At Business for Better Society, we believe that everyone—regardless of age—can make a meaningful contribution to creating a better world. Today, we want to highlight how young people are making a difference through accessible forms of giving and share inspiring stories that demonstrate the profound impact these contributions can have.
Small Actions, Big Impact
Young people don’t need large resources to create meaningful change. Here are some approachable ways youth can give back:
Micro-Fundraisers: Setting a modest goal of $100 can make fundraising less intimidating and more achievable. Young people can organize bake sales, craft markets, or sponsored activities like read-a-thons or walk-a-thons. These small-scale efforts not only raise funds but also build community awareness around important causes.
Donation Drives: Collecting gently used items like books, games, or school supplies, young people with a tangible way to see their impact. These drives transform items that might otherwise sit unused into valuable resources for those in need.
Books Creating Brighter Futures: A Success Story
Recently, we witnessed the power of youth-led giving through the actions of two middle school-aged boys who decided to donate books they had outgrown to other children. What might have seemed like a simple clearing of shelves became a transformative gift when these books were directed to the Sserinya Primary School in Uganda.
These donated books have become part of Business for Better Society’s ongoing literacy initiative with Sserinya Primary School, where we’ve been working to build and expand their library. The impact has been remarkable. This year, we celebrated an incredible milestone when every Grade 7 student passed the reading and comprehension sections of their national exams.
This achievement represents more than just academic success. Improved literacy skills empower these students to become more informed, engaged, and capable individuals who can better navigate their futures and contribute to their communities.
Engineering Solutions with Recycled Materials
Another inspiring example comes from a high school junior with aspirations in engineering who put his STEM skills to practical use for community benefit. This student designed an innovative irrigation system for a rural Ugandan school vegetable gardens using recycled plastic bottles.
The design cleverly repurposed plastic bottles that would otherwise contribute to waste, transforming them into a functional water delivery system that helps maintain school gardens with minimal water usage. This project not only demonstrated creative problem-solving but also connected the student’s academic interests with real-world applications that benefit a rural community across the globe.
This example shows how young people can leverage their unique interests and developing skills—whether in STEM fields, arts, or other areas—to address practical challenges in communities. The irrigation system continues to support sustainable food production at the school while providing hands-on learning opportunities for other students.
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
The stories of these young donors and innovators remind us that giving back doesn’t require grand gestures or substantial resources. Sometimes, the most meaningful contributions begin with looking around at what we already have and considering how it might benefit others.
For young people interested in making a difference, we encourage starting with what feels manageable:
- Consider what you already have that might help others
- Identify causes that connect with your interests and values
- Start small and focus on consistency over scale
- Connect with organisations (like Business for Better Society) that can help direct your contributions where they’ll have the greatest impact
Join the Movement
At Business for Better Society, we believe in the power of collective action. Every book donated, every dollar raised, every solution designed, and every hour volunteered contributes to building stronger, more equitable communities.
If you’re a young person looking to make a difference—or a parent, teacher, or mentor hoping to support youth in giving back—we invite you to contact us about current initiatives or to share your own ideas for creating positive change.
Together, we can transform simple acts of kindness into lasting impact that crosses borders and changes lives.
