There is no doubt that the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are being felt by both the young and the old alike.
With schools, businesses and work being brought to a halt, the future does not seem promising for the youth of the nation. Malawi being a youthful population, there is a lot that young people can do to contribute to its development given the opportunity, resources, professional and technical skill as well as a conducive working environment.
For a long time, the youth have been on the receiving end and having so many expectations from the government has often led to disappointments. The questions now should be, “what can we do for the nation?” and “what can we do for ourselves?”
Even with Covid-19 at play, time has not stopped for anyone and being the leaders of today, we have a huge role to play in order to create a present and a future we can be proud of. It is time to be the change we want to see, be opportunity creators instead of opportunity seekers and elevate each other in the process.
It is important to note that the empowerment that we lack as young people can only come through active participation in different fields of interest. We can only challenge systems and play vital roles in the nation’s development if we invest in gaining knowledge and developing the passion to take action.
Sometimes it is hard because you do not clearly see where to begin. The good news is you can begin anywhere. We are often presented with opportunities but we sometimes ignore them because they are not presented to us in the best way or the process seems too long to achieve whatever goal we have in mind. The only way to fully commit is when you allow yourself to trust the process and enjoy every stage.
Living in a digital age, it is time to appreciate the amount of impact we can make using our various social media platforms. We can begin sharing content that will positively contribute to each other’s personal growth as well as the development of our communities. Enrolling in online classes is also a way to keep oneself busy. We can use social media as a tool to voice our concerns, contribute in various discussions of national interest and stay updated on what is happening around us.
Being the major human resource for development and key agents of social change, we can start volunteering in our various communities. Community work is often undermined but is very necessary. We can begin volunteering in different activities such tree planting exercises, market cleaning exercises, skills training and community outreaches. Sometimes our willingness and efforts in making the world around us a better place is what makes stakeholders take us seriously and be willing to engage us in important decision making processes.
Joining online campaigns is also one way of contributing ideas and energy to resolve social issues, in that way we become capable leaders. Our power as young people is not only the common wealth for nation but for the world as a whole. We simply need to renew, refresh and maintain the current status of society. More than ever, it is time to put our skills and talents to good use.
Doing what we love in the comfort of our home is also a way of taking care of our mental health. It is important to discover what our purpose is and boldly pursue it. This will help in providing us with a reason to not merely survive but thrive, not merely exist but live our best lives.
