The Christian Lifestyle Magazine, Issue 12

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Love Liya:
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT
THE TENDER AGE OF TEN!
“Believe in Yourself, Know Yourself
and Use Your talent to Uplift Yourself”
Liya enjoyed playing with soft clay when she was five
years old. She began by sculpting dogs, miniature
food, ballerinas, and princesses, but her favorite
sculpture was a small chi wow. She had plenty
of time to practice during lockdown because her
mother was on maternity leave, and we spent a lot
of time together. Her mother recognized her talent
and decided to purchase polymer clay. She watched
numerous YouTube videos of American polymer
clay artists. Creative Rachel inspired her. Rachel is a
talented sculptor who creates cut miniature foods,
and a few resin charms. They too purchased polymer
clay, cutters, and other tools.
Liya began by mixing her own colors with chalk
pastels, adding her own designs to what she had
learned to make it her own. Then we decided to make
it into jewelry. We started an Instagram page to see how
people reacted, and I received positive feedback. She was
shy at first and didn’t believe in herself. Her confidence
grew as she worked on improving her skills. My advice
to young people her age is to believe in themselves,
get to know themselves and use their talents to better
themselves. We as a family assisted her in preparing for
her first market in January of this year. She has already
attended six markets this year. When she went to the
markets, she received a lot of positive feedback, and
she wants to pass that on to other kids her age. Living
in South Africa is difficult, but by pooling our resources,
we can build a stronger nation. Children, as they say, are
our future. We are South Africa’s future, and we have the
ability to effect change.
Assume that each of us starts a business that will
create jobs in our community. We can not only provide
a job but also encourage those who work for us to be
the best they can be. I know it’s not easy because we
don’t all have the same support system or resources,
but I also know that when you spread positivity, people
will be drawn to it and will help you in any way they can.
We’ve had family, friends, and strangers join us and offer
her assistance and support in a variety of ways. People
are eager to assist when they see potential in the next
generation.
Liya is ten, and her generation is known as the Alpha
Generation. They have a huge responsibility to help heal
our country. Growing up on the Cape Flats, I witnessed
many people struggle. When we see children begging at
traffic lights, it breaks our hearts. This was not intended
by God for our lives. When I see people struggling, it
breaks my heart because I know that God has called each
of us to a specific purpose. God has called us for such
a time as this. We have been chosen by God to make
a difference in our communities. All we need to do is
pray and ask for His assistance. An ear to hear him, eyes
to seek Him, and a heart to inquire of Him as to
why we were born.
We must be God’s light and salt. Complaining
about crime and poverty won’t help. We must
win souls and create jobs. We must empower
others. When we tap into God’s purpose, plan,
vision, and mission for our life, we will experience
transformation in ourselves and others. Daily
prayer is vital. He will guide us. God arranged
opportunities before we were born. Our names
are in the book of life. It’s best to obey God’s
voice and word, not your heart.
As a parent, I hope and pray that we can support
and encourage the next generation to be the best
they can be. To those small souls who are called
to be entrepreneurs; to be Kingdom builders. To
develop their vision and mission. By doing so, we
will make the world a better place.
Living in South Africa is difficult, but by
pooling our resources, we can build a stronger
nation. Children, as they say, are our future.
We are South Africa’s future, and we have
the ability to effect change.
38 THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE 39