Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting someone that’s actually special. She’s a 16-year-old girl from San Pedro de Macoris that made me question my own community. But before I start the story, let me tell you something, your hands are the only hands available to build your dreams, doesn’t matter if you realize it early in life or 5 minutes before dying.

That being said, I met this girl on my way to Santo Domingo, and, thanks to being trying to improve my communication skills, I took the initiative and started talking asking for her age, because, a good starting point was her physique said she was maybe too young to travel alone, and that was my icebreaker.

A minute after we were speaking about her life, desires and achievement. I got amused by all the experience she already had. For instance, it blew my mind that at her age she has being teaching, making robots, learning languages, researching for science expos, studying for becoming a nurse and even has a nice plan for her future: pursuing a degree on neonatal nursing. She is a multi award winner in national competences, including robotics and Spanish language.

Now, think again and keep in your mind that she’s 16, and now, allow me to introduce you to the average female teenager in Miches. Studying only in school, coursing 3rd to 4th grade of high school, ‘regular’ performing at most school subjects. No clear project for her life, and no recognition at all from any mayor source. What about the male one? Even worst, they’re mostly confused about the basics, they don’t know who they are or how to differentiate themselves from others, they look and act all the same thing, and it is not even near to admirable, I love to call it the “Dembow virus” and it’s destroying their future by and for themselves.

By writing this, I’m just reflecting that, we have, maybe, in some point, normalized that the young generation is or will be fucked up, and now we feel what we see all around is kind of normal, but it isn’t. We parents are doing a freaking bad job, and we must, as soon as possible, not only become aware, but making even the impossible to create change.