Beyond My Comfort Zone: On a Mission With SLMDInc

Thank you so much for asking me to speak today. I am honored and
humbled to be here in the beautiful country of Sierra Leone and among
the wonderful people of Maforay. When Osman asked if I would speak at
your graduation ceremony, I was surprised and unsure of what I should
say. Then just a few days before I left to come here I was reminded of
the importance of our Hometown Heros, and after some prayer I knew God
would give me the words. It seems in the world today we have forgotten
what really matters, we put our admiration and respect in the wrong
places. I know especially in the US where I come from people look to
actors, musicians, or athletes to be their hero. And while some of
them take the money they earn and give back, many of them are just
people making money with no care or concern for our world or the
people in it. We as parents have a responsibility to teach our
children, to show them what is important, to help them put their
admiration and respect in the right place. To raise them to be good
citizens both at home and in the world.When we invest in our children
this way we are investing in our future. We need to teach our children
who a Hometown Hero is and how to become one. A Hero is selfless, a
genuinely good person, someone who gets the individual attention of
all of us and causes change. Who does that describe? Teachers who give
selflessly everyday to teach our children to read and write who give
them the tools to help them become successful in life. Elders in the
community who offer experience and a sense of where we come from.
Pastors who help us teach our children right from wrong and guide them
in their faith. People who move to other places but still give back to
the community they came from. These are our Hometown Heros. These are
the people we want our children to look up to, These are the people we
want our children to be like. These are the people who recognize if we
want to make the world a better place it starts with our children, it
starts with education. Your community is blessed to have some of these
Hometown Heros and I would ask that a few join me here now: Pastor
Surie, Hassan Kanu, Sento Kanu, Osman Kamara. These people standing
with me, they deserve your respect and gratitude. Parents- This is who
you should teach your children to look up to. Children- This is who
you should strive to be like. Grade 6- Today you are graduating from
MaCauley Memorial Primary School, I pray you take the tools your
teachers have given you and go out in the world to make it a better
place. I challenge you to be like those standing here with me. Thank
you and God Bless.