Our paths home diverge, and as she walks in the other direction, I turn around and stop her. I
look her square in the eyes as our faces hover inches apart. “They won’t fear you. They
will respect you. It is different. And it works,” I exhort.
We stand in silence for a few moments and I let her feel the energy of my Conviction.
“I’m going to try it!” she excites. “I will use it tomorrow!” she laughs and shrills with ethusiasm as
she walks up the road to her home.
Last week I experienced my happiest moment while with the youth. After a discussion on
leadership, the youth came to a consensus that being in a leadership role does not mean that
you will make good decisions for others. Good decisions are a choice regardless of your societal
status or prescribed role. I prompted the group to complete the following statement:
“When I am a leader, I will do these three things…”
I was overcome with joy when the youth’s responses demonstrated not only an awareness of
community need, but a tangible passion to meet those needs. After the session, three girls
scurried to my desk positioned under a tree on the school yard.
“Amanda. When will the people come to show us how to help people grow food?” Tshililo, an 11
year old girl asks.
“I made a phone call today. We will try to arrange in 2 weeks, but I am not sure yet,” I respond.
“What if the people we want to help will not let us help them?” she asks. A legitimate question. I
have had to answer this question from within myself as part of my own work here in South Africa.
At age 11, this youn rv