Westervelt’s Words on Being a Mentee

Westervelt’s Words on Being a Mentee

What I like best about my mentor.

I like my mentor because he is very nice to me.  He was very friendly to me when I first met him and that is when I needed a friend the most.  He has helped me with my home work and school work and taught me how to treat other people nice and with respect.  He listens to me when I need to talk to someone and helps me understand my problems.  He is a great businessman.  He owns his own business and teaches me what he does and how he does it.  He also teaches me how to work things out and solve problems using my mind.

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Westervelt’s Words on Being a Mentee

What I like best about my mentor.

I like my mentor because he is very nice to me.  He was very friendly to me when I first met him and that is when I needed a friend the most.  He has helped me with my home work and school work and taught me how to treat other people nice and with respect.  He listens to me when I need to talk to someone and helps me understand my problems.  He is a great businessman.  He owns his own business and teaches me what he does and how he does it.  He also teaches me how to work things out and solve problems using my mind.

How do you think you have changed since working with Rusty?

Since I began working with Rusty I have a much better attitude towards my friends, teachers and about life.  I have learned that I have my own personality and Rusty has showed me good things about it, like how I am kind and generous, and things that I can improve on, like my temper and talents.  Before I met Rusty I didn't like to work with others and I used to fight others and be by myself, but since I have Rusty I have learned to work well with others, share, help others and be a good friend.  My grades used to be very bad.  I did not understand much of my school work and did not understand the importance of school.  Because of this, my mom and teachers felt that I needed an extra year of fifth grade.  I was very mad about that, but I now know it was true.  This is when I met Rusty and he has helped me to do better in school, take my time with my work and proofread my assignments for mistakes.  He has also helped me to understand why it is important to not only stay in school but to do well in school so that I can have a good education.  My mom has always taught me to be nice to people and Rusty has taught me to respect myself and respect others.  I used to talk back and be rude to my teachers and other adults, but Rusty showed me that it does not feel good to have others be mean to me or not respect me, so now I try to be nice, respectful and helpful to my teachers, adults and my peers.  One thing that Rusty has taught and showed me is to respect and thank our soldiers.  Every time we see or talk to soldiers we always thank them for their service and sacrifice to our country and helping us to be free.

What have you been able to do that you might not have been able to do without Rusty's help?

One thing that I have been able to achieve since working with Rusty is good grades.  I made the honor roll for the first time in sixth grade.  I have also made it again in seventh grade.  I am very proud of this accomplishment.  Rusty has also taught me how to work hard and believe in myself so that I could become a starter on my school's football team.  As a starter I have a chance to teach others and be a leader.  I have also been able to successfully get several girlfriends and keep them because I have learned how to treat them nice and be a gentleman. 

Rusty and I have also been able to do many fun things together that I would not have been able to do if he was not my mentor.  We have been able to attend many University of Georgia Football games.  We always tailgate before the game, watch the players walk into the game and cheer really loud.  They have never lost a game when I have gone.  We also went to a University of Georgia Basketball game, and they won!  Last year he took me to a football camp where I got to learn how to be a better football player from the head coaches of the Georgia Football team!  One day we went to the University Student Workout Center.  I got to workout with all the college students.  We did a lot of fun things that day like play racquetball, run on the indoor track, watch the diving team and we did sit-ups, push-ups, and rode the stationary bike.  Just the other day Rusty taught me how to change and rotate tires using both a manual wrench and an automatic wrench.  It was neat because I have never changed a tire before and I like working with my hands.  He has also taught me how to properly wash a car and how engines and gears operate.  Maybe one day I will learn to drive.  One day while driving by the airport we saw a weird looking airplane.  We went to the airport and asked what it was.  It was a new airplane that the Army is using that takes off straight up in the air.  Rusty went and asked one of the pilots if we could have a tour of it and he said yes.  I have never seen an airplane that big up-close.   One thing I really enjoy doing with Rusty is working.  He lets me help him in his business and I get a chance to earn some money.  I only get the money if I work hard and do a good job.  He tells me I have to save some of it for a rainy day, but the rest of it I spend on clothes, candy and my girlfriend.  Something that I have been able to do with Rusty that I would nothave been able to do if I did not know him is meet important people.  I have gotten to meet bankers, lawyers, athletes, Athletic Directors, presidents of companies, realtors, nurses, soldiers, contractors, developers, and politicians.  It is very interesting to hear about what other people do for a living.

Goals

One of the first times Rusty helped me set a goal was when I was in fifth grade.  My grades were not very good and he told me that if I worked hard, studied, was nice to my teachers and did not get sent to the office that I could pick any reward for myself.  I chose to take a ride on an airplane.  I worked with my teachers to get passing grades and I did not get in any trouble the rest of the year.  When the school year was over, Rusty took me for my airplane ride.  It was great!  We flew over the mall, and the stadium, and even my house!

What have you learned from Rusty?

I have learned many important things from Rusty.  I have learned things like how to paint, clean, drill, blow off a driveway, pressure wash, cut trees, cut grass, build a fire and work hard.  He always tells me to make sure I do a good job and to use my head, that I am a very smart person.  He tells me what a good job I do and encourages me.  Rusty has also taught me how to budget my money, set goals, believe in myself and in others, be appreciative, and be respectful, to be a leader and set a good example for others to follow. 

What has Rusty l earned from you?

Rusty and I are the same in many ways, but we are also different in many ways.  We have different backgrounds and cultures.  I have been able to teach him to be patient and appreciative also. I have also been able to teach him about what things are popular with kids these days.  He is a new dad and it is important for him to know how to be cool.  We talk about music, dancing, and sports. 

Conclusion

I am very happy that I met Rusty three years ago.  He has taught me a lot.  He has really changed my life.  He cares about me, prays for me and teaches me lots of fun and important things that will help me be successful in life.  He teaches me how to give to others with my mind and with the things I have.  He always gives his time and money to help others.  One day he had a bunch of twenty dollar bills and he gave them to me and we rode around just giving them away to many people that needed help.  I had never seen someone just give money away like that and it felt really good to see the expression on their faces when I gave them the money.  They were very thankful.  Rusty and his wife Clare have welcomed me into their family and I love playing with Russell his new son.  Maybe one day I can help teach Russell and others some of the things his dad has taught me.

Source: Clarke County Mentor Program

REVIEW OF ALIWA-YLMP FORUM

Hi guys,remember the famous ALIWA-YLMP Forum we scheduled for the 30th of March in Databank?i'm glad to inform you all that the forum was ON POINT!!!

For the benefit of the few junior mentors who were absent,we had on board Keli Gadzekpo;Chairman of Databank group,Estelle Akorfio-Sowah;Country Director for Google Ghana and Babatunde Ampah;Head of Corporate Finance,Databank Group.

We were inspired to make great use of any opportunity that presents itself to us.If you can do something today,why wait till tomorrow?says Babatunde Ampah.Estelle Akorfio stressed on the fact that any thing we find ourseleves doing must be done with a sense of passion and enthusiasm.There are stages in life,therefore if you are determined and focused,you sure will reach the top.
Keli Gadzekpo added by saying that we must not always wait to be employed.We can create our own businesses.

I am super glad i was present and am sure all junior mentors who attended would agree with me.Abigail Sackey planned to leave for a class before the session ended however she stayed till the very end.She lost track of time beacuse it got so interesting.

We hope to have a second ALIWA-YLMP Forum soon.

Leadership through Mentorship,Leadership in Action
Leadership when?Leadership NOW!!!

ALIWA-YLMP

Hi mentors,
Hope you’re all well. This is to let you know that we’ll be having an ALIWA-YLMP Forum next week Friday (30th March) Some ALI Fellows; Keli Gadzekpo, Chairman of Databank Financial Services Limited, Ms. Estelle Akofio-Sowah, Country director of Google Ghana and David Awuah-Darko, Chief Executive Officer of IC SECURITIES will be available to share their experiences with us.

This forum will be held at Databank at 3:30pm in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Boardroom and should last about an hour.

Hope to see everyone there.

NB: It is compulsory that all junior mentors attend.

Recap of Mini Seminar (SexSense and Morality)

Hello guys,last friday's mini seminar was really really really interesting.To all junior mentors who missed,the Topic was on "SexSense and Morality" with Edem Damanka of the HuD group.SexSense was brilliantly defined as the wisdom of understanding and managing one's sexual urge until the proper time which is marriage.

The objective of this mini seminar was to help our mentees;
(A)Acquire a sound and holistic information on sex
(B)Develop the right attitude and paradigm about sex
(C)To be empowered with the practical abstinence skills

Attendance was great and we are positive that our Young Leaders are being moulded through mini seminar sessions to be great men and women leaders in future.

Leadership through Mentorship,Leadership in Action
Leadership When? Leadership Now!!!

The next Mini Seminar will be on the 30th of March,2012.

Extracts from Clarke County Mentor Program

Benefits of Mentoring
– Extracts from Clarke County Mentor Program

Mentor – Mentee Stories

Hi Everyone,

Pause and take a minute to reflect on these questions.

What are my expectations for the Young Leaders Mentorship Program?
If any, am I on my way to achieving them?
Will my story be like those below?

These are testimonies of people who engaged in a mentorship program and I want to recommend their stories to everyone involved with YLMP.Let's learn and make the desired impact.Enjoy Reading!!

One Mentee – 15 Years Later

Over 2000 students have participated in the Clarke County Mentor Program since its inception in 1991. One decided to give back.

Kevin Epps was among the first group of Clarke County students to participate in this project. As a fourth-grader at Cleveland Road Elementary School, Ed Benson became his mentor.

Epps left Athens for college in Washington D.C. but pledged his return to Trudy Bradley, Director of the Clarke County Mentor Program. While away at college, Epps felt such strong ties to the program that he started up a Mentor Program there as well. Epps has been a mentor for about a year now, though he is still coupled with his mentor Benson, now 87-years-old. According to Epps, he began taking lessons taught to him and then teaching them to others. “Everybody needs a mentor,” said Epps, “They’ve given me so many benefits, made me a better person. It would be selfish not to give back.”

For Epps, the experience becomes way more than simply writing a check to a favorite charity, it is being in the position to help a child’s life then truly seeing a positive result.

On the fifteenth anniversary of the Clarke County Mentor Program, Bradley, Director since 1991, has not only seen the program grow but also seen the quality of character it produces.

Rusty Clifton on Being A Mentor

The Clarke County Mentor Program has been a wonderful blessing in my life. I began mentoring Westervelt Henson about 3 years ago when he was in fifth grade. At the time, he was struggling both academically and socially. Today I am proud to say that he is making wonderful grades; he is a starter on his football team and has become a leader to his peers. I certainly can’t take all the credit for his success because he is a very bright young man, but I like to think that the guidance and advice I have been able to give him has helped make him a stronger, respectful and better-rounded individual.
The mentor program serves many purposes and not all are geared toward the mentees. One of the greatest aspects of being a mentor, one I never realized until I got involved, is that by giving back to others it has made me a better person. I feel that is the true spirit of helping others...that we ultimately become better people. It works out to be a true win-win for all parties involved and IT’S FREE!
Another great purpose for being a mentor has been that I have become much more vested in the community in which I live. This has not only helped me meet some wonderful people (volunteers, teachers, parents, etc.) and feel more comfortable where I live but has helped my business succeed. I found that I am now part of the fabric of our citizenry. I strongly encourage you to take 1 hour of your week to make a lifetime difference in someone’s life and your own.
Rusty is a real estate investor and developer. He, his wife and son live in Clarke County.


Source: Clarke County Mentor Program

Personal Hygeine and Good Grooming

Hello Everyone,
This is to inform you all that there will be a Mini Seminar this Friday,the 2nd of March at the Accra High School.
The time is 3:00pm propmt and our resource person will be Mrs.Abena Obeng from FC."Cleanliness is next to Godliness"
See you all there
Be Blessed!

Mentor-Mentee Session

Hi mentors,
Hope you are all well.Just to let you know that we will be having a Mentor-Mentee session this Friday(The 17th of February;For this gathering,mentors will meet with their mentees to discuss their goals and plans.We would appreciate the presence of all junior mentors.
The venue is Kinbu Secondary Technical School and the time is 3.pm prompt

Thanks alot and see you all soon!

MY NATIONAL SERVICE EXPERIENCE

I was excited to finally graduate from what i had perceived to be a very long journey of acquiring a bachelor's degree.What excited me most was the fact that i was about to serve my country no where else than in Accra.Ever wondered why most people prefer to saty in Accra for National service?This might be because people want to be close to their family and friends and also because with Accra as the capital,they would be able to explore great opportunities that might come their way.Is this entirely true?Let's find out from my experience with National service in Accra.

Most graduates in the public sector find themselves there due to compulsory service posting.Most people lobby their way into companies in both the public and private sectors even before the service postings are released.Some people succeed while others do not.Those who make it smile when the postings are released and immediately proceed with their registration;however those who do not succeed go ahead to register after much effort to have their place of posting changed prove futile.

The National service registration in Accra is one hectic experience.I would not want to go through an experience of this sort twice in a lifetime.The registration process is in stages.First of all,one is required to print an appointment letter and some few other forms from the secretariat's website.It is again required that everyone on the service posting list registers with the National service regional head office.I was posted to Accra for my national service.While i was registering,there was a long queue at every stage of the process.One could spend close to two hours in a queue.I recall a scene where some one stood in a particular queue for hours only to be told when it got to his turn that he had joined the wrong queue.During the registration process i kept asking myself and also overheared other people do same."couldn't anyone develop a system where national service personnels can sit in the comfort of their homes to register online?"

After the first phase of the registration,i was asked to send my appointment letter to the company i was posted to in order to have it signed.I walked with excitement to the place because i had great expectations and hoped to start working there as soon as possible.I expected to learn new things,meet new people and to also receive good remuneration if there happened to be any.The first person i met on my arrival was the Human Resource Manager.He asked that i sit down and wait for him because he was on his way out to the National Service Secretariat.He took over two hours to get back.This i felt was overwhelming.He again asked that i wait.To cut a long story short,asking me to wait became sort of a routine for some days.I was becoming frustrated since this was no way of exhibiting excellence in customer service.Well,maybe i was no customer.
One fascinating thing i noticed however was that,there was a lady in the human resource department who was always playing games.I could hear the sound of the game miles away.Certainly i know there is a vast difference between the public and the private sector,however i expected some little seriousness on the part of employees in the public sector.One good thing i noticed about this public sector however was that they had clearly stated their strategic goals and anyone who walked into the office could read it.

It took over three days to finally sort my posting "wahala"out.Despite what had happened,I still looked forward to a great experience since this was going to be the first one in the public sector.My first assignment was to read a book about the organization and summarise.I was later tasked to put the summary on power point slides.I enjoyed the first two weeks,however subsequently all i was doing was coping and pasting from PDF's to Powerpoint.It did not seem challenging to me after some few weeks and so i felt it was A WASTE OF TIME.

My experience with National Service in the public sector will not be complete without mentioning the "wahala"associated with receiveing the service allowance especially when you are in Accra.I had worked for three months without any allowance from the secretariat.This i thought was a big challenge.Other service personnel's outside Accra had however been paid.I have learnt from this experience that National service is not always about the capital,Accra.Those of us who prayed and maneuvered to ensure that we are posted to Accra might have not been served a fair deal.The question i ask my self now is wheather this country is worth dying for or serving?The answer to this question can be captured in a quote by Dr.Frimpong Boateng on my graduation."The fact that a country is not dying for is the main reason why you should die for it"

By Godfried Ngorli Nyaku
Senior Mentor