Youth Mentorship in Uganda

“Your life can only be changed by your own positive thinking”

Stephen Arinitwe, 20 years old,

Young Entrepreneur and UBC host

They say, “It does not matter how tall your grandfather was, you’ve got to do your own growing”.

It is easy to believe that you will always stand in the shadows of others once you are still young, with the hope of being hidden and protected, but once the light intensifies, you begin to get exposed! Little children must always develop into young adults and that's the magic of life. The young person in Uganda is at the verge of falling far apart unless he/she decides to anchor onto the words of great philosophers, wise men, entrepreneurs, presidents, CEOs, name it, to develop. 

At PEDN, we believe in the exploitation of young people's potential through engagement in practical based learning. Mentor-ship is one of the ways we do this. We identify mentors in the different sectors of Uganda's economy, approach them and invite them to mentor our project beneficiaries in schools and communities. This is the reason for the increase in child based enterprises and initiatives in our projects.

The youth are able to learn from the different experiences of professionals and go ahead to be inspired to pursue these life changing careers in their future.  

ACTIVITY: GET A MENTOR

Step One: What is your passion in life? Make sure it is realistic and achievable

Step Two: Who do you want to be like?

Step Three: Is he/she available for a talk with you? If yes, simply go and tell them how you admire their career or personal life. If no, look around for someone like your dream mentor.

Step Four: If you have identified them, it is only imperative that you look up their phone number, make an appointment to see them and ask them for a mentor-ship relationship.

Step Five: If they have accepted, thank them and keep observing the schedule they give you for visits. You will find it beneficial interacting with your mentor!

Think away!

“As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.”
Donald Trump

Imagine the thousands of shillings you could be saving when you decide to make a budget. Are you that kind of person that spends aimlessly without caring what the future holds? In case you pass next to a supermarket, you are easily tempted to go buy yourself an expensive jacket, yet your child’s fees are due… 

You easily buy a ticket into one of those music launches; you go to the ATM every time unnecessarily… Are you paying for any services you aren’t using? Or simply services you actually don’t need? Well the more time you spend in thinking about how to better utilize your hard earned moneys, the better you will become!

Is it worth it to take a few minutes to think big and then follow through? Yes!

"I may splurge on real estate, but I’m quite modest when it comes to everyday spending. When I buy clothes, I buy pieces I can wear at least three different ways. I avoid using a stylist, who costs a fortune, and do my own hair and makeup, even when I’m attending the Academy Awards."

Jane Seymour

How we spend our money isn’t about how much money we have. As a successful actress, author and businesswoman, Jane Seymour could easily afford the luxury of having her hair and make-up done by professionals, but that doesn’t fit her priorities and values so she makes other choices.

When she was forty, her life seemed to fall apart. “I lost my father to cancer; I lost my husband to many other women; I lost all my money to my ex-husband’s poor choices; and I lost complete faith in ever being happy again.” Bankrupt and alone she decided she didn’t have to prove herself to anyone anymore and began to take charge of her life.

Now that her life is back on track, do you think she is cheap for doing her own hair and make-up, or do you respect her for the choices she has made to use her money to invest in real estate and give generously to many charities?

Make sure your day-to-day spending choices fit your values and allow the choices to invest and save for the future.

Adopted from www.InspiredSavings.com

Endurance is key to success

Try something eight times before you give up.

Gretchen Rubin

author of The Happiness Project

Endurance is a game not for quitters but strong folks, who are determined to pursue visions and get results. Many a youth start up ventures and their wildest thoughts tell them, that it might not be successful. Sleepless nights they take, wondering how to go about the situation, but understanding that all is in control is important to keep up with the times. Frustration may be a part of the game, but it does not completely ail one’s capability.