We believe that every adult and every child is unique and therefore must be treated as the individual that they are. In line with that, our approach to you is a very personal one where our initial interaction is based on understanding you better so that when we make recommendations they are best suited to you specifically.
Whether you are looking to help a young person, develop business or career opportunities for yourself, or you are looking to become more involved in Lighthouse Kidz (potentially as a volunteer, employee or even partner) then please get in touch here and one of the Lighthouse Kidz Team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
A powerful story from Asif, a father of 2 and member of the Lighthouse team for the last few years. It’s a humbling reminder that what we really value is what money cannot buy…Click here to read more.
Giving Kids What They Really Want For Christmas!
Today we have a powerful video and story from Asif Valiji, a father of 2 and member of the team for the last few years. He wanted to share this video and experience with you at this time of year because it’s a powerful reminder for all of us that what we really value is what money cannot buy…we hope you enjoy it…
By Asif Valiji, Associate Partner & Mentorship Coach, Lighthouse International
For me the past 4 years has seen a massive change in myself and the way I relate to others. When I look back at what my relationships were like with my 2 kids it does feel like a different lifetime.
I love this video because it gets to the point of why this time of year is so special for so many of us and really encourages us to challenge our expectations of ourselves and others. Writing this experience has not only helped me appreciate my journey more but it’s also been a chance to share a real story and relate to others in a more meaningful way during a time of year which is mostly filled with routines and assumptions. It’s a chance to talk about what’s really important to me and to help others find, connect and then build on those important things with others.
The Christmas Shark!!
On the last day of school I eagerly picked up my kids Tiyah (8) and Jacob (6) with a fun filled weekend of swimming, going out for dinner and activities (drawing/football) planned.
It was shaping up to be a great weekend, however the first obstacle came when we arrived at the pool and the diving boards were closed and the pool was limited to just the training pool. The kids did not look pleased and that weighed on my mind.
It was then that I decided to make the most of it. Regardless of the circumstances we would take the lead and we created the Christmas Shark! You see; with the training pool divided into two sections – shown by two separate colours (dark blue & light blue) on the floor – the aim of the game was to come as far into the sharks side without being eaten (pulled into the sharks side hugging & screaming!) As you can imagine we had a lot of fun!
For me however my expectations were not met and I still felt like I was letting the kids down. In the back of my mind I needed to ‘make up’ for what I could not deliver on, the feeling of things constantly ‘not being good enough’ and having to ‘catch up’…
True Value is What You Cannot Buy
One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the last year is just how so many kids don’t feel involved at home through being neglected. It’s something that really impacted me when I was young and is certainly something I did not want to repeat with our kids.
It’s not complicated to turn this around. There are real and powerful ways and it starts with being willing to let go of our assumptions, expectations and judgments and ask questions, genuinely seeking to understand and being willing to empathise with others…
And so I asked the kids, at the end of our weekend together, what was your favorite time over the weekend? Expecting them to say ‘going out’ or the gifts I had brought them. Both Tiyah and Jacob said, at the same time, as if they had rehearsed it “playing the shark game at the pool!!”
I was genuinely surprised and taken aback by how much the little things meant so much more to them than I knew about at the time.
The lesson for me here is a fundamental one at any time of year, especially over Christmas, and refers to the foundation of families and the value we place on them.
My questions to anyone out there with family, friends or kids they are planning to spend time with over Christmas and New Year are these;
“What do you truly value at this time? What do they really value? What will you be giving them in terms of what’s truly important rather than just getting lost in presents as we all can do?”
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to appreciate, to understand and to care. I love being wrong about things like this because it brings me back to reality and helps me see things for what they really are.
This video encourages us to look below the surface. For me I cannot hear this enough because it’s real, practical and we can apply it regardless if we are working parents, carers or even if we aren’t parents at all!
Give it a go and let us know how you get on. Find your own Christmas Shark :))
Losing someone close is devastating, but finding meaning through the experience and using it to make a difference in other young people’s lives brings enormous relief.Click here to see more.
As part of the inspiring breakthroughs we’ve been sharing with you recently, today we’d like to widen that out a bit to shining examples of ordinary people achieving extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses and society as a whole.
We’re kicking-off with a story as part of our work empowering young people through our sister organisation Lighthouse Kidz.
It’s an incredibly touching and inspiring story which moved us deeply… so we wanted to share it with you again. During a call between Lighthouse Kidz supporter Mitch Duffus and one of our directors Chris Nash, Mitch shared the story of Mark Prince and his son Kiyan Prince who was tragically killed in a knife attack in 2006. Mark has gone on to have a sheer determination and commitment to young people that is truly humbling and inspiring. Our wish is that he touches many lives, inspiring an incredible sense of dedication to really care for our young people. We wish him well in his work and hope you are as inspired by the story below as we are.
How a Tragic Loss Can Inspire Meaningful Change
Losing someone close is devastating, but finding meaning through the experience and using it to make a difference in other young people’s lives brings enourmous relief. You might remember the 15-year-old son of famous boxer Mark Prince, Kiyan Prince, who on the 18th of May 2006 was sadly attacked and killed after school when he tried to save his friend from being bullied.
Check out both videos below to see the moving story and a powerful lesson on bringing together the enough good-intentioned people and resources to succeed in any endeavour…
Bringing Together the Right People
Our ability to make an impact in any area, whether that’s deep societal challenges or launching a business is completely dependent upon having enough of the right passionate people to lend a helping hand. Mark Prince was doing some great and desperately needed work, but he was limited by himself as he himself shares. In this video we see how bringing the right people together radically enhanced his ability to make a difference to a far greater number of children in a far greater way through the Kiyan Prince Foundation. It was through the right people that he gained access to the knowledge and resources so vital to build his foundation. The key here was also their willingness and passion to help him which was earnt through his sheer determination in turning a tragic experience into a powerful cause.
As you may well know that is what we’re doing at Lighthouse International – enabling ordinary people to build strong and trusted networks all over the country to create an impact in their own lives and in society too, especially with young people. By ourselves we simply couldn’t achieve optimally what we want to in any area of our lives without the right people around us.
