A Peculiar Madness: Youth Up - Chapter 1

Let us begin with the known as we calmly move on to the unknown, just like it is with mathematics. A good number of the stories that end sadly begin quite peacefully but, not this story. This story is about you so pay attention, it’s cheaper than starting this story afresh. Remember, as nice as this ride is going to be, stay focused on finding your own story within this haystack. This is about you; don’t make it about someone else.

What color is your skin? You’re surprised I asked right? This is because it doesn’t matter the color of your skin, this is a multicolored story and, it all began with one man’s madness. Believe me, you will find out that you too are crazy at the end of this story. Don’t get me wrong, I am crazier.

One faithful day, a very faith filled morning indeed because, I don’t know how it happened but, I met Faith in the flesh. He came unto me as a man of African origin, with global knowledge. I couldn’t help but be impressed. I bet you would’ve been too. Everyone who’s met with Faith has been.

Already in the game, Faith convinced me to put my hands even deeper. I was even ready to cut them off if required and, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way on that faithful Saturday. The funny thing is, before I met with Mr. Faith, I had previously come in contact with “God’s thought” (Uchechi - A native Nigerian name) and, this time it was a she. You know, as a young man, meeting a valuable lady for the first time, almost all the time, sweeps you of your feet and helps you loose focus for a few seconds, minutes or even hours. It all depends on how much value she prescribes for your free trial.

Uchechi set the table for me to meet with Faith and, after that, Faith introduced me to his partner 'K'. This feels like a setup. Damn it! Was I already duped? I couldn’t really tell at the time but then, assurance came when I realized that they all had a face to their names and, much better news, I could take on one of the three if by any means, this whole thing goes south. You can guess which one of the three it was.

Then came the proposal; ‘let’s do business.’ Indeed, I had a lot to offer and, in a split second, I calculated the value of all three against my chips. I am no chattered accountant like two other beautiful Indian ladies that joined the crew later on but, a man has got to be smart. Understanding that the situation was a very favorable one, I became relaxed and put in honest work into the business.

This is no drug ring or stuff like that, we are in the “people business.” I’m not talking about human trafficking either. Except you’re referring to when we transfer people from unskilled to skilled, no voice to speakers, etc. for these ones, we can be charged. Remember, I told you that this all began with one man’s madness, ever paused to wonder why I, the smart one followed a “mad man”?

His madness was a peculiar one. Madness for building better people, better societies, better businesses, better world. A world where all young people like you and me truly have a voice. This right here is our brand of madness. Who wouldn’t love to have a voice? But everything has a price. Guess what; it was cheaper than I already projected. All I had to pay to join the team was “to give to others the love I got.”

Now, this is where it becomes multicolored. Once upon a time, it was just Faith, Kingsley, Uchechi, me and a few undercover agents (I didn’t know them until later). All natives of the west African nation proudly referred to as the giant of Africa and loudly insulted as a renowned poverty capital of the world. Poor as it may be, even poor people have the right to dream big and, we did dream big (not to disappoint you but, most of the initial dream featured only one sleeper. The rest of us were operating hand fans).

After a good and promising dream comes a plan. Unfortunately, the only plan that came immediately after this dream was belief. Then came the brainstorming to find a dream plan, it seemed fruitless for a while, just like finding your dream spouse on LinkedIn. After a while, some genius came up with the idea that we tell stories to:

• Uplift
• Inspire
• Educate
• Motivate and,
• Re-calibrate the minds of youths all around the world. Like going around the world in 80 days but this time, instead of just going round the world, we’re building all over the world. Building people regardless of color or gender. All you need to be is, YOUNG. We still accept active elders…YOUTH is a state of mind.

If you’re already with us, I bet you are smiling right about now. If you still have no clue who we are, I will be straight with you. We are @Youth Up and you should join us on Telegram after you have visited our website.