Reflections from Workcamp 2017

If you care to look, you can always find talent and one of the saddest things for me is when you see that talent go to waste.  Albert Einstein is quoted as saying “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

I have this quote under my signature strip at work as a constant reminder to me about what my job in HR should be about, aligning people to their talents and helping them to become the best that they can possibly become.  And here’s where I draw parallels with the Sunflower Mission. 

Cate Prescott works with her team of local children in the LEGO robotics workshop at Tien Ngoc primary school. (Photo: Dan Q. Dao)

As I helped to teach the children Lego robotics, I saw future mechanical engineers, project Managers, software programmers and leaders as I saw the children work their way through problem solving, using their innate abilities building their Lego crocodiles, spinning tops, goalies and kickers and building confidence and expertise as they did so. I can’t help but wonder how many will ‘make it’.  How many will achieve the full potential that I could see in them, bursting to get out – bright and eager?

The answer of course is that I will probably never know, but I do know that without the work that The Sunflower Mission does, some of those children would never have had that experience which hopefully sparked an inquisitive and curious mind to continue to learn, grow and have confidence that they can do anything they set out to achieve.  I truly believe that we are all capable of achieving our potential given the right circumstances. 

Cate Prescott and SM volunteers hand out gifts for kindergarten children at the Tien Lap kindergarten. (Photo: Dan Q. Dao)

Like a sunflower, planted in good soil, nurtured and with the right amount of sun and water it will grow strong and tall with its head held high.  I think as we share this wonderful planet we all live on together, that we should strive always look to support one another and build each other up.  Just as it was our honour and privilege to mentor those children and show them what they could achieve in a 2 hour Lego Robotics workshop so I hope it inspires them to go on and achieve their ambitions and reach for the sky. 

Dream big our Sunflower children!