Wise words for the youth by the youth
Christill Cave, founder of Youth In Action Africa, held a talk at Mariannridge Secondary School encouraging the pupils to live purpose-driven lives.
THE month of June is Youth Month, a time in our country when we remember the sacrifices made by the youth in 1976. It is also a time to shine the light on the young people of today who are doing great things to ensure the sacrifices made were not in vein.
Christill Cave has returned to her home township and former school, Mariannridge Secondary School, to encourage the young people to live a purpose-driven life. Cave is the founder of Youth In Action Africa, an organisation which she started when she was still in high school at the age of 16.
This motivational drive initiated by the school comes at a time when the school is encountering many challenges, and recently disgruntled learners burnt down a classroom.
As one could expect, the learners were quite disruptive when they entered the hall for this motivational talk, but settled down to listen after Cave started her talk.
The challenges the young people are facing in the school are substance abuse, selling of dagga and gambling.
“The school has the ability to change. I have seen some changes over the past few weeks,” said André Barbou, the school principal. Cave is living proof that good can come out of Mariannridge.”
In her motivation to the learners, Cave says, “To live a purpose-driven life you need to build your character and change your attitude.” According to a Grade 10 learner, Melinda Miya, “The background of the learners affects how they behave at school.”
Cave told the learners that when she was at the school there were many challenges and distractions, but it was up to her to choose to be different, “Not everyone can change the world, only a few can, and being one of those few starts with changing your attitude,” she Cave.
She added that people will remember you with your calling, it will leave a legacy, “Your dream will give you money, but your calling will give you purpose.”
Cave left the learners with one piece of encouragement, “This is a generation of world changers, its up to you to believe,” she added.
The principal of the school has great faith in the learners, “You can be your parents’ saviours, through education,” he said.
