I have always looked with awe at how some people changed the world with their ideas, values and activities with little wealth and power. Names like Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa readily come to mind. In the younger generation we have people like Salman Khan of the Khan Academy, who run non-profit ventures aimed at improving lives and adding a lot of value to the world.
Truth is, its pretty easy to drive change when you have money like Bill Gates does with his foundation or in authority like the leaders of the BRIC have done in their respective countries but what happens when you don't have either. What do you do when all you’ve got is your brain, your heart and your will. I’m a strong believer in giving back.
For me it is when you open someone eyes to discover what you already have, giving a lecture to inspire others to greatness, sharing your experience for others to learn from, providing leadership for social change, creating platforms for development and many more.
In our society today, even the very privileged ones find it difficult to contribute to improving the lives of the less privileged or helping them succeed. Companies would rather sponsor entertainment shows than educational initiatives and scholarships. But alas, the internet and its accompanying possibilities have made it easier to affect the lives of so many people without having so much.
The conviction that one can give back without great wealth and power has birthed “The Odunayo Initiative”. The Odunayo Initiative is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve lives using technology. The focus is currently limited to helping young minds develop their potential and maximize their talent to further widen the circle of positive influence. You can learn more here.
I believe that when we take time to think of the good of others, the world will be a better place for all.
