A Call to Action: Empowering Children to Lead Change

[Sadia Jafrin]

Life often keeps us so busy that we forget to tap into the beautiful minds and hearts of children. But trust me, if we pause for just a moment and really listen, we'll be amazed at what they have to say.

Our two amazing facilitators, Manira Apa and Prokash Bhai conducted a Focus Group Discussion on 10^th March 2024. Picture this: 11 kids, aged 10 to 12, all bursting with hope for our community. 

As I delved into the English translation provided by Mariam. Now, here's the magic: despite their young age, these kids understood the problems around them like seasoned pros. They didn't just get it; they wanted to fix it too. But here's the kicker—they felt like nobody was really listening to them or taking them seriously.

When asked, "What change do you want to see in our community in 5 years?" their answers hit me right in the feels. Some wanted to help women who beg for a living by giving them free medical care. Others dreamt of becoming leaders to make their village better place. It was beautiful, really. But then reality hit—they felt like society cared more about competition and being selfish than helping each other out.

Reflecting on this, it's easy to point fingers at the so-called "Gen Z" generation, dismissing them as selfish and disconnected. But maybe we're missing the point. Could it be that we, the adults, are the ones setting the wrong examples? Are we showing them that success is more important than kindness? Are we too caught up in our own world to notice theirs?

We're rushing these kids into adulthood, forgetting to teach them about kindness and working together. We're so focused on them being the best that we forget to teach them to be good people too. And guess what? They're picking up on our habits.

But here's the silver lining: we can change this narrative. We can raise a generation that's all about kindness, empathy, and teamwork. It starts with actually listening to our kids, valuing their thoughts, and letting them lead the way.

Let's learn from these kids. Let's remember what it means to be selfless and caring. Because in their innocence lies the key to a better world. Let's stop labeling them and start seeing them for who they truly are—our hope for a brighter tomorrow.

[Sadia Jafrin]

Thank you so much, Rituu. Yes, we have to give ownership to our children because they have the stronger voice and their observations are so raw.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Sharp observation, dear Sadia. How can we use this in our work in Gopalgunj? Thanks