Just. Say. Yes.

“If it is within my power to help someone, I will always say yes.” – Zara Torre

Our founder and CEO here at The Difference, Zara Torre, was invited back to share her story at her alma mater speech night last Friday.

Zara pondered on a question many of us face in our day to day lives; what is the best way to for us to give back? Is it with our time? Is it with our talents? Or is it with our resources?

“Growing up in Perth, I always knew I was different. Every time I looked in the mirror, I was actually shocked to see that my skin is brown.  When I was young we would go back on holidays to India, and the poverty, the inequality shocked me. I would always think ‘Why?’

Why am I so lucky to be born in Australia, why is my life so different?  I was born in Australia to parents who really valued education, and I have seen the power of education to transform lives in just one generation.

So with this in mind, I’ve spent most of my life considering:  What is the best way for people to give back?

Is it with their time? Is it with talents? Or is it their resources?

I have always lived by the mantra, that if it is within my power to help someone, I will do it.  I say yes. 

Need me to volunteer for the homeless? Yes!

Need me to help charter a plane to Cambodia? Yes!

Need me to bake a lasagne? Yes! 

With the launch of The Difference app later this year, Our goal is to  provide a digital platform and mobile app that allows you ‘round-up’ the spare change from any transaction to make a difference to causes you care about. 

Imagine if everything you bought you could , in the background round up a few cents; but collectively channel billions of dollars to sustainable development projects worldwide

It’s such a simple concept. Round up your spare change, and give it to charity. In that moment… What is 35 cents to me, in this moment. Nothing. But think of the ripple effect of those transactions.If everyone around the world, if everyone even here, if 30 percent of you did that could you imagine the change our few cents could make. It is just phenomenal. 

There is an African proverb that states:

“If you want to go far, go alone, but if you want to go further, go together.”

My heart is to connect people to the concept that: it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter what you have in your pocket it could be $5000 or 5 cents. 

Every one has the power to make a difference. And every person has the power to contribute.

Just. Say. Yes. “