One Lost Life is Enough

‘I began my career at the very young age of 19. My first job was as a TV/Radio presenter.  During that time, I was approached by many charities and local organisations for sponsorship and without thinking too much, I started to provide clothing, food and medication for local people living in nearby villages and in the poor parts of the town. Since, I moved country, and decades went by, but helping others wasn’t just a job, is my calling, I can’t retire from it…’

Actar Dinata, broadcaster, tv and media celebrity, is a true humanitarian at heart.  Active member of the Citizen UK, her focus stays on social inclusion from the ground up. In regular contact with Members of Parliament, Actar is working with a vast pallet of charities, she dedicates her time and energy to finding work placement, healthcare and housing solutions for young people who are facing employment and isolation issues.

Dragon’s Challenge Mentor, Actar is using her unique skills and her inside knowledge of the media channels with endless compassion and determination  to raising funds for charitable causes. Actar gives students not only the support and guidance they need to achieve their own goals but important skills in team-building, running meetings, fund raising and presentation, to support the less fortunate residents of this world, from abused children, adults with disabilities and refugees.

Her extraordinary passion and enthusiasm, her drive and willingness to help others, knows no borders, home and away. Actar is always actively fund-raising and successfully campaigned for the Royal Free Hospital, helping them in their research on liver disease. Actar is involved in school building projects in Africa  and Asia, unstoppable in her desire to help others and to make a significant difference. ‘May be I can’t change the world, but I can change one life at a time’ she humbly says. Looking at her vast collections of international, prestigious awards she received in recognition for her massive contribution to global causes, it is a true privilege to announce that she is nominated for the Stardust Awards. Each picture she kindly shows me is a success story, somebody she helped changed their life.

Year 2000 was a heartbreaking year for Actar and her family. She lost her daughter Emma, to a rare liver disease. Emma was a pupil of Parmiter’s School in High Elms Lane, Watford. She was an amazing generous spirit, very athletic, loved volleyball, she played at Watford Basketball Club, played rugby and hockey for her school. An extraordinary gifted girl, Emma helped organise the school’s music festival and was a stage manager in school’s drama productions. Her life was brought to an abrupt end only one week after she turned 17.

‘I have a charity of my own, in memory of my daughter, who lost her life at 17 to a rare liver disease.   The “ Emma Dinata Foundation” was set up with the help of Brian Coulshed the headmaster of Parmiters School at the time my daughter attended the school.  With the help of the parent association the foundation is funded through an annual fundraiser. An Emma Dinata Award is given on speech night at the school. Some of the money is also donated to  the Royal Free Hospital for their ongoing, specialised research into liver diseases and cures. My charity and volunteer work is  endless. Looking back it started at a very young age at my very first job as a TV/Radio presenter, when I was approached by many charities for help. My commitment to youth services started after my graduation of teacher training. I take pride in youth services at the  Rotary Club, supporting and organising activities and introducing competitions run by Rotary to local schools.’

Recipient of the Paul Harris Foundation Rotary International Award and Certificate For Lifetime Achievement. Issued in appreciation for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among the people of the world, providing humanitarian services, and  building good will and peace in communities and youth services.

 Being rich means different things for different people but for Actar, being rich you could only translate in ‘being rich in soul and mind, a leader of diversity and equality able to reach people’s hearts and minds,  caring and sharing. Making a difference, giving more than taking and helping the less fortunate. Encouraging people around me and the younger generation. Promoting and mentoring in the global network.’

Actar is supporting with endless compassion a group of parents who lost their teenage sons to suicide and founded OLLIE. She embraced this noble cause while witnessing the devastating effect this has had on the lives of friends and families. Their  mission is to do something to stop this from happening to other parents. When they asked for help to get others involved in the cause, Actar helped them too.

‘I help with organising fundraising events to provide resources aimed at delivering suicide awareness intervention and prevention training classes for professionals such as teachers, sports coaches, and people who work closely with young people and vulnerable adults.’ 

There are numerous challenges attached to the fundraising industry but who can stop Actar to help youngsters or take refugees out of isolation or run the next workshop or conference?

‘When I received the invitation from Dame Helen Hyde to be their fundraising chief for a new project helping refugees, I decided to give my all to this noble cause. I also speak few languages and I can help refugees who do not speak English.’

As a broadcaster, Actar have met and interviewed very dynamic, inspirational people and learned to be enthusiastic, charming, confident, and charismatic while being her authentic self. If we could give Actar a magic wand, she would make the world a better place to live in and build  good will and peace throughout the world, one child at a time. Actar would win any conflict without war. She encourages others to make a difference by helping with disaster relief anywhere in the world and at home and makes sure people’s voices are heard. ‘People’s ideas and visions shape our life and improve social justice for the good of the community and  freedom of personal preferences. I like a clean and healthy environment.  I wish I had a magic wand to get everyone involved in humanitarian projects, to save our planet and wildlife, and clear our oceans of plastic pollution.’ she says and her face lights up again…

What drives this extraordinary woman to serve her international community? She looks into my eyes and says:

‘I began my career at the very young age of 19. My first job was as a TV/Radio presenter.  During that time, I was approached by many charities and local organisations for sponsorship and without thinking too much, I started to provide clothing, food and medication for local people living in nearby villages and in the poor parts of the town. Since, I moved country, and decades went by, but helping others wasn’t just a job, is my calling, I can’t retire from it…’

Do you know somebody who makes a significant difference? Nominate them for The Stardust Awards

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Dr Marina Nani
Dr Marina Nani

Founder

Dr Nani is the Founder of Sovereign Magazine. She is also Editor-in-Chief of Sovereign's sister publication, Rich Woman Magazine. Passionately advocating for Social Edification, Dr Marina Nani is coining a new industry, MAKE THE NEWS ( MTN) with the aim to diagnose and close the achievement gap globally. Founder of RICH WOMAN SOCIETY™ Marina believes that there is a genius ( Stardust) in each individual, regardless past and present circumstances; "not recognising the talent in each individual, leaves our society at loss. Sharing the good news makes a significant difference on your perception about yourself, your industry and your community."

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