What Would I Do If I Had $50,000?

I would donate a practical book titled WHAT UPPER PRIMARY PUPILS SHOULD KNOW to pupils and even students in the various schools around my community.

I would like to introduce the book What Upper Primary Pupils Should Know to you. It is a book I self-published and as someone who uses writing as my primary source of income, I decided to sell but I encountered certain blocks. I realized that even if I decide to sell the book it is not every child who would be able to purchase which is no fault of theirs. The fault comes from parents or guardians who do not see the need to improve and maintain the foundation of their wards personal and professional lives.

There are many books on the market for children which are primarily centered on academia. This book is a bit different because it combines academia with self-help and personal development themes that serves as a guide to the lives of pupils as they make a transition from pupils to students and adults later in life.

I am Raphael and I am a motivational author.

In Ghana and the African continent at large, most parents and guardians take the early stages of children’s life for granted and as a result many children do not pick up the necessary skills for life when they make a transition from being a child, teenager, early adult and then, adults. There are many people who call themselves adults but struggle to meet the day-to-day expectations of life because they were not taught equally important life skills aside academia so when the academic life ended, they have been left with nothing which can propel them to success. Simply put, such adults are a great part of the existing population (disappointed people) while getting an earlier guide like this book I am proposing which would be donated would have seen them become a part of the living population (fulfilled people).

The book comprises of 13 codes and they are summarized below;

Code One (1) – Do Not Put Off Homework Till Tomorrow.

There is a reason why head teachers consistently order teachers to give pupils homework. Aside homework occupying the time of pupils when they get home, it is also a preparation stage for heavier homework (termed assignments at the tertiary level and in the business world). Constantly postponing your homework till tomorrow like the way I used to do, you used to do and a lot of people likewise, leads to procrastination and never see children get anything done once they become adults. They should get homework done the day the teacher gives it to them NOT tomorrow.

Code Two (2) – Be a Concerned Person.

People who show genuine concern never lack the chance of recognizing opportunities in life. Concern is also the start of effective leadership. Pupils come from different backgrounds and as children; they are still forming opinions about life. Their orientations to life may be different as a result of religion, community and of course, standard of living. Pupils can support one another not with huge sums of money but with pencils, pens and exercise books, etc. Additionally, good pupils can show legitimate concern and help needy pupils improve their grades and make effective contributions to the class. By being genuinely concerned about others, children would have genuine concern in the problems of society and be the difference society needs.

Code Three (3) – Adopt the Power of Constant Reading.

Many pupils feel everyone goes to school and reads so they should do the same. Once school ends, a lot of people put an end to reading. Little do they know that the opportunities they crave for, the success stories needed as motivation, the numerous job opportunities that come with certain roles and responsibilities and extreme academic success as you know too well can only be possible through constant reading and research. Reading will always make pupils positive and espouse optimistic behaviours. Through the material, they would develop a passion for learning forever.

Code Four (4) – Take the Initiative.

Many adults you and I see on the streets which pupils see as well but have their own opinions why they are not making it stems out as a result of a lack of initiative. It’s been said in the book Wall and Piece by Bansky (Author and Street Vandal) that “Many people do not take initiatives because no one told them to.” Fortunately, pupils would not have the problem of a lack of initiative because they will be told and showed ways to take the initiative in this book. They would get to know that sometimes the primary reason that differentiates the rich from the poor is initiative.

Code Five (5) – You Have Heard About Savings, Take It Seriously.

Job complains, unemployment discussions, poverty, high interest rates from banks for people wanting start-up capital among other issues would not be on any discussion table if pupils inculcate the savings habit into their systems at a tender age. It was through savings that I was able to self-publish this material (now I need help to circulate huge numbers around). Pupils and students must take savings seriously. There are people who have great ideas that can be transformed into great businesses but a lack of capital sees that idea never come to fruition. In the book, there is a savings table to help them visualize the amount of money they can make from a particular amount at a given period of time.

Code Six (6) – Manage Your Time Well.

There are several forms of management from human resource, project, money and sports but the single most important management pupils should know is time. Simply put, time is money and it would enable pupils to become independent, disciplined and assume more responsibilities as they grow up.

Code Seven (7) – Play and Chat But Do Not Let It Dominate Your Studies.

Almost every human being has got access to a phone and many Upper Primary Pupils are conversant with technology and this leads to playing casual games and other necessary things. Development of pupils also comes through games (or what is termed as e-learning) but it should not interfere with their personal timetable and studies in general.

Code Eight (8) – Have Lots of Interests.

Hundred or more pupils can be asked about the careers and jobs they want and a number of them would choose to become pharmacists, teachers, doctors, pilots and lawyers which should be encouraged. Nevertheless, they need to have lots of interests. I wanted to be a pharmacist but I ended up becoming a motivational author. Aside their primary goals and target, they have got to have other interests in life so that if one door closes, another door or window of opportunity through lots of interests opens for them. This would see them gainfully employed. They do not need to be like most adults who are old enough but do not know what to do with their lives.

Code Nine (9) – Stay in Your Age Group.

Certain lifestyles, whether good or bad are often initiated to pupils, students and even adults (who are supposed to be psychologically independent) by people who are older than them. Pupils should stay in their own age group and ride side by side with their peers for higher academic excellence. Most of the alcoholic drinking, petty gambling, un-called for romantic relationships and weed smoking among teenagers are often perpetrated by older people. This does not mean pupils should not befriend older people but they can do that on the stance of academic or life advice. Other decisions older people try to implement in the lives of pupils should be well-scrutinized by the pupils and final decisions should come from them. There are more examples in the material.

Code Ten (10) – Concentrate and Listen Attentively.

Pupils should grasp concepts being taught in class and improve on their grades because soon they would face an external examination where they would have to come out with flying colours, nothing more nothing less.

Code Eleven (11) – Create a Virtual Wall.

This helps children attain psychological independence. Many adults are on the wrong side of life and try to use demeaning remarks on children. Some adults use catchphrases such as Life Is Not a Race and Life Begins at 40 which may be true depending on the context of a discussion. With that said, there are many children who would thrive on those quotes negatively and suffer lifelong consequences in the future. Pupils should be strong in the mind and get through their academic life with an open-mind towards high grades, competition and career advancements.

Code Twelve (12) –Your Environment Is Your Reality.

A lot of children have seen some of their friends travel abroad and they have heard numerous stories about the economic hardships in their respective countries and in the long run the global economy. Some may travel but all of us would never be able to fit into a particular country or continent at a time. They can make it where they are. Many of us had that notion of traveling abroad and are nearing 30, 40 and 50 years and we are still in our respective countries. They should try and identify a market right here (their environment) and become successful as others have (reality).

Code Thirteen (13) – Learn How to Communicate Personally and Professionally.

Communication is the main tool we thrive on to initiate contacts, make acquaintances and friends and teach one another. Pupils should improve on their communication skills orally and through writing. This will help them thrive in every environment they find themselves. Additionally, they should pick up essential skills from childhood which would make them effective in their adult years.

Ending

Thanks so much for losing some vital time just to go through the summary of my book and proposal.

I am very much grateful.

I self-published the book but cannot keep up with the costs of production anymore. I want to sell the books but if I sell there are children who would not get some of the copy because their parents would not buy them one.

I know that through your concern, the materials would be duly circulated and children would progress in their thoughts and cause positive changes in their respective lives.

Author under the name Raphael Zuhnden

Email: darkwahraphael@gmail.com

Contact: 233553645878