By: George C Flomo
MONROVIA – Uplift Liberia International Organization successfully hosted a one-day Youth Summit on Saturday, bringing together young leaders to discuss personal growth, mental well-being, and resilience in the face of challenges. Held under the theme “Chase Your Dreams,” the event featured inspiring talks from renowned speakers, equipping participants with practical tools to pursue their aspirations.
The first speaker, Apostle Paul Younger, emphasized the importance of taking action toward dreams rather than simply being inspired by them. He explained that dreams are not reality until effort is applied, stating, “Potential is what you ought to be but are not yet.” He categorized dreams into professional dreams (focused on learning and career) and social dreams (centered on making an impact).
Apostle Younger highlighted the importance of setting goals, noting that, “Dreams give birth to goals, goals to targets, targets to discipline, discipline to routine, and routine to habit.” He urged participants to always have a new dream to pursue and to break their dreams into achievable steps to make them a reality.
The second speaker focused on mental health, stressing the importance of a clean environment and healthy eating habits in maintaining overall well-being. The discussion highlighted how one’s surroundings and diet contribute significantly to mental and physical health. Participants were encouraged to be mindful of their daily habits and lifestyle choices.
Wrapping up the summit, Mr. Edwin Olu Bestman delivered a powerful message on overcoming failure as a necessary part of growth. He defined fear as either “Face Everything and Rise” or “Forget Everything and Run.” According to him, success is built on consistency, resilience, and learning from setbacks.
Bestman emphasized that failure is an essential learning process that builds strength and character while encouraging innovation. He urged participants to surround themselves with a small but effective circle of influence rather than a large, unproductive one. He also encouraged them to read about individuals who overcame failure, such as Thomas Edison, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Jordan.
Participants described the summit as enlightening and motivational, with many leaving inspired to take practical steps toward their dreams. As Liberia’s youth continue to navigate challenges, events like the Uplift Liberia Youth Summit serve as crucial platforms for mentorship and empowerment.