Suzie Black

The Gift of Giving

In 2013 Suzie Black, a mother of three, living on the island of Mallorca had a chance meeting with a young man. At 18 years old, coincidentally he was the same age as her son yet he was sleeping on the streets, taking drugs and in trouble with the police. The encounter was to change Suzie’s life and that of the young man. A year later that same young man had changed his life completely, returned back to education, was fit, healthy and without darkness in his eyes and Suzie had found her life’s purpose.

For the last five years Suzie has dedicated her life to encouraging these youths who believe they are without hope to return to education and reject the negative choices that seem the alternative. She uses Martial Arts as the hook to encourage these youths into a better place where they are more open to the concept of returning to education. Working with youths from homeless shelters, rehabilitation centres and juvenile correctional facilities, she takes these youths from a place of despair back into the light. She has had to struggle to raise money on an island that is seeped in a non charitable culture whilst trying to navigate the politics of the island being a foreigner. The journey has left her inspired by the human spirit to survive against all hardships and in awe of these incredible youths who, when all hope for a positive future seems futile, find the courage and the strength to carry on.

Suzie has encountered true magic on her journey and an incredible joy in seeing lives change for the better. She has had the opportunity to learn some remarkable life lessons that will resonate profoundly with her young audience that she imparts using videos, texts and stories of the Shambhala Warriors. Whilst the journey has not always been easy, Suzie discovered that to give hope and opportunity to another brings a greater joy imaginable and now seeks to share her journey in the hope to inspire her young audience to also discover the gift of giving and the personal rewards that can be gained by giving to others. Uplifting, honest, raw and inspirational… The Gift of Giving.