RESIDENCY DIARIES 8 - High School Talk Session

 HIGH SCHOOL VISIT 


As resident writers of the Ebedi International Writers Residency, we required to reach out to high students of some selected  high schools to share with them our ideas and insights on writing as well as our experiences in life. 


Reaching out and speaking to students has always been an exciting thing for me. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I took it with both hands. 


Our first school outreach was at the St. John's Grammar School, located within the Baracks area of the Iseyin catchment area. 


It was a Wednesday morning and we got to speak to them right after their morning assembly and Wednesday worship session. 


After one of the teachers introduced us to the student body, we took turns to share some few words of inspiration with the students. 


I had a simple message for the students. I told them that education presents each one of a level playing ground to take our place in life. 


And that if they focused on developing themselves from within as they received education, they will excel at what they choose to do later in life. 


I echoed that talent is a gift and everyone has been blessed with one. God deposited some form of talent in everyone and if one discovered, developed and deployed such talents, the offerings of these talents could help them make the most out of their lives whilst making a mark on the world  


I also highlighted that intelligence is relative and academics is not the only barometer for measuring intelligence. Because if you judged a fish based on its ability to fly and not swim, then it will spend its life thinking of itself being unintelligent. 


However, if you placed the same fish in water and asked it to swim, it will marvel you as you look at it do what it was made to do. 


Much the same way, everyone is differently intelligent and valuable. 


In concluding, I emphasised that, everyone is intelligent and valuable and that if one found their true place in life, they will do amazing things and become a blessing to humanity. 


This school outreach was a great one and the smiles on the faces of the students was proof that they needed to be reminded of how awesome they are and how valuable they are. 


I'm glad I could share with these students and I look forward to more of such engagements. 






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RESIDENCY DIARIES 9- Is School A Scam?

Image
  IS SCHOOL A SCAM?  Whilst in Residency, we had a daily routine of picking a topic at random and sharing our thoughts on same during breakfast.  We would often find ourselves engaging in healthy conversations on educational issues, politics and national development, relationships and marriage, youth development and of course writing, which was that one thing that Brough us together.  On one particular morning after breakfast, we zeroed in on discussion about education in Africa. One resident without mincing words blurted out;'School is a Scam! It is not exactly what our parents and society has sold to us'.  He continued, 'We have been told from childhood that; Go to school, complete and get a well paying job to help set you up in life. But the reality on the ground is different. I think school is a big scam.l especially in Africa'.  With these statements, the tone was set for our conversation at the dinning table. Each resident shared his views on same. We all agreed h
Read more

GAMELIAN GEMS 9B

You just keep praising God and God will just keep raising you' -Gamel Sankarl An arrow's speed is increased when it is pulled backwards and released.Much the same way, it is needful sometimes to take a few steps backwards, take appropriate measures and make a comeback to work towards moving forward.Stretch backwards;speed forward'-Gamel Sankarl Whether it is obvious or oblivious to you;the truth is you're on a life's mission and you must start your ministry to fulfil it.Without a ministry you will live life in mystery, experience misery and leave this life with no glory nor history' -Gamel Sankarl You can create your own tribute.Think less about accumulating attributes.Concentrate on developing your abilities.Distribute your abilities and Contribute to humanity' -Gamel Sankarl You've been given a mandate and a mantle.Start living up to your mandate and Stop chasing the titles.For at the end of it all, it is what you were called to do t
Read more

IF YOU CAN READ THIS,GO FIND YOUR TEACHER AND SAY THANK YOU!

IF YOU CAN READ THIS,GO FIND YOUR TEACHER AND SAY THANK YOU! Is that not sir Augustine?Yes,he's the one.Awww,how I wish I had seen him earlier.Come to think of it,ITS been 20yrs already.How amazed i guess he would be to know that he once taught me.Yeah,I'm sure he would....Just a few of the many reflections that came to mind when I saw my Class 1 teacher while in taxi a few days ago.He's simply an awesome teacher. Ever since I left his class I've been taught by several others yet I've forgotten about most of them but not him.And why so?I asked myself,then it dawned on me when you knew nothing but just the national anthem song and ABCD...'A ne ne ba'.... he believed in you.When you feigned sickness during your maths class,he knew all about it yet he said,you're a bright kid,work harder.I was young then but His words had a phenomenal impact on my life.Only if he knew how powerful his words were.I recount when he once said his pride will be
Read more