Kickaction: What motivated you to get involved with the work you are doing?

Molly Burke: After losing my vision at the age of fourteen to Retinitis Pigmentosa I struggled with bullying and depression. I felt like I didn’t have a voice, like I was screaming for help but no one could hear me, no one would listen. There was a lot that contributed to my recovery and to helping me become the person I am today, but a huge part of it for me was my Me to We trip to Kenya last August. In Kenya I met people who truly do not have a voice; they are denied their basic human rights to clean water, education and healthcare every single day. It made me realize that I may have felt like I didn’t have a voice, but I always did, I just had to find it. These people should have the opportunity to find their own voices as well. They need our help.

Kickaction: Who have been some of your greatest influences?

Molly Burke: Throughout my life I have been blessed to have such an incredibly supportive and loving family. My older brother Brady has always been a huge motivator and inspiration to me. He is one of the most humble, selfless and giving people I know and I’ve always looked up to him and tried to follow in his footsteps.

Kickaction: What do you love most about your job as a public speaker?

Molly Burke: My job doesn’t feel like a job! As a Me to We speaker I love being able to connect with so many incredible people. I feel very lucky to have a job that I love so much and feel so passionate about.

Kickaction: What is the most difficult thing about what you do?

Molly Burke: Every day I wake up and share the most painful moments and memories from my life with thousands of people. It’s not always easy opening up and being so honest, but it’s always worth it in the end.

Kickaction: What are you most proud of in the work that you have done?

Molly Burke: The most difficult thing I’ve had to do in my life is pull myself out of a dark depression. I can now say I’m happier than I ever thought I’d feel.

Kickaction: What are some of the plans that you have for the future?

Molly Burke: For now, I plan on continuing my work with Me to We as a motivational speaker and that’s my main focus. However, I’m also going on a Me to We trip to India this summer and working on my first book which should be released in the fall/winter of this year. In the future, I plan to go back to school and work towards a university or college degree.

Kickaction: If girls in the Kickaction community could do one thing to help support your efforts, what would you encourage them to do?

Molly Burke: I’d love to hear from the SWIGG community on Twitter. My handle is @MollyMetoWe. This week, I’d love to see the girls in the SWIGG community join Free The Children’s We are Silent Campaign, which I am involved with. Swigg Girls can visit www.freethechildren.com/wearesilent sign-up, start gathering pledges and then take to social media with me on April 18, 2013, and speak out, helping us to raise awareness of the issues affecting young people in developing countries. I’d also really love to hear from them to learn what they are doing to make a difference, either at home or in their own communities; maybe someone has done something nice for one of their students at school, or maybe they are speaking up for a friend who is the victim of bullying, to raising awareness for an important cause they care about. I’d love to hear about it!

Kickaction: Bullying is a huge issue that is getting a lot of attention in the media right now. Do you have any words of advice for victims of bullying?

Molly Burke: Stay strong, you’re not alone and it truly does get better. Never give up your hope.

Kickaction: Do you have any advice for educators on how they could help their students who are dealing with bullying?

Molly Burke: Make sure to have open and honest conversations with your students, their parents, or your fellow educators. Don’t be afraid to get involved.

Kickaction: Could you talk a bit about the We are Silent Campaign?

Molly Burke: We are Silent, is Free The Children’s annual fundraising and awareness raising campaign. Each year, over a hundred thousand young people collect pledges and take vows of silence, raising awareness and standing up for children around the world who are being silenced by poverty or exploitation. While silent, youth are encouraged to take to social media to help raise awareness and amplify the message – hashtag #WeAreSilent.  All money raised supports children’s rights by funding Free The Children’s holistic and sustainable Adopt a Village Model; providing clean water, health, education, alternative income replacement and food security to communities across eight countries around the world, including Kenya, India, Ecuador and China. For more information visit www.freethechildren.com/wearesilent.

Kickaction: What words of advice do you have for girls struggling to find a direction or voice?

Molly Burke: You are not the only person who is struggling or dealing with something challenging: reach out, find a passion and realize the power your voice has.

Kickaction: What gives you your inner strength?

Molly Burke: I feel very empowered being able to share my story and knowing it can help others who are struggling.