Good Life Project27 Jan 2015

The Power (and Heartbreak) of Being Called to Serve: Danielle Butin

"People who are not listened to need those who are listened to to fight like hell for them."

How many times have you heard an inspiring story of incredible service and heart and then thought, "How does that even get started?"

Probably a lot.

Because the truth is, most of us would love to create an impactful, service-oriented mission in our lives, but we're overwhelmed with the sheer logistics, let alone cost.

Danielle Butin was no different, except that she didn't let those obstacles deter her.

After decades of a highly successful career in occupational therapy and geriatric care, she found herself at a personal and professional crisis.

So she took a trip to Tanzania.

And what she experienced there left a mark so deep on her heart, she couldn't ignore it. Even though she tried.

In this conversation, we get to hear the raw, unfiltered truth about how Danielle had to do the work of "undoing" her professional habits and mindset in order to get her non-profit, Afya Foundation, going.

She opens up about the toll it took on her family, how she found funding and supplies, and how to be direct in communicating what you need to happen (even across the world with a translator).

She peels back the covers on how people react to you when you park a semi-truck full of medical supplies in front of your house, when you dumpster dive in the city, and when you stand up to corrupt systems.

Danielle's story is so full of vision and passion, it will have you changing your entire perspective on what's possible when your heart calls you to do something you've never done before.

It's my honor and delight to introduce you to the extraordinary heart and mind of Danielle Butin.

Some questions I ask:

How old were you when you started to notice your love of elderly people?
Why would a corporation not preserve a model that is successful both financially and functionally?
How do you cover the financial needs of a growing non-profit?

Links we mention:

Afya Foundation

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Partners in Health

Pencils of Promise

Follow Afya Foundation:

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

"It was about creating a new reality and listening to other people and not just what I knew."

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