Everyone can make a difference, but not everyone can begin at the same scale. The Chahal Foundation focused on large problems, including trafficking, education, and cultural awareness. Most people will begin closer to home. That does not make the work less meaningful. It makes the first step possible.
Find an Issue You Care About and Learn
Something that really lacks when it comes to serious issues is a true understanding the problem. Many problems may seem superficial and easily fixable, but when you learn more, there are many more layers to uncover that will make the problem harder to solve. Before you try and find a way to help, the more you know about the issue, the better. Interview people, read books, keep up with the news. Learn all you can-and then share it.
Knowledge kept to yourself does no one any good. Once you get familiar with the issue, find an outlet, whether it’s speaking at an event, setting up a meeting with government officials, or organizing your own fundraiser or other outlet. Once you know, other people need to be made aware. Now that becomes your responsibility-one you should carry with both great pride and humility.
Become a Mentor
Many young people lack guidance, whether that’s in the form of a person or a goal. Mentoring is not only a great way to meet other people in your community, but it’s a beacon of hope for the future. Someone is saying to these younger people, “I believe in you and I want to hear what you have to say.”
There are many ways to become mentors. Whether it’s through a school or a community outreach program, you have a way to impact someone’s life. You are helping open doors and letting someone see what is possible, sometimes beyond their wildest dreams. All it takes is one person to believe in someone for them to realize their own capabilities, and see how they can make changes in the world, as well.
Get Involved in Local Politics
There is nothing that says you have to try and solve the world’s problems like Gurbaksh Chahal. Start small, and more importantly, start where you live. Local politics may not get much media attention, but that is where many changes happen. By having say in what happens in your town, you can impact a lot people’s lives-now and for the future.
Local politics give you a soapbox to bring attention to the issues that are most pertinent to where you are living, and you are still making a difference, whether it is to a community of 15,000 or 150,000. While politics can be a messy business, there is some beauty in the fact that everyone can have a voice in the policies that are being made.
Join an Active Organization
You don’t have to start from scratch. There are lots of organizations that are already organizing fundraisers, goodwill trips, or canvassing days at the nearest government building. Chances are they could probably use more people like you and me getting involved.
Maybe your friend is a member or maybe you just found your passion, but getting involved at the ground level is a great way to impact a cause that you have a vested interest in. Remember, the size of the impact isn’t the most important part of your efforts; it’s the fact you are working to making a difference, somehow, somewhere.
Take the Lead
“If you genuinely want something, don’t wait for it – teach yourself to be impatient.” Do not wait for someone to ask you to help. Find an issue that concerns you and take a real step. Change requires people willing to lead.
