Honesty, Patience, or Helpfulness?
The following article summarizes a dynamic discussion that took place among youth participants in Haiti during one of our past THE SPARK of Le Flambeau online English discussion class sessions. The lessons learned apply to us TODAY. The students explored which foundational value they believe is most critical to instill in a child, revealing a mature focus on integrity (honesty) as a bedrock for national growth.
The core question posed to the youth was: Which of the following values do you think is most important to teach a child: Being honest, Being helpful, or Being patient? The lively conversation saw participants strongly advocating for all three values, demonstrating a thoughtful and mature understanding of their importance in modern life and for the nation’s future.
The Case for Honesty (Integrity): The Foundational Platform
A significant number of students championed honesty, frequently linking it directly to integrity—the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. This was seen as the single most vital trait and a positive foundational platform for a brighter future.
- Basis for Trust and Morality: The prevailing sentiment was that without integrity, people will not trust you, regardless of how patient or helpful you are. Integrity was considered the first step to being a “good person” and an “authentic” individual.
- Root of All Values: Several youth argued that integrity is the basis of all values. Being honest with yourself is the prerequisite for being honest in all your actions—which naturally leads to being patient, helpful, and even humble. As one participant put it, being honest in “EVERYTHING” helps avoid confusion and problems.
- Citizenship and Career: Integrity was tied directly to becoming a “decent citizen” and was highlighted as a “key to start and accomplish durable career in life.” This focus suggests a generation looking to build a professional life based on merit and moral uprightness, not corruption.
The Case for Patience: A Necessity in the “Fast Life”
A passionate argument was made for patience, particularly in the context of modern society.
- Modern Challenges: One participant pointed out how the “fast life”—instant global communication, online shopping, and social media stardom—creates a false sense that “life is easy,” leaving youth unprepared for real-life situations that require sustained patience.
- Emotional Control: The lack of patience was linked to a lack of self-control, noting that children want everything “now.” The practice of taking a breath and meditating was suggested as a way to cultivate patience, turning it into a “second nature.”
- Finding Solutions: Students recognized that being “always in a hurry is not the best way to find solutions.” Patience is necessary to “wait, analyze the situation,” and find the right answer, preventing things from spiraling “out of control.”
The Case for Helpfulness: Service and Respect
While less explicitly detailed than the other two, the importance of being helpful was addressed as a critical component of a child’s development.
Respect: One comment highlighted that “Serving is always a great way to teach a child.” This practice was directly linked to developing two key traits: the child “will be respectful, attentive to others.”
Usefulness: Another perspective suggested that if a person knows their own importance, they “will be useful” while also being patient and honest with themselves and others.
The Synthesis of Values
While strong cases were made for both integrity and patience, many students ultimately felt that all three values are essential and work in concert. Teaching a child all three—integrity, helpfulness, and patience—was viewed as the way to ensure they become a “great person” with lasting value.
Key Conclusions: A Brighter Future Built on Integrity
The collective discussion reached several important conclusions, which highlight the thoughtful approach these Haitian youth are taking to their personal and national development:
- Integrity as the Cornerstone: The consensus strongly favored integrity (honesty) as the fundamental value, viewing it as the moral prerequisite for a decent life and the essential “platform” for national progress. This focus on core principles suggests a foundational desire to address issues of trust and corruption from the ground up.
- Patience is the Antidote to Modernity: There was a clear recognition that patience is a critically needed value to combat the instant gratification and unrealistic expectations fostered by the modern world. It is seen as a tool for emotional maturity and effective problem-solving.
- Parental Influence is Key: The participants consistently emphasized that parents must establish “the proper roots” early on, understanding that these values must be cultivated since childhood to ensure a well-rooted person can thrive and contribute to a healthier nation.
The priority these young leaders place on integrity suggests a conscious effort to lay a solid moral foundation, aspiring to a future for Haiti characterized by authenticity, trust, and durable success.
Le Flambeau Foundation , Inc.
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