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 Responsibilty: International Women's Day

Over the years, there have been increased advocacy for the rights of women and girls in many countries of the world. This year, it was remarkable here in Nigeria as we witnessed more men joining the campaign in support of women's right and the need to celebrate women in various fields of endeavour. There were posters and pictures filled with goodwill messages  and future expectations in the area of the promotion of women's right. It was interesting to see that more men especially in Africa where issues like this are usually met with cultural barriers had become more involved and were advocating for increased female empowerment and participation in many sectors of the society.

In the spirit of the international women's day, the #ichoose campaign has witnessed more young people especially women taking responsibility and being more open about their passions and how they intend to change their environment using those things that appeal most to them.

From the campaign photos, we could see that the themes that young people presented were mostly centered around religion and music as a meaningful tool for impact in the society.

Indeed, religion can be a powerful tool for positive social change as religion has the power to form a person's values and attitudes towards life. Many notable religions of the world encourage their followers to build good relationships with people and to respect their environment. We would like to Imagine the outcome if  all paid attention to the positive instructions of the holy books. What better campaign for change can there be?

Again, majority of young people that participated last week on the Facebook page, expressed how they could use their music to change the course of events by sending positive messages through their song lyrics. Music as we know is a universal language that makes messages and communications between people harder to ignore. People have bonded over having similar choice of music making it true to believe that it is indeed the key to the soul.

It was good to see that many young women participated well and were eager to have their voices heard and their stand known  among their peers and globally as well. They had decided to take responsibility towards the development of their country and had also encouraged their friends from other countries to pledge their quota to their country's development. This post is a celebration of these young women taking the initiative and standing up for what they believe in. Happy International Women's Day!!!

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.

The curtain close moment for our Global Warming Campaign

It's one thing to be around active kids and an entirely different thing to be around hyperactive kids(oh! We found out the difference on the job. There were no pre-warnings. Hehehe). 

So, we finally did come to the end of the awareness campaign on global warning for the month of January. Need i say more? It was a good month for the team. Last week which was the final week, the team conducted an evaluation session with the kids to see how much they had learnt. Boy! We were crazily impressed!! Nothing felt better than to know that the kids paid actual attention(honestly, you never know with kids)and took home notable points. The volunteer teachers asked random questions following the lesson outcomes, did fun quizzes and spelling bees which the excited kids participated fully. We were totally blown away(seriously).

In the end, we concluded that we loved the global warming month and we wish for more fun times to come as we begin another awareness campaign in the month of February!! These kids make our week(no kidding).

Moments spent with our cute little butterflies

Have you wondered why those green days are fast fading or why the heat seems to be taking over in an unusual manner? Well, we did find the answer. Climate change is taking place. 

This January, the butterfly team started an awareness campaign in primary schools on the issue of global warming and how it's effect can be reduced. For a start, the project began last week at LEA Primary School Kado Estate, Abuja where the team was greeted with happy faces from the excited children. It was a moment of over-the-top fun as the children were taught several things ranging from basic terms to how the cycle is created.

This week, the fun moment continued as the volunteers continued to raise awareness among the children. They used interactive teaching tools suitable for the kids ranging from drama, pictures and paper cuttings. The team enjoyed maximum support from them as the kids were ready to participate in all the activities. The kids were excited to learn as they had never heard of the concept of global warming and were quite surprised to see how little harmless actions can add to the increasing changes within their environment. The kids dressed up as climate heroes with the help of their volunteer teachers and were ready to save the world!(I love that part most)

At the end of the day, we all had fun and so the members of the team decided to take some really fun pictures with the kids. Er...Some of the kids were ready to take their awareness to the next level(laughing).
Nothing can be better than a Friday spent hanging out with positive little souls. Everyone is really looking forward to next week. See photos in the gallery

GALLERY

P.S: Did you notice that cute little one that appeared a lot in the pictures? I did too!Absolutely breathtaking! So, i guess we can conclude that impact + fun = Butterfly (grins).