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For the eight-year-old Louisa Smith, a day trip to the beach with her father became an experience which shaped her life. The family car was stopped by an armed man, who makes it clear he is prepared to kill them unless he is driven to where he wants to go. But Louisa’s father is a Vietnam veteran, with a unique insight into how to unsettle their abductor. 

Shobande Shina recalls a mistake with money which stayed with him forever, and Nelson Bohorquez from Colombia, offers a unique glimpse of his mother’s sense of humour. And, from Syria, Layal Mahfoud remembers her mother’s lesson in standing up for her future.

Plus, contributions from Debbie Camara, Masiliso Akayombokwa, Dana Silcox, Paola Ribadeneira and Jake Crawford.

The Response is open to all and for the next topic we want you to tell us a story about an inspirational woman. As part of the World Service 100 Women series we are asking for your tales about women who changed your life or your community – or you may be a woman who changed things. How did you do it? Email us a voice memo or message recorded on your phone to  worldservice.letters@bbc.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!

Picture: A child holding an adult's hand, Credit: Thinkstock Published on December 7, 2016.

What My Parents Taught Me

Will Grant takes a ride in Cuba to discover how people get around and whether the thaw in relations with the United States will make any difference to their lives. Published on August 13, 2015.

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