Do you remember what it felt like to be a child with no limits? Maybe you wanted to become an astronaut, a writer, or invent something the world had never seen. Those dreams felt real—even necessary. But somewhere along the journey through school, structure, and societal expectations, many of us stopped dreaming out loud.
In rural Burundi and around the world, too many children are taught early on that there’s a “correct” path to success—and it rarely includes their boldest, wildest ideas. We trade wonder for worksheets, imagination for multiple choice, and creativity for conformity.
So, what happened?
We’ve created systems that reward silence over curiosity and memorization over exploration. At PCM, we’ve listened to students who once thought of amazing solutions to real-world problems, only to hear:
“That’s not on the exam.”
“Focus on what will get you a job.”
“Dreams don’t pay the bills.”
This culture doesn’t just stifle creativity—it makes young people doubt their own brilliance.
Bringing the Dreams Back
At Positive Change Mindset, we believe in reigniting the spark. Through programs like the Cibitoke Global Youth Summit, we offer students space to think beyond what’s “expected” and towards what’s possible.
- We host sessions where crazy ideas are encouraged, not dismissed.
- We invite leaders and innovators who challenge students to reimagine the future.
- We use group projects, storytelling, and open mic panels to give young minds a voice.
One of our young participants said it best:
“For the first time, I didn’t feel like I had to hide my ideas—I felt like they mattered.”
Why It Matters
Letting kids dream out loud isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about building a generation that can change it. When we support young people’s creativity, we open doors for:
- Innovation: Creative thinkers are the problem solvers our communities need.
- Confidence: Youth who believe in their ideas take bold action.
- Community Impact: Dreams rooted in local realities lead to sustainable solutions.
Join the Movement
If you’re an educator, parent, or community leader, let’s start listening more and shutting down less. Let kids speak up. Let them dream.
📌 Want to see this in action? Join our next youth summit or support our mission today.
#LetThemDream #BurundiYouth #PositiveChangeMindset
