The 411 Magazine Issue 5 | Page 52

FEATURE Magnificent ME Magnificent YOU By Melissa-Ellesse Assibey Dawattie Basdeo, founder of 'Magnificent Me, Magnificent You,' was inspired to create the organisation that offers resources for the well-being of young minds, by her love for her own children, children globally and nature and our planet. Tell us a bit about yourself?     I am the eldest child of four children. I was born in Guyana and spent my early years living on the banks of the Demerara River. My childhood was quite unique to that of my two children, who are currently 10 and 11 yrs old boys. I lived with my grandparents who were farmers, we did not have TV and my back garden was the Amazon rainforest. I did not walk to school but I went to school by canoe boat, which was loads of fun and I can vividly remember the boat races home.  My early years were spent submerged in nature and I know they say looking back on your life, you can see how all the dots connect and I am guessing this is where my great love of the natural world flows from I have a degree in law, which flows from my passion for equality, fairness, and human rights. What made you start 'Magnificent Me, Magnificent You?'      I am a children’s yoga teacher and author. I am currently writing a series of children stories and yoga activity books each based on a different natural wonder of the world title heading 'Magnificent Me Magnificent You' – (e.g. The Great Barrier Reef).  Each book will contain wisdom drawn from that particular natural wonder along with well-being activities that kids can take part in, either at home or in schools. As a parent and a children’s yoga teacher, I appreciate