The Power Of One

I was recently invited to speak to a group of young teenagers at our (my organisation’s) community education hub in Ikorodu. That morning, I had planned a totally different thing to say to them but as soon as I met them, everything changed.

I started by asking them to tell me their names and what they loved to do- I had a house full of fun, interesting and passionate young people. I’m very sure they don’t see themselves yet as that. As we spoke and laughed and as silence crept in at the moments we needed it, I thought about the power of one.

One can mean – one person, one thing, one place, one thought, one influence, one teacher. One can also mean – one community, one people, one family, one neighbourhood, one society, one nation.

I told them about how my neighbourhood, my teachers, the strangers on my grandma’s street, my place of work, and my family shaped me. How all these people and places are such a great influence and force that could make or mar any one.

I thought about how one family; my family, my parents, influenced one father who thought having female children is a curse and vowed never to send them to school. I look now at his four daughters, who all eventually had and have an education – the power of one!

I remember looking at these young ones sitting around me and all I saw was dreams, hope and our future as a nation. I looked beyond their current appearances, environment and the terrible and harsh experiences they might have had.

I shared with them my popular ‘Mariam’ story. They could connect with it. Some of the kids currently live Mariam’s past life and I could see that, they were hungry and looked forward to a brighter future and way out of their current blurry picture.

Never underestimate the power of ‘one’ that you have. Do not take the gift of your influence and ideas for granted. The power of ‘one’ took a chance on you at some point or at all points in your life, are you willing to be that ONE who would make someONE’s story and life different?

Think about it!

Love & Light,

TA