Hello. So, service learning has an obvious positive impact on the community. But, let's take some time to talk more about the impact the service work has on the person implementing it. Roots & Shoots empowers you to become the type of leaders who will make right choices to build a better world. Using this model, young people lead local change through service while developing skills and traits of compassionate leaders. By leading service projects, young people gain the skills needed to act with confidence when someone or something needs help. At the same time, service activates a person's innate desire to do good and find their voice as a leader. In all, when young people have this experience, they develop compassion, act with empathy, and become more self-aware. I've been asked before what compassionate leadership looks like in a real world experience or in practice. So, let me give you an example. In 2015, the Jane Goodall Institute became involved with many other organizations when more than 60 chimpanzees were abandoned in Liberia after being subjected to years of animal research. The chimpanzees were completely dependent on humans for survival. They were in a dire situation as their caretakers had been left with no resources to care for these chimpanzees, and their water systems were broken. If the institution responsible for abandoning these chimpanzees had been leading with compassion, they would have used thoughtful planning in the implementation of their work. They would have factored in health and long-term care of the chimpanzees. There are many opportunities to flex leadership muscles to Roots & Shoots service campaign. Here, we highlight nine characteristics and traits of compassionate leaders. Here, we see the Roots & Shoots compassionate leaders skills and traits. So, how does Roots & Shoots help young people to become compassionate leaders? Let's take a look. When observing the community, they practice empathy- connecting to feelings outside their own by viewing concepts through the lens of another. When mapping their community and choosing the role they would like to play to make a difference, they are using introspection- examining their beliefs to consider how their actions affect the world around them. Designing their Roots & Shoots campaign allows young people to think critically. Exploring a topic from all angles before making a well-thought out decision. They are also learning how to communicate openly by embracing the participation of others and accepting new ideas and perspectives. As they work in groups to carry out their campaign, they are being team players- working well in a team and engaging their peers by leveraging their individual skills. Problem solving any unexpected circumstances along the way allows them to become adaptable and resilient- embracing challenges and overcoming setbacks. Taking the lead on projects they are passionate about shows young people that they can act with purpose- making choices that align with a commitment to have a positive impact on important issues. When problem solving with their peers and educating others about their campaign, they gain the ability to inspire- setting a positive example for the people around them. And finally, when a young person experiences taking positive action to address a community need, they become hopeful and optimistic- staying positive and committed to achieving their goal. Continuously practicing these skills is critical to becoming good stewards of the community and our world, not only will your learners' actions create positive changes but they will inspire and model to others how to do the same. Developing an awareness of their own compassionate traits and choosing to strengthen these skills will serve them for the rest of their lives.
