In a Perfect World was born from a simple yet profound idea: to empower children to create the world they envision. Since its founding in 2005, the organization has touched the lives of over 48,000 children worldwide, cultivating leadership, empathy, and creativity in young people. But where did it all begin? We sat down with our founder, Manuela Testolini, to dive deeper into her journey, the moments that shaped In a Perfect World, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Q: What values or experiences from your own childhood influenced how you approach youth empowerment today?
A: I grew up the daughter of immigrants, living in the most multicultural city in the world (Toronto), and spending my summers in Egypt and Italy. I’m definitely a global citizen, and I see how our shared hopes and dreams connect all of us. It’s also made me acutely aware that children worldwide live vastly different lives. I grew up with friends who had escaped civil wars in their home countries. It gave me a lot of compassion towards others, and it’s through that lens that I lead In a Perfect World. Whether building schools internationally or cultivating youth leadership, we use empathy as our guidepost.
Q: How have your own children or family influenced your perspective on the work you do with In A Perfect World?
A: In a Perfect World is a family affair! Once I had my own children and started seeing the world through their eyes, it gave me an even greater sense of urgency to empower the next generation. My kids have each launched their own initiatives within the organization, which has been incredible to watch. And they’re inspiring many other kids along the way.
Q: What are some of your proudest moments since founding In a Perfect World?
A: Seeing kids reach their full potential is what makes me most proud of our work at In a Perfect World. Whether that’s witnessing one of our youth ambassadors move from experiencing homelessness to studying aerospace engineering or guiding a teen to launch their social impact project helping their community, it’s amazing to see what happens when we invest in youth. Most recently, a proud moment was when I brought my children to Guatemala to work on a school there. It was their first time participating in our REACH program, which builds schools for remote, indigenous communities in some of the world’s economically poorest countries. Seeing them move out of their comfort zone, get their hands dirty mixing cement, teaching English to students, and immersing themselves in the community touched my heart.
Q: How do you balance your role as a founder and your personal life, and what does self-care look like for you?
A: This is a constant struggle, to be honest. This work requires a lot of giving of time and energy, and it’s important to take time to rejuvenate and recharge. Time with family, being in nature, eating right—it all adds up to fill my cup. Ideally, once your cup is full, you give from your overflow.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their own nonprofit or community initiative, what would it be?
A: Don’t try to do it all alone! We pride ourselves on cultivating great partnerships so that we can reach more kids more quickly. No need to reinvent the wheel! Collaboration and community are key to making a lasting impact.
A Journey Fueled by Empathy and Empowerment
Manuela’s vision for In a Perfect World is rooted in the belief that children’s voices are powerful and that nurturing those voices can lead to transformative change. What began with a simple question—“What do you want in a perfect world?”—has evolved into a global movement that empowers children to be changemakers in their communities and beyond. Whether building schools internationally or guiding youth leadership locally, Manuela continues to lead with empathy and a deep commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation. Click here to build the future’s brightest leaders!