“WHEN GOD GIVES YOU A DREAM, HE IS NOT LOOKING AT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT BUT AT YOUR FAITH” - RHIA LUZ FINDS HER VOICE

Rhia and her husband of 27 years

The story behind our chairwomen

We have incredible ladies (and men) that support the Women’s Federation for World Peace USA around the country, and we may see them at national or international gatherings here and there, but how well do we actually know each of them? Each person has a story to share, their own challenges and victories great and small, so we wanted to use the Logic of Love newsletter as a tool to give them a voice and hopefully be an inspiration to our readers. As our network of WFWP friends is ever growing and expanding, we decided to do a new series of getting to know our chairwomen and representatives in the United States, and we are starting this month with Rhia Clemente Nkulu aka Rhia Luz, the chairwoman of the Arizona chapter.

(Editor’s note: In the interview below, some wording has been edited for clarity of content.)

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a wife and mother, with three smart daughters. In addition to being the WFWP Arizona chapter chairwoman, I’m also a registered nurse and a radio show host.

People will always ask us for our story, what brought us here. I came from a poor family, with little confidence, so I had no voice. After taking on the leadership as chairwoman, I finally found my voice. And through unity with the vision of the WFWP founder Mother Moon, I finally gained the confidence that I have right now and discovered my purpose.

How long have you been working with WFWP and when did you become chairwoman?
When WFWP was founded in 1992, I was living in the Philippines at the time and became one of the first members there. After moving to the United States in 1993, I actively supported the activities of WFWP in Chicago for a number of years. My family and I moved to Arizona in 2006 and in 2012 I was approached about becoming a chairwoman, but we were still new to the community and the timing was not right.

A few years later, on August 15, 2015, I took on the responsibility of chairwoman in Arizona and by September we had our first project. The Latina community was especially responsive. It all started with one supportive Latina lady who became a loyal member and donor and it grew from there.

What have been some things the chapter has accomplished that you are most proud of?
In 2016, Arizona was recognized as an exemplary chapter in New Jersey at the 24th anniversary of WFWP. At that time, I decided we need to do a big event for the 25th anniversary. I shared this vision with Mrs. Lucia Anderson and other local women leaders who joined in, although we had no bank account, just a couple of hundred dollars in petty cash. When God gives you a dream, he is not looking at your bank account but at your faith. In the end, we held a national level 25th anniversary celebration for WFWP in Arizona under the theme of “Igniting a Culture of Heart from Local to Global” with more than 200 guests! After that event, we were able to find some donors and open a bank account, and it also opened the door for Buhay Buhay sa Amerika.

Can you tell us more about your radio show, Buhay Buhay Sa Amerika, and how that was started?
BBSA is a Filipino American radio program that is broadcast on Entremujeres, a Spanish-language station in Arizona. By sharing inspirational stories of Filipinos in America, the show promotes unity in our community and emphasizes how our unity can impact our development and help America. I also promote WFWP on the show (check it out here).

At the second anniversary of BBSA

It all came about because of the radio promotions I did for the 25th anniversary celebration of WFWP in 2017. I appeared on the radio five times and eventually asked the producer of Entremujeres whether they were open to the idea of non-Spanish programming, as there wasn’t a single Filipino radio station in Arizona at the time. To my surprise, they offered me a contract! It has always been my childhood dream to be a radio host.

What have been your greatest challenges since becoming chairwoman?
My biggest challenges have been my health and time management. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and now I have to be mindful of my limitations and take care of my health.

My husband supports me a lot, as do my children. It’s very hard to be away from your family. I have no free time since I took on the WFWP leadership role and the radio show. It's like I'm creating an event every month, but I love doing it.

What motivates you to keep going?
Because of WFWP, I know my purpose and responsibility to advance God’s will. I am inspired by our WFWP founder Mother Moon, and realize that if I carry out my responsibility now, my children and future descendants will live in a better world.

What is your vision for the Arizona WFWP chapter? Do you have a special focus or field of interest?
My hope is to raise many other women leaders who will lead WFWP to a higher level. I love networking and collaborating with other organizations. I want people to hear and learn about WFWP and for them to see who we are as we serve the community — even through the media. I believe in the saying “From the fruit you will know the tree!” If we keep doing good for others, the ones whom it will reflect well on are our founders because they mold us to become people who can serve the greater whole. It is the principle of living for the sake of others.

Name one woman who has had a major impact on your life and why.
The Mother of Peace, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. She embodies the true woman, true leader, true mother and exemplary wife and object partner to her husband and to God’s Will!

Any upcoming projects you'd like to share with us?
Now entering its third year, the Buhay Buhay sa Amerika show is expanding from a monthly to a bi-monthly show, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. It has even been nominated for an international media award (the Migration Advocacy and Media Award) in the Philippines at the end of the year.

Another exciting project is that we plan to have a Global Women’s Peace Network Conference on April 18, 2020 in Arizona! We’re hoping to invite the international president of WFWP.

Finally, do you have any tips for women that want to take on leadership roles in WFWP?
Just do it! Follow your gut. Unite with Mother Moon. Mother Moon’s vision and her goal of bringing peace and hope to this world is in line with God’s will so anyone who unites with her will also realize their dream in the process, just like I did!

Rhia with her family