By Mr. Norman B. Mendoza
People who know me know how much insight I draw from analogies. So let me share to you a recent analogy I’ve thought of that is related to LifeRisks, a non-profit community service established to tackle mental health, substance use disorders, and suicide, especially among the youth.
For a vehicle to move from point A to point B, there are fundamental mechanical requirements. In a car, for example, two of the key mechanisms are its engine and transmission. The engine converts power from combustion; power stronger than tens and hundreds of horses. The transmission then transfers the power from the engine to the axle of the vehicle, one gear at a time, to engage movement. Sometimes automatically, at times manually. LifeRisks is a vehicle and it has its engine and transmission.
In its beginning, the vehicle was built. It is when the engine and transmission were installed. The engine for power; the transmission for shifting gears. With critical and essential fit, both are put together to create movement. A Movement aimed at tackling issues plaguing the lives of the youth. A movement to a direction that has to be traveled, despite a path that is steep and treacherous.
Mr. Adrian Paul Liangco and I are LifeRisks’ engine and transmission. One depending on the other to create motion and movement. Power without transmission to the axle is just noise and revolution with no acceleration, and a premium transmission is rendered void with no power to transmit to a vehicle’s axle.
What was built in a classroom with a teacher and a student in 2014, has now formed an alliance forged toward a common vision of an empowered youth. A youth that is resilient in coping to many adversities yet not hesitant to seek help when needed, and motivated to living a life higher that drugs. The vehicle and its engine and transmission are poised and ready to achieve this vision.
In the next post, I will introduce LifeRisks’ battery, fuel, wheels, radiator, and horn. For now, let me also introduce, aside from its engine and transmission, what I consider as the drivers of LifeRisks: society and science.
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