Right now, we are growing up in a world that is constantly turning, changing and evolving. We are finding our own ways of life, facing our own challenges and beginning to find out who we really are. These last few months, we have struggled, for most of us, in ways we never have before. Our world has stopped. It seems as though the clocks stopped ticking, but the arrows kept moving without us. It may feel like we have missed out on almost a year of our lives. I assure you, this is not the case. We have physically isolated ourselves; however, in some ways, it has brought us all closer together. It made us realize how much we need each other, how much the world needs us. Just like so many amazing people who are working day and night to keep us safe, one day, it will be our turn to take care of the world. This is an immense responsibility to carry on our shoulders but it is one that we must prepare ourselves for so that one day, we can look out at a better world and believe that we made a difference. It is important for us to learn about the world we live in, in whatever way we can, so that when the time comes, sooner or later, we can be the voices of positive change that can mould our world into a more compassionate one.
One way to do this is to go beyond our own cities and countries and start seeing the entire world as our community and our responsibility. This is why it is important for us, as youth, to become involved in global causes and educate ourselves on the challenges faced in all parts of the world. International development organizations like Aga Khan Foundation Canada strive to break down barriers and allow every human being to reach their full potential. Through events like the World Partnership Walk and this year’s Virtual Voyage campaign which virtually took us through Kenya, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, we were given the opportunity to educate ourselves and others on the complex challenges created by poverty and make an immense global impact to eliminate global poverty. By learning about the work being done to create sustainable solutions to highly convoluted issues, we are preparing ourselves for the day that we will be in a position to create our own solutions to the challenges of our time. It will soon be our responsibility to take care of each other and the next generation of children. It will be our duty to lift the hearts and minds of everyone around the world and plant a seed of hope that will only grow larger and stronger as the years go by. There is no minimum or maximum age to make a difference in our world. No matter who you are, you have the power to change things for the better. Educate yourself, prepare yourself and take care of yourself. One day, we will all be able to stare out at the horizon as the sun goes down, smile and say to ourselves “I made a difference”.
Qaeeza Ramji is 16 years old and is a student at Reynolds Secondary School in Victoria. She is an aspiring writer, poet and fashion designer. Despite her quiet personality, she is passionate about using her voice to bring about positive change. This year, she served as Director of Youth Engagement for the Victoria World Partnership Walk.
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