It is not every day that you come across a woman who leaves her mark on not one but many countries, who works diligently for the betterment of the society, who aims to inspire others to take up challenging yet urgent issues, and intends to leave a better world for the future generations – all this while also leaves a lasting impression through the written word.
Meet Author Sneha Sabu, a changemaker whose ambitious goals have led her to positively impact the lives of children across the world. She is also the author of the children’s book Stay Safe with Ruby and Reuben, an illustrated book that aims to teach children about personal safety by ensuring interactive content and by initiating conversations around the subject.
But Sneha’s personal and professional achievements don’t stop here. Born and brought up in Kerala, she holds a Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Madras, an MBA Essentials from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and an Economics for Managers from Harvard Business School.
She has worked in many sectors including government, corporate, and not-for-profit, and is currently working in the government sector in Australia, where she lives with her family.
Having worked for the betterment of communities in 18 countries across the Asia Pacific Region, she has received several awards including the Bharath Gaurav Puraskar, The Real Superwoman Award, and the International Achievers’ Award. She has also been included in Marquis Who’s Who in the World and has been listed as the Top 100 Changemakers by the Silicon Valley Times.
When not donning her change-maker hat, she loves to read and write and has written over 25 short stories for children and an equal number of poems. She is also fond of nature and loves to indulge her wanderlust by travelling frequently. Her other interests include adventure sports and watching documentaries.
She has pledged to donate the proceeds from her latest book, Stay Safe with Ruby and Reuben to non-profit organizations working towards the prevention of sexual abuse in children.
We at bookGeeks, got a lucky chance for a tete-e-tete with Sneha Sabu, here is what she has to say about her work, her love for reading and writing, and her latest book.
| Tell us something about yourself? Who is Sneha as a person? What are her likes and dislikes? |
| I believe in being a true masterpiece of myself. No one else can fill the space and create a better version of myself other than myself. I love to travel and explore nature and places. I am honest and love to have fun and live life to the fullest. I am a continuous learner and want to experiment and explore new things. I am not fond of any behaviour that discriminates and abuses human beings. |
| Tell us about your work in the professional sphere? |
| I am a strategist and prepare strategies to make a difference in the communities we serve. In addition, I attempt to engage the community we serve and understand issues impacting the community to prepare meaningful plans for the future. |
| How has your development work, across 18 countries in the Asia Pacific region, influenced you as an individual? |
| My work across 18 countries changed me as a person. Grassroots reality made me grounded. I was exposed to the rich cultural heritage of multiple countries and the struggles and challenges faced by people in multiple countries – a time that helped me realise that I must stand for justice and contribute to making a difference in people's lives. |
| Can you shed some light on your book Stay Safe with Ruby and Rueben? What is the book all about and what can the readers expect from it? |
| Millions of children face child sexual abuse every year. It is our collective responsibility to protect children from abuse. Stay Safe with Ruby and Reuben is an interactive child safety book written to create awareness among children on issues such as good and bad touches, safe sleepovers, how to be safe while going and coming back from school, and how to be safe while being in school. The book aims to create awareness among children to protect them against situations compromising their safety. |
| What were your first thoughts when the book won the International Impact Book Award and BREW Reader’s choice award? |
| Tears of joy filled my eyes. I was not expecting these recognitions. I am humbled. |
| So, what’s next, any new writing project that you are currently working on? |
| I am working on a collection of poems which I am hoping to release next year. |
| What does a normal day look like for you? Take us through your schedule. |
| I wake up at 3.00 am or 4.00 am every day. I start the day with an immunity drink and ease into the day listening to some spiritual music. After a quick shower and brekky, I march to catch a bus, then a train and a bus to reach work. Weekdays are filled with a mechanical routine. On weekends I write, travel, explore places, watch movies, cook and try to fit in everything under the sky. |
| Where do you see yourself five years from now? |
| I want to be a responsible ancestor who leaves a mark for the generations to come. It would take a lifetime to get there. |
| One thing that you cannot live without? |
| I love food! Don’t think I can be without food. |
| A few words for bookGeeks |
| Thank you for interviewing me, and all the best in what you do. I was excited to see an Indian blogging site that reviews a massive number of books every month. |
Buy your copy of Stay Safe with Ruby and Reuben using the link below.
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