“If you want a harvest in one year, grow a crop. If you want a harvest in ten years, grow trees. If you want a harvest that will last a lifetime, grow people” – Chinese Proverb
Look around, the state of affairs on Earth can be depressing; wars, lack of employment opportunities, poverty, epidemics, acts of terror, natural disasters. For many youth, this does not offer much to hope for; the expectation for a better, safer, greener, peaceful and unified globe seems to be a far-fetched dream. But such times offer an opportunity to influence the turn of events. We, the youth, are presented with the baton to sprint as change agents and shape the course of our future. The dream has never been clearer and the calling never been louder.
In Kenya, forums, events, workshops and conferences are organized to enhance youth leadership and participation in matters entrepreneurship, business and career. Such engagements are not just an urban phenomenon but also take shape in the grass roots; serving as an appreciation of the integral role youth play in enhancing development at the local and national level.
In Kenya, forums, events, workshops and conferences are organized to enhance youth leadership and participation in matters entrepreneurship, business and career. Such engagements are not just an urban phenomenon but also take shape in the grass roots; serving as an appreciation of the integral role youth play in enhancing development at the local and national level.
The power that lies in this population cannot be ignored; it must be harnessed and guided. The creativity displayed by the youth in the development and engineering of software, setting up businesses across various industries from trade to hospitality, beauty to fashion; excellence in sports, arts, music, theatre has demonstrated to the world its enormous growth potential. To this population, using the new global culture as an engine of creative resource has been able to provide a sense of stability, peace and unity across the continental, gender, age, racial and ethnic divide. What this generation has proven is that all it takes is to grasp the power within to build a better tomorrow.
To this extent, mentorship then becomes a critical tool in ensuring the youth, who live in an era characterized by technological innovation and new media, use these tools not just for socialization but for greater purposes; to bridge social differences, build nations and advance economic growth.
To this extent, mentorship then becomes a critical tool in ensuring the youth, who live in an era characterized by technological innovation and new media, use these tools not just for socialization but for greater purposes; to bridge social differences, build nations and advance economic growth.
The youth need people who can inspire them to do better than they know how. It’s said, "a sound mind breeds a strong body and healthy soul." Neglecting this component is reducing the much talked about economic, social and political development; sustainability will never be achieved. To empower the youth through mentorship will breed transformed societies and revolutionary leaders informed by experiences, opportunities and challenges of those who have walked before them.
To interact with people who are already where they want to be will enable the youth see there is a possible future and believe it can be achieved. They need to be taught, guided, influenced, encouraged and praised by leaders who want to create more leaders; offer them an opportunity to create themselves. Such a journey will not be easy, but it certainly be worth it.
To interact with people who are already where they want to be will enable the youth see there is a possible future and believe it can be achieved. They need to be taught, guided, influenced, encouraged and praised by leaders who want to create more leaders; offer them an opportunity to create themselves. Such a journey will not be easy, but it certainly be worth it.
This is a guest post by Linda Okero, founder of Sapphire Empowerment Program, a one on one coaching program for youth between the ages 22 and 30 on matters business and career. Under this banner, they have Sapphire Ladies that focuses on the emerging women leaders. For more information, contact her on [email protected].