Tough Angels
( My relationship failed. I went through divorce, what happened did not define me. I embraced my true self. I am Executive Director and Founder of Tough Angels, Inc., a nonprofit organization which creates safe havens for women and children of violence in developing countries. Please visit me on Facebook – Tough Angels, or my website, http://www.toughangels.org/ for further information and ways to get involved.)
After 24 years of marriage and finding myself standing in the wreckage of a divorce, I was determined to make my life about something bigger than that one life event, further I was adamant that bitterness would not rule my future. Some believed it was a radical move, but I saved enough money to be gone for 6 months, put my belongings in storage, quit my job, changed my name and traveled alone to Africa on pure faith and trust. I was confident I could make good use of my innate compassion for abused children, and with my prior volunteer and work background, trusted I was equipped to handle whatever came across my path. There are times in life where you have to jump into the deep end and trust the Universe will support your well intended efforts, because a lifetime of preparation could never have anticipated all I saw and experienced. I ended up volunteering and working alongside an organization in S. Africa that rescued children who had been raped, now an epidemic nightmare in many countries in Africa.
Patricia, founder of Tough Angels
From point of rescue, to the police, Child Protective Services, the hospitals and the judicial system, I immersed myself in this work. Some of the children I helped to rescue lost their lives; many of these barbaric and cruel actions can be blamed on a tribal myth that expects a cure for AIDS can be obtained by having sex with a virgin child.
The rape cases were incomprehensible and savagely painful, but the bigger story became about Africa and her women and children; their capacity and willingness to still see beauty and grace in a world that had seemingly slighted them in so many ways. My healing began. I discovered through them my ability (and responsibility) to love, laugh and view life through the lens of honor and gratitude. Despite their lifetimes of slavery, poverty, brutality, and oppression, they still praised the earth and sky and thanked God for the air they breathed. The reverent sisterhood they clung to taught me so much about the strength and courage available to us when we are linked.
My life has grown in magical ways and the depth of my spirit has found no bounds. I am at home, whether that is in the bush in a far corner of the world, or in my living room on my couch in Colorado. I haven’t had a paycheck in nearly 3 years, but I am without a doubt the richest woman in the world. I have seen and touched the divine. I have opened my heart so wide, I thought it might crack.
To view more of Patricia’s works click on the image.
I never knew what was in store for me when I began this journey. I thought it would be a 6-month volunteer effort and I would return to my career in the field of fashion, but life had a surprise for me and this became a part of my soul’s survival, joy and heartbreak. Upon my return to the US, I started my own nonprofit, Tough Angels, in hopes of helping more women and children of violence. Naiveté has served me well in this endeavor because otherwise, I would’ve stood frozen in my tracks, believing it to be too much to tackle. It was and is, but I continue putting one foot in front of the other . . . trusting my efforts will have a ripple effect.
I am now in Kenya, where I will travel to Lodwar and the refugee camp in a few days. I am on a steering committee in a collaborative effort to create a gender based violence resource center for the refugees. It is a mammoth undertaking but one I’m committed to because I have seen the power of believing in the impossible and that we can influence positive change . . . one person, one child at a time.
I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that anyone with the desire can make a difference and it doesn’t have to be a 6-month stay in a developing country, working in the trenches. We can all have an impact right outside our backdoor and it costs nothing. Kindness, compassion, respect for others, and the absolute obligation we all have to protect children . . . this is not an heroic act – this is our responsibility as human beings and to life.
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Please visit me on Facebook – Tough Angels, or my website, http://www.toughangels.org/ for further information and ways to get involved.
Posted on September 10, 2012, in Reflections and tagged angels, good samaritan, inspirational. Bookmark the permalink. 21 Comments.
Beautiful! Truly beautiful!
Well done Patricia, you are a courageous lady indeed. I believe there are many more like you, myself included who would love to help and give love where needed. All we need to do is save that extra money for storage of personal things and money required for travelling and living expenses.
Thank You for BEing an inspiration to so many. Thank You for your courage and compassion and recognizing what a privilege it is to BE in service to so many.
You Are Blessed’\,
Jerri
God bless you for taking a step for yourself your story touch my heart I am a member of bikers against child abuse in Russellville Arkansas we are world wide it takes everybody to help many blessing on your journey
wow this actually made me tear up. I loved the fact that you pointed out that helping children is an obligation on us.
I hope you all the best in the future!
and Thanks for making my day’s inspiration.
you are truly inspirational god bless you
hats off to u!! really courageous. ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR BRIGHT N BEAUTIFUL FUTURE N YOUR DEEDS FOR HELPING CHILDREN…..
Your life is true inspiration to me.I am having most difficult time in my life due to my beloved son’s sudden death at the age of 36 and personal problem.After reading your article i feel I can also look beyond family and show my affection to some needy children instead of wasting it on some one who refuse to value it.Thank you so much.GOD bless you
Patricia, thank u for sharing your story. I am currently struggling thru seperating from my husband of 15yrs. This is a sad and incomprehensible journey for me and my 2 sons. Today was a day I had forgotten my gratitude. I was literally pulling the covers over my head and wishing to die. Your story has reminded me of how blessed I am. I too have a passion for children in need. My husband and I under went all the classes and scrutiny to become foster parents. He changed his mind about that and being a full time parent to our beautiful boys. I will never understand that, but maybe I don’t have to. Maybe I just have to remember my promise to be the best parent possible to my greatest blessings!
thank you Patricia for sharing your life experience with others. You are a brave lady , i wish u all the best in the new life that you have stepped into.
Just wondering why so many must go to another country to help people – we have enough suffering here in the USA. Also, if you have not collected a paycheck in 3 years, how are you paying for your apartment? Not criticizing the work you are doing, but…
Hi Kathy,
I’ve never been asked that question before, but since you’ve enquired, my fiance now helps pay for my expenses, after I had drained my savings account and started dipping into my retirement. This is a cause that I never questioned whether or not it was worth it – . It was simply what needed to be done.
I have volunteered in the US for over 30 years and have acquired a plethora of skills in the countless hours I’ve logged in. Going to Africa to apply what I’d learned never seemed unreasonable to me – it seemed like the right thing to do. Before I left, I read a quote that struck a chord with me . . . “change is going where other people won’t”. That may not speak to you, but it did to me.
I assume by your reply you must be quite passionate about those suffering in America and I applaud you for whatever you’re involved in to help bring an end to it.
Best,
Patricia Melnice
You are such a strong women…
Now if only more and more people stepped out of their comfort zones, just once in a while, for a cause far greater than their selves… the world would surely be such a beautiful place… god bless you! We ‘must’ ensure our children volunteer and learn lessons of compassion and tolerance at an early age….
Btw, greetings n respect from Pakistan!
Patricia,
As I go through my own divorce situation, I was emailed this and wanted to let you know how positive and uplifting your story was to me. Best of luck!
You are one amazin lady I split with my partner about 3years ago know I started goin on a proper downer know I have depression I have 4 beautiful kids n would not change them for anythin sometimes things are hard ino I should not let things get to me but that is me you have made me think about my life n how I want it to be so thank you from the deepest part off my soul I thank you so much
What an amazing and courageous person you are. I think more people would do this but don’t know where to start …Thank you for all that you do…if you have touched children’s lives you are changing the world. You can see from the pictures that you are living with a soul purpose . You have a inner glow. Inspirational and beautiful .
i applaud your bravery and faith in your self….”it was simply what needed to be done”….you didn’t go to the place of… what if’s? and how will i? or where is the money gonna come from? (my big one)….”it simply needed to be done”
Bravo Brave Beautiful one …may you be blessed a 1000-fold <3
Patricia you so blessed to be doing what your doing! I always visioned some day this would be a dream for me! But God has different jobs for all of us! God bless you over and over for you are truly his decibel! Love you!
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