A Cinderella Story

The more I have open and raw conversations with my youth; I realize that many have had difficult childhoods and upbringings.

Many are like Cinderella.

Many have lost their parents at ages much younger than the average American.

Many end up living with their Aunties who beat them for no apparent reason and refuse to send them to school, meaning they become the houseboy or house girl.

Many miss the norms of childhood play, such as pushing a tire with a stick or kicking the football made out of plastic bags and held together with banana fibers.

Some even have mice as friends and fellow housemates.  Or that could just be me at the moment.

Cinderella’s story is the ultimate tale of good and evil, tragedy and triumph.

We learn that life is not always fair and that difficult circumstances befall good people. 

We learn that we can make good choices even when faced with tough circumstances.

We choose to remain kind and thoughtful to even those who may not support us.

We choose optimism and hope rather than despair.

We choose to take responsibilities.

We choose to step forward and redirect our path for a new life.

From the northern hemisphere to the southern, persons across the globe experience hardship... Children are defiled and people are beaten.  Some starve while others walk countless miles to fetch water.

To anyone out there who has experienced any such adversity like Cinderella, keep your head up.  The light is there.  I am not saying you will marry someone of royalty and that your pumpkin will turn into a magical carriage pulled by horses white as snow.

And let’s be honest… At times, independence can bring its own hardships.  This is what makes us stronger though, makes us put into perspective everything we need to prosper, including a clear vision and a supportive network.

With perseverance and tenacity, you can make anything happen.  

If after years of abuse and neglect my 18-year-old youth can go to university, volunteer at In Movement, lead leadership classes, teach dance at one of the international schools, sell secondhand clothes, and be happily living independently in the slum, anything and everything is possible.

Anything and everything.