I was introduced to being a local guide by my father. He knows how to get to me. “Here’s something you can do and grow with and into” he told me. I was reluctant at first because I thought it would be boring. But the more I went into it , the more fascinated I became by it. I could post pictures of great places in my locality. I could help with directions for those looking for places in my locality. I give answers to questions, I inform people about great places to visit in my area. This was wonderful and kind of what I love to do - to help others… I went about it diligently and before long I was well into it and guess what? I loved it so much. This has made me become so conscious of my environment, to be more detailed, to be more inquisitive and deliberate in my search. I find a new level of satisfaction every time I answer questions and solve issues that people were encountering. Being a local guide has elevated my consciousness and made it possible for me to think expansively. I go out each day actually looking forward to my day. I share my experience at school with my friends and my eyes light up at the interest it sparks up in them. They begin to suggest places in my community I should visit and add to my locations.
I am now bolder and able to walk up to older adults and engage them in conversations that would give me more information on any subject or location. This I find empowering. To date I have almost two thousand answers , over two hundred pictures etc as my contributions.
I am Jessica , I am 12 years old, my dad and I am a local guide in Lagos Nigeria.