One hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. Author unknown
These words remind me of Nonofo Mogopodi Jumbo, one incredible lady I met during a science boot camp that she organized in partnership with the American Embassy.
She is doing so much to create a difference in the lives of her students.
Nonofo puts in the extra time, the money and the extra efforts needed to make the lives of others better. She pours her heart and soul out for her students, so that she can ignite the love for the dreaded subject; sciences.
One student, Katlego spoke brilliantly and said of Nonofo; “because of her I now have scholarship to study economics at university of my choice in USA.”
Many other students shared beautiful stories of how they struggled with their studies and how she helped each one of them.
My conversation with Nonofo showed me that she is passionate about changing lives, she has dreams to empower the girl child, she has dreams to create an impact in the landscape of science. I watched her in action and she treated everyone of the student like a mother would treat her own child.
I know the likes of Nonofo live amongst us and demonstrate that humanity, humility and grace still live in the hearts of many.
We may not understand them but let us not discourage them and make them loose focus on the things that matter.
Nonofo reminds me of two students I saw in the news cleaning the street after “the fees must fall” South African strike.
These students said words that resonated with me, “if education ought to teach us anything, it must teach us to leave a place better than we found it”.
Nonofo is using education to leave the school a better place than she found it. Nonofo thinks about serving others. Her attitude changed my life and I hope it changes yours too.
- She has chosen a powerful way to live.
- She takes what Robert Frost calls the road less travelled, the road of sacrifice.
It is stories like hers I want to share, stories about ordinary people creating sunrise moments for others.
In this new year opportunities to give of yourself will present themselves.
What will you do with such opportunities?
While we are at that there are three thing to remember
1.that you can give where you are
We often think that only those with lots of possessions should give, but whatever you have be it experience, life lesson or a simple skill, you can still give to the world.
2.that you can give with what you have
We are not to wait until we become expert in areas to make a difference in the lives of others.
I like the words of Henry van Dyke who said “Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except the best.” You may not be the best now, you may not have abundant resources but you can still give what you have.
3.Giving of yourself to one life is worthwhile even if that life is the life of a child
We like to think big, that too is okay, we like to think in thousands, but giving yourself to even one life is worth it.
Let’s not forget to give of ourselves and change the world around us.
When you think of those give of their lives to others who comes to your mind. Write about it in the comment section and let the world know.