Sonia's TEDx Talk: Solving Illegal Immigration [For
Real]

On Feb. 9, I was honored to give a  TEDx talk titled: Solving Illegal Immigration [For
Real]. I was among 16 TEDx Pennsylvania Ave. speakers at the event, which was held at the Newseum in Washington DC before 450 invitees. 

Today more than ever we need new ways to tackle polarizing issues like immigration. Speakers were asked to share what we can do "within 10 years" to address our country's and our world's greatest challenges. 

My talk summary: Pulitzer Prize winning writer Sonia Nazario takes you on a personal, powerful, emotional journey to show why three solutions to stem illegal immigration pushed for decades by U.S. politicians--both on the left and the right--have failed. The author of Enrique's Journey, possibly the most read book about immigrants to the U.S., asks: What if we did something radically new, something that works?

Take a look at my short talk, and if you think I have something to say, please share it so we help change the conversation about immigration--on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. 

For context, here are my last four NY Times pieces:

I welcome your thoughts: sonia@sonianazario.com




Standing in front of the Newseum, which has the first amendment engraved in stone on the front facade. 


Help Bring Peace Through Soccer


One of Pastor Daniel Pacheco's soccer teams. Photo: Katie Orlinsky, NY Times

Soccer can do many things. It can even help bring peace to some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Central America. Now, you can help with $25 by donating a soccer ball.
 
How did this idea get started? In 2015, I went to Rivera Hernández, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Honduras, a country that had the No. 1 homicide rate in the world among countries not at war. This neighborhood was crazy violent, but local leaders, aided by U.S.-funded violence prevention programs, were cutting the carnage between six gangs. One person who stood out: Evangelical pastor Daniel Pacheco.  The pastor would stage soccer games between youth from warring neighborhoods, so kids could get to know each other and [hopefully] be less likely to kill one other.
 
Someone from the non-profit One World Play Project read my story about this in the 
New York Times.
 
One World Play Project was started by Tim Jahnigen, an event organizer. He had watched a documentary showing children in Darfur playing soccer with balls made of trash and twine. He dreamed of getting soccer balls to needy kids. He developed a prototype ball made of a material that's nearly impossible to destroy, similar to what's used to make Crocs shoes. Jahnigen's friend, Sting, the musician, offered to fund research and development. The ball is named One World, after the song by The Police.
 
One World Play Project reached out to me to set up a campaign to help Pastor Pacheco get desperately needed soccer balls.
 
You can donate a ball for $25, which will go to one of Pastor Daniel Pacheco's 46 soccer teams in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Or pay $50 and get a ball donated and get one for yourself.
 
Let's help bring peace through soccer! Gracias! 


Pastor Daniel Pacheco. Photo by Katie Orlinsky, NY Times
Sonia Nazario | Email    |  Website
Post this newsletter on Sonia's social sites: