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.

Welcome to the Butterfly Project Blog

The butterfly mind initiative is a vision built on the foundation of love and impact. We care deeply about our community and the bright young minds in it.

WHY WE CARE

We care because we believe in three cardinal principles;

1.      Love – Love is all encompassing. It fuels hope, positivity and belief. It is the greatest of every emotion that dwells on earth and one that connects us to the heavens. Most importantly, it is a tool capable of saving humanity

2.     Community development – We firmly believe that our society and the world at large can only progress through meaningful community development activities. All our impact activities are geared towards enabling us and the volunteers that partner with us participate fully and actively in community development. The synergy, growth and communion which results from such belief is what drives us.

3.      Young persons – We at butterfly mind initiative believe strongly that young people are the leaders of the future and that the community has a responsibility to invest and develop the minds of the future today. We simply seek to be a platform through which this dream and vision becomes a reality.

HOW WE CARE

We care by engaging actively in projects that build the minds of young people. We believe that the emerging dreams and personalities of young people should be tended to with love, care and respect so that they can progress smoothly from child – youth – adult. Like the symbolic butterfly that progresses from lava – pupa – adult butterfly. We hope that through impact projects, young people will grow and soar like beautiful butterflies. When this is done, the community will reap bountifully from having active citizens.

These cardinal principles are what drive us to care for young people, the community, our volunteers and the world at large.

HOW YOU CAN CARE

This beautiful journey of impact would not be complete without the amazing efforts of people like you. At Butterfly Mind Initiative, we believe everyone has all it takes to care for their community and that little acts of love do count. Our projects involves a lot of small acts which when added together will create a powerful effect. 

The butterfly project and the community will be honoured to have you volunteer your mind, skills, resources or person to any of our projects. Check out our blog posts to see our ongoing projects or send us a mail at butterflyprojectng@gmail.com for volunteering opportunities, impact ideas and partnership details.