to my school in Haiti. It was during a tutoring session that David and I were thrown on the ground when the earthquake began to shake the building that we were in.  It was that day that my country’s capital city was destroyed by a disastrous earthquake that caused the death of over 300,000 people.  My life would be forever changed.

At the time, I simply thought it was a dream, maybe some kind of horror movie, even more terrifying, the end of the world. I wanted to say farewell to David as we were embracing each other tightly on the floor of the trembling building. Suddenly, everything was cracking and breaking down. Dust everywhere erupted into a cloud that dispersed throughout Port-au-Prince.  Never in my life had I been so scared.  As I lay on the floor, something clicked and I found a great strength.  David had been injured, and I knew I needed to help him to safety.  I was in a situation in which I could not give up; I was terrified for the safety of my family and friends but I knew I simply had to keep on going. I simply stood up and helped David get back on his feet. The intensity of the fall left some blood on his chin and the tragic incident left him with some serious injuries. I began to worry about his health, and all kinds of thoughts occurred in my mind in a fraction of a second. I realized his glasses had fallen on the ground, so I put them in my pocket and guided him to the open street.

The first floor of the four-story building we were in lay in pieces. As we were located on the terrace of the second floor, it was easier for us to simply jump out. We went in the streets, which were safer for the time being, yet all kinds of human suffering were taking place right before my eyes. So much anguish lay all around me. “What horrible offenses could Haitians have committed to deserve such an evil punishment?” I thought.  Mothers, fathers, sons, infants, youths, adults, seniors – regardless of one's rank, class, or type, if it was not for luck and destiny, one would have been killed immediately by the earthquake. As we stood watching, almost everyone was covered with dust; many were trying to rescue others in need; some were running up and down the streets carrying dead and injured people. People everywhere were bleeding. Others were yelling, crying and praying as they were going insane while looking desperately for their missing relatives.

To hide from the pain and suffering, I went to the backyard of Villa Manrèse with David. Early the next morning, I went around the neighborhood asking for blood pressure pills which David needed very badly. Fortunately, I found enough pills to last for several days. I then became like a beggar, asking everybody for food and all kinds of ingredients necessary for our well-being, and then I shared them with David. We always obeyed our motto, which was: “It's simple; eat whatever we have in case we don't have for tomorrow.” I made sure my new friend was safe and was feeling comfortable all the time; whenever he had some worries I took care of them by assuring him, “there is a solution to every problem.” With my hope and determination to succeed in times of crisis, I helped my friend to retrieve his belongings in the barricaded building, and accompanied him to the American Embassy. Now David is safe in his New Orleans home, and we still keep in touch as David is my BFFL, Best Friend for Life.

After the earthquake, I was given a second chance to come to the United States by my father. My father had abandoned me to Haiti in 2008. One month after my moving to Miami, he kicked me out of the house and I became homeless.  I share this with you not for your sympathy, but to confide in you what I believe is my most valuable life lesson embodied by the famous Chinese proverb “in crisis, cleverness is born”.

I have always been blessed with a positive spirit.  I learned very young to embrace life.  I have studied my idols, Martin Luther King, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, and Mohandas Gandhi.  I have learned that all great lives have great struggles; that it is during the struggles that these great men and women develop the character and build the skills required for their greatness.  I know that crisis does indeed create cleverness.

Throughout my life I have been blessed, for I have been able to withstand unforgettable difficulties time and time again. My past does not define who I am. Rather, my difficult past experiences motivate me to create a better life for myself. Due to the hardships that I endured, I now crave a life of only greatness—one that is filled with passion, happiness, and extraordinary success.  It is the great tragedies that fuel my desire and that have given me greater strength.

Shortly after being kicked out of the house, I had to grow up very quickly. I could either choose to give up or to move forward. Luckily, the adversity in my life had given me the motivation and ability to persevere.  It was very hard, but I now thank God for giving me such a great opportunity to be independent at an early age.  I was able to learn the art of making money and spending it wisely.  Most importantly, I learned that I can stand on my own, that I am truly capable of not only surviving but thriving. 

I had to do everything in my power to create a strategy to receive a full scholarship at St. Thomas University. I had no other choice than to receive a full scholarship or die. The laws of the universe were very kind to me and convinced the officials of St. Thomas University to give me a full scholarship as one of the earthquake survivors of Haiti who desperately needed help to attend college.  It is funny how from a great tragedy came such a tremendous opportunity—more proof that crisis breeds cleverness and opportunity.

I remember the first day I attended college.  For the first time in many years I had a room with a bed to sleep in, I had three meals a day, and I was in an environment where I was truly safe and secure.  What is very common and expected for most Americans was a dream come true for me. Since starting St. Thomas, I have been blessed to be selected by several national and international organizations, such as: the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative University to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world; the 2011 Beijing International Youth Festival Global Development Youth Summit to have direct dialogues and cultural exchanges with youth from all over the world;  and the 2011 Opportunity Nation Scholar to promote opportunity, social mobility, and access to the American Dream.  Most recently, I have been fortunate to be the recipient of the ‘Young Social Entrepreneur/ Venture of the Year’ award from the Casimiro Foundation.

I now have a new dream.  I want to change the fate of millions of children in Haiti. I want to represent possibilities to my fellow Haitian brothers and sisters to show them that they have the power to do anything they want. I believe that the greatest tool that we can offer to Haitians is to empower them. Through empowerment, they will be enlightened to achieve greatness. Through enlightenment, they will be awakened to be one-hundred-percent accountable for their own initiative and success. Through awakening, they will reach the knowledge to become sustainable. And with sustainability, a brighter future of Haiti can be possible. Who knows, I might be the ‘Ambassador of Change’.

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it.”

William Arthur Ward

Please visit Steeve’s with Fellow Clinton Global Initiative students’ blog: http://reenvision.tumblr.com/

STU STUDENT PARTICIPATED IN 2011 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT YOUTH SUMMIT

Steeve Simbert with Chinese Students

Steeve Simbert, an upcoming sophomore at St. Thomas University (STU) double majoring in Global Leadership and Political Science was selected to attend the 2011 US-China International Youth Festival, a program initiated by the Education Association for China Tomorrow.  This program embodies the US-China Joint Statement on November 17, 2009, which featured great importance to people-to-people and cultural exchanges, particularly to the 100,000 Strong Initiative announced by President Barack Obama. EACT selected 100 outstanding US youth to attend the 4-week IYF in China, Beijing in order to provide a valuable opportunity for them to have direct dialogues and cultural exchanges with youth from around the world to personally experience the development, openness, progress and freedom of modern China.

Steeve says: "The best thing that could happen in a student's life is to experience different cultures of other countries. It was so empowering to meet these selective representatives from a variety of prestigious universities getting together for a common purpose to do cultural exchange with some incredible Chinese students. We all gathered to do something greater than ourselves. We all joined together to exchange ideas about what we as future world leaders can do to be part of the change we want to see soon. We all at this memorable summit hold ourselves accountable for our own actions and are determined that the time is now for us young minds of the world to do our part to contribute to the betterment of our society."

The IYF serves as a platform for global youth representatives to exchange innovative ideas and perspective on how to pursue self-improvement and mutual progress in order to create a better world for future generations.

The IYF is highly encouraged by President Barack Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address with the theme of “winning the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building.”

Steeve encourages his fellow STU students to join together in our own backyard to do something memorable for STU 50th Anniversary.

Steeve says: "I want to thank the Magic Wand Foundation and Scott Shickler for sponsoring my trip to China. I also want to thank St. Thomas University's officials for always supporting me with all my dreams.  St. Thomas University opened its doors for me when I moved to the USA after the earthquake in Haiti. Now the university truly embraces my core values in life, as its motto is 'Developing Leaders for Life'. I simply want to thank everyone at STU for allowing me to share my experience with you."



Students Celebrate President Clinton’s 65th Birthday with Cake and Social Media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     Contact: Steeve Simbert 

August 19th, 2011                                                  Re-Envision Team Marketing 

                                                                                     reenvisionteam@gmail.com 

          
Students Celebrate President Clinton’s 65^th Birthday with

   Cake and Social Media

August 9, 2011 – Captivated by President Clinton’s Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) meeting, 11 students from around the world have come together to inspire and engage young people from all walks of life.

Four years ago at the Apollo Theater in New York City, one statement would come to empower and inspire millions of young people around the world. Announcing to the world the establishment of the Clinton Global Initiative University meeting (CGIU), President Clinton said, “Young people today have more power to change the world for the better than at any time in human history.”

Since its inception, the Clinton Global Initiative University has served as a forum for students to connect and engage with one another as well as experts in various fields to discuss and develop solutions to many pressing issues. Each passing of the now annual CGIU meeting provides further testament that young people truly do have the power to make a significant impact when we confront pressing challenges.

At this past April’s CGIU meeting, held at the University of California, San Diego, the true testament of the power of young people came when 11 of those student attendees came together to create the an initiative known as “Re-Envision Your Future”. 

                                                                                                                   

One of these students includes St. Thomas University’s own Steeve Simbert. Steeve, a young Haitian who recently moved to Miami, is a rising sophomore double majoring in Global Leadership and Political Science.

"Re-Envision Your Future" is a blog, inspired by President Clinton's vision, that will feature articles, how- to's, videos, and other resources to promote and support student and community activism and social entrepreneurship. While this team of students comes from different backgrounds, regions, and cultures, they are brought together by their passion of inspiring others to do better.

This blog will serve as a platform for the 11 students to collaborate and engage with young people and fellow students worldwide, helping them realize and achieve their potential.

"Re-Envision Your Future” was launched on August 19th, 2011 to mark and celebrate President Bill Clinton's 65th birthday, as a thank you for the support that his CGIU initiative has brought and inspired. Visit http://reenvision.tumblr.com 

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For media inquiries, or further information, please contact Steeve Simbert at reenvisionteam@gmail.com or (786) 370-4444 

STU STUDENT PARTICIPATED IN THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE UNIVERSITY

Steeve Simbert, a freshman at St. Thomas University (STU) double majoring in Global Leadership and Political Science, was selected to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University 2011. This program brought together world leaders to take action on global challenges; President Clinton launched the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) in 2007 to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. Each year, CGI U hosts a meeting for students and national youth organizations to discuss solutions to pressing global issues. CGI U 2011 was held at the University of California at San Diego from April 1-3, 2011. At this meeting, nearly 1,200 attendees came together to make a difference in CGI U's five Focus Areas: Education, Environment & Climate Change, Peace & Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health.

Steeve says: “As a student here at STU, making good grades is simply not enough; a student must go beyond his ability while believing that everything is possible.” Steeve attended CGIU to represent the Enlightenment Foundation USA, a non-profit organization that he created. The purpose of the foundation is to establish a global working model that will educate underprivileged high school and university students with the use of cutting edge technology, software and hardware systems. The foundation will launch computer labs in high schools and universities to improve efficiency in the education system in order to equip students to make wiser decisions to recover the economies of underdeveloped populations worldwide.

Participants this year’s event include former President Bill Clinton, All-Pro NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, actress Drew Barrymore and Blue Legacy International founder Alexandra Cousteau. Past participants include Bill Gates, President Barack Obama and Warren Buffett.

Steeve says: “It is so interesting to be part of these phenomenal young future leaders gathered to be empowered with their determined unreasonable mindsets to change any system that is not working.”  

Visionary, Thinker, Dreamer

Steeve Simbert, a visionary, an ultimate realist, and an aspiring entrepreneur, is a gregarious young Haitian who recently moved to the United States of America. Since birth, he has always experienced difficult and almost unbearable life circumstances, which he optimistically utilizes to motivate and make him stronger in all his endeavors. Steeve is very involved in making a difference. He clearly adores his freedom and his contribution to the success of others. His success is simply due to the participation and support in which society has invested in him. Currently he is reciprocating this investment back to local and global communities by directing his efforts to be part of the “change he wants to see in the world.” His vision is to be a motivational public speaker and social entrepreneur, while following his eagerness to do what he loves most.

Since graduating Magna Cum Laude at North Miami Beach Senior High School in the Biomedical and Environmental Agriculture Magnet Program, Steeve has taken full control of his fate and continues to strive to be the best he can be every day of his life. After his high school graduation, he attended the Ultimate Life Entrepreneurship Camp and won first place in the Business Plan Competition, receiving a scholarship to attend the Ultimate Life Summit in 2010. Since then, he has acquired a new and keen vision of his mission in life. He has received a full scholarship to attend St. Thomas University. Currently, he is a 20-year-old sophomore, double majoring in Political Science and Global Leadership & Philosophy. He is serving as a Public Speaker, Motivational Editorial Writer of Woman’s Essence Magazine, Senior Advisory Board Officer of the Youth Chamber of Commerce, Founder/CEO of the Enlightenment Foundation USA, Co-founder of Re-Envision Your Future, Founder/ President of the Ultimate Life Club at STU, Student Government Association Senator at STU, Student Ambassador, Executive Board Officer of the Honors Programs at STU, Member of Global Leadership/Pax Romana at STU, Member of Phi Beta Lambda at STU.

Steeve has been selected by several national and international organizations, such as: the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative University to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world; the 2011 Beijing International Youth Festival Global Development Youth Summit to have direct dialogues and cultural exchanges with youth from all over the world; and the 2011 Opportunity Nation Scholar to promote opportunity, social mobility, and access to the American Dream.  Most recently, he was the recipient of the ‘Young Social Entrepreneur/ Venture of the Year’ award in 2011 from the Casimiro Foundation.

Special Dedication

I would like to dedicate this blog in the honor of my great mentors, whom I believe are the best ones that exist on planet earth. They are the ones that shape and strenghten my beliefs and intellectual thinking.  They are the ones that enlighten me to help me define who is Steeve Simbert today. They are so genuine to my 'outrageously-exciting-attitude" which is sometimes a little overwhelming to some people. My mentors are always here to motivate and support me in all my endeavors. I want all of you to know that I sincerely appreciate and love all of you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so very much for always being there for me. I would like to take the time to acknowledge some of my closest mentors whom I passionately adore and that I crave to be a 'combinational-reflection' of one day: Juan Casimiro, Scott Shickler, and Dr.  Joe Holland. I would also like to acknowledge my other mentors as well, among them are: Clement Stfleur, Brenda Leguisamo, Kenn Finneran, Robert Van Name, Mileyka Burgos and Dr. Michael Lenaghan.

I would also like to thank all my wonderful friends who have made an ever-lasting impact in my life. All of you guys are so humbled, genuine, and special. I have been so fortunate to meet and have some of the greatest friends on earth. I've had the honorable pleasure to create friends from all over the world due to several international summits that I've been part of. And, you know why I love you --my friends-- so much? Your attitudes are so infectious! You guys are so positive, so awesome, such visionaries! And, what you all stand for is so inter-connected with my values in life. First, I want to thank you all for always being there for me, and for always motivating and supporting me in all my dreams. If there is in any way that I could assist you in your projects, or to support you both personally and to motivate you, I AM always here for YOU, and I got your back!

Lastly, I want to dedicate this blog to the universe. Through this blog, I want to represent possibilities. I want to enlighten my fellow brothers and sisters from around the world. I want to make an impact. I want to do something greater than myself... I could feel it! I could smell it!... I just want to be a servant of humankind, and to be able to serve YOU! Thank you for allowing me to have the honor to be your servant. I love you! 

Purpose

The purpose of this blog is to represent Steeve Simbert as a socially responsible human being. This blog portrays a reflection of  me, what I stand for, what I believe in, and what I value the most in life. I hope you find my belief and intellectual thinking quite amusing and empowering to your taste and innerself. I would like to officially introduce you to my world, "The World of Steevy!"

First ... Breath! Smile! and, Enjoy my blog!

Unreasonable World Ambassador of Change