Change
If there is one constant in an SOS kid’s life, it is change. For us change takes place everyday. Same methodology, new administration; come retirement, new mother; grow older, youth home, transitional home etc.
The best way to deal with change is to let it flow. Imagine you are a rock on the riverbed and the change is the current. Let it smooth your rough, resisting edges. It may take a while, a ride down the river of life, but the results, a smooth edge will never disappoint.
There is another way of dealing with change, resisting. Resistance in its truest form begets revolutions which may or may not be beneficial. Revolutions should be used as salt, sparingly. They are only effective if kept at a minimum, say one in every 100 years?? Too many revolutions blur the focus; the attention is diverted to winning the war. We start thinking more about winning the war that we forget about what we were fighting about in the first place.
Responsibility
One thing we can learn as a community that will be beneficial to us is responsibility. Stephen Covey in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People calls it “the ability to choose your response.” We need to be able to stand up, look ourselves in the mirror and say, I am responsible for who I am today. I am who I am today because yesterday I made certain choices in my life that have brought me to the place I am today.
As a community, we have to learn that our present life is just but a result of yesterdays input we made into our lives. If it is messed up today, then we made messed up choices yesterday. No amount of blaming can change results. It is a done deal. GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT.
My point? Kids are failing in school, academic results are bad. We have all failed as a community and finger pointing will take us nowhere. I have a few reasons I can think of right out of my head at the moment.
- Little or no preparation on the student’s part.
- Lack of quality time dedicated to studies
- Class attendance (Truancy is not only physical, but mental)
- Lack of focus
I will stop here because this is one reason if worked on, can eliminate all the others.
Focus
We all need focus if we are to solve the problem and stop the blaming games. What are we as big brothers and sisters doing? Are we part of the problem, or part of the solution? What was our input last year to the candidate’s lives? Given what we know now, what can we do this year to change next year’s results?
Personally, I feel that it is too late to change last year’s results, but it is still possible to change next years. Let us all look for ways in which we can contribute positively to out community.
Today’s challenge:
What am I doing as an elder sister or brother to improve the academic life of my sister/brother?
14 comments:
Change does not only come from education, and i think we have to start focus on the causal events that , we fail to perfom academically,i think there is a much deeper issue that can surprise academic, societal and even personal failure and needless to say, if the truth must be told to bring about change so be it.... lets not be shy is airing our views... those days of 'kupakana mafuta' are over!
I agree with you that change does not only come from education, i feel we are too busy resisting change that we are blind to the actual issues. And yes, let us search for those deeper issues that affect us and air them out.
Kamau, am impressed! anyway... i have been reading today's dicussion and am sorry i just glanced through...but be sure this a a good start and the other day i was working o a certain paper and the truth is i felt ashamed to be an SOS person, why some dude is trying to prove that institutional care- the sos model is an enslaver to devt and for real... the interviews done in Ethiopia, Namimbia and Rwanda prooved thier claim.... but how come????? some get this far? anyway sorry for digracing from you earlier topic but change is all we need ! attitude!
I would be very interested to know about the dude trying to prove that institutional care- the sos model is an enslaver to devt and for real.
We have enough people out there to prove him wrong what do you say my sisters and brothers
An impressive effort. The SOS model does work, and i believe each one of us is a testament to that. Our files are full of success stories. But let's not ignore the harsh realities that confront present day SOS. To argue that education is the only way out (as the system is currently designed) is minimalist to say the least. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the most successful generation in the SOS history did not enjoy the benefits of post-secondary education. Can we point other genuine alternatives that can best cater to the diverse needs of the complex SOS generation? I believe the answer is yes. Let's start with the basics. Role models. The challenge you pose is an interesting one, but let's widen the scope, let's include other facets that we barely touch on in the SOS model. -sos house nine
An impressive effort. The SOS model does work, and i believe each one of us is a testament to that. Our files are full of success stories. But let's not ignore the harsh realities that confront present day SOS. To argue that education is the only way out (as the system is currently designed) is minimalist to say the least. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the most successful generation in the SOS history did not enjoy the benefits of post-secondary education. Can we point other genuine alternatives that can best cater to the diverse needs of the complex SOS generation? I believe the answer is yes. Let's start with the basics. Role models. The challenge you pose is an interesting one, but let's widen the scope, let's include other facets that we barely touch on in the SOS model. Sobga, as you clearly articulate in one of your comments, let's air the issues. The only problem is, dissent is not allowed in our system. Matter of fact, it is more often than not muzzled by the powers that be. Most that have questioned the system have become societal outcasts. Lead the way Sobga, air out some issues that block the very pores of the SOS that we have come to love and care deeply about. (a concerned member of the sos family)
An impressive effort. The SOS model does work, and i believe each one of us is a testament to that. Our files are full of success stories. But let's not ignore the harsh realities that confront present day SOS. To argue that education is the only way out (as the system is currently designed) is minimalist to say the least. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the most successful generation in the SOS history did not enjoy the benefits of post-secondary education. Can we point other genuine alternatives that can best cater to the diverse needs of the complex SOS generation? I believe the answer is yes. Let's start with the basics. Role models. The challenge you pose is an interesting one, but let's widen the scope, let's include other facets that we barely touch on in the SOS model. Sobga, as you clearly articulate in one of your comments, let's air the issues. The only problem is, dissent is not allowed in our system. Matter of fact, it is more often than not muzzled by the powers that be. Most that have questioned the system have become societal outcasts. Lead the way Sobga, air out some issues that block the very pores of the SOS that we have come to love and care deeply about. (a concerned member of the sos family)
I do agree. Let's get the link or the publication before we shoot the argument down. I remember once working in the regional office. The basic tenet of the argument (being pushed by such orginasations as Save the Children) is: 'why concentrate on a few when millions suffer.') We did make a comparative analysis and I think we are on the winning side. (I hate to reduce this to an 'us' vs 'them' kind of argument.) As Sobga argues, we cannot afford to dismiss their debate. The reality of the matter is doing this is way too costly. Let's remember that we fight for the same
sponsors.
I do agree that education is extremly important, and we should not use the narrow purview of of academia. But let's also remember that education is but one facet of the SOS life. Let's do a self analysis and ask ourselves if we have done the best job possible as SOS kids. For every sucessful case that you mention, I can bring out two that fell through the cracks of the SOS safety net. I came across an interesting site yesterday, even though it doesn not speak to this current debate that we are having, it does pose interesting questions. Please check it out if you have time: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4670744.stm
ps. please ignore the bad spelling, i'll try to do some proof reading and editing next time. I'm also sorry for the multiple posts i made yesterday, my computer was just not working right. Hs 9
I am not against the SOS system and from the look of things the only people responding to issues on this blog are people who were able to utilise the system facilities (no pan intended) but am sure the guys who didnt benefit have thier story to tell and its up to us to hear them out...it has been long comming and the institutionalisation Vs Community based approaches polemic continues, sides are not been called for right now... but how effective do people raised in SOS finction in the community? i would say one in every ten! so there you are... as much as we try defend the system or ourselves... maybe we should look deeper am me more critical!
too many typing errors...sorry about that!~
I think we can go on forever criticizing the issues hurting SOS education and the out come mirrored on the many failures and a few successes! We do not have much time for that, we need Action! Lets all point out what we think is lacking in SOS education. What are the issues really? And what can we the product of SOS does about it?
I agree fully with the last person. We can dissect all the issues that are wrong with the way the education system is organized, but that will take us nowhere. Let's have a conversation that is geared towards a 'solutions agenda'. What can we do? Take the kids out of the sos bubble. I think the vacation program; in spite of its numerous shortcomings is a good direction. Let the kids see that a harsh reality exists outside the gate. Secondly, and most of you might not totally agree with this, I think the sos kids who are working within the system should do a better job fighting for the rights of the coming generation. You are there because you know the intricacies of the SOS system, voice your opinions, help design proper policies. This goes beyond job security. (by the way, let this not come as a blanket cover condemnation of every sos kid working within the system. I realise that some of you are doing a great job.)+
hallo! i cant see any SOS kid or child replying comments! so please lets refrain from using kid or children... i presume we are all adults, ( the semanitics), if any one has watched 'life of brian' then you will know that talking and disuccions never take us anywhere... its time for action...
Ooops, I messed up there. My use of kid/children was not meant to raffle any feathers. From now on, I will employ 'adults'.
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