Gex
Maggie Doyne, a New Jersey woman who used her babysitting savings to change the lives of hundreds of Nepalese women and children, was named CNN Hero of the Year 2015 on Tuesday at a star-studded awards ceremony in New York.
A decade ago Doyne’s backpacking trip to Nepal transformed into a long-term commitment. Spending $5,000 in savings from her babysitting days, Doyne bought land and worked with the community to build a school, a women’s center and the Kopila Valley Children’s Home. Doyne’s BlinkNow Foundation supports these efforts.
“If you had told me when I turned 18 that I was going to be the mom of 50 kids, I would have told you that you were totally crazy. And I am. And to my kids, I love you so much. Don’t ever forget how much I love you, and to the country of Nepal, thank you so much for loving me and accepting me as a daughter welcoming me into your country. And to all of you in this room and who are watching, please, please remember that we have the power to create the world that we want to live in, just as we want it. And that’s what all the Heroes here have done tonight.” Doyne said Tuesday.
Doyne was chosen from this year’s Top 10 Heroes in an online vote by CNN’s audience. She’ll receive $100,000 for BlinkNow in addition to $10,000 that each Hero received for being named to the Top 10, CNN reports.
Doyne first came to Nepal in 2006 while travelling with the organization Leapnow.org. But after witnessing the state of suffering that women and children face in Nepal, she spend her savings to start a school, a women’s center and the Kopila Valley Children’s Home in Surkhet district.
Doyne, through her nonprofit BlinkNow Foundation, provides education in addition to a supportive and encouraging community to orphaned, impoverished, and at-risk children. Singer and actress Victoria Justice presented Doyne with her honor.
