Netflix’s “MADE IN MEXICO” Star Hanna Jaff Talks About Philanthropy, #MeToo & Lots More

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

5 years ago

Hannah Jaff — Photo credit: Ricardo Tapia

Philanthropist and author Hanna Jaff Bosdet is the star of Netflix’s “MADE IN MEXICO” hit new series, which showcases nine of Mexico City’s wealthy socialites, revealing their opulent lifestyles throughout the culturally vibrant city.

Her great humanitarian and activism work has also garnered her many accolades and awards. Entrepreneur (Mexico) named her one of their “30 Under 30 Successful Mexicans” in 2016. That same year she was recognized at the St. Gallen Symposium (Switzerland) as one of the “200 Leaders of Tomorrow Under 30”. Other honors include: “Philanthropist of the Year” (Groupo Sexenio), “5 Women Transforming Mexico” (Nivel Uno Magazine), named one of the “50 Most Admirable Mexican Women” (CARAS Magazine), one of the “15 Most Influential People in Politics in Mexico” (Reforma Newspaper), and awards in philanthropy, women’s empowerment, leadership, and academic achievements by the Kurdistan Garmiyan Regional Government.

Let’s welcome on Women Fitness, the woman who represents the strength of women empowerment and education in the present society, Hanna Jaff.

Namita Nayyar:

As the founder of a non-profit organization, The Jaff Foundation for Education, you seem to have deep passion to work for the underprivileged. Where do you think this desire to work for the betterment of the younger generation originate within you? Share an experience that will always remain in your heart?

Hanna Jaff:

My non-profit helps with refugees, immigrants, and the less fortunate by donating self-taught English learning books and campaigning against discrimination. It’s my two sides, my father always helped with refugees, and my mother with immigrants. This is why my charity does what it does, immigrants are the love for my mother and refugees are the love for my father. I grew up around that, and I’m very passionate about it. When I was a teenager, an experience I will always remember is the first time I saw the aftermaths of a war zone and felt impotent. Wanting to do so much and couldn’t. I felt angry, sad, and hopeless. I saw, heard, and felt the stories behind every refugee. I remember telling my father that day that I wanted to devote my life to humanitarian work.

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Namita Nayyar:

You are a world-renowned philanthropist, human rights activist, speaker & author. Describe, which role you think defines your personality the best?

Hanna Jaff:

Activist. I am independent, determined, and I always stay true to myself. I never follow the crowd, or change so people can like me. I’d rather be the outsider than change what I believe in. I give without expecting anything in return, this is the case in my professional and personal life.

REPEAT – a couple nights of the week I push, sleep back and see friends as well.

Namita Nayyar:

You are the star of Netflix’s “MADE IN MEXICO,” the hit new series which showcases nine of Mexico City’s wealthy socialites, revealing their opulent lifestyles throughout the culturally vibrant city. What made you take this one up?

Hanna Jaff:

I have lived in the USA and Europe, and long periods of time in the Middle East. In the past, when I’ve said I’m Mexican, I have found myself having to prove why Mexico is great. Many times I have found myself having to justify and defend Mexico. When I was approached for an opportunity like this, which was to show a different side of Mexico, I decided to be a part of it. I wanted to change the stereotype many people have of Mexicans.

Namita Nayyar:

Being a media personality involves attending innumerable social events, how do you fit in to eat healthy? What do you like for dinner? Do you have cheat days too?

Hanna Jaff:

I don’t exercise like I would like to, unless its fencing. I usually eat healthy – I try to eat fish everyday such as salmon and I include asparagus on the side. I’m a slow walker, but I try to walk everywhere I can or go. I eat a lot of beetroot for snacks, and watermelon and fruit for breakfast. I do have cheat days once in a while, usually on Sundays.

Namita Nayyar:

5 success tips for young women entrepreneurs.

Hanna Jaff:

One of the biggest obstacles in my career has been other women. Some women will feel threatened or jealous. We must stick together and support one another as a “girl code.”

Never give up on your goals, love yourself, keep trying, and do your best.
Be a woman of your word, and loyalty is everything.
Don’t take anything personal, nor live in regret.
Never assume anything is a given.
Be kind, good calls good and success.

Namita Nayyar:

You also organized the first “Kurdish Festival” in Mexico, the biggest one ever held outside Kurdistan. What obstacles had you faced to set it up?

Hanna Jaff:

The point of the festival was educational, to bring two worlds together and learn from each other. To show the history, food, values, culture, language, music, clothing, and traditions to each other. It took a year to plan, and a whole team of Jaff Foundation volunteers to help me. One of the biggest obstacles was convincing Kurds to come to Mexico. Many felt it wouldn’t be safe, or didn’t believe the festival would happen. There is no Kurdistan embassy, so I had to find private sponsors to help with plane tickets, hotels, and transportations for all 150 Kurds who came. In the end we did it, and everyone went back home happy, safely, and with another point of view about Mexico.

Namita Nayyar:

You have been named as one of the “15 Most Influential People in Politics in Mexico” and “50 Most Admirable Mexican Women.” How do you feel about these incredible achievements?

Hanna Jaff:

I feel honored, but not because of the recognitions, but because of the impact behind it, hopefully my story has inspired other women to do the same in fulfilling their goals and knowing the importance of education in todays society.

Namita Nayyar:

Share with us your goals and plans for 2019?

Hanna Jaff:

To continue to expand Jaff Foundation to more states in Mexico, so hopefully my self-taught English books will be found in as many homes as possible. More people can join the campaign “We Are One’ and live in respect, unity, and tolerance. Hopefully my projects will continue to promote tolerance and public awareness about eliminating hatred. To respect one another’s race, skin color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, social class, political views, and age. Hopefully involved with the United Nations someday.

Namita Nayyar:

A lot of celebrities are talking about the #MeToo movement and coming out with their own stories of sexual misconduct. What do you feel is the best way to deal with it?

Hanna Jaff:

I empathize, because it has happened to me in a workplace too, sadly it is not uncommon to be sexually harassed. The best way to deal with it is not to be afraid to come forward, confront him or her, file a complaint, and resolve the issue.

Namita Nayyar:

Message for your fans on Women Fitness.

Hanna Jaff:

Success is knowing how many people have a better life because you exist, if you manage to change at least one person’s life, then you had a successful life.

Be sure to follow her accounts-

@hannajaff
hannajaff.com
jafffoundation.com
weareonecampaign.com