During a recent mentoring session with one of the groups I volunteer with which focuses on teenagers, teenagers were asked to do a mental picture of where they would be in 8-10 years’ time and write down the person they would love to have become in that time.
The kids saw many things. Beautiful things.
But there was a smirch of dross on the silver cup
As beautiful as the picture of the future that some of the kids saw, some of the kids didn’t see much. Some put down nothing substantial. Some didn’t see anything. They looked blank.
For them, the future seems too distant. All they could think of was survival!
Also see:
Eight key facts about VX, the nerve gas used to murder North Korea’s Kim Jong Nam
Benefits of GIS in Environmental Management (by FALAE Philips)
Intrigued by the responses, I did a further digging in.
Strangely, all the kids that saw nothing were kids from troubled homes.
But see, that was no coincidence
It is also no coincidence that children from stable homes, children who have emotional trestles to fall back on, who enjoy formidable support structures, have better visions of the future (at least, at some points in life) and often, navigate more easily through life.
It is also not a coincidence that kids from troubled home are often not so lucky. There is a way trouble at home robs kids of ability to picture the future the future clearly, through the right lenses.
Also see:
Suicide: OAU graduate opens up on his 100 Level struggles and how he turned things around
We say “Thank you” to all our waste-smart Facebook fans for this beautiful landmark
NCE11: Minister of State for Environment Visits Fmr. President Obasanjo in Ota (Photos)
I got talking to some of the kids from both sides; we’ll be concentrating on them more in the days ahead.
But what about the 1 billion +1 other kids out there, on the street, with no one to mentor or guide them?
How glorious is a child’s vision long before life subdues his ability to dream! How glorious are a child’s visions long before he believes the lie that life’s best is beyond his reach!
Belief births expectations, and expectations, reality! The things a child calls or thinks are impossible determine what that child does not get to celebrate as accomplishments!
I challenge you to help a kid, a teenager around you picture the future more clearly! Inspire a teenager around you to create dynamic solutions for a sustainable future. In the end, man features only in the future he can picture from afar! What a child sees is often the wo/man he becomes!
Let’s help them see clearly.
~ Idowu KUNLERE
Would you love to volunteer to mentor a teenager or help young professionals create a better future for themselves and those around them?
Leave a comment below and send us a mail!
For enquiries on any of the opportunities featured on this website or if you need assistance with your application, please email info@wastesmart.org or call our hotline +2348183013045.
Meanwhile, like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, and join our Telegram chat group.
