My Sister, My Friend, My Hero

These are my wife's words dedicated to her loving sister, Perseveranda So, whose untimely demise from the massive blast at Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan last Tuesday, June 09 have brought our families sadness and grief.

We lost a very passionate and caring person, Ate Persy whose active dedication to help children ensure their rights to education irrespective of their race, color, and creed. This heinous act ended her precious life but her noble work shall continue stronger than ever. The forces of evil will not prevail.

Ate Persy, we love you very much. We will never forget you.

Perseveranda So (1956-2009)

UNICEF Chief of Education, Pakistan

“While I always try to take personal safety and precautions, I also know that a determined suicide bomber or kidnapper cannot be stopped. I take time to remember that "Safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God". This gives me great comfort when I start feeling afraid of the situation here.”

Ate Persy's email to a friend last April