Advice To My Younger Self - Isatu Venn

When I joined ChildFund International in 2022 as Director of Programs and Sponsorship, I was told I was the first woman to occupy that position since the organization started its operations in Sierra Leone in 1985. Wow! What a fete!

But how did I get here? It was not a walk in the park! My life as a young girl was not devoid of the all-too-familiar challenges that young girls in Sierra Leone, or many parts of Africa, are facing today. Girls dropping out of school due to various reasons, mostly poverty-related, and getting pregnant or getting married at an early age was a common occurrence.

Despite these challenges, I was able to break barriers and acquire university degrees which have, over the years, put me in a good position in society. Of course, I had to make certain trade-offs to get to where I am today. Let me tell you how I got here. This is my advice to my younger self and all young girls out there:

Set clear goals, stay focused, and work towards achieving them.

As a young girl, it is vital that you set goals and stay focused on achieving them. Challenges and distractions will come your way, but please stay focused. There’s a saying that “a man is known by the company he keeps.”

Be very mindful of the company you keep. Associate with friends with whom you share the same goals, vision, and ambitions.

Always be mindful that you carry a family name to protect and be reminded that you want to make your parents proud and happy, and they’ll always be proud of you.

Sharpen your life skills

A young girl should have life skills and demonstrate to others that she has life skills. Have positive self-esteem. Self–esteem was identified by Abraham Maslow as one of the five priority needs for an individual to reach and realize their full potential. Positive self-esteem will allow you to believe in your ability to learn, achieve and contribute to the world around you. Self-esteem is what will help you to not stoop so low and get carried away by material things presented to you by the opposite sex.

Always put books before boys because boys will only bring you babies at an age when you are not ready to be a mother.

Be a role model

It is good to want to be like someone else, but it is even better when people try to be like you. Be a role model in society that is admirable by all. I was a role model in the community where I came from and was admired by everyone. I always added value to what I did.

Work hard!

Hard work pays and when you back it up with commitment, you become an achiever. Be ambitious to further your studies and work hard.

Commit your goals to God.

In all that you do, always ensure you put God first; don’t forget to pray about your goals, your targets, and your plans. In the midst of the storm, God will always show up for you; He will neither leave you nor forsake you. Cheer up and God will always see you through your dreams.

This is your day, go and make yourself and your family members happy!