¨My daughter died suddenly of cancer, and I gained custody of my two granddaughters, then ages 2 and 4. I was still grieving from the loss of my husband the year before, and had a stressful job as a social services director. I was completely overwhelmed.

Maya showed me that I could help other custodial grandparents. I had worked with many in my job, and now I truly understood their challenges. 

In our session, it became clear that I could start by creating support groups within the agency I worked for. I really enjoyed helping other grandparents, and decided I was ready to start my own organization. 

Within a few months, I quit my job to expand my services to grandparents outside of South Africa. I now work from home, where I can spend time with my sweet girls. It has been a joy to devote my time to helping other grandparents.¨ 

¨I turned to Maya after a young woman in Beirut died of her injuries while reporting on the street in front of my home. I was heartbroken. As a former war correspondent, I wanted to help these brave new reporters protect themselves from harm. 

Maya encouraged me to partner with one of my conflict-experienced colleagues to offer free safety training, supplies, and mentorship to street correspondents. The work they do in bearing witness and creating informative videos for social media and news sites is crucial for Lebanese citizens and the world. 

I am thankful for the chance to help these committed citizen reporters stay safe.¨

[NOTE: I have lost touch with Rana since the recent Israeli bombing of Lebanon began.] 

¨After I was diagnosed with multiple auto-immune diseases at the age of 44, I felt like my life was over. I had always been active and healthy. Suddenly, I was bedridden.

I moved in with my mother, who had a small farm.

I am so lucky that she became a skilled and passionate gardener in her later years! I paid close attention to the lessons she taught me. As I got stronger, I quite literally dug into understanding more about the power of herbs to heal our bodies.  

And then my mother died. I was devastated. Maya helped me to see the potential for using the farm to help others who were suffering. 

As a certified herbalist, I now teach parents of immune-compromised children how to use medicinal herbs to improve their family´s health and happiness.

I have so much gratitude for the chance to live in this beautiful place, and to honor the ground my mother so lovingly tended.¨

¨Our city was destroyed. My son and I fled to Poland. As a psychologist, I recognized the severe trauma that all war refugees were experiencing, but I was terrified to try to help anyone. I felt too fragile. I feared I would be overwhelmed by their grief. 

Maya helped me to see that I could use my grief as my power. I had empathy and the skills to guide others through this unimaginable misery. 

I started a free clinic for displaced Ukrainian mothers here. Working with them has helped me to heal myself each day.

I have brought my remaining family members here, and I support them through the work I do with private clients. Although the horrors continue, we focus on caring for each other and finding small everyday joys.  

This is the most deeply fulfilling work I have ever done.¨

¨When the pandemic hit, I crashed. The pain of helplessly witnessing the deaths of so many of my neighbors in New York City broke me. 

Maya got me going again. I created an online course for other muralists. Helping artists brought me back to myself. Decision makers started to approach me. I was offered projects that I never would have attempted to apply for.

Then, my mother fell ill. I left New York and moved back to France to care for her. (I am French Algerian.) Returning to a predominantly African community touched me deeply.

Again, I reached out to Maya for help. Her process gave me clarity. Now, I work with young artists in immigrant communities to create murals that instill cultural pride.

As my mother was dying and our neighbors offered loving support, I realized that this is truly where I belong. I am honored to do my life´s work here.¨

¨My partner died in an accident. A few months later, the architecture firm I worked for was acquired and moved abroad. As a single mother, I needed to find work, but in my small city, options were limited.

Maya helped me to see what I truly wanted. I had designed a tiny home that was built on my property for my mother. Having her so close truly enriched our lives, and I wanted to help other families bring their older loved ones closer. 

I had my first client within two weeks of working with Maya! I started my own firm, and now have two employees.

Each day, I look forward to talking to the team and meeting with clients. I love the work we do together!" 

¨After getting panic attacks during my last two performances, I had to stop doing what I loved most and had trained my whole life for. I was grieving.

To pay the bills, I worked six days a week teaching local voice students in my flat. I became physically ill, and my anxiety was at an all-time high. 

Maya walked me through the tech, and within a week, I was teaching all my students online! I got healthier and more relaxed.

Next, she showed me how to start an online voice course. It attracted high-level clients from all over Europe, allowing me to raise my rates and work fewer hours.   

Then, Maya revived my long-forgotten dream of living in Italy. Within a year, I bought a charming little house in a small city in southern Italy. I helped my mother refurbish her own home near mine, and my daughter (who works remotely) now lives with her.

I have partnered with a local teacher to create a free after-school music program for over 200 schoolchildren here. 

At 56, I am happier, healthier, and more connected to my community than ever.¨