When we focus too much on ourselves, we worsen our predicaments , and may sink deeper into despair. As humans, we all struggle with self-centeredness and selfishness. We tend to be selfish because all we can see is our own pains and pleasures, and most often we do not notice the pains of others.
We further sink into discontentment when our hearts are only concerned with our own pleasures. Whereas, we enjoy happiness and fulfillment when we notice and meet the needs of those who are desperate for help. One major source of happiness is taking our eyes off ourselves and our own desires, and focus on meeting the needs of others – the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless, the afflicted, the sick and helpless.
The submission of Danny Thomas is instructive: “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplished for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” Still thinking about how to help? Look deeply within yourself and you will be amazed that there’s something you truly care about and would be your greatest pleasure if you get involved.
Some YWAW Volunteers at Old People’s Home in Lagos
40% of our happiness is determined by intentional activities, behaviour and practices that we voluntarily pursue, such as helping others, adopting positive attitude, exercise or striving for goals. Helping others is the secret sauce to happiness.
There are a number of voluntary causes that you can engage in that would put you on a platform to be of help to others in your little way. You can get involved in helping sex trafficking victims, the elderly who have no one to care for them, little kids who need help learning to read – there’s always something you can do.
You can also volunteer for a non-governmental organization who carry out humanitarian, social services or advocacy and join to serve the needs of others, The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation (YWAW) is an example of a charity and human capital development NGO that focuses on helping people especially in the area of education and empowerment.
We provide a platform for those who have passion to impact the world positively and be life savers while they also inculcate a winning lifestyles. You can volunteer with us today through this link. https://yeswearewinning.com/become-a-volunteer/
When you have made a choice of a service to render, then, commit to serve once or twice, and see how you feel. If you liked it, get involved in their their causes and give your service to humanity. “Non Sibi Sed Alis”; “Not for us but for others” Your becoming a well watered garden often comes because you feel good helping another human being. God has a way of rewarding your selfless sacrifice with healing and satisfaction that will surpass your expectations.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation joins the rest of the world to celebrate the effort of the women in the Mother’s Association of the Social mobilisation unit under the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.
Cross section of women who are beneficiaries of the SUBEB empowerment program with partnership from the YWAW foundation
The International Women’s Day which is commemorated every March 8 is a global day to celebrate the achievements of women. The Mother’s Association held IWD in partnership with the Yes We Are Winning Foundation on the 17th of March with the theme “Break The Bias”.
From Left to Right: Amarachi Eke, Project Director YWAW, Mrs. Odubayo Comfort, SUBEB Social Mobilisation Coordinator, Sola YWAW Volunteer at the Women Symposium held in Lagos
To break the bias in the society that culturally leaves women behind, there is need for intentional growth. As women, we need to grow ourselves to the level where we can not be denied our rights when there are opportunities even in the men’s space.
I have seen a lot of young ladies breaking forth in their career. I believe if we have more intentional women who refuse to act as a victim despite the challenges, we can break the bias.
According to Dr. Mrs Adesola Falaiye, the MD/CEO of Afkar Prints & Publishing Company during of an interview on IWD she said, Nobody will give it to you, you have to take it!”
It means we need to keep striving until we get to the top putting out other voices that may want to stop us.
The need to be diligent in your work and dealings. This will leave the people with no option than to give you your rightful place.
There’s need for women to acquire relevant skills and qualifications to compete favorably with the male counterpart as so break the bias of gender inequality.
Every year on March 20, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Happiness. With our planet experiencing unprecedented challenges, it is more important than ever to be happy.
The purpose of the International Day of Happiness is to raise awareness on the value of happiness in one’s life and the overall impact it can have on a person’s well-being.
Indeed, the alarming global crises, pandemic, political tensions, economic hardships and are enough to keep us in a state of melancholy. The economy and people’s livelihoods have been severely harmed. This means that in many regions, happiness is at an all-time low. However, it will do us a huge benefit if we cultivate and commit to being happy.
“Build Back Happier” is the theme for 2022, and is aimed at achieving global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Families and friends have been unable to be together for long periods of time due to lockdowns and pandemic-related norms.
Where do happiness come from?
Happiness can come from the good things of life, as well as pleasurable activities such as philanthropic works. However, the happiness that pleasurable activities gives is ephemeral, whereas the pleasure that philanthropic activities gives lasts longer because it gives intrinsic motivation, which is a motivation that its driven by internal rewards, and which gives a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment.
Facts about happiness
50% of your happiness is genetically determined
40% of your happiness is determined by intentional activities, behaviour and practices that we voluntarily pursue, such as helping others, adopting positive attitude, exercise or striving for goals.
10% of your happiness is determined by life’s circumstances, for example material wealth, marriage, employment status, income and possessions to mention a few
Benefits of being happy
Happy people are less likely to fall sick or suffer debilitating diseases.
Happy people have better social relationships
Happy people live longer
Happy people are better organisational citizens
How to cultivate happiness
Be intentional; treat happiness like your routine exercise
Commit to happiness
Work on being happy
In this life, there will always be trouble. When you worry you make your trouble double.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation joins the rest of the world to celebrate our women. The theme for the International Women’s Day is “Breaking The Bias”.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.
Dr. Mrs. Adesola Falaiye, MD/CEO AFKAR Prints & Publishing with Amarachi Eke, YWAW Project Director
“Nobody will give it to you, you have to take it!” These were the words of Dr. Mrs Adesola Falaiye, the MD/CEO of Afkar Prints & Publishing Company, when The YWAW team met with at her Lagos office. She shared with us about her exciting journey to the top of her career, and the challenges she faced as a woman operating in a male dominated space.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
Every January 24, the United Nations mark The International Day of Education. This year’s International Day of Education will be a platform to showcase the most important transformations that must be nurtured to realize everyone’s fundamental right to education and build a more sustainable, inclusive and peaceful futures.
Education is a basic human right, a public good and a public responsibility. It is a key priority of the state and should not be a privilege or subject to political or charitable whims. Education is the best investment that we can make to ensure a sustainable future for all in any country or region. However, millions of people are being deprived of education either as a result of social, cultural or economic factors.
Teachers And Students demonstrating the use of technology in teaching
Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
Today, 258 million children and youth still do not attend school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. In Nigeria, more than 13.2m children are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable.
Wherefore, it is critical that we continue to support the advocacy on quality and inclusive education in pursuance of the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goal, SDG4. The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation is a Charity and Human Capital Development NGO which focuses on Education and Advocacy.
The theme of the 2022 International Day Of Education is: “Changing Course, Transforming Education.” As an NGO that promotes education and inculcate a winning mentality, we join millions of stakeholders to promote inclusive and quality education that would help reduce poverty and foster development in all life’s endeavours.
Cross section of Panelist at the Symposium. Left – Right: Mrs. Yomi Ogunlari, MD Shower Books Ltd, Mrs. Olukemi Sofola, Coordinating Director, Quality Assurance, Lagos State Governement (Education), Mr Adebayo O, Asst. HOD Ikosi Senior High School, Mrs. Comfort Odubayo, HOS, Social Mobilization SUBEB
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director General, on the occasion of International Day of Education 2021 said and I quote:” In these exceptional times, business as usual is no longer an option. If we are to transform the future, if we are to change course, we must rethink education. This means forging a new social contract for education, as called for by the UNESCO report on the Futures of Education, released last November.
We need to repair past injustices and orient the digital transformation around inclusion and equity. And we need education to fully contribute to sustainable development – for instance, by integrating environmental education in all curricula and by training teachers in this field.” –
And finally, in the words of the UN Secretary, General Antonio Guterres, “We must do far more to advance Sustainable Development Goal 4, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
