Sene 30 on the Ethiopian calendar—falling on July 7 this year—marks more than just the end of the school year. For generations of students, it has signified liberation: no more homework, no morning roll calls, no rigid routines. For me, Sene 30 brings memories of unstructured freedom, and, strangely enough, an annual rite of passage that involved resolving a year’s worth of schoolyard tension—sometimes through fights, sometimes through laughter.
These nostalgic memories came rushing back when I recently came across a flyer advertising “summer camps.” But these camps are not the traditional academic catch-up classes I once attended. Today’s summer camps offer a colorful array of activities: basketball, swimming, taekwondo, dance, music, languages, art, and even leadership training. They are designed for children and teens aged 6 to 17 and promise not just fun, but growth—physically, mentally, and socially.
This got me thinking: Why did we never have these options? More importantly, why don’t we take full advantage of them now?
Older generations often bemoan the decline in educational quality. “In our day,” they say, “we had a real education.” I was recently reminded of this when I failed to answer a question during a seminar. The inquirer, frustrated, reflected on his university years, recalling that by freshman year he had memorized world history. I was embarrassed—but also inspired. I wished I could turn back time and cultivate a better reading habit. But as Jim Rohn once said, “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”
We can’t go back, but we can encourage the next generation to do better. That’s why this message is for parents, educators, and anyone willing to invest in our children while time is still on their side.
Summer camps are one option. But for families who may not afford them, a simpler alternative is just as powerful: books. Buy them. Share them. Monitor reading habits. The rewards may not be immediate, but they are life-changing. As George R.R. Martin wrote, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
And yes, books—real books, not just content on smartphones or laptops. Paper offers fewer distractions. No pings, no apps, no notifications—just the text, the story, the imagination. Tools like ChatGPT may offer answers in seconds, but they don’t nurture original thought or deep reflection. Creativity, like strength, requires exercise.
In the workplace, younger generations are often labeled as impatient, addicted to instant gratification. Technology, for all its benefits, reinforces this tendency. But the truth remains: nothing of lasting value comes quickly. Patience, discipline, and sacrifice are still the cornerstones of growth.
UNESCO underscores this in its emphasis on early childhood care and education (ECCE), particularly from birth to age 8. This window is critical. During these years, the brain is most receptive to learning. A strong foundation in reading, social-emotional development, and problem-solving sets children up not only for school success, but for a productive life.
If you look at society’s changemakers—leaders, diplomats, educators, thinkers—they all share a common trait: a love of reading. Some may even call it an addiction. Books like Mind Maps for Kids by Tony Buzan or his memory guides for adults can help instill and sustain this habit.
We can’t change the past. But we can make better use of today. That’s the best way to ensure there’s no regret tomorrow.
Contributed by Selamawit Kidane
