Recently, I had an unforgettable conversation with a remarkable teacher from Nigeria named Amazu. He reached out after attending one of my webinars, and what he shared left me deeply moved.
Amazu is part of the “Teach for Nigeria” program, something I wasn’t familiar with before. He explained that the program’s mission is to combat educational inequality across Nigeria. It recruits the country’s most promising teachers and places them in underserved schools within low-income communities.
Amazu was sent to a poor, rural area to uplift education there. He teaches a class of 50 children, all between the ages of 10 and 13. But the challenges he faces are heartbreaking. Many of his students are so malnourished that they look years younger than they actually are. Only 10% of them can read or write. Most don’t even have basic supplies like notebooks or pencils. And to make matters worse, some of the children have to miss school to work for their families just to make ends meet.
After hearing his story, I did some research, and what I found was devastating.
Over 10.5 million children in Nigeria are out of school. Of those who do attend, 60% of primary students can’t read at all. Only 29% of Nigerian children even make it to high school.
The weight of these statistics was crushing. I wanted to fix everything. I wanted to make things better for these children. But the scale of the problem felt impossible to tackle.
That’s when it hit me.
I can’t solve everything, but I can focus on my one mission – empowering teachers to create better education.
We all want to fix the world’s problems, but real change comes from focusing on one thing at a time.
That’s where true impact begins.
Raising Caring and Loving Kids
But imagine for a moment – what if each one of us chose just one area to make a difference?
What if we raised an entire generation of changemakers, young people determined to drive positive change in the world?
With that kind of energy and focus, so many of today’s complex problems could be solved. Together, we’d be creating a brighter, better future for everyone.
The incredible news?
We can raise that generation.
As parents and teachers, we hold that power.
Anyone can become a changemaker – it’s not something reserved for a select few or those born with a special gift.
Children, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face, can become changemakers from a very young age.
Before I show you how we can nurture this potential in our own children, let’s take a look at a couple of inspiring examples of young changemakers.
Examples of Children as leaders
In Bali, Indonesia, two young sisters, Melati and Isabel Wijsen, were just 10 and 12 years old when they decided to take a stand for the environment.
They saw how plastic bags were harming their community and knew they had to do something. Driven by their passion, they founded the movement “Bye Bye Plastic Bags,” determined to make a real change in Bali.
For six long years, they worked relentlessly. And then, finally, their efforts paid off. An official ban on plastic bags was declared on the island, proving that even at such a young age, their voices had the power to make a lasting impact.
Another incredible story is that of Jordan Mittler from New York. At just 12 years old, Jordan realized that many seniors were struggling to use technology, leaving them disconnected and isolated—especially those living alone.
Wanting to make a difference, Jordan launched Mittler Senior Technology, a hands-on program that provides seniors with easy-to-understand tech education. Through his initiative, he’s helped countless elderly individuals stay connected with loved ones and the world around them.
what makes a Child a leader?
It’s truly inspiring and heartwarming to hear stories of children leading the way in creating positive change in our world.
But what exactly makes someone a changemaker?
A changemaker is more than just someone with good intentions—they’re creative thinkers, problem solvers, and action-takers, committed to turning their passion into real, impactful change.
So, what does this really mean?
The Desire to Solve a Problem
A changemaker is driven by a burning desire to make the world better. They’ve found that one issue they’re deeply passionate about—so much so that it occupies their thoughts constantly. It’s not just a passing interest; it’s a mission that fuels them daily.
Taking Action
The key to driving change lies in action. Changemakers don’t wait for others to step up—they take responsibility themselves. They feel an urgency to act and won’t stop until they’ve made a tangible difference. No matter how big or small, every step forward counts.
A Creative Mind
Changemakers disrupt the status quo. They see the world through a different lens, breaking patterns to create new realities. It takes curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to approach problems in unique ways.
Above all, it takes courage—the courage to try new ideas and pave new paths.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Change doesn’t happen overnight. Being a changemaker means embracing a long journey filled with challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. But these hurdles are gifts in disguise—they build resilience, persistence, patience, and creativity. Every stumble is an opportunity to grow stronger and learn more.
But let’s not forget the rewards along the way!
The changemaker’s journey is also full of joyful moments, personal growth, and an incredible sense of achievement when they see the impact they’ve made.
And while we often hear about children making large-scale changes, don’t be fooled into thinking the impact has to be global.
Being a changemaker can mean transforming just one life—or inspiring an entire movement.
Both are equally powerful.
8 Parenting tips For raising leaders
If you want to help your child or students grow into changemakers, you need to guide them in developing these key skills and qualities:
Empathy
A true changemaker starts with a deep desire to help others. To nurture this, your child must be able to step into someone else’s shoes and understand their everyday struggles. It’s about feeling what others feel and genuinely wanting to make a difference.
Curiosity
Curiosity is the spark that ignites passion. To care deeply about a cause, your child must first be curious about the world around them. It’s this hunger for knowledge and discovery that drives them to explore, learn, and develop the skills needed to achieve their goals.
Open-Mindedness
To create real change, your child must be open to new ideas. They’ll need to explore problems from all angles, consider diverse solutions, and see the world through a lens that embraces possibilities rather than limitations.
Creative Thinking
Change requires creativity. Your child will need a vivid imagination and a fresh perspective to come up with unique, effective solutions to the challenges they face. This isn’t just about thinking outside the box—it’s about seeing new boxes no one has imagined before.
Courage
Changemakers are trailblazers. They’re not afraid to step away from the familiar and forge a new path. This takes courage—the courage to think differently, challenge the status quo, and take action even when it feels uncomfortable or unconventional.
Persistence
Creating change is no easy task. The road is filled with setbacks, challenges, and constant learning. But with persistence and passion, your child can push through obstacles and stay focused on achieving their goals, no matter how tough the journey becomes.
Creating changemakers also means crafting an environment where they can truly thrive. Here’s what that environment should look like:
A Safe Space
For your child to fully express their ideas, develop creative thinking, and build the confidence they need to become a changemaker, they must feel safe—safe to explore, fail, and try again. In a supportive environment, no one will laugh at their ideas or judge their failures. It’s only when children feel safe to be themselves that they can unlock their full potential.
An Innovative Environment
To nurture creativity, you need to cultivate an atmosphere that not only encourages imaginative thinking but also helps channel it into practical problem-solving. A safe space lays the foundation, but an environment that inspires innovation pushes your child to become an exceptional thinker and changemaker.
If you’re a parent or teacher determined to empower children to become changemakers, I have the perfect solution for you—my books are designed to guide you every step of the way.
For Parents:
“Think Unique - Raising a Successful, Innovative Child” is more than just a book; it’s your roadmap to nurturing a child who thrives in an ever-changing world.
This insightful guide provides you with practical strategies and powerful insights to help your child unlock their unique potential. By reading this book, you’ll learn how to instill creativity, resilience, and a passion for problem-solving, equipping your child to become an innovative leader of tomorrow.
Here is what parents like you say about "Think Unique":
"For parents passionate about being even better supporters of their child(ren), this is not a book to read just once. It is one to come back to again and again, as the journey within is one we need to take as parents for ourselves, as well as with and alongside our children.
We as parents are our children’s best teachers.
This book gives practical strategies to identify and break free from our own constrained thinking from our pasts, unleashing our own creativity again. Then using this clear framework for design thinking in real situations, you can nurture your children’s creativity to solve challenges you’re facing together – making life better for you and your family.
We are all unique, we are all born creative.
I highly recommend this book."
“This is a great inspirational book with lots of practical ideas for kids and adults alike to apply to school and work.
It's a book you can dip into again and again for ideas on creative thinking.
It has certainly made me think about the way I approach my parenting and problem solving at work. I think all parents should read this!
What a pleasure to read a book that has me pause, ponder and realize how I can incorporate it into my work and home lives!
Thank you, Ortal, for sharing your craft, your insight, your unique thinking, with us, the readers.”
Dr. Hope Blecher, educator with 35+ years K-college
Don’t wait to start this transformative journey—your child’s future is too important!
Click here to get your copy now.
For Teachers:
“Think Unique - Your Comprehensive Guide to Cultivating Tomorrow’s Innovators Through Project-Based Learning” is an award-winning resource that empowers educators like you to inspire the next generation of leaders.
This book is packed with effective techniques and invaluable tools to foster innovation in your classroom, ensuring your students are prepared for success in the 21st century.
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact on your students’ lives and cultivate their potential, click here now to get this essential guide.
By investing in these books, you’re not just purchasing a resource; you’re taking a powerful step toward shaping the future.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and inspiration to guide your children or students in becoming the changemakers we need in our world.
Join the movement today—because every child deserves the chance to lead, innovate, and make a difference!
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