There is always hope

I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight back to Kuching. I have just finished a talk with the youth in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu out in Borneo. This is the #1M4Youth Reach Out 2015 event which is aimed at encouraging volunteerism.

The reason I wanted to do this was for the kids. Alongside me were 3 amazing speakers, Rob Dyer, Scott Hammell and Eizaz Azhar whom I have interviewed before. I was extremely moved to hear their stories and how each is using their gifts and talents to make a difference.

Rob in particular skated 8000 kms to raise funds for cancer. He remembered being angry when a friend, two grandparents and his mother died in a period of six months because of cancer. He said a friend adviced him that there were three reactions he could have; to define him, destroy him or empower him. He chose the latter.

Eizaz also had an amazing story. He is a talented musician who can play the saxophone, guitar, piano, drums, clarinet and who knows what else because he needed to know how to do so to sell the musical instruments. No bad for someone who left school at 14.

I think what was most encouraging for me was seeing the kids volunteering their time for the event and the other things they did during the Kelantan floods. They were bright, energetic and enthusiastic. These things will add on to their skills as they venture into the outside world. How else will you learn communication, teamwork and confidence?