As a person born and raised in the ghettos of Kenya’s second city, Mombasa, I have lived as an urban youth. Many challenges such as unemployment, drug & substance abuse, crime, radicalization and even gambling confront us. These challenges coupled with poor political leadership and rampant corruption leave a trail of destruction among us.

The picture one sees as he walks through an estate alley is that of young people who have lost hope. A picture invoking a sense of helplessness. The problems seem too many and too depressing to handle. But should this be the case? Aren’t there golden stories of people who’ve grown up in such tough environments choosing to stand up and be different?

Today, the urban youth population in Africa needs inspiration. Interestingly inspiration comes at no cost. Infact it’s best served free of charge. Also it can be dispensed by any of us if only we desire. Inspiration has more value than money because it creates an inner push instead of dependence. It causes young people to stand up and take responsibility. But one would ask, “What can somebody so insignificant like myself do? How can I change a generation? How can I go against the culture created by vices like drug abuse and crime?” Inspiration simply put is choosing to inject positive energy in others. It’s about letting them see the opportunities around them. It’s about letting them experience their self worth. It’s about being a role model to them. Not painting a picture of perfection but one of openness. It’s about stepping out of our comfort zones and choosing to do what’s not out of the ordinary but what’s within our power to bring positive change.

1. EMPATHY
It’s amazing the power empathy wields over people. It creates a connection that money cannot buy. On several occasions I stop on the streets of Nairobi to engage with homeless children. Most of the time I’ve nothing to offer them other than a listening ear. Interestingly, this seems to give them a sense of affirmation. Many of these young one’s have ended up on city streets due to dysfunctional families. They are invisible to most of us as we go about our business. They’re used to being ignored, despised and even mistreated. But just imagine what stopping and listening to their stories would do to their self esteem? Empathy opens doors in places we seldom expect. Empathy listens not only to know but to understand and identify. As I live my life in the neighborhood, do I stop and say hi to the young men who seem to be without direction? Do I even sit down with them and chat over things that matter to them? Do I sit in their spaces and feel what they feel? I must say that I’m still work in progress on this front. Perhaps this note will keep on prompting and reminding me about the same. People like to be understood. This lifts their stature. It builds their self esteem and self confidence.

2. BE ENTHUSIASTIC
Enthusiasm is positive energy. I recall encountering a very enthusiastic security guard in one of the public institutions of learning. He is a man who does his work with a difference. Whenever he meets you even if it’s for the first time, he greets you cheerfully, does his routine search on your vehicle, inquires on where you’re headed to then releases you with a smile. But what captures my attention as I walk through the institution’s gates is his freeness with students. Some students even go to the extent of greeting him with a hug as they loudly exchange pleasantries. This guard’s enthusiasm is definitely contagious. That’s what positive energy does. It draws people towards you. In a world filled with sorrows and pain, a person who radiates positivity shares hope and attracts those who seem to lack it in return. Inspiring young people is not so much an intellectual exercise. It’s more of an emotional one. People are drawn towards those who inspire. The pulling force is positivity & enthusiasm.

3. EARN TRUST
Trust is a function of time. This is where true value of inspiration begins to show. When we spend time with others, we share moments with them. We laugh together, cry together, eat together….we basically do life together. As I spend time with a young person, he increasingly becomes aware that I care not because of the words I say but by hours I touch base with him. Trust is at the core of mentoring relationships. People wouldn’t want to entrust their deep seated insecurities and struggles to those who seem transient but those who’re here to stay. One of the most unique trust relationships exists in the Bible between Jesus Christ and His disciples. The disciples walked everywhere with Christ. They heard most if not all of His sermons. They saw Him perform miracles. But they also shared numerous meals, they travelled together, they sat down and had a chat with Him on many occasions. Christ invited His disciples into His life. They learnt from Him not by what He said but by being with Him. Many young people are in search of such authentic trust relationships. They’re not waiting to be told what to do but are observing and replicating what they see being done by those who deserve their trust. They crave for time with them. Trust opens us up to others. It creates authenticity in relationships.

4. ADMIT YOUR FLAWS
Alcoholic Anonymous is an alcoholism rehabilitation program that has stood the test of time. This is because of one reason…everyone who signs up for it admits that they are struggling with alcoholism. They not only do this in writing but also verbally in front of others. In a world governed by social media it’s easy to put up a picture of who we’re not. It may bring fame, fans and false favor. But isn’t it interesting that people who openly admit their failures and struggles are celebrated? I remember sharing in a forum about failure in my business. Inasmuch as the people there were surprised that I could talk about it, I was approached by about three people who confided in me that they felt challenged by my story. One of them even desired that we meet later on over a cup of tea. Failure is painful. But failure comes with practical lessons that are valuable to young people. I agree that if possible, we must try our level best to avoid it. But when it comes, we must be ready to pick up lessons from it for the sake of encouraging others who struggle along the same path. Failure reminds us that we’re human. But it also builds resilience in us.

5. CHALLENGE OTHERS
Trust and openness creates a platform to challenge others. Picture a soccer team manager giving a locker room talk to his players. Many of them usually critique their players not because they want to put them down but because they want the best out of them. But the amazing bit is that the players know their coach. They know he means well for them. His life is open to them. As we grow in our relationships with young people, we must seek to challenge them. Some might not realize their full potential because of their associations, habits or even their stubborn attitudes. But we can’t challenge those we don’t have a relationship with. It can only be done on the foundation of trust and openness.

6. EMPOWER AND LET GO
As we inspire others, we must also seek to introduce them to the source of our inspiration. An African proverb says that, “don’t only give fish to a man but take him to the lake and teach him how to fish.” That way you build him. Empowering others may involve sharing your spiritual disciplines with them since many of us get inspiration from faith. Other sources of inspiration are books, short courses or online resources such as videos and articles among others.

The aim to inspire others is to release them to inspire others in return. So set people free to create a multiplier effect of national and global inspiration.