Taking Responsibility: Knowledge for Change

This week officially marked the end of the #ichoose campaign. It was indeed a hope-raising experience knowing that they were youths and teenagers out there who believed in so many positive ideals and were ready to stand up for what they believed in. A special thank you to all those who participated in this campaign as their actions no matter how little has been deposited in the ever-growing bank of impact in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Here is a big thank you to all those that particpated; Everyone that liked the Facebook page, Law School campuses in Bwari and Lagos, University of Abuja, Baze University, All Nations University College Ghana, Our impact counterparts from Sierra Leone and Serbia, UN #Youthnow web feed and you reading this post. You have been amazing.

We at the Butterfly Mind Initiative are overwhelmingly optimistic about the future and we know that with persons like #ichoose campaign participants, our world will indeed become a better place. For those who did not have the opportunity to participate, this month presents another opportunity as we will be embarking on another social media campaign to reflect the hope and aspirations of the Nigerian/African youth. We are in a very important and vital age for youth development and together we can increase that momentum and join other youths around the globe in changing their world.

This final week on the #ichoose campaign was enlightening as it reflected youths who believed and understood that their knowledge is a vital instrument for change. We had a spoken word artist who ended our campaign and young law-students who have chosen to use their knowledge of law as a tool for impact. I guess it begs an important question. What knowledge do you have and how are you using that knowledge to impact your community?

GALLERY:

 

Taking Responsibility: #ichoose Campaign

After the February volunteer program with the kids, the butterfly project team realized that the kids were deeply and negatively affected by the prejudice around them. We are in an election month, and prejudice will likely get stronger especially on social media. People will likely engage in political, religious and cultural animosity through their words and actions and they will do so without considering the effect it will have on the younger generation. Apparently, with what we saw in the February volunteer program, the young kids are not only watching, they are learning real fast  without a filtering mechanism. God knows what we might be breeding in the nearest future. The saddest and most pivotal issue is that the persons spreading this animosity are not even aware of the consequences of their actions.

It is in light of these circumstances that the butterfly project has decided to commence the #ichoose campaign. The #ichoose campaign is an avenue for people to take responsibility for their actions. It signifies understanding the effect your words and actions might have on people around you and the younger generation looking up to you. It means standing up for something and working towards it. This campaign is built on hope, belief and responsibility. 

To join the campaign, 

1.  Like the Butterfly project facebook page http://on.fb.me/1FMIL8d

2. Take a picture of yourself holding a paper or cardboard stating what you choose to stand for. it should start with #ichoose. Here is a sample

3. Share the picture on the butterfly mind initiative facebook wall http://on.fb.me/1FMIL8d, write something brief on the wall about the reason for your choice, make sure you put the keyword #ichoose in your writing then end your post with #butterflyproject #YouthNow. This way we can see your post and share directly on the timeline.

4. Get your friends involved.

Remember if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.