PAYBAC to the Future
by I speak with an organization called PAYBAC to children about education. This is a speech I wrote about one of my experiences.
How many people here have children? How often do you think about their future education? I have a 10-year-old boy and two nieces 14 ad 10 and I just assume they will go to college and have good careers and do the things that they love. They go to a Montessori private school and get the best education. I have put money away for my son for when he is ready to go to college. I can do that. My parents help a lot.
What about the children out there that cannot get what my kids have? What about the children in lower income families that can’t afford to put money away for college? What about the children that don’t have supportive parents and grandparents that will help them to achieve their goals in life?
I never really thought about this until recently. My Toastmaster mentor and I were talking one day and he told me about this volunteer program called PAYBAC. This stands for Professionals and Youth Building a Commitment. The purpose of this program is to motivate the youth to stay in school. They will hopefully continue their education and achieve meaningful employment and enjoy a productive life.
So what does this mean to me? I am self-centered and to me it meant that I would get to talk and give all my great knowledge to these kids who need help. I can do something good and it benefits me as well because I get to practice my speaking skills. I get to prove how great I am. I have a bit of an ego. I told you I am self-centered.
I went to my first endeavor on January 29th to a middle school and I was ready. I went to sign in and talked to some other volunteers who were also going to speak. I ate the breakfast that they served. I drank some apple juice and then got escorted to one of the classrooms. I walked in and I felt pretty confident. The kids were all working on individual projects. The substitute teacher thought I was just there to observe. I told him I was supposed to speak. He yelled for the kids to put their work away and to pay attention and listen to me. He kept reminding them to behave. I never saw them misbehave but maybe I am not there enough to see it. They were very quiet and listened to me.
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