Bringing 100 Dreams to Life!

​At PeopleStories we are very clear on our purpose and vision.  We want to ‘Set positive change in motion’ and see ‘A world where everyone is empowered to shape their own story’.  How do we do that? We ‘Create greater access to knowledge for those in need!’.
 
As the famous quote from Nelson Mandela goes, ‘Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world!’.
 
One of the most tangible examples of our action is the annual gifting of School for Life scholarships.  Just a couple of weeks ago, we held multiple school ceremonies where we celebrated the new school year and inspired (for now) 100 sponsored students to pursue their dreams.

​It is absolutely amazing to see how these ceremonies have changed over the years!  Obviously the number of students and schools we work with keeps growing but it’s the positive energy of students and teachers and them taking ownership that impresses me the most.
 
To tell students that education is important is the first step. To win win their hearts and have them embrace it is next level!​​

​At Rolous Secondary School we asked students to put on a performance, expecting that it might be another Apsara Dance performance (a traditional and very graceful dance). Boy, where we wrong! 
 
A group of students put on a play showing everyone, in a very energetic and fun way, the pressures at home when it comes to the decision to go to school or to find work for a few dollars a day. Their creativity and the passion of those performing students was absolutely amazing!  The very clear lesson for me out of that was simple, ”Continue empowering the students and give them a platform to showcase their knowledge, to speak up and to be part of the discussions that are shaping their future!”.
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​The second new theme at this year’s ceremonies was that we introduced a fun quiz. The students absolutely loved it and even the teachers participated! It was so nice to see children having (and associating) fun at school. 
 
Learning needs to be about teaching the basics but it’s also about fostering the curiosity and desire to enquire and learn. Of course, it’s even more fun if students win against their classmates and even teachers.  Full credit to the teachers as well. In a fairly hierarchical society where teachers are still very much respect persons, it is encouraging to see them humbly acknowledging the win (courtesy of some very tricky questions!), quality and curiosity of their students.

​So, does our action help furthering our purpose? Yes, absolutely!
 
We are changing the world one student, one family, one school and one community at a time. Importantly though, we get everyone involved to grow as individuals as well who accept and understand that they have a choice and that they are able to pursue their dreams!
 
I am confident that the students we personally witnessed at those ceremonies have taken away a lot more than ‘only’ a bicycle, a uniform and some school supplies. 
 
We, with the help of our very kind donors and supporters, provide the students with ability and with confidence so that our purpose and vision become their own. They know and feel that they are empowered to shape their own story!