'This I Believe' SUSI Winter '23 on Civic Engagement Speeches!
This I Believe is a popular essay genre that allows the writer to share a personal belief and explain the belief’s origin or importance. This type of essay rose to popularity In the 1950s after being featured on a radio show with journalist Edward R. Murrow. NPR continued the radio show in 2004.
The executive producer of This I Believe on NPR, Dan Gediman, shares that “The goal is not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs. Rather, the hope is to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own.”
The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement includes 20 undergraduates from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Each participant worked on a This I Believe Essay throughout their time in Seattle. Keep reading to hear what they believe!
Allan Chipoyi:
“When leaders fail to address problems faced by their society, they end up becoming the societal problems.
Youths, especially you the SUSI students from Africa, let us become the man in the arena in addressing problems faced by the communities.
Youths, let’s meet at the top in leadership circles because the bottom is overcrowded.
I have a dream that one day, the youths shall stop complaining about not being given opportunities but rather create their own.”
Timoteo Haca Quifica:
“I believe we are the size of our dreams.
I believe that we are not the size of our unhappiest dreams, we are the size of our deepest and strongest dreams.”
Wisney Sumagly:
“I believe in being kind to other people.
I believe that no matter if a person's day is good or bad, being kind changes something in people's lives and transforms that person's day, week or even life.
Especially being in a world where people are used to being rude to each other, having people who show a sincere smile, speak kind words, care about others becomes something very special.
As studies confirm, being kind inspires others because when we see people being kind we tend to imitate.
If the world learns to be kind to others, without expecting anything in return,
The world will be a better place.
And the moment we realize that these attitudes begin in our minds will change and cycles will improve.”
Ngadzi Goitsemang:
“I believe in rose plants.
Roses have taught me to be adaptable, they have the ability to adapt to changing seasons and this helps them to thrive, I have learnt to be flexible because one of life's inevitabilities is that circumstances change.
Additionally, I believe roses are unique in their own way. They do not rely on validation of other plants to be who they are, each one has its own purpose to serve, so do we. I have found peace in blooming differently from the next person.
Roses also move at their own pace, some take more months, some less; therefore as human beings we should be patient with ourselves too.
Roses turn towards the sun, as it contributes towards their primary objective which is growth. They are not focused on weeds surrounding them, so we should do the same for our well-being. We should not give more power to the pitfalls we face, rather we should prioritize our well-being.”
Edna Respeito:
“Persistence achieves the impossible, nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!
Keep trying because you never know when it will be the turn of the possible, falling and staying down is not the solution because it is part of the journey to conquer the possible, fight for what is worthy of your essence”.
Ega Nkoni:
“I believe in DEATH.
We were born into this life from nothingness, with no idea how long the journey would last, but with one certainty: death at the end, and back to nothingness. There is a saying in my native language that says, ’Loso ga le tlhaole’ and that means death does not discriminate, it is for the poor and the rich. Death is a constant reminder to the living that life is fleeting and a privilege with an unknown recall date that does not allow time to organize one's affairs when the grim reaper calls.
Death has a way of bringing people together and teaching us the importance of one another. However, the lesson serves as a reminder that for this to be effective at the last hour, it must be a continuous process. We learn to love those around us, whether we are bereaved or supporting those who are.
If anything, it also teaches us to be grateful for every accomplishment in life and accept the result of our efforts while we strive for better fortune and to be content, that is, being able to live life to the fullest in a fast-paced world without feeling inadequate. Contentment focuses on the present moment and the quality of life.
As previously stated, death only serves to emphasize the transient nature of life and reinforces the fact that nothing is permanent. This understanding necessitates a holistic approach to life as one progresses along this journey, the end date of which is unknown.”
Kudzaishe Masendeke:
“I believe in photography, they say photography freezes a moment; it speaks more than a 1,000 words, it connects us to past events. I believe photography is more than that. It is a memory that can be held on to forever.”
Qasim Osman:
“We all have a dream, a goal, a passion that we want to pursue. But too often, we let fear hold us back. We let the uncertainty of the future paralyze us and keep us from reaching our full potential.
We live in a world that is constantly changing and evolving, and in order to succeed, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and take chances.
It’s easy to become comfortable with the status quo and to fear the unknown. But I believe that it is only by taking risks that we can truly discover our potential and achieve our dreams.”
Chelsia Dala:
“I believe that the perfect body shape doesn’t exist, people will always look for perfect features in you. But guess what? It might sound like a cliché but the truth is, ‘the perfection is within you’.”
Abi Tadiwa:
“Two months down the lane, on the 14th of November 2022… My upper eyelid twitched! Oh my! I got so excited before I had even received any news. The hope of anticipating good news. Later on the day I received an email from the United States of America. I never thought an email could hold so much power in it. It took me years to embrace my roots and my culture. And now that I do, I believe in all the myths. So, I believe in the twitching eye.”
Chemila Nivale:
“I believe in the power of the introvert. As an introvert, I usually hear people say that I'm shy or awkward, simply because I like my own space, it's hard to make friends as an introvert because people usually want to go out and spend hours talking, and I prefer my own company.
There are several advantages of being an introvert such as the ability to observe and listen carefully, Ease of focus and concentration, Attention to detail, and ability to do thorough and precise work, among others, and I like to use my superpowers.
As an introvert, I am happy, and I have people who care about me by my side. If you are an introvert and you are listening to this speech, know that I believe in you, I believe in us.”
Festus Matemera:
“I believe in the sun rising at the beginning of each day,
I have come to marvel at how it soars across the sky.
Unbothered
With purpose
Its only agenda to shine light on the dark half,
So it travels slowly taking into stock every...
Second
Every minute
Every hour
To complete its journey.
I believe in steady progress,
Unwavering faith
That in sufficient time
The day shall come to pass as did yesterday.
I believe in steady footsteps
I believe in traveling through hailstorms to reach my destination.
I believe that with time, I too can be a strong man of unparalleled vision and ability.”
Clara Sessa:
“It doesn't matter where we come from, who we are and how we are, just like the sunflower may we be able to adapt to life's situations from the hottest to the coldest, may we be able to face our own difficulties, to free ourselves from faults and to conquer new attitudes. Perhaps, like the sunflower, we will leave this life sooner, who knows? But while that doesn't happen, life goes on and we must progress in love, strength, delicacy, beauty, happiness, be brave, transmit warmth and positive energy to those around us.
I believe in the sunflower...”
This is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS. The 2023 program ran from January 10-February 10 in Seattle and from February 11-15 in D.C.