Perseverance: Key to Breaking Limits | Faith Ejih | TEDxSkyline University Nigeria

Key Concepts

• Perseverance in the face of adversity
• Impact through education
• Collaboration and community support
• Overcoming fear and limitations
• Personal responsibility for change
• The Brainer Solution (educational program)
• AR Competition (reading and English competition)

Early Life and Inspiration

The speaker recounts her birth story, highlighting her survival as a premature baby after her mother lost two previous twins. This experience instilled in her a sense of perseverance and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. She describes herself as a "child of perseverance."

Initial Steps Towards Change

While in NYC, the speaker noticed a young girl struggling with English. Despite not being paid initially, she volunteered to tutor the girl, witnessing significant improvements in her English skills and academic performance. The girl eventually became a prefect in her school. Although the father of the girl promised to pay 3,000 Naira per month, he never did. Instead, he used the money to create a notice board for the school, recognizing the speaker's genuine commitment to change. The school principal gave her a commendation letter.

The Brainer Solution and AR Competition

The speaker discussed her plans with her friends, who were also her accountability partners, about her desire to see children reach their full potential. Despite initial support, she found herself alone when it came time to execute her vision. This led her to realize the importance of personal responsibility in driving change. She then founded "The Brainer Solution," an organization focused on improving education in northern Nigeria through fun and educational programs. The AR (reading and English) Competition was a key initiative, attracting over 300 attendees in its first year. The competition boosted children's confidence and improved their love for English and reading.

Overcoming a Major Obstacle

During the third year of the AR Competition, the speaker was hit by a bike while eight months pregnant, resulting in a broken leg. Despite this severe injury, she refused to cancel the event, leveraging her team members to ensure its success. Seeing the smiles on the children's faces reinforced the importance of her work.

The Power of Perseverance and Collaboration

The speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance and challenging fear. She argues that individuals should not let fear of inadequacy, lack of support, or financial constraints hold them back. She highlights the power of collaboration, noting that partnering with like-minded individuals enabled The Brainer Solution to impact children in multiple states.

International Funding and Library Project

Through collaboration, The Brainer Solution secured its first international funding of over $5,000 from a foundation. This funding was used to build a library in a government school, which is now used by over 500 children.

Choice and Action

The speaker concludes by presenting a choice: to succumb to fear and inaction or to pursue goals and create positive change. She urges listeners to choose action and make a difference in the world. She emphasizes that there is more inside of you that the world is waiting for you to change.

Conclusion

The speaker's story underscores the transformative power of perseverance, collaboration, and a commitment to action. By overcoming personal challenges and embracing opportunities to create change, individuals can make a significant impact on their communities and beyond. The Brainer Solution and the AR Competition serve as concrete examples of how these principles can be applied to improve education and empower children.