Fourteen year old Temba had a dream bigger than the village he grew up in he wanted to be a pilot. Every time a plane roared above, he stopped everything, lifted his eyes to the sky, and whispered:
“One day, that will be me up there.”
But big dreams can feel far away when you don’t know where to begin.
At 25 years old, Brian a proud Neuroinclusion Champion and aviation student returned home to mentor young people in his community. Through NIYNF programs, he volunteered to guide youth who had dreams but lacked direction. Temba admired him instantly.
“Brian… do you think someone like me can become a pilot?”
he asked quietly. Brian smiled and said:
“Every dream is valid.
You just need a plan and someone to walk with you.”
Brian didn’t start with expensive tools or fancy equipment.
He started with confidence. He taught Temba:
For the first time, Temba felt seen.
He felt capable.
He felt ready.
Brian handed him a clean notebook — the same type used in NIYNF mentorship sessions.
“Write your dream,” he said.
“Then write steps to reach it.”
Temba wrote proudly:
MY DREAM: Become a Pilot, MY FLIGHT PLAN:
It wasn’t perfect but at NIYNF, plans grow with the child.
Months later, Brian brought him to a small airfield through a NIYNF Career Exposure Day.
Temba walked toward a training aircraft with shaking hands.
He placed his palm on the cold metal…
and felt his entire future open up.
Brian whispered:
“You belong here.
Your dream is real.
Keep going.”
With mentorship, support, and structure pillars of NIYNF Temba grew into a confident young leader.
He didn’t stop dreaming.
He didn’t stop planning.
He didn’t stop believing in himself.
By 18, he applied for aviation training and was accepted.
Brian stood proudly beside him.
“The sky was never the limit, Temba,” he said.
“It was the beginning.”
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At the NeuroInclusion Youth Network Foundation, we believe:
Bright Minds, Bold Futures!
2025 NeuroInclusion Youth Network Foundation. All rights reserved.
Motto: Bright Minds, Bold Futures!
2025 NIYNF | Bright Minds, Bold Futures!
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