Advocating for children is difficult work. There are times when I just want to walk away ? to do some other job ? anything that will be easier or less complicated. But, then I see in my mind the faces of the teachers who come up to me and say thank you for teaching the classes to be safe ? the faces of the parents ? many of them ? who say “I wish I had had this message as a child ? my whole life would have been different” and then ? of course ? I see the faces of children ? thousands of them who have trusted us ? who have taken the risk and told us the secrets they were sworn to keep ? the children who have come to us to ask for help.

Most are frightened and nervous and it is easy to see how difficult it is for them to tell ? It is also hard to know how to help.

But, I know we do and we must. These faces keep me here ? and will probably keep me here until the day I die. I love this work. I know it is making a difference. I know our message of empowerment is a strong and much needed one. And I know that I ? and every CAP person ? must never stop telling it.

When I was here in Japan this time, I met a young woman who told me of her dream ? a dream of keeping kids safe in many countries ? her own and those thousands of miles away from here. She brought tears to my eyes and humility to my heart. I loved her undeniable determination, her passion. I also felt great comfort in listening to her because she helped me to believe that many years from now, when I am tired and old and perhaps lacking the energy I need to do this job, she and others like her will be there ? helping children, believing in them and giving them a world that is safer and gentler than the one we have now.

Every country I visit, every trip I take ? takes me to a place where I am endlessly proud of the work I see there. Here, in Japan, you have reached so many children. I pray that you can use the trust they have placed in you to help them. They deserve the hard work and the commitment you must give.

There is a well-known legislator from America ? a peace activist and a strong advocate for children ? who said something I will always believe in.

“Never separate the words you speak ? from the life you live.”

The words we speak are about empowerment ? helping children keep the right to be safe, strong and free. The lives we live should always reflect our belief in protecting those rights.

Pat Stanislaski