tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774414882592900402024-03-27T03:40:04.800-07:00Kayfactor InspiresWelcome to Kayfactor InspiresHammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-27135936299358717092022-12-30T16:00:00.001-08:002022-12-30T16:00:00.187-08:00My 2022 Story <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">People who have been following me for the past 5 years would know that I am always sharing my reflections at the end of the year and for once, this year I thought if I should share or not. It is not that there is not something to share, it is because this year was a year I had to fight my current state of comfortability. In the past, I have not always had what I wanted. I would probably have to fight to pay for a visa to attend a conference I have been selected for or raise money from family or friends or even probably, not have money to even book a flight. I was always dealing with not being able to contribute at home and my source of depression was because I lacked and that made me fight. In fact, those little things I could not afford were one of my inspirations to change my circumstances while fighting for a cause that I am also passionate about. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlCWHxrqhCBTeQf2D7ggjl6OSWf6G78U4D4WzCuwPBa2PUX-yfQvC5og0ZWQygamrqarAEIUVAc3fHFiCR4hafkiF3r1Hy_gl6l6tBOXpcPWA0HnVL2_eo85q8olW1dxnc08sMlYKJkQKa5aNujGd7kv-5lHnB3XbRX6sELR0k2tL608yeGmYy2Tz/s4032/IMG_0646.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlCWHxrqhCBTeQf2D7ggjl6OSWf6G78U4D4WzCuwPBa2PUX-yfQvC5og0ZWQygamrqarAEIUVAc3fHFiCR4hafkiF3r1Hy_gl6l6tBOXpcPWA0HnVL2_eo85q8olW1dxnc08sMlYKJkQKa5aNujGd7kv-5lHnB3XbRX6sELR0k2tL608yeGmYy2Tz/s320/IMG_0646.HEIC" width="240" /></a></b></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Likewise, the rejections. Back then, I had applied for many things and I would weep at rejections. Some of those rejections were because I lacked experience and some of those were because it was not just my time yet but they drove me. They moved me to create things and make things happen. So at the end of every year, it is always interesting to share how I was able to overcome them, and even, when it seems there was nothing, I made something. However, this year was not those days and I was comfortable, I have had some wins and to some extent, I could get my hands on and afford things that I usually pray for. I was comfortable but there came an issue. My comfort became uncomfortable for me. I wanted more and I wanted to fight. Maybe because I am in a new environment and maybe for some things I had to start all over again but I was very uncomfortable with my comfort and that made me take some steps. I went all out and added more roles to my feather. I was juggling multiple roles. I was involved in one-time contracts and others and at the same time overseeing KLCI. I was also reading applications and accepting speaking engagements as I could. Traveling to Paris to speak at UNESCO headquarters (one of my greatest wins) and many more. Now, I am uncomfortable but it did not end well. I kept on moving and moving to the extent that I was not paying attention to myself. I had even forgotten about myself in the equation. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivftbUOoE6mHf4XvUI4ZUwUzgC5AAxSAoqd2bYKGaXrE83Z6mNbIzHPN47J0ViQjPZNyNWNDbJ93KCgnkxfwwhBhJ7pbXsW9WMTay194PvCpUhd4R5YmOz8hr5YVOoNdzCMTX__GCYOE7jDMH9KUrrqPbpbn95VZvG9zFfkw3DIQFZdzkroWGruNZ/s6480/52183256367_883f1f383d_o.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="6480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivftbUOoE6mHf4XvUI4ZUwUzgC5AAxSAoqd2bYKGaXrE83Z6mNbIzHPN47J0ViQjPZNyNWNDbJ93KCgnkxfwwhBhJ7pbXsW9WMTay194PvCpUhd4R5YmOz8hr5YVOoNdzCMTX__GCYOE7jDMH9KUrrqPbpbn95VZvG9zFfkw3DIQFZdzkroWGruNZ/s320/52183256367_883f1f383d_o.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the same time, I was dealing with either one request or the other and it was as if they were coming on autopilot. During my master's programme in 2020/2021, I had a schedule and it saved me a ton but I have even forgotten how to put stuff in schedules. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then I traveled to Nigeria in September to launch my book and organise a learn event. I enjoyed putting that event together and the impact was mind-blowing. I reconnected with friends and family, and I felt really happy. The heart knows where the home is. I enjoyed chatting with uber drivers and okada riders (bike men). I connected with people on day to day basis and visited one of our project sites where we help children in rural communities develop life and 21st-century skills through our Skill2Rural Bootcamp. I met loads of people. I took many unsolicited consultations. I wanted to help and I was very happy. I was working on my other roles/responsibilities remotely at this point as well and in between an important application. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcVNxgtWcMK3eOosyLR31tH36Myn8mBZHzdzqE9KQIeE83JlXez9GyQM7Hd9UtlVUVMppFurOIVsdo6oTENqtSYp4cKNrobUHYg2WotEGkMR-lGqC2gHmygIsBNTJ783LnGiylHkl8vnID0LC_g7uWNPpicQfh8Y0y1wTBrICeFPveqJAc0ejeOun/s5803/GLP_5460.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3869" data-original-width="5803" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcVNxgtWcMK3eOosyLR31tH36Myn8mBZHzdzqE9KQIeE83JlXez9GyQM7Hd9UtlVUVMppFurOIVsdo6oTENqtSYp4cKNrobUHYg2WotEGkMR-lGqC2gHmygIsBNTJ783LnGiylHkl8vnID0LC_g7uWNPpicQfh8Y0y1wTBrICeFPveqJAc0ejeOun/s320/GLP_5460.JPEG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could recall returning to the UK from Nigeria and as I was opening the door of my room, I opened my laptop to complete a task for an application and created a presentation for an interview I had later that week. The next day I resumed my two jobs. It was a Wednesday and they are always busy. I probably would get home at around 10:00 pm. Every Wednesday evening I visit my project site at the British Red Cross where I work with young refugees and asylum seekers to help them develop life skills through weekly sessions and they bond over food and drinks. I enjoyed the role a lot but it was exhausting. That week I did not prepare a session, so I had to facilitate based on the resource I had prepared in my head. The next week, I did prepare a session but the young people did not really turn up and the session was not interesting. I also got feedback from my project assistant and volunteer about what is happening. It seems the whole project was crumbling in my face. I actually hate to see things crumble but here I am, and the uncomfortability I have created is becoming more uncomfortable. I had one of the most uncomfortable conversations with myself that night and made some key decisions. I said to myself “I am going to face this problem and I am going to ensure that the project does not crumble.” Then I did. I reduced the time I spent on social media. I started sleeping by 9:00 pm and put my phone on airplane mode. I started working to get external facilitators to facilitate my sessions so that I do not have to run them and focus more on engaging with my young people and being present for them. I started running in the morning to maintain my physical and mental health. I was not applying for anything until I felt 100%. I communicated boundaries to people and even if I still review scholarship applications for people, I stopped at some point except you are really close. When I was going to work, I tuned in to a podcast. I also was not taking any additional or extra responsibilities at this point until I found my way back to me. My eyes started opening. I started seeing the need to put myself in the equation. I could recall there was a day I had about four applications to read for people, I had an application to complete myself. In the past, I had chosen myself last but I chose myself first. I finished mine before working on that of others. I started learning to also consider my feelings, that I also matter in the equation. Giving can become toxic if you do not give sustainably. I learned hard lessons. During this period of recovery, some who could not understand thought I was snubbing them but I had to live too. In fact, I learned to offend people positively and you would not guilt trip me. I have paid my dues and I hope to continue to pay them forward in a sustainable way. I learned that and it was difficult. I had to fight with change. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMsl9ChJTO5MLBruV73gCnV7FJjxm0QeYoV5sH2zZDY0GKQ5j0O5-pi41kVv2FIRaXnYV5e9nsZzmUF9ezdWHwAb3mc_671pnXfgoTTaXVl0yZmypG6gcJrgCyHPkpn5HJcMIrhMY4Xx_3nrB9_1-nJSrxeiWfrP3G3_8I6pQW7FAWsora1LUuoOm/s5600/GLP_5499.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="5600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMsl9ChJTO5MLBruV73gCnV7FJjxm0QeYoV5sH2zZDY0GKQ5j0O5-pi41kVv2FIRaXnYV5e9nsZzmUF9ezdWHwAb3mc_671pnXfgoTTaXVl0yZmypG6gcJrgCyHPkpn5HJcMIrhMY4Xx_3nrB9_1-nJSrxeiWfrP3G3_8I6pQW7FAWsora1LUuoOm/s320/GLP_5499.JPEG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also stopped one of my jobs and my energy was high. I was smashing my goals. November became one of my best months. Completed three major applications and got into the final of one major application. I already got accepted for one. One even required that I took a course as a prerequisite to apply. I finished a four-week course in one week. I said this is me. This is who I am. The energy was high that month and those who were connected with me could feel it. It was my best month of the year. Honestly, I had forgotten how to believe in myself but I started to. I started aiming high again because now I can see. They say the truth shall set you free and having truthful conversation with myself does set me free. I learned about myself again and even if it seems uncomfortable I am so grateful for all the great things I have been able to achieve and made major wins which I have shared in a previous post (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hammedkayodealabi_end-activity-6997831947280392192-BRX9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank">read here</a>) </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are some more lessons I learned from this experience </span></span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do not be scared to offend people and not everyone is your friend. Communicate with kindness and love and let that be. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Differentiate friends from acquaintances. Sometimes old friends could become acquaintances at some point. Learn to move past that. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What get you here might not get you there might seem to be true but sometimes reflecting on the past is what gets us to be present and aspire for a greater future</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Listen to your body and know when to recharge </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Your comfort might become uncomfortable but both moments teach you something. </span></span></p></li></ol><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the things I said to myself often is Hammed “I am so proud of you” and this is because it takes a lot of courage to know that there is a problem and you are willing to solve it. That is where growth comes from and I am glad I found my way back to myself. There is more context to many of these stories and maybe in the future, they may become stories for another masterpiece. There are also parts of my 2022 reflections that I am yet to share but I hope someday in the future when it is the right time, I will share them. In all honesty, I love the year and I love the fact that I had to deal with my comfort. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last year, I said self-awareness and reflection was the key for me but this year, I practiced self-conversation and compassion even more. To speak to me and to learn to forgive myself. That I am human too. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0e101a; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for reading and I am constantly rooting for you. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-84754321858064408082022-12-28T13:50:00.002-08:002022-12-28T13:50:16.419-08:00My message on the 2022 International Youth Day<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the first time, I have nothing really to say about International Youth Day not because I have no words but because I am tired of how performative organizations and donor agencies have worked with young people. How young people sometimes are seen as just a tick box in the development process or in the process of creating the so-called global change. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5VEDZrgo0xaFbkrgoXX-5K5ZrXmAX7H7aMEVrmWMQjBDMBr4lDbrvpdOOshfzBLHAnyD9gNZ6rSowGoR6YQyKrw6-okNRKzYX86mIaWPRcmoBqja-Xh9vcWy33RJ6uqxT3KNZjIItcpb2YvXWbfhfUHnbGP4MkZHlhPlFrQnJSa0dI55V2LUVgW1/s4032/IMG_8282.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5VEDZrgo0xaFbkrgoXX-5K5ZrXmAX7H7aMEVrmWMQjBDMBr4lDbrvpdOOshfzBLHAnyD9gNZ6rSowGoR6YQyKrw6-okNRKzYX86mIaWPRcmoBqja-Xh9vcWy33RJ6uqxT3KNZjIItcpb2YvXWbfhfUHnbGP4MkZHlhPlFrQnJSa0dI55V2LUVgW1/s320/IMG_8282.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am tired because the theme says intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages and this means leveraging the <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>potentials of all generations but I would still say that the young people's potential is not still being harnessed and when you ask adults, they will give 1000 + reasons why young people should not be given the platform to lead or why they need to fight to get a seat at the table or why they need to prove or meet some certain criteria to be in the table. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am also tired because even the ministry meant for young people “the so-called ministry of youth” is led by adults who do not know what it means to be a young person in this generation and the challenges we face. And even the ministers of youth in some (maybe many) countries are not young people. For example, the Nigerian current minister of youth and sports is 56 years old and I am worried why a 26 or 29-year-old cannot take that position. According to the Nigerian new youth policy, a young person is between the age of 15 - 29 years. Today, we have so many adults holding young people’s positions claiming to be young. I am tired of seeing that happen. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am also critical of myself of how sometimes I make myself a product of ticking the boxes as a young person and I hope I can do better. I am also critical that someday I would not be in the youth or young people category anymore and would be able to still hold the ideals of believing in young people. I am aware that those in power today were once young people and held this ideology. I hope I would not change. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am also tired of adults thinking young people are competing with them and all they need is recognition for spaces, not all spaces but some spaces, and mentoring to grow. I look forward to seeing more adults supporting young people to lead (That is what intergenerational leadership means). It is adults understanding their role as one and creating the opportunity and resources for young people to grow. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, I am so tired today and I am as well angry because I believe young people hold the key to transforming education, science, technology, health, and economics and all they need is an ecosystem that allows them to live and thrive. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am tired and I hope someday things can be better for young people.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-40104474676992597632022-12-28T13:48:00.004-08:002022-12-28T13:48:29.838-08:00Social Media and Excessiveness<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love social media, and I am a fan of it, especially how it has democratized information sharing and created space for people to contribute to social causes. I have seen people raise money here so that a struggling child can pay their school fees. I have seen people here raise money to ensure a sick person who needs an urgent operation can get money to do that. I have seen people raise money to help a family cope during the lockdown. I have seen the power of social media in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">advocacy, information sharing, inspiration, and advancing the human race. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvtHIP-VtpnicDuS3XDShH2_pg-PkyDlyjnQxQThZ-9THYYS0gF-OBNa9ujN5F-mqYKFoNiGVR9GMcklkALpRzpmj8NLMh78s-5Y8N_gKxETXaGhjE4y2gL8D5AXpDFzdckKnsUhkNAOO4kl5drq2neqDgDHapb7W7ktUnbokB0H1XgPny8PBF5KH/s7603/52180444010_1fb731dd4a_o%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5089" data-original-width="7603" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvtHIP-VtpnicDuS3XDShH2_pg-PkyDlyjnQxQThZ-9THYYS0gF-OBNa9ujN5F-mqYKFoNiGVR9GMcklkALpRzpmj8NLMh78s-5Y8N_gKxETXaGhjE4y2gL8D5AXpDFzdckKnsUhkNAOO4kl5drq2neqDgDHapb7W7ktUnbokB0H1XgPny8PBF5KH/s320/52180444010_1fb731dd4a_o%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, as much as social media gives us agency to be free and to share, it's gradually taking away our agency to share.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let me tell you why. If you post; what happens? or share alternative thoughts. You get canceled for expressing yourself. People actually are not listening but pouncing on a thought that doesn't align with them. You post a photo, make a post...the next thing someone is messaging you about not responding to a message or probably asking you for one or two things. People are connecting not because they want to build relationships but because of what they will get from you. You accept a connection. The next thing is “help” or what they want to get. No actual building relationships. So people are scared to accept a friend request. Post about themselves or even share some thoughts because they are afraid. So we miss an opportunity to learn from people who truly want to share. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some others are busy monitoring your chats to check when you are online or when you check their status to castigate you. So where is freedom? Yes, there are freedoms but I think a time will come we will reach the extreme, and social media is already becoming a leading cause of mental health issues(if not a major reason). I am not a saint as well but there is a need for strong self/emotional and social awareness to cope with the excessiveness of social media.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Online life is now becoming an extension of real life and to some extent deserves almost a similar standard. Again, people are growing in this age not learning how to cope with alternative thoughts or build key relationships. Relationship building is hard but we could say social media add to this. Instant gratification. You want a quick response to your message and if they don't respond, you come under their post to say check your D.M. People don't even have the patience anymore or even the opportunity to delay gratification.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More even, I am perturbed by the questions people can easily find answers to but you are asking me to answer them or some things I have written multiple posts about or even added into a book but you never bothered to buy them. For example, there are multiple resources out there about scholarship opportunities and applying to a school. However, someone who wants to apply for an MSc programme, could not even do a little bit of internet search and find information. How come then do you want to survive in a rigorous academic environment? How do you want to carry out desk research? </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While I am not demeaning the work of people who help with personal statements but even if you cannot write a personal statement that is so personal, how do you want to conduct a critical inquiry into a field or write an essay or present an argument? Truth is; merely some of these hard and difficult things are what makes you unique and different and anybody can. I am not saying people should not pay to learn how to write a personal statement. If you are paying to learn how to write your story better or to write better. That's a good thing. That's fine! But outsourcing things that are so personal does not just sit right with me. So if you are not the norm, people will tag you as a bad person on social media. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Again, it takes a lot of self-awareness to deal with the excessiveness of social media and for me, I have made the commitment that people would not deny me the agency to share or not to share. They would not also deny me the opportunity to share information that would benefit one or two people or support a cause that I am passionate about.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-15140169670790956372022-12-28T13:45:00.002-08:002022-12-28T13:45:48.116-08:00I am a Work-in-Progress<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know many people look up to me that he is great, amazing, hardworking, passionate, change-maker, and refer me to many other good things. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnX1oiVIWgFXzzLCMwezExjHLWgUfMVfeEwX-6hU80EGCnaVUFT3V3wdrx54ca-GA0Pj-AwguFD7ZYA-UORTTG_yFHTiEfb6Zz3hSU8kc0xHxf8bGxnP4MbyAf-y5j78l1LMw_qGnWRpqhfqJgR6xFTVBc5oNKrs4iDFJ8pA3bsPsOk1cfFPqMtfU/s2048/43c31cf8-beb1-42bd-bb29-ba9c5173daf0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnX1oiVIWgFXzzLCMwezExjHLWgUfMVfeEwX-6hU80EGCnaVUFT3V3wdrx54ca-GA0Pj-AwguFD7ZYA-UORTTG_yFHTiEfb6Zz3hSU8kc0xHxf8bGxnP4MbyAf-y5j78l1LMw_qGnWRpqhfqJgR6xFTVBc5oNKrs4iDFJ8pA3bsPsOk1cfFPqMtfU/s320/43c31cf8-beb1-42bd-bb29-ba9c5173daf0.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I continue to reflect on the praises, I hope to continue to live up to that standard. To be aware of the praises and to not get carried away but constantly work on myself. That humans will always be humans. That praises are good but I can get better. I can be better than what I am. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know many would also think I am a superhuman, I am <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>not one. I have also battled with my rejections, with my failures. There were times that I had absolute confidence in my ability and I still would fail. I once went through a four-stage recruitment process last year and didn't get the role. I had absolute confidence in myself but it was still a learning moment for me, a point to be better than myself. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were also times that I doubted myself. There were times that I don't also believe in my ability but the self-awareness to understand that it is possible. That I can represent possibilities. And that is what keeps me going and trying and not disqualifying myself for anything. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And as you read this post and thinking that I am this and I am that or he is the best. I would like to say a silent prayer and a prayer made by one of the prophet (SAW) Caliphate Abu Bakr. He used to say “O Allah, You know me better than I know myself, and I know myself better than these people who praise me. Make me better than what they think of me, and forgive those sins of mine of which they have no knowledge, and do not hold me responsible for what they say.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2021</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-78377804932732420342022-12-28T13:42:00.001-08:002022-12-28T13:42:02.762-08:00Open letter to Young People<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Young Person, </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH-h5r6VorOQYKTpudSXjPzlrtHJBQqV9MNJn5PTJxg09Hr8pfSXS6SxPTKMhz03lqzqCmrHzxbtzGvTfanHM70xFMT86MywIfZrH-hxoiZkUYcFyL1788v86Gd_b1gy4vXYCHEhVMNOOALt1FZnxvOlxgkr6fwLTTE7RRuQ-3l-m0XxxBPbwy3wx/s7603/52180444010_1fb731dd4a_o%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5089" data-original-width="7603" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH-h5r6VorOQYKTpudSXjPzlrtHJBQqV9MNJn5PTJxg09Hr8pfSXS6SxPTKMhz03lqzqCmrHzxbtzGvTfanHM70xFMT86MywIfZrH-hxoiZkUYcFyL1788v86Gd_b1gy4vXYCHEhVMNOOALt1FZnxvOlxgkr6fwLTTE7RRuQ-3l-m0XxxBPbwy3wx/s320/52180444010_1fb731dd4a_o%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I understand we go through pain every day trying to find our calling and who we really are. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the process, many people would talk down on us because we are trying to find and shape our paths. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>will attend many programs trying to find answers to many of the questions in our minds. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes we get the answers we are looking for and sometimes we leave worse than we came. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">People will give us several pieces of advice and whenever we read some articles, it's as if fingers are being pointed at us all the time. I have been there! Until I realize that I have the right to choose what makes me happy and sad. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We read the good news of others and we feel when would ours come or wouldn't it come at all. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me, I have learned to pick lessons from the good news of others and understand what makes them outstanding. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I greatly learn from other people's successes and what I have learned is for every good news, there are multiple rejections and they have learned to trust the process. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, the future and road seem blurry. You are getting tired and worn out. You cry inside nearly every day.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">People who are close to you are aiming for you a better and brighter future but there you are and you have no clue what the future holds. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The truth is everything you are going through today is preparing you for a greater future and you will understand why you are going through them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It will teach you the power of process and in the process, you will learn what you are good at and rise. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The people you meet in the process, the network you built, the volunteering experience; they are actually preparing you and you have to trust it. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The people you are meeting today, you are meeting them for a reason and everything you are going through is happening for a reason and greater purpose. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The numerous conferences and seminars you are attending are preparing you for that future and you cannot see it now but you have to trust the process, the people, and most importantly your work and what drives you. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You also have to learn how to be humble, give and receive feedback, respect other people's ideas, learn and appreciate the perfections and imperfections of other people and do not forget to be grateful for what you have and how far you have come. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our journey is uniquely different, sometimes people make it at sunset and others at sunrise. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Learn to trust the process and appreciate the amazing person that you are! </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You are becoming!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi ©2019, 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-38720677317763198882022-12-28T13:39:00.004-08:002022-12-28T13:43:24.569-08:00Advocating for Education at the UNESCO Headquarter in Paris<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The signature you are seeing on this shirt is the story of 150 children, young people whom I met with in 2019 and promised not to drop out of school and would continue to move forward in their education. I signed and also made a declaration that I would continue to be there for one child and support them until they are able to change their circumstances through access to quality education and mentoring. Their principal also signed, the teachers signed, and some of our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">volunteers at KLCI also signed. Since then, I have traveled everywhere with this shirt. It reminds me of my why and why need to help one child cross. Why I need to pass the baton down. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeBCwOzwovAMz1wxVfVjtVFitOANLkPBupQYrkfuxa16scR_SfOpris76ctCCiCeig8ZhcND2PGu8ePMD1n67t9TS6t5u9_q2dq8Uh0GhNxWcehfcRzpuurvsKaAarrz-LK7eAGpI8WT0EQSNo-6BEz6M16UkLWjioX0T6fZbZy9NjWIXLKYobHAU/s1242/IMG_8534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1242" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeBCwOzwovAMz1wxVfVjtVFitOANLkPBupQYrkfuxa16scR_SfOpris76ctCCiCeig8ZhcND2PGu8ePMD1n67t9TS6t5u9_q2dq8Uh0GhNxWcehfcRzpuurvsKaAarrz-LK7eAGpI8WT0EQSNo-6BEz6M16UkLWjioX0T6fZbZy9NjWIXLKYobHAU/s320/IMG_8534.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Education made a difference for me. It can for them too and today, we have the likes of Olasunkanmi who was one of the young people who signed this shirt currently studying LAW at the University of Lagos. Rejoice another young person who signed this shirt is currently on KLCI scholarship and studying Agricultural extension at Obafemi Awolowo University. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, I am here holding this shirt and standing at the UNESCO headquarters advocating for quality education and discussing transforming education and the future of education. The future lies in this shirt. It's the small commitment that we all do in our corner to ensure one child has access to education. To play our parts, as ministers, as heads of States, as CEO’s of education non-profits in advancing the educational promise. To be a piece in the jigsaw puzzle that is yet to be unraveled. To be a piece in the life of just one child. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This shirt reminds me of being a piece and I hope it will fortify me to continue to advocate for one child, one nation at a time.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022 </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Caption: First photo was taken in 2022 at the recently concluded pre-summit of Transforming Education Summit. Got couple of people to sign the shirt as well and the other photo was taken in 2019 at Community Comprehensive School, Olambe-Matogun, Ogun State where the 150 students signed and committed not to drop out of school.</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-17768197657473868072022-12-28T13:32:00.002-08:002022-12-28T13:42:59.423-08:00Kindness can be learned<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have learned over the years and over time that anything can be learned. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHHem0KQyAlgEJkYnB708_iyo7U4LStt7tTwpZIbXIb73z9JZ_uMhOC0dfrjDkdwGqEGi08XlB53LrXHT9-fCaICa5Z8y-VSirdSmjzwxrrAh0Jd-K7Ipwxs5oV5ziukXbvjpKRxdQObsE5tURUcuN7rn2dS6wm2nxjq1QjavTRHZOY_zmda0XTX5/s960/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHHem0KQyAlgEJkYnB708_iyo7U4LStt7tTwpZIbXIb73z9JZ_uMhOC0dfrjDkdwGqEGi08XlB53LrXHT9-fCaICa5Z8y-VSirdSmjzwxrrAh0Jd-K7Ipwxs5oV5ziukXbvjpKRxdQObsE5tURUcuN7rn2dS6wm2nxjq1QjavTRHZOY_zmda0XTX5/s320/IMG_3576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kindness can be learned and we learn kindness by being kind and acting kind. By putting it into our consciousness and constantly reflecting on what it means to be kind. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know sometimes as humans, it is easier to want to get angry or mad at someone and somebody but the ability to reflect and respond with kindness is what makes us humans and anyone can learn it. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>ability to gently say No and either offer alternative support or probably just let people know that you are sorry you can't be there is kindness. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kindness is not what only a few of us can have, we all have that capacity to be kind. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the same with caring and what creates such a culture is when we see others act with kindness and care for others as well. Either for a cause, a person, or someone on the left or right side of them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used to think I am kind or caring or people used to mention how altruistic I am but the truth is people have shown me what it means to be kind. The people I work with; the strangers that I sometimes meet randomly and just ordinary people show me what it means to just be there for one person.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-56580524441244809232022-12-28T13:28:00.005-08:002022-12-28T13:28:55.911-08:00Weathering the Storm: Leading through adversity<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a great moment speaking at the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria Lead On Conference. I spoke on the panel “Weathering the Storm: Leading through adversity” alongside Onyendikachi Ekwerike, Austine Okorodudu, and Rita Ezenwa-Okoro. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv18uGpWL5sjGivNFt6TyHSe_JkuCXC92rq_g8lWOgIbbkXLc8AinwyMOpeF7UJe-8_PIAn0QIG2Koj6uyWobcEwhtY6QUmH9PwdDL-8kyLVNRlW6MKvfIHXnnU6ctWHmUuwl0dkJOQZnvkqCsTEhJUWPXFUJeh5tNGd8BnUiT-8_zH8pMqx2MDs8/s1440/E1CD9EDC-4666-41A2-9BDE-5AD7992918BA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv18uGpWL5sjGivNFt6TyHSe_JkuCXC92rq_g8lWOgIbbkXLc8AinwyMOpeF7UJe-8_PIAn0QIG2Koj6uyWobcEwhtY6QUmH9PwdDL-8kyLVNRlW6MKvfIHXnnU6ctWHmUuwl0dkJOQZnvkqCsTEhJUWPXFUJeh5tNGd8BnUiT-8_zH8pMqx2MDs8/s320/E1CD9EDC-4666-41A2-9BDE-5AD7992918BA.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The highlights of my talk revolve around three key areas; my story, my work in education and covid-19, and being present.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Many of you must have read my story somewhere or at some place. I have lived in Makoko, <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Bariga and Igbobgbo, Ikorodu and my leadership journey started in those communities. When I was 13, I hawked in Bariga and during those moments, I came to understand the problems and challenges in my communities. I saw people whose conditions were worse than mine. I saw adults whom I am not proud of and I didn't want my life to end that way. When I turned 14, I attended a one-week camp organized by the MTN Foundation and Hope World Wide Foundation, and the leadership lessons stood with me. I found out I could be a solution to my community. I could change my circumstance and I could do things I can ever or never imagine. I started teaching in a basic school at the age of 15 and building capable leaders. My leadership journey started. Access to education and opportunities created the pathway for me, it can do the same for others living in the community where I was raised too. Leading through adversity is a constant journey of self-realization and understanding. As we go through challenges, we birth something new and a vision. Education became my lifeline and it can be for children in rural and underserved communities too.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH3TV0hdzQQ4BhSObkQpVBBFcMZR7szGdQ-goNK19VEL31grCiGuSE6m_uGXHCfo4AZEBt6_1eBQx8teFJ7rzTXFpp1rTEeUh36F3L6OyNMS_rc8JSOVGbsHhRVOLB2ktFs2pPAeHlXXZyXZDpD0eWFKcV71aMIM4BVJUTMqOViMyPVaSPmDJkjAR/s1440/905C41FB-284E-44A3-97A6-523D72F82143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH3TV0hdzQQ4BhSObkQpVBBFcMZR7szGdQ-goNK19VEL31grCiGuSE6m_uGXHCfo4AZEBt6_1eBQx8teFJ7rzTXFpp1rTEeUh36F3L6OyNMS_rc8JSOVGbsHhRVOLB2ktFs2pPAeHlXXZyXZDpD0eWFKcV71aMIM4BVJUTMqOViMyPVaSPmDJkjAR/s320/905C41FB-284E-44A3-97A6-523D72F82143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. The pandemic taught us a lot of lessons and it shows us why organizations need to stick to their why. If you have a why you would always know how to transition and create something out of a crisis. Your why would help you to easily pick, and more importantly having a trusting team. In the wake of Covid, international conferences were shut down. People who have attached their self-worth and why to conferences and programs stopped doing the work and some shut down. The truth is it requires an infinite mindset to play the non-profit or development game but we approach development with a finite mindset. Poverty will continue to exist even when we die. So we need an infinite mindset to continue to work towards ending it and ensuring people continue the movement when we are no more. So to survive during a crisis, organizations need to find a just cause and build teams who can withstand the pressures and challenges that come with a crisis. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Be present! Many times we worry about the future but the opportunities of the future are in the present. For example, the person who will write your recommendation letter or recommend you is beside you. Why do you care about someone in the future who doesn't know you? The people who will get you to the next level are surrounded by you.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic65iCskttrE0iV2KLk-Tw3VsTETgJ_T0i3C0hL5YXKl2X8CFkkMS3Td3pns0djnQRwfqNNH-32P12UFdyTAFyIvrXsdpnIuLwQfPFVvFMhjUnvsPKvaBO7yuXrzAP2wD4ZU5tfvvjMcaUM7u63RBzwVbb1Wn_1_xNhLWChKFxML4nREfQwYkdEa-Q/s1440/3325A47E-DFC1-42CA-A0AD-CC6BBC6263D2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic65iCskttrE0iV2KLk-Tw3VsTETgJ_T0i3C0hL5YXKl2X8CFkkMS3Td3pns0djnQRwfqNNH-32P12UFdyTAFyIvrXsdpnIuLwQfPFVvFMhjUnvsPKvaBO7yuXrzAP2wD4ZU5tfvvjMcaUM7u63RBzwVbb1Wn_1_xNhLWChKFxML4nREfQwYkdEa-Q/s320/3325A47E-DFC1-42CA-A0AD-CC6BBC6263D2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks to Ahmad Adetola-Kazeem and the rest of the MWFAAN executive team for inviting me and for the opportunity to share. I also love the portrait! I am taking it with me to London!</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-9279211474782249112022-12-28T13:21:00.001-08:002022-12-28T13:21:40.779-08:00Leadership and Social Contract<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our ability to survive as a human is bound by each other and with each other. From time memorial, humans have depended on each other to survive. Even when we choose someone to lead us, they are bounded by a social contract. We give them all the perks as leaders knowing that they will protect us in return. In the old days, the King gets whatever they want from the people “food, clothing” In return that when war erupts, the king would protect them. Whenever the king fails to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">protect them, the king has broken a social contract and the people began to rebel. There is nothing wrong in getting the perks of leadership. What is wrong is not protecting our people when they need us!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_w26C_wc5O91QbGjdT5TrHjy_1lrMbUNf88Pie0il6hTuHV2c-TmtLen5vvntpVWhh1vY6Ol3CMF7D8WPM1qkRga_SpfksRbzyVnuc5aFC8zi1TC6TczE9FXSUbOSWoaRdzttH1UNYtODetCDlvA6rZEykc1xsL_w71AgsCtgbVDIcMTjh4mJiR0/s8256/MCS_Dec20_WR_090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_w26C_wc5O91QbGjdT5TrHjy_1lrMbUNf88Pie0il6hTuHV2c-TmtLen5vvntpVWhh1vY6Ol3CMF7D8WPM1qkRga_SpfksRbzyVnuc5aFC8zi1TC6TczE9FXSUbOSWoaRdzttH1UNYtODetCDlvA6rZEykc1xsL_w71AgsCtgbVDIcMTjh4mJiR0/s320/MCS_Dec20_WR_090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They feel a sense of betrayal when we do not show up for them in return or show a sense of concern or care. We have broken the social contract. As leaders, we need to understand the unwritten laws that guides interaction with human beings and how not to betray the trust of the people who have given their blood and sweat to make us thrive! When they give their blood, sweat, and tears, we need to do the same as well and in return.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Volunteers are not people we should look down upon. They deserve respect, love, care, and affection. They deserve recognition. Someone contributing their time to the enterprise deserves a listening hear and we need to think as they serve us, how can we serve them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Likewise, mentees are not errand boys or girls that we can push around or take advantage of because they want to learn from us. We need to treat each mentee with dignity and respect, especially within their boundaries. Learning should be the focus of mentoring not slavery as we see it sometimes. Mentoring is not worshipping but holding somebody's hand to become better so that they can also become a mentor to somebody else! Mentees know too and as mentors, it is your responsibility to listen with care and also learn from their expertise and experience. Remove the power asymmetry that the relationship creates and create a space for dialogue, openness, and learning.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-82162183158903482822022-12-28T13:17:00.001-08:002022-12-28T13:17:14.150-08:00Every rejection is an audition<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would love to share my perception of rejections with you and how I have taken rejections in the past 6 years</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNkHWc1qddJACMhhlZtcKkSr24YbKrH2Mq9Cz0VOVQN6C5n6K_6OJdcM_iiOKYYcA9wFNj8HAqsqqJQOw2O_c1y8M_xPxIa96JC82L4URTsrZNhhMSD5M5uUqs4UYGxPlqeXEnguWBRhZJ37uWKqFQmOg-5V7pWmqEgzsBqnln04sj6bBSTi1dpNQ/s5472/AP2_3270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNkHWc1qddJACMhhlZtcKkSr24YbKrH2Mq9Cz0VOVQN6C5n6K_6OJdcM_iiOKYYcA9wFNj8HAqsqqJQOw2O_c1y8M_xPxIa96JC82L4URTsrZNhhMSD5M5uUqs4UYGxPlqeXEnguWBRhZJ37uWKqFQmOg-5V7pWmqEgzsBqnln04sj6bBSTi1dpNQ/s320/AP2_3270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2016, applied for Mandela Washington Fellowship, Carrington Fellowship, and Young African Leadership Initiative Regional Leadership Center -YALI RLC(My first ever application). Rejected for the three but laid the foundation for my future essays </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2017, reviewed my essays and took the feedback, and made it to the YALI RLC interview twice in the year but didn't make the <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>final cut. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2017, used the experience in applying for the applications mentioned above to apply to United Action for Change Leadership program, the Platform Young Professionals Bootcamp, and African Youth SDGs ($100 partial scholarship). I got into the three. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2017, applied to the Miracle World Corners Young Leaders Access program, Mandela Washington Fellowship for the second time. Proposed a project to help secondary school students in rural communities develop life and vocational skills. Didn't make it through the first stage. The proposal and my MWF response serve as the basis for my Carrington Fellowship application where I proposed the same project. Made it to the interview and ensured that the mistake I made in my previous interviews weren't made. I had grown. I made it to the fellowship. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2018, didn't win the African Development Bank Essay Competition. Turned the rejection into a book “The Africa I dream to See” that has been sold on 3 different continents. Went in for another essay contest and won the top 2-7 out of 513 entries. The first book has led to me publishing a second book. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2019 - applied to 10 scholarships, got rejected in all. The review of those applications led to winning the IDS scholarship at the University of Sussex and also my job as a Regional Manager with Peace First! Turned down the scholarship for the Job. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2019- Used the strategy to win the IDS scholarship to write my Chevening and MasterCard Foundation application and made it into both interviews in 2020 and won the scholarship. My experience in previous interviews I have had played a greater role. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are more or multiple scenarios I can share of how I have dealt with rejections but find my key lessons below </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. The people who are rejecting you are people. Sometimes is not that your application isn't good but they already have a quota to select. So they have to reject someone. If you are in the position too, you will reject somebody. So it's totally fine. The people who reject you are not bad. Empathy and perspective work hand in hand. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Every rejection is an audition. If you look at it really well. You probably have not been rejected. Focus on your wins. Some wins are in the process at times. You have made it to the interview. You have learned to tell your story better. You have learned to write better. You already have your first draft. You can reapply for other similar opportunities. Review your mistakes. Speak to someone about it and apply the knowledge and insight to the next application. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Turn your rejection and anger that comes with a rejection into an opportunity. When my essay didn't get selected for the African Development Bank prize. I wrote a book out of it. Now I am an Author- a celebrated one with it. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Reflect on your rejections. When you do that, you will be able to see loopholes and that would open your eyes to how you can be better. It could be building more credibility or skills that would put you in a better position. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every rejection is not a life sentence or a slip that shows that you are not good enough. It's an audition and an opportunity to be better than who you are yesterday. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every rejection is an audition</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-11571168952903258382022-12-28T09:25:00.001-08:002022-12-28T09:25:22.809-08:00Independence Day - October 1st 2022<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remembered a colleague at work asking me about Nigeria and all. Asking me about my allegiance to the country. I said I am a Nigerian first before anything else and I understand that many people would want to say bad things about the country. Yes, I take responsibility for the bad things because it is what it is. I also would take responsibility for the good things and there is no better analogy to explain that with two prayers! May Nigerian not to happen to you? This prayer </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">is deeply rooted in some of the policy problems that needs to be fixed in the country and how the system may frustrate you from banditry, corruption, and kidnapping. However, nobody talks about may Nigeria happen to you. When I served in Edo State, my landlady would cook for me and we would all share. I would also get from their farm produce. I have seen people rally around to support a stranger who have lost their ways. One of the beautiful people you can find on earth are Nigerians but no one speaks about that. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlWtpTF-mZ5GBpSLpTp0KPt5eFjYuLohWle3kCfTy9nxto9ZLwC-X-0rv1iIzdzz6iN1SrHZEG0L06ZEtpS74uaGv_v89aGsu_opbUhQJ9qAFl4k3f8pNCNQ243eNFX8q6Pikv0vU0jRpg0Y3rjtqBPMwyAwvdNDLHo8tpIRie5phr6aQPzl12ePI/s1080/310168571_5641236009255201_1973256351836364086_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlWtpTF-mZ5GBpSLpTp0KPt5eFjYuLohWle3kCfTy9nxto9ZLwC-X-0rv1iIzdzz6iN1SrHZEG0L06ZEtpS74uaGv_v89aGsu_opbUhQJ9qAFl4k3f8pNCNQ243eNFX8q6Pikv0vU0jRpg0Y3rjtqBPMwyAwvdNDLHo8tpIRie5phr6aQPzl12ePI/s320/310168571_5641236009255201_1973256351836364086_n.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was back in Nigeria some few weeks ago and it is so good to reconnect with the Nigerian spirit again. To see people wake up at 4:30 am early in the morning to ensure they can put food on the table for their kids or they can afford to pay for school fees. I saw commercial bike riders, who have know choice but to work in the rain so that they can pay back the loan they owe. I was in Abuja too and I saw how people hustle in traffic to sell and the same in Lagos. People not wanting to steal and all they demand is at least Good Governance and the ability to live a decent life. I engaged Uber drivers on policy issues and I could recall engaging a female bolt driver, who is on the street to enable her cater for her family and there is just so much wisdom she possessed and her believe that someday, change would happen. I saw Nigerians hinging to hope and brimming with pride. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know sometimes, when you are out of the country, the news that kept coming are the bad news but there are good news too. There are two sides to a coin and it's high time we start focusing on the other coin of the Nigerian story. The “May Nigeria Happen to You” prayer. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And for those leaving the country (myself inclusive), that no matter where we go, we would always be Nigerians, and even, if we have dual citizenship, you would always be asked, what is your other country? If anything happens on the outside, we will still fall back on the inside! It's our home and there is no place like one’s land. The heart always knows where the home is and we need to reckon with that. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today, I am celebrating Nigerians! Who will wake up with smiles every morning and still go to work despite the hardship. I am celebrating Nigerians who will decide to look out for their neighbors and provide them with shelters. I am celebrating Nigerians who believe there is a dividend in labour and work hard because they believe in hard work. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter where I go, where I visit, or where I live, I am a Nigerian first before anything else. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-57344256558573611762022-12-28T09:20:00.003-08:002022-12-28T09:20:46.452-08:00My One Year Anniversary at Refugee Education UK (REUK)<div><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_38u" style="padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xdj266r x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is so great to be celebrating my one-year anniversary at <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/RefugeeEdUK?__cft__[0]=AZVay3vuRdCadR3cB0XepY3LiQUemVtdtNKTnWBc7vaVukSTONqcbjPjy9Xk2OjrSK6mY3R8wdCxvcmkQOEk9YWlcUtDdLFiSMaUqgTvSoKvH1V5-5Nue-sRjPvf8ZTea5BokKDuZOasA5rkLqtnX76A22ItLE2VkcmOTkDKk7bV3jTHC0dxpG3nOz8qHdFmRa4&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline;">Refugee Education UK</span></a> (REUK). </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfuYHJwUiuxtrwAgILWCHyt9npFNxWb_nNQ5upAcUVIpkd5nUppu2PzuMoCmkpv9rhB9-2-IZeb6U_eeeXiFfyAzG9j57wc15YHN-DSJ4wAcWfOfanoeGlWMAaXSxZM39kDZ8P-9Ou3w4Xukp81pAshviyhwcMRfQC6Dugm0SXD9nXAkYdUEPOrjF/s4032/IMG_1582.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfuYHJwUiuxtrwAgILWCHyt9npFNxWb_nNQ5upAcUVIpkd5nUppu2PzuMoCmkpv9rhB9-2-IZeb6U_eeeXiFfyAzG9j57wc15YHN-DSJ4wAcWfOfanoeGlWMAaXSxZM39kDZ8P-9Ou3w4Xukp81pAshviyhwcMRfQC6Dugm0SXD9nXAkYdUEPOrjF/s320/IMG_1582.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I joined in November 2021 after completing my Masters. I was new to the Refugee Education sector in the UK and REUK trusted me to coordinate and lead the Educational Mentoring Programme for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in West London and at some point East London and now I am leading both hubs. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As someone who loves to see change happen, I couldn't see it immediately and at every <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>point, I am always reassured by my colleagues and manager that I am doing a great job. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6 months down the road and now 1 year, I am proud of what I have achieved so far. From seeing a young person who could barely speak English at all when they arrived in the UK to hearing them speaking confidently, watching YouTube videos, and BBC documentaries to constantly improve themselves, and seeing them smashing it in college brings me so much joy. To see a young person who had felt isolated in the past but because of their mentoring relationship is now open to learning, and feeling positive about life and education in general. And to seeing mentors learn about the challenges that refugees and asylum seekers face in the UK and how that has deepened the support that they give brings me loads of joy and being at the center of these relationships has made me more patient, self-aware, and learning that truly, change takes time and change is also in the small things, not the big ones. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This work has rekindled my view of hope, that hope means trying and believing that the future would be better. And education can serve as a lifeline and a symbol of hope for young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know and understand that some people believe that Refugees and Asylum seekers create a burden on the Economy but I beg to differ. I recently visited a college in West London and every young refugee and asylum seeker I spoke to were all positive about education. They are willing to learn and do the hard work. They are just as bright as many other young people and all we have to do is to remove the barriers that deny access and allow them to focus on education. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am so proud of doing this work and I am glad I have dedicated one year of my life to this cause. I look forward to the next year. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I used to say, I don’t know what the future holds for me. I honestly don’t know how it would be. What it would look like but I am sure that I would be committed to being there for one child, one young person who probably their circumstance was affected by forced migration or just the environment they found themselves in (underserved or rural communities). And I believe education can change their circumstance and equip them with the tool to transform themselves and their communities. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I started at REUK, I quoted a friend Farai Munjoma. He said “Some of us are not looking for a job, we are looking for a mission” </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am glad I found that mission in REUK and also the right culture to live the mission.</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; overflow: hidden;"><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 12px;"><div><div class=" xq8finb x16n37ib" style="margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np x150jy0e x1e558r4 xjkvuk6 x1iorvi4 xwrv7xz x8182xy x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px -2px; padding: 4px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 xdt5ytf x193iq5w xeuugli x1r8uery x1iyjqo2 xs83m0k xg83lxy x1h0ha7o x10b6aqq x1yrsyyn" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 1 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; padding: 6px 2px; position: relative; text-align: justify; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="Send this to friends or post it on your timeline." class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x3nfvp2 x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1ey2m1c xds687c xg01cxk x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy x1ebt8du x19991ni x1dhq9h" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="border-radius: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="xzueoph" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 6px;"></div></div></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-48237239557679953252022-12-28T09:16:00.005-08:002022-12-28T09:16:26.883-08:003 Trends I Noticed in Scholarship Applications<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read a couple of applications last month for scholarships. There are some great ones and there are some that still need to be worked on. However, here are three trends that I noticed. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zciSTau-2XKqlc41ERH8h_tL9EahIzvL0kAu56Bnv-iByijye9VP7obOqqZZn6mPQVEq-0DAvDmQr5E72vZnnzrDuHQqiE8QME1-CfdsqBv9lAPpF8i0NcUnjWLdQZ11sRu0SISnYmex6rGHfpU2pXzSGayYsTaUZ5SvdJY1H2MM6n6XHHrUgnZ2/s960/315840557_5775971155781685_4249168779160533862_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zciSTau-2XKqlc41ERH8h_tL9EahIzvL0kAu56Bnv-iByijye9VP7obOqqZZn6mPQVEq-0DAvDmQr5E72vZnnzrDuHQqiE8QME1-CfdsqBv9lAPpF8i0NcUnjWLdQZ11sRu0SISnYmex6rGHfpU2pXzSGayYsTaUZ5SvdJY1H2MM6n6XHHrUgnZ2/s320/315840557_5775971155781685_4249168779160533862_n.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. The desire to win the scholarship is not there. This means they have less research about the scholarship and the university they want to go to. They just want to submit a manuscript and just want to add to the number of submitted applications. From the essay, I know when someone has <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>researched enough, written to lecturers, spoken to alumni, read about the school, and has a clear plan of what they want. Do not be a lazy applicant. If you cannot research to come up with a strong and distinctive essay, how do you intend to cope with the academic rigor? You need to show that truly you are worth investing in and deserve the scholarship.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. You need context and stories. I recently saw a movie where a person was applying to grad school and said in their motivation letter, "I want to change the world" You need to tell us how do you want to change the world and what are you already doing to make that happen. Context and being explicit are key. "I want to be the next big thing" Tell us how you want to be the next big thing. "I want to make an impact and I am passionate about that" Tell us how you want to make an impact by showing us a plan for that and how it aligns with your career progressions. Show us in your essay how passionate you are.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Answer the Question: You need to understand and reflect on the question. What are the elements of the questions? What is the prompt saying? While it is important to start writing your answers, you need to also give room for reflection to understand what the question is saying and develop your thoughts or the thesis upon which your response to the prompts question would be built on. You have to be able to think and that is why you are called a scholar if you win a scholarship and deserve to be in a graduate school. Think before you write and understand what the question is saying.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope this is helpful and best of luck.</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-88986237865212011872022-12-28T09:12:00.003-08:002022-12-28T09:12:59.892-08:00My Role at the British Red Cross<p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">09/11/2022 happens to be my last day at the British Red Cross as the Young Refugee Project Coordinator for the Hammersmith Refugee and Befriending (RnB) programme where I support young refugees and asylum seekers within West London and its environs to develop life skills, increase their confidence and develop their English language skills in an informal setting. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBWoRSZRAF1eqg2C-QGof731Tp2ppdpFFmNP7Dlk90JTZSpQVWK-PboCewg8vbaFqb0dwOHV-1nB6L5NwoN_DKDSrsgmcJDBpKn9N6w3Sn2bP3tp_fAxrL4BJdabl70ibmAar5dJC-P_QU7-ALUUhouLt_2yfIUHm86bgBY1QuAA9fafJfaS8rpyb/s4032/IMG_1656.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBWoRSZRAF1eqg2C-QGof731Tp2ppdpFFmNP7Dlk90JTZSpQVWK-PboCewg8vbaFqb0dwOHV-1nB6L5NwoN_DKDSrsgmcJDBpKn9N6w3Sn2bP3tp_fAxrL4BJdabl70ibmAar5dJC-P_QU7-ALUUhouLt_2yfIUHm86bgBY1QuAA9fafJfaS8rpyb/s320/IMG_1656.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was 9 months of learning, designing weekly life skills sessions, and summer trips to ensure they are able to </span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">integrate into the UK and develop skills that would make them capable adults. I mean recently we had a partnership with the English Football League (EFL) and I took some of our young people to play football with the Queen Park Rangers Community group and also watch a match between QPR vs Reading. It's really great to see how they come out of such programmes or outing with so much energy, and just brimming in smiles. It is always great to see those wonderful smiles week in, week out and how they are being hopeful despite the adversities and challenges that they face in accessing local services, education, and opportunities to live a well-rounded life. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter what is happening on the outside, once I meet these young people, sharing, eating together, and playing games together just rekindled my spirit and believe that the future is bright and the people who will bring that change are these young people. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In one of our recent trips during the half term, one of the young people said, “Everytime I get to talk to you, there is always something new I get to learn. Thank you very much Hammed” Another said “You are a good person Walahi” Tears nearly roll down my eyes hearing that and it shows how I am going to miss this crew but it also reinforces my belief that change is not in the big things but the small things that we do consistently that translate into bigger impact.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The British Red Cross RnB models what a youth community group should be and look like for refugees and asylum seekers and I look forward to continuing to engage with the community. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Grateful for the opportunity to work and serve here</span></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PS: Started working part-time with the British Red Cross Young Refugees Service team at the beginning of March and Iam grateful for the experience.</span></span></p><div><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; overflow: hidden;"><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 12px;"><div><div class=" xq8finb x16n37ib" style="margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np x150jy0e x1e558r4 xjkvuk6 x1iorvi4 xwrv7xz x8182xy x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px -2px; padding: 4px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 xdt5ytf x193iq5w xeuugli x1r8uery x1iyjqo2 xs83m0k xg83lxy x1h0ha7o x10b6aqq x1yrsyyn" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 1 0px; font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; padding: 6px 2px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="Send this to friends or post it on your timeline." class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x3nfvp2 x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1ey2m1c xds687c xg01cxk x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy x1ebt8du x19991ni x1dhq9h" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="border-radius: inherit; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="xzueoph" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 6px;"></div></div></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-7605139416187300762022-12-28T09:07:00.001-08:002022-12-28T09:07:30.669-08:00My Self Paradigm <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reflected on my life and I noticed a thread on how I have been able to navigate challenges and relationships with people. And I noticed there is a “Self Paradigm” that guides my interaction with life and others. I titled it the “S’s” and find them below.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyekR3QCkMj0PBWVk4cUBLFiqMZTtVIGc2f6GQlWNtI32SxrvRspLkZUga4wlo0BR62xD7FuJxblU86m4bVL_0VFWMDeyPkb7WK7ANLpcfKE5AcfCQj6p7Do9oFQ7CxcFRnYte8o5t6Z6iw_e6ccl33JtyJGiFqFVPHubsHePFCT2Nqq6qvMpI1m2/s2048/313424910_5762157840496350_2050595600144178856_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyekR3QCkMj0PBWVk4cUBLFiqMZTtVIGc2f6GQlWNtI32SxrvRspLkZUga4wlo0BR62xD7FuJxblU86m4bVL_0VFWMDeyPkb7WK7ANLpcfKE5AcfCQj6p7Do9oFQ7CxcFRnYte8o5t6Z6iw_e6ccl33JtyJGiFqFVPHubsHePFCT2Nqq6qvMpI1m2/s320/313424910_5762157840496350_2050595600144178856_n.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Self Awareness: I tried to constantly understand myself, who am I? Why am I doing what I am doing? What is my journey? And how is it different from other people’s journeys? Knowing who I am kind of helps me deal with any <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>challenges that are coming from outside and helps my relationship with others as well. If you don't have peace on the inside, there is no way you can with the outside. I would not allow what is going on with me affect another person. It is none of their business that I am going through what I am going through. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Self-conversation: To be self-aware, you need constantly speak to yourself and it goes back to the questions I asked myself in the Self Awareness paradigm. Why am I feeling this way? Why am I jealous? Why do I feel resented? What happened? Why was I rejected? So I have honest conversations with myself and it helps me process things. It is the same when I receive feedback. What did I do wrong? Oh, I should not have done this or that. I can be better next time. Having a self-conversation could also mean you journal or write your thoughts down to better process it and it makes you more aware of who you are and the darkness within you and also recognize the lights. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Self-criticality: I reflect a lot on my words and what I do and say. I try to challenge myself a lot and hold myself to high moral standards. If I tell people not to do something, I should not be the one at the forefront of doing it. I mean, it is the same with how I lead people and my organization. To achieve self-criticality or at the center of it is self-evaluation. To currently know where I am at? How am I doing? What am I doing correctly or wrongly? What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to keep doing? What is it that I am calling myself that I am not? This kind of helps me a lot and helps me to improve, grow and develop. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Self Compassion: This is the last one in my “SELF” paradigm. I am human, I would make mistakes that's fine. The ability to reflect on the mistake, forgive ourselves, and work on it is what makes us human. For example, some words we should not have said to others. Some judgments we should not have made. Some wrong assumptions. That's fine at times, we need to forgive ourselves and move on. Self-compassion helps us to reflect on our mistakes, forgive ourselves, and become better humans. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am still reflecting on this “Self paradigm” and I hope to continue to learn through that lens and grow. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-62820606782829246152022-12-28T09:03:00.002-08:002022-12-28T09:03:41.684-08:00My wins and I am grateful<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xdj266r x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mid-October, I was kind of having mixed feelings about where I am currently at. Some few rejections, some few wins, and after having a conversation with a friend. I did not know when I said “Why am I ungrateful? I looked back at all I have done this year and I am so proud and I am grateful. It is worth a journey to be proud of. I also asked myself why I felt that way. I noticed it was caused by stress and mental boggling that did not allow me to pay attention to what truly <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>matters but about moving and moving. I also noticed I nearly lose myself helping others that I had forgotten to learn how to choose myself. This was one of the most honest and difficult conversations I had to have with myself and it led me to make some difficult choices which I would explain in another post. However tracking back to the beginning of the year until now, I am proud of a few wins; </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5YgH4xrhWgx-AYKYFq4ZLQA9J3lXNeBTqgAoSzb4FOOQRhw8u_1fNrMBo3OGaQ7GpbFjLh3XSRaEyvIjHANm4lRTSHqbwkEzjXU-GtsQT7BtRcj5t_5-fccioWAQBnArkFSjmwGUmMLN76kkfIOw62OILa6nA5ikLrf-0BVAzzH0nzyRkkVXRk8n/s3840/3-0322.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="3840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5YgH4xrhWgx-AYKYFq4ZLQA9J3lXNeBTqgAoSzb4FOOQRhw8u_1fNrMBo3OGaQ7GpbFjLh3XSRaEyvIjHANm4lRTSHqbwkEzjXU-GtsQT7BtRcj5t_5-fccioWAQBnArkFSjmwGUmMLN76kkfIOw62OILa6nA5ikLrf-0BVAzzH0nzyRkkVXRk8n/s320/3-0322.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. One of the two organizations that won the Oxford-Rhodes Scholars African Impact Finance Initiative Grant of about 1,097,000 (£1500) to scale Skill2Rural Bootcamp to five states and adopted blended learning to cascade 21st century and life skills lessons to 200 children in rural and underserved communities. And we have reached 4 states out of 5 already. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Invited to attend the Pre-summit of Transforming Education Summit at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and an opportunity to speak as a youth delegate to ministers and world leaders from different countries advocating for quality education with a focus on life and 21st-century skills. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. At the same event, I had the opportunity to be featured in the World Bank <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/end?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWV1zPu5wVTXFYx4WJCyIW5lOH06jLOLFs0aedSGlR9n03ogT3Do-6UbPPj5tQd6g2qjQxaoFWgg8EvUk_y90RWzAJZ1TznYyhM9jnNlwWZvGaDIajopbpTH2MHtL-nPe65mQQg60t-gPXzi31fSgXLDEA4xo1XBZcJ97DiQscbMA&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#End</a> Learning Poverty Campaign and called world leaders to prioritize basic education. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Invited as a guest lecturer by Open University in the UK where I taught MSc how they can use storytelling to communicate their dissertation to different stakeholders. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Worked as a Young Refugee Project coordinator with the British Red Cross and support at least 10 - 15 young refugees and asylum seekers every week to develop life skills, and increase their confidence and ability to learn English in an informal setting. I did this for 9 months at stretch and I am glad to see how some have started to aspire for a better future. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. Increased my capacity at Refugee Education UK, where I get to coordinate the educational mentoring programme in both East and West London and watch some of my young people progress in their education through the support they receive from their mentors. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. As a board member at Peace First, supported the transition to welcome new Co-CEOs. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">7. As a member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers, Edinburgh hub, got into the Climate Reality Accelerator programme. And recently selected and recognized in the Climate 75 list of the University of Edinburgh Alumni driving sustainability. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. Published my book in Nigeria 5 years: 10 Lessons Life Taught Me. Had over 50 people in attendance at the Learn Event at the American Corner in Lagos. Sold over 100 copies and led to hundreds of thousands of sales in Naira and gotten amazing reviews. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">9. Had a couple of features from the University of Edinburgh, Stories from Nigeria, Smooths Fm, Susa Africa, and many more. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">10. Wrote over 20 Recommendation letters and it's inspiring to see a few outcomes of those.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">11. Through KLCI, gave out 450,000 Naira grants to support teachers-in-training development in Nigeria and lead to innovation in solving educational challenges in underserved communities in Nigeria. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">12. Presented at the University of Edinburgh Teaching and Learning Conference on the MasterCard Foundation “Identity in Transition” project where I worked as a Research assistant and contributed to the development of a booklet and toolkits to support African- international students' transition into Higher Education institutions in Europe and North America </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">13. Spoke at over 20 virtual and physical events driving youth and educational policy change in Nigeria and Africa at large + event that supports young people to develop personally. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At this point, there are things I can't even remember. From one on one consultations to the organizational impact we have made at KLCI and showing up for the causes that I strongly believe in. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looking back, I am so so proud of the journey and I am grateful. Sometimes, we need to reflect to find the connections and keep ourselves in check and not lose ourselves and rest when it matters.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I bet you forgot that I had 4 twice.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Caption: Throwback to this portrait it took at the UNESCO headquarters that I never get to share. </span></div></div><div><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="xzueoph" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 6px;"></div></div></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-3650396901120254772022-12-28T08:56:00.005-08:002022-12-28T08:56:48.897-08:00What I want to be known for?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was having a conversation with a friend someday and she asked me what I want to be remembered for. The question coincide with my recent reflections and I responded, “while I want to be known for bigger and greater things, I think what matters to me are the small things. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKN_OUInwMFfCdVKY56dbCmkojQvUW8QB7BN9S5DFFy_Y0mgL006QRvK8SohPCvYx4G8F75aiyCgOXdiVihyFenyPm4Ok7H0n0309kGfEbUM3Yi_VKCmrWQMgS8S8RzOtdvsSEJmRC8pzF6UBVw8JjODCt3UAv46WVyVhmvWJPgFqTBKO7My7gTcV/s3840/3-0330.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="3840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKN_OUInwMFfCdVKY56dbCmkojQvUW8QB7BN9S5DFFy_Y0mgL006QRvK8SohPCvYx4G8F75aiyCgOXdiVihyFenyPm4Ok7H0n0309kGfEbUM3Yi_VKCmrWQMgS8S8RzOtdvsSEJmRC8pzF6UBVw8JjODCt3UAv46WVyVhmvWJPgFqTBKO7My7gTcV/s320/3-0330.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as someone who was a great colleague at work and people enjoyed working with me and I bring the best out of them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as being a good flatmate and if this means <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>asking people how their day goes and how they are doing because we live with people who sometimes may be going through something we do not know. And what they need is how are you? I want to be known for that person. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered that I was a good father, a positive role model to my kids when I have one. That I looked after them and cared for them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as a good husband when that happens and care desperately for my wife. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as a good CEO, who looked after those who are in his care and help them to reach their truest potential and they would remember that because of him, I achieved things I thought I could never achieve or imagine. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as a good friend who listened and be there to share in struggles and wins. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as a good and patriotic citizens who respect the rule of law and worked hard to make his country and community a better place. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be remembered as a global citizen, who found a way to at least give a little bit or piece of myself wherever I found myself in. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And I honestly don't want to be everything. I just want to be a piece in the life of one person, one child, maybe one community, maybe a country someday or the continent, if that ever happens and people had look back and say because of him I didn't give up or because of him I started believing that I can be whatever I wanted to be and be a positive change to myself and community.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-70778169682057986262022-12-28T08:52:00.002-08:002022-12-28T08:52:11.909-08:00My Reflection and Burning Out<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In September, I visited Nigeria and I really enjoyed my time. In fact, the heart knows where the home is. I did a lot of work regarding my initiative at KLCI, met a couple of people, in between an important application that ended up in rejection, run a learn event and I didn't pay attention to my physical and mental health. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUuUTGWof1h26ipqGFUUn78nlH5odj7e7M3gu_BaubWRLN54rKxMgN1eSb15n7k-1WwSEY1jgVG-PSHJBkPl2C-YXfeUiWd25bWLLSUoIMrgpJTIAPX8LhpygT7nBaySo-7feDQ-x4lOAEK9yPMUFZWu9kFMkv4vaE0a-az9F1Pwag--wiSMH49gz/s5600/GLP_5499.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="5600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUuUTGWof1h26ipqGFUUn78nlH5odj7e7M3gu_BaubWRLN54rKxMgN1eSb15n7k-1WwSEY1jgVG-PSHJBkPl2C-YXfeUiWd25bWLLSUoIMrgpJTIAPX8LhpygT7nBaySo-7feDQ-x4lOAEK9yPMUFZWu9kFMkv4vaE0a-az9F1Pwag--wiSMH49gz/s320/GLP_5499.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I came back to the UK and I jumped straight into work and I had a breakdown not just physically but mentally. I was receiving loads of text messages, and <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>emails and every single message were one help or the other. Either someone wants me to look through something or jump into a call with them and I truly want to help and but I was not just in the right space. It seems my jobs and contracts I were on were also crumbling and I could not move forward. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could recall going to bed one of the nights and saying that I had to get my acts together. Jordan Peterson said, “People only admire people who have gotten their act together.” So I had this honest conversation, uncomfortable and difficult conversation with myself and I am like what is causing this stress? I puzzled. I needed to know what the problem is and devise a solution. This is what it means to be self-aware. Then I found out I was taken on too much. Maybe too many jobs and contracts. Well, those contracts pay the bills. What if you can't drop them? Well maybe drop one of them. What if that affects your upkeep? Or maybe have in mind you will drop one, while you are searching for an alternative but you need to ensure you give your best if you choose to keep them. More so, you can't bail out totally because they also align with your vision and you love doing such work. So, I said to myself it seems I reached a mark there. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So asides from this what is causing you stress, well “Social Media” the number of messages you receive in your inbox, those asking every moment check your dm or the buzz that comes with it. Yes “Social Media” is needed to communicate my work and values but this time I would be in charge of it. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also noticed I was sleeping really late and probably getting 4, 5 - 6 hours of sleep because I was busy responding to people and reviewing applications or taking some 1-2-1 calls. I found out this is one of the reasons why I am burnt out and probably reducing my productivity. I needed to change this. So immediately I put on my calendar sleep at 9:00 pm and wake up at least 5:30 am and get at least 7, 8 - 9 hours of sleep. This has changed my life. I also put my phone on airplane mode during these moments and it has saved me a ton of calls I would have received late in the night. If someone is angry that they have been trying to reach me. I communicate this to them and I am setting and teaching boundaries. Which has helped me a whole lot. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also noticed what do I need to do to be more active and get my day started with a boost. I started adding exercise to my daily routine after my early morning prayers. So I started Jogging 2 Kilometers for at least 5 days a week. I don't also check my phone first or social media when I wake up, it was a bad habit and it was not a good way to start the day. So I kept it away. On my way to work, I listened to podcasts and nourish myself. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also cut the number of hot chocolates I was having in the office. In fact, I have not had any in the past month and 2 weeks. Great progress. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Honestly, making some of these changes were difficult but they were needed and I am in better control of my physical and mental health now. In fact, exercise helps with the flow of oxygen to the brain which is needed to be productive and get the job done and I am seeing the results. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So for people who thought I was away in October, no I wasn't, I was just figuring out life and my restorative niches, finding myself, and getting myself back on track as I have always been. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some key lessons from this experience </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. When you are stressed whether mentally, physically, or emotionally; you need to understand where the problem is. What is the problem? If you can't define the problem and critically analyze you can't find a way forward. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. You need to learn to accept that you have a problem to solve them. One of the things I don't do in the past is that I tend to add stress to stress and when stress signs show up, I ignore them. I have learned to know that there can be physical and mental limits. There are limits to what you can take. More so, you can't lead with a broken body. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. If you give room for Social Media, it would control your life. Balance is key. People would continue to live their life. Not responding immediately is not the end of the world when is not urgent or life-threatening. Urgent here is also relative because if you ask people their asks are always urgent. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Order your life. When you add ordering to your work and life, you become more productive. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. When you do something good for yourself first thing in the morning. You are off to a great start. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. Don't always assume that people know. They would continue to knock if you don't communicate your boundaries and act on them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">7. Find your restorative niches. Find ways to get back on track. For me, I now know that I need to take intermittent social media breaks and the inspiration I get from those breaks is the best ever. I have had more content to share or post than ever. In fact, I have content to share in the whole of November. This is one of them. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. Do not be scared to make small changes to your life. Exercise, stopping hot chocolate, sleeping early, and spending less time on social media has been really instrumental to my growth in just one month. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are many more lessons I wanted to share but I am glad that I am able to self-reflect and walk myself through this journey. I hope you would find the courage from these experiences to make smaller changes too. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-31735988515974045952022-12-28T08:48:00.001-08:002022-12-28T08:48:28.758-08:0010 lessons life taught me this year - 2022<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every year I reflect on and document my life lessons and journey and here is the one for 2022:</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQsd6XZXqrUr4nD2Xz2l7X_txwzNWK6ORq7F5CyuivlqV6E66RoxRVXen3XmISdCBLtsBaNXl-UYxGXxSu2rHB8bq-A7amKToJ5ohOa406Sa-GIzQJrRvAIsOIlHcg3058_ivGIKhFBX26fIdg4rDK8cC2Lx_Q5HW2n8UZ1XalbNajZSZZ05esZ9V/s4032/IMG_8716.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQsd6XZXqrUr4nD2Xz2l7X_txwzNWK6ORq7F5CyuivlqV6E66RoxRVXen3XmISdCBLtsBaNXl-UYxGXxSu2rHB8bq-A7amKToJ5ohOa406Sa-GIzQJrRvAIsOIlHcg3058_ivGIKhFBX26fIdg4rDK8cC2Lx_Q5HW2n8UZ1XalbNajZSZZ05esZ9V/s320/IMG_8716.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Sometimes to move forward, you have to move backward. You have to pick the battles again and start all over. The truth is if you have experience, you would not wait in your current position for long before you catalyze and move on to greater things. When I finished my MSc it was as if I was starting all over again, it took me a while to <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>understand that sometimes to move forward, one has to start again from the scratch. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Your journey is different from other people's journeys. Learn to focus on your core and why. It would save you a ton when it feels like others are moving forward and you are regressing. The truth is you are not regressing but growing in your area of calling. The challenge most times is recognising those little growths and progress we make every day. Pay attention to your growth. You are not doing badly as you think. Sometimes it is your head making things up. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Whenever you are burnt out, understand the problem and work towards fixing it. More so, find your restorative niches i.e., know when it is getting too much and when you need to take a break and bring yourself back on track. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Learn to choose yourself too and always consider yourself in the equation. It is good to give but also put yourself at the centre of that as well. Ensure you are giving (time, and money) sustainably without burning out. While there are people who will choose you when shifts come to shafts, many would choose themselves first when you hit rock bottom. Create a balance between choosing yourself and others. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. Have honest and difficult conversations with yourself. It is the most uncomfortable conversation that we have with ourselves that signals areas of growth and improvement. Those conversations have saved me a ton and allowed me to reflect on what truly matters. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. Most times we focus on what we need to do to get us to the next level but we do not think about what we need to stop doing that hinders us from getting to the next level. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">7. Always take a detour and embrace new challenges and changes. It is in those changes and making those difficult choices to change what we do not like about ourselves that signal new opportunities and advancement. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. We are an experience over time. Your previous experiences would always count. The people you meet, and the network you build would always come in handy when you need them. Always learn to build an experience. We are an experience over time. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">9. Process always wins. Pay attention to the process. Preparation is part of the process, how much are you prepared and need an opportunity determines whether you will get it or not. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">10. Find your way back to self and identify activities in your life that bring you back to who you are. Sometimes the people you see and an environment might want to blind your uniqueness and you may want to start thinking that you are not made for more. You are made for more. Go all out again, break barriers. Do the most challenging things. Build, learn and rebuild. You must always find your way back to who you are, your existence, and your core. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As of now, I am thinking about more lessons that life has taught me this year and hopefully, I would share them in my end-of-the-year post, if I find the courage to make one.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-90933948459787693822022-07-15T11:45:00.000-07:002022-07-15T11:45:01.244-07:00My Speech at the UNESCO Pre-Summit of the Transforming Education Summit at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris<p><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I spoke on the 30th June, 2022 at the one of the UNESCO Pre-Summit of Transforming Education Action Tracks alongside other world leaders and I shared from the youth perspective and share my work in the education space.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Please find and read my talking points below;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cx8Dhdz8Ku9cphzEvqBQRvWDJBBUU8T8oAEODu5T1erH4i29I0E-FdFiMJWFhA8WfyH4EMMHtseROlgN5c1Xppdq6F8XEgjedgmdk-LK7P4swoHKt1btUvE_CxSnBYKuS6xJfYB7EgsMCo9vOXHNlgB8hDOd5pXWkTHkd7SpPbQS7-pBnZ4A3xDX/s6480/52183256367_883f1f383d_o.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="6480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cx8Dhdz8Ku9cphzEvqBQRvWDJBBUU8T8oAEODu5T1erH4i29I0E-FdFiMJWFhA8WfyH4EMMHtseROlgN5c1Xppdq6F8XEgjedgmdk-LK7P4swoHKt1btUvE_CxSnBYKuS6xJfYB7EgsMCo9vOXHNlgB8hDOd5pXWkTHkd7SpPbQS7-pBnZ4A3xDX/s320/52183256367_883f1f383d_o.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>First and foremost, we need to define what education means and how it can serve as a tool to transform an individual, especially children living in underserved communities, prepare them for the future of work, and enable them to change their circumstances and solve their problems.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Education is a lifelong process that equips an individual with the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values to solve societal problems. This is what the school should do and prepare learners for. Education is needed as a piece to complete the jigsaw puzzle of a child. For example, what happens when a child does not have access to core foundational literacy and numeracy skills, they are not able to learn higher-order cognitive skills that are needed in the ever-changing workforce today.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">While literacy and numeracy skills won't be my core focus, I would like to talk about the learning deficiency affecting students in rural and underserved communities. The lack of the environment, space, opportunities, and resources to develop core life and 21st-century skills could affect the opportunity that they get in the future in the ever-changing world.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One of the ways I have been working towards this is through organizing a Bootcamp Skill2Rural, where children in underserved identify problems within their community, work in groups and co-create solutions to them. Such boot camp requires a lower literacy level. Children naturally are curious and creative so we need to create a space for them to harness and explore their creativity and encourage collaboration, and adaptive, critical, and reflective thinking. These are the skills that are needed now and in the future. I have seen children in rural communities create mechanized farms, mobile clinics, and community tech labs, and commit to new careers that would be geared toward solving societal problems. This is what transforming education means.</span><div><br /></div><div><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lastly, we should all know that to transform education, we cannot do it without the readiness and commitment of the learners themselves. So, we need to constantly engage them beyond one-off intervention and remove barriers that may disable access to complete the puzzle i.e. this could be ensuring they have access to scholarships to complete basic and higher education. Access to proper meals, provide food vouchers, engage their parents, and provide adequate mentoring and educational advice. Skills sometimes are not enough, we need to think about other enablers to transform education.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><a data-attribute-index="0" href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=transformingeducation&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A6948388887115304960" style="background-color: white; border: var(--artdeco-reset-link-border-zero); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: var(--font-weight-bold); line-height: inherit !important; margin: var(--artdeco-reset-base-margin-zero); padding: var(--artdeco-reset-base-padding-zero); position: relative; text-decoration: var(--artdeco-reset-link-text-decoration-none); touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: var(--artdeco-reset-base-vertical-align-baseline);">#TransformingEducation</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Watch the video of my speech <a href="https://youtu.be/Cgx_MqgjQr8" target="_blank">here</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-31390105957423439912022-07-15T11:39:00.006-07:002022-07-15T14:49:28.437-07:00The letter to my Mother<p><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Dear Mother,</span></p><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I hope today you will look down on me with great pride and you will be proud of what I am becoming.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAgHVJgYk5E6yhe_PQz3AHx1CyadJilyf-I1GV1OPCVKNY2yLbXigEH1f-1KWJ6DHwFw5yXR73MkPNOQNxXxN04BYTvSrOOSbTg6ztg_ywfQE39oXtaAVXwTWZY5e-5laj1F6ORKUECIk-bG0DU7uNn_tjtqoeTC2AIvUff8-xr8kL7vx856dJXeD/s6480/52184275543_8d445d77d1_o.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="6480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAgHVJgYk5E6yhe_PQz3AHx1CyadJilyf-I1GV1OPCVKNY2yLbXigEH1f-1KWJ6DHwFw5yXR73MkPNOQNxXxN04BYTvSrOOSbTg6ztg_ywfQE39oXtaAVXwTWZY5e-5laj1F6ORKUECIk-bG0DU7uNn_tjtqoeTC2AIvUff8-xr8kL7vx856dJXeD/s320/52184275543_8d445d77d1_o.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit: @UNESCO Transforming Education Summit</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I know you left when I was 7 and you had a great dream for me. You imagined me having a great education, wearing the best dress, and living a life well deserved. Though, things went south. Life didn't turn out the way you have imagined but I found mothers in many different people. I found friends and confidants in many. I found family in strangers and I also found family in family.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Though there were sometimes I thought it would be easier to lean on your shoulder, to cry a little bit more, and to just share every single challenges and success I am going through but I have found comfort in leaning on other people’s shoulders and be a little vulnerable in sharing. Somehow I found a way to live and I am very sure you will be proud of me.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mother, you had mentioned that “I was born during the Market Days” meaning, I will go on to be an active young man. Yes, I have been active in making good troubles and creating change in my little way. Though the journey to choosing such a life was difficult. I was confused at some point but the confusion was part of the journey. It made me understand what I am wired to do better. It made me understand that life is beyond living for oneself only but living for a cause greater than ourselves and this is the life I have chosen. To support one child. To help someone who probably most have lost one of their parents or both to access quality education or those whose circumstances are difficult. To help them cross a little, to relieve them a bit, and to be a small piece in their jigsaw puzzle.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mother, this is the life I have chosen and I hope you will look down on me with a great pride and see that all your wishes are coming through one after the other. And I will continue to live with utmost integrity and be humble to remain focused on the path I have chosen.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2022</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit !important;" /><br /></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-60975600365431176012022-07-15T11:29:00.004-07:002022-07-15T14:49:03.304-07:00Live fully in the Present<p>I think one of the things I have learned in my previous years but became fully aware of is the power of living fully in the present. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPJgxyMuloU-eU6FQ6qCfFSHXBtKAzQIrw_kWywhZkBz0x9z9YZ0e_T8CSu4xBPo3y_GDHTXTYroG8Sqf6joMNvpfobhI5P5UOVaM_GaYH4vG35ErpwA3dvembBxm1RzB6nSte-ENRjnnDSCfIJ6xn2EqY1lUpbd34-EHtkCHu8mU_2Omz3rIGoPB/s3840/3-0330.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="3840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPJgxyMuloU-eU6FQ6qCfFSHXBtKAzQIrw_kWywhZkBz0x9z9YZ0e_T8CSu4xBPo3y_GDHTXTYroG8Sqf6joMNvpfobhI5P5UOVaM_GaYH4vG35ErpwA3dvembBxm1RzB6nSte-ENRjnnDSCfIJ6xn2EqY1lUpbd34-EHtkCHu8mU_2Omz3rIGoPB/s320/3-0330.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">As seen at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris</span></div><p><br /></p><p>In 2015, I went for my National Youth Service and dedicated my one year of service to serving the community. For a whole year, I was busy carrying out 6 community development service projects and what I learned during those moments was pain, rejections, growth, negotiation, partnership, and resilience. I carried those skills along with me to my next adventure. Did I tell you, I won a state award. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2016, in late December, I started writing and founded Kayfactor inspires. I dedicated my time writing every single day and what I learned is consistency. I made mistakes during this period, I got corrected and with time, I became one badass writer even if I still don’t consider myself as one. I won the Keenista African Essay Competition Award (Top 2 -7 out of 513 entries) and today became the first-ever winner of the Ufahamu Africa Student Essay Competition. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2017, I founded KLCI and we were just three. I was doing the work and telling the story. Gradually we moved from 3 -100 and I learned about leadership by example. Today, we are heading towards our 6th year. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2018, I joined the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative program and I dedicated one year of my life, showing up at meetings, engaging communities, developing programs, and making friends for life! I won the US Consul General Award. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2018 as well, I became an African Monitor Youth Champion and engaged 600 ordinary citizens on development issues, and listening to everyone shaped my thinking about how I see the world and development. I had my first appearance at the office of the Senate President. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2019, I joined the Peace First Fellowship -in-Residence Program. Connected with 6 amazing young leaders. Engaged over 1700+ young people from more than 30+ countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Stretched me and learned new stuff. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2020, I won the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship to study Africa and International Development at The University of Edinburgh. I joined the foundation communications team to tell the stories of scholars and contributes to the communication strategy.</p><p><br /></p><p>In 2021, I rejoined Peace First as the first board member from Sub-Saharan Africa and I have been contributing to programs development using the social justice lens and experience of working with young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. </p><p><br /></p><p>In the same 2021, I also joined the Mastercard Foundation on an internship to work on the Foundation for All program and designed with other four young leaders a mentorship program that will enable refugees access higher education and apply for scholarship programs. In the same role, I got a placement to write my dissertation on contextualizing the experiences of refugee learners in accessing higher education through bridging education programs in Uganda. This is quite a novel and new research and working on the project with the MasterCard Foundation partners in three learning institutions is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I coordinated and supported the monitoring and evaluation of the project and I deepened my knowledge in MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning). I have also deepened my knowledge using qualitative statistical analytic tools. My work on this project also got me a MasterCard Foundation Award for Transformative leadership which I am super grateful for. I also graduated from my Msc programme in Africa and International Development and started a role as the West London Educational Mentoring Coordinator with Refugee Education UK where I help young refugees and asylum seekers to mentors for educational support. It has been such a privilege to work in a place that values individuals and changing the landscape in terms of refugees' access to education. More even, towards the last stretch of the year, I ended it with a bang by finally publish my second book on Amazon 5 years: 10 lessons life taught me. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2022, I joined the British Red Cross to help young refugee and Asylum seekers to develop life skills through a refugee and befriending programme and more even, work on a research with MasterCard Foundation that explores identity in transition. Won the Africa Impact Finance Initiative Grant to scale our work at KLCI. Featured by the University of Edinburgh for my work on access to education for refugees. Served as a guest lecturer to teach a session to MSc Global Development students at the Open University in the UK. Selected as a UNESCO youth delegate and spoke at the pre-summit of Transforming Education Summit at the Unesco headquarters in Paris to about over a 100 ministers of education, young people, and civil society leaders about my work in helping children in underserved communities develop life and 21st-century skills. Presented a paper at the Teaching and Learning Conference at the University of Edinburgh on Identity in Transition and there are many other things I have done behind the scene which sometimes does not make it here but those things make me proud every single day. </p><p><br /></p><p>And today, I have joined many other projects, raised funds for refugees to access legal aids in Europe. Spoke to students on career digitally. Helped university students develop social enterprises and solution. Spoke at many online conferences that support the development of young people. I have heard the young people I work with say “Hammed, you are good man. You are a great leader” I have seen people who are willing to give their all for the cause. I have seen what it means to love and be loved. I have stretched myself in many numerous ways and I am still fully present! I will take a break if I have to but I will be present. </p><p><br /></p><p>I know one journey will keep leading to the other and I have had some downtime, some redirections, some rejections but I am grateful. I am grateful some things did not work out because it was a distraction from fulfilling my purpose and living fully in the present. </p><p><br /></p><p>I have learned to succeed in whatever you do, you just have to be fully present and 100% committed. That is when the doors open without pushing really hard.</p><p><br /></p><p>Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2020, 2021, 2022.</p>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-8509306853918984522022-01-10T14:00:00.000-08:002022-01-10T14:00:06.939-08:00Sometimes you have to fight for what you want!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes you have to fight for what you want!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQsKyiSdVrfPFNSD9rvgyyYF8pTHOkkpKrE-QZQ5O52MTQjogyr_U2kkP21GL5oEjLkeaeULWkD0xdSVPWN_FFjblM-9zYTkryYZ5tOMaivHVy97pEGXSZzGuQzL3PwexoUdQXF507So5CI32smmcl7efkbZZag01GOLXBDYfOAEqMjMvHCOc7wwnQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQsKyiSdVrfPFNSD9rvgyyYF8pTHOkkpKrE-QZQ5O52MTQjogyr_U2kkP21GL5oEjLkeaeULWkD0xdSVPWN_FFjblM-9zYTkryYZ5tOMaivHVy97pEGXSZzGuQzL3PwexoUdQXF507So5CI32smmcl7efkbZZag01GOLXBDYfOAEqMjMvHCOc7wwnQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2017, when I started KLCI, and needed to build some regional expertise and make some important connections that will foster my personal and professional development. I began to apply for a couple of international programs and I got rejected for every one of those programs. I only got accepted into the African Youth SDGs Summit in Accra Ghana and I got a partial scholarship of $100 to attend. I was working at the Factory at the time and running the NGO on the side. Through support from family and money saved from the Factory work, I paid for the summit. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Traveling to the summit became a challenge and the only option I had was to travel by road. I was able to use a month's salary at the Factory (20,000 Naira about $50 as of then) to book the travel. I had money to go but I do not have a return ticket. I went anyways! Spent over 12 hours on road and upon reaching the summit, I had nothing on me. I couldn't even order any food upon reaching the hotel and for three nights, I slept without having dinner. Every time at the summit, I showed up at every panel session and side event I attended. Volunteered to participate in debates and many much more. I was able to meet <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/aramide.oyindamola?__cft__[0]=AZWaVQV9mPiXD6rRJ9i3napylSb3tBqG3Ybe7a3RwXHrbJmt1-Cfl4zLRit-ULWrifKAOxli2IBuXaEEmRDEsefI5QZGsdrDgGuIQRYOpI4Da_TaCm3A4QCazlsbwU6dShc&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline;">Oyindamola Aramide</span></a>, who works with the Nigerian Network of NGOs and led me to being selected as an SDGs Youth Champion with African Monitor and got my first fully funded trip to Johannesburg, South Africa to learn about the SDGs, social research and key development issues. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, you may want to ask how did I return to Nigeria. Reality set in a night before my departure. I had to start calling everyone that I know and one of my aunties came through for me. I am always grateful to her. I booked my bus but missed it on departure day. I had no money on me. Would I stay in another man's country for a whole day without anything? So there was an empty bus traveling to Lagos and it was as if we were smuggled into the bus and had to trek distances in between borders. At 1:00 am midnight we were crossing the Owode border and trekking distance through the Badagry bridge. At that point, I said what if we were thrown into the river?</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I got home safely and I shared photos here on Social Media but no one knew what happened behind the scene but that one trip changed my whole life. I had access to training, people that catalyzed my growth in the space. When I look back, I am always grateful for the African Youth SDGs Summit team for taking a chance on me. And the following year, I returned as a speaker and panelist and I shared my work. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were lessons the trip taught me; </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. I don't have to wait for a fully-funded program to develop professionally. Sometimes, we have to sacrifice to get the fully-funded programme. If it means to pay for a program to learn and build networks. I have shared these experiences in interviews that have gotten me fully funded opportunities. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. So many people see the obstacle but I was looking at the summit (I.e., the top of the hill). I was looking at what the summit will bring, the connections, and the opportunities. I didn't allow the lack of not being able to afford air tickets or to get a return road trip ticket to deny me from getting what I want. I went anyway knowing that I will survive it and tell the story. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Sometimes it's good to pay attention to your journey. Going for what I want orchestrated the connections with Oyin and I was able to get the fully funded trip. I got the opportunity because I was also prepared. I didn't got to the summit to just watch. I contributed. If you fail not to talk about your work, no one will recognize you. Oyin recognized me because I spoke about my work. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. You have to focus on your focus. I met people who actually their university or organization sponsored their trip to the summit. They could buy anything they want to. They could have dinner or whatever. They had access to per diem and I had access to nothing but I didn't care about that. I just focused on why I was there and was realistic with myself. I said, Hammed, it's fine not to have a sponsor. It's okay to be hungry for just a couple of nights. It's for the bigger picture. Focus on your why and the bigger picture. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><blockquote>Whenever you are down to comparing yourself with others, remind yourself of your why. It will allow you to remain focused. </blockquote></span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know there are many other lessons but I shared them in my new book 5 years: 10 Lessons Life Taught Me </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why am I sharing this? Sometimes no one will be your salvation, you have to be your salvation. You have to fight for what you want. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fun fact: A friend Mrs. <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/omobolanle.w.raji?__cft__[0]=AZWaVQV9mPiXD6rRJ9i3napylSb3tBqG3Ybe7a3RwXHrbJmt1-Cfl4zLRit-ULWrifKAOxli2IBuXaEEmRDEsefI5QZGsdrDgGuIQRYOpI4Da_TaCm3A4QCazlsbwU6dShc&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline;">Omobolanle Whoopy Yun Adedeji</span></a>, we were on the trip together and until today, we are always joking about how we trekked from Ghana to Nigeria (we didn't trek to Nigeria but we walked distance and I felt it).</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-64862860528085412212021-12-30T15:42:00.001-08:002021-12-30T15:42:12.828-08:00My 2021 Story<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">I think as the year continues to go by there are lesser opportunities that I apply to and my role is beginning to change from applying to opportunities to reflecting on my position of privilege. And democratising opportunities and connecting people to find their opportunities. Well, this comes with baggage and it comes with so many commitments. So many misunderstandings as well. As people sometimes do not understand that you have a life too and you also need to develop yourself because only then you can help others and sometimes contribute more to a just cause. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRglMdffRtmY2AIjP7Rih99kAk3HQ640eXcDH7B2WY739hYP29VmJOJ-P8MirvVzmn2XWyLuHC_sAS3Vz4zz3JP8dxBg9Ft0PhA9SnXeYbFXT_cA5zJN9Yb8gljTMgj39sj8giN0fLWhV0_729Z4MH6qLMqmsAi1Zy98ysnHvCoJcDSHU_Y_CHjvHS=s5472" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRglMdffRtmY2AIjP7Rih99kAk3HQ640eXcDH7B2WY739hYP29VmJOJ-P8MirvVzmn2XWyLuHC_sAS3Vz4zz3JP8dxBg9Ft0PhA9SnXeYbFXT_cA5zJN9Yb8gljTMgj39sj8giN0fLWhV0_729Z4MH6qLMqmsAi1Zy98ysnHvCoJcDSHU_Y_CHjvHS=s320" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I was undergoing my MSc programme, I had also committed to helping others as well but I noticed I couldn’t help everyone, if not I am going to fail and be torn in between saying No. Those moments were also draining. So it took a lot of reflection and self-awareness to create a balance in between and I extremely struggle during the year to make that happen. Aside from struggling in creating that balance, I also struggle with self! I battle with my desire to do well which I did. I have always aspired to be better at whatever I choose to do and I try to give my best. I tried all my possible best to have a distinction but it didn’t work out. I had a Merit, about 2 - 3 points to a distinction which I am proud of. Couple with the rigour that comes with studying in one of the best universities in the world.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I once again found myself in a similar circumstance I was during my undergraduate days where I was just 0.03 away from a first-class and I am reminded by the word of my undergraduate project supervisor Prof. Dominic who said “Don’t worry you will do well” Not only do I have a sense of relief hearing that, but I also reflected on that statement and it pushes me more to pay attention to the next journey. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If there is anything again, I am proud of, it is the ability to continue to learn from the process. To receive feedback with an open heart and to continue to be better. More importantly, the program I have been part of; the project I have engaged in and the amazing, beautiful people I have met along the line. The knowledge I have gained and not the least, how my dissertation led to my current role with Refugee Education UK just 3 weeks after handing in my dissertation. A comment on my dissertation by my supervisor made me search for more information on Refugee Education UK website. Saw two roles. I applied for the two, got to the final of the two, and finally got one of them. Again, this taught me the power of being present. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Moreover, during my interviews, the experience of co-creating a mentoring program for refugees in Uganda during my MSc program. The placement-based work I engaged in with the MasterCard Foundation on the refugees' project in Uganda and also raising funds for refugees to access legal aids in Europe played a greater role in my career trajectory. I would say those experiences came in handy. Most especially, the experiences and findings from my </span><a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/global/mastercard-foundation/making-leaders/scholar-research-in-2021/hammed-kayode-alabi-s-research"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">dissertation.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></a></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am grateful to the people who have taken the time to hold my hands through this journey. Most especially the kind words from my supervisor “Jean Benoit Fallise” I was worried if I have done the right thing while writing my dissertation and he said “Hammed that is what good students do” It means you have done the right thing and truly I did. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a recent movie I watched, there was a quote that sometimes describes people who push themselves to be better. Sometimes they are called “worriers”</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Someone so scared that the only way that they can handle so much and things is by worrying their ways through them. It makes us very successful and also very tired, too.” </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes we hide our worries and we just worry our way through them and move on to the next thing. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I must say that there were times I had lost confidence in myself during this period. There were times I have asked myself if I have made the right decision or not. There were times I had beaten myself, sometimes angry even in the moment, where there is a lot of people looking up to me for support and help. There were times I have been overstretched, overburdened, and also dealing with my Ulcer in between turning in my assessments. Helping folks review scholarships application, showing up for what I have committed to do, partially running an initiative far away from home, preparing a pitch, and prepping friends for interviews. Showing up in classes, sharing, learning, and many so much more. And dealing with difficulties and hard work that sometimes comes from putting oneself out there or just being available. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am grateful for friends who check-in and I am grateful for people who held my hands through. The truth is this, it would not have been possible without those kind, compassionate and amazing people in my life and if you are one of those people, reading this message, I dedicate this milestone to you and I am looking forward to making the next good troubles as I journeyed my way through to the next good thing. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And I hope to share the process with us as well. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just to mention but a few moments I am proud of during my time at the University of Edinburgh </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Won the First-Ever Ufahamu Africa Students Essay Competition for my essay “EndSARS: We will remember “ historicizing revolution and young people's contribution towards ending police brutality. My winning essay also got me featured by the School of Social and Political Science and Centre of African Studies at the University. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. Volunteered with SolidariTee, the largest students charity in the UK, and raised £240 to provide supports for organizations working to provide Legal Aid services for refugees. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. Interned with the MasterCard Foundation and co-created a mentorship programme for 40 refugee learners in Uganda to enable them to access higher education. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Co-led the launching of the mentorship programme and saw over 30 MasterCard Foundation Scholars form three different learning institutions (American University of Beirut, University of Edinburgh, and Makerere University) supporting refugee learners in Uganda. And further co-managed the mentorship programme. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Got a placement-based dissertation with the MasterCard Foundation. Deepened my knowledge in M&E and contributed to policy debates around the circumstances and experiences of refugees in accessing higher education through bridging education programmes in Uganda. Facilitated a Scholarship Session and Academic writing session for Refugee learners in preparation for their exams into Higher Education.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. Won the University of Edinburgh MasterCard Foundation Award for Transformative Leadership. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. The School of Social Edinburgh Award for Professional Development </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">7. Joined the MasterCard Foundation at the University of Edinburgh Communications team and created scholars' story bank and storytelling toolkit. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. Engaged in the scholars' photo-voice project exploring transition. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">9. Completed my Second Book 5 years: 10 lessons life taught me. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">10. Pitched at The University of Edinburgh MasterCard Foundation Business Idea Pitch Competition and was one of the 10 recipients of the Award Grant. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">11. Joined the Edinburgh Global Shapers Community and Supporting the Reforestation Project in Scotland.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">12. Going on a vacation trip to Lochside with 9 other amazing friends and course-mates.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While it is rigorous to study at the University of Edinburgh, I consider this a privilege to be one of the privileged ones to have pass-through this citadel of learning. And grateful to the MasterCard Foundation for the scholarship opportunity. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am not also the best of the best and I am not better than anyone but again, I hope to continue to reflect on my position of privilege. I hope to continue to pay it forward, to pass the baton to the next person, to continue to support the chain of change and help other people cross.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2017, I said consistency was key. In 2018, I mentioned that having access to platforms made the difference. In 2019, people were key to my successes and would always be. In 2020, process and time were the keys. In 2021, self-reflection and awareness came to my rescue. The constant understanding of self and reflecting on my essence and who I am. It gave me peace of mind. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I have always said, I don’t know what the future hold and I don’t know where I will be but I am sure of constantly being present in what I chose to do. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Again, I am a moving train, trodding into the next year with bigger dreams. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you have enjoyed my Ted Talk. My friend Josiane would always say this after her presentation. </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">See you in 2022 </span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2021</span></span></p>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377441488259290040.post-89115943501186134332021-12-14T16:47:00.000-08:002021-12-14T16:47:05.814-08:00My Top 10 Lessons for 2021 <p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every year I get to write 10 things life taught me and find my top 10 lessons for 2021 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQNCpu36WUukGZLUuKErLXMXFDWlQHQ5E71aQfnaJvdCD2PlPAJr2IEvOY6SOIvbUuFkJHyVLlMldjFo3qVMxg3_6m5BXYYwnbwQtyBT_CJmo5ydTKQO-guRcgvutlFVyaH8moSUYwy_pwibPtOP0K16AfZkjvRTVJcViWVm7H8h20MS58MDmxvGZg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQNCpu36WUukGZLUuKErLXMXFDWlQHQ5E71aQfnaJvdCD2PlPAJr2IEvOY6SOIvbUuFkJHyVLlMldjFo3qVMxg3_6m5BXYYwnbwQtyBT_CJmo5ydTKQO-guRcgvutlFVyaH8moSUYwy_pwibPtOP0K16AfZkjvRTVJcViWVm7H8h20MS58MDmxvGZg=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. Never be afraid to take on a learning opportunity: In early January this year, I joined the MasterCard Foundation as an intern on creating a mentorship programme for refugees in Uganda. I learned on the role, wrote my dissertation on the work, deepened my knowledge in Monitoring and Evaluation. And the experience led to my role with Refugee Education UK. So, sometimes we are not too big for an internship. It’s sometimes a learning experience. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. You may lose your confidence if you hold yourself up to the expectations of what others think of you. It did happen to me but with self-awareness, I was able to cope and reflect on what I wanted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. You need help, you cannot do it alone. The best scores in my postgraduate studies were the ones I sent to my colleagues to review and the ones I discussed with my lecturers and asked all the stupid questions. I didn’t do poorly on the ones I never asked but it could have been better if I had just asked for help. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. Social media can be very toxic and also be a platform for social good. I was able to distinguish between the two and created a pattern that works for me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. Life is never fair. No matter how good you are, brilliant and amazing. You can still be turned down and be rejected. Again self-awareness is key. Knowing that not all roles are meant for you and the people who turned you down are not bad people. They are humans too. You will do the same if you are in their shoes because life is never fair. It’s the person with the most convincing story or who can communicate their skills that win. The awareness and understanding as helped me a whole lot as a person. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. As much as you do good on the outside do not forget about the inside. We do so much good for people who are not close to us that we neglect those who are close (e.g., our close family, close friends, close colleagues).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">7. Always be one step ahead- Do not fully depend on anyone that they are going to save you or help you. Yes, people would always be there but you have to be one step ahead. Always have your plans and be one step ahead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. Journal your thoughts and worries. Most of the time when I go through hard times or find it difficult to make a decision. I write them down. Some I share, some I don’t but what journaling does to me. It helps me think things through. It relieves me of the burden of carrying so many thoughts. It helps my mental health. Especially when you are doing a very rigorous masters degree. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">9. Always give your best and demonstrate excellence. As a graduate student at times, the work you put in may not reflect in the marks and feedback that you get, and those comments at times may sound demeaning. I do not feel bad about them, knowing how much I have known and learned in the process. The ends most time justify the means. So far you put in your best and have tried. If you put in the work and strive for excellence. It sometimes shows in other ways. Results are always in the process at times, not the outcome. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">10. Not every time you talk about yourself. Learn to let people talk about themselves and if they feel shy about it. Prompt them. People like to talk about themselves and you learn a lot from it. The conversation should be two-sided, not one-sided. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bonus: If you can afford it! Go on a trip with friends. Take a vacation. The best things we learn sometimes happen in unusual places and not in the classroom.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hammed Kayode Alabi (c) 2021</span></p>Hammed Kayode Alabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713458072990929654noreply@blogger.com2