Area Barriers – I work around my area barriers

Introduction

Where we live is likely to be a barrier in some way or other to our success. If someone wanted to be a tennis player but never had a tennis court in their area, they would not be able to practice as often as needed to be their best. With this being said, the person could also find a place with a hard ground and a wall to hit the ball against in order to continue developing their skills. Remember: I am not my surroundings, I am not my circumstances, I am not the walls that confine me. I will not be contained, limited or allow any barriers to stay set against me. I can change my circumstances. 

Benefits of overcoming area barriers

1. Reduced travel time, which means you’ll need to spend less money on fuel or public transport. 

2. You won’t have to face hours of traffic in the mornings and evenings.

3. You can focus on the things you are passionate about while still being useful to your community.

Skill example

I am passionate about woodwork, but there are no carpenters in my village. I then began selling chips and sweets to save up money so I could begin travelling to the next village to help and learn from the carpenter there. Once I had learnt many skills and had bought some tools, I began doing carpentry in my own village. 

Martin’s story

Martin is eighteen years old and lived in Richards Bay his whole life. During the vacation periods, Martin would visit with his cousins in Mpumalanga and help on a pineapple farm to make some money. Martin and his cousins would spend hours planting, treating and harvesting pineapples. 

He loved pineapple farming so much, but did not have any of those farms in Richards Bay. Once day, Martin approached a local community centre, which had a very big piece of land that wasn't being used. Martin asked if he could support the community centre by setting up a small pineapple crop. 

Martin began planting, treating and harvesting pineapples until the area at the community centre became too small. He then expanded his crop to a nearby land that was even bigger and began to employ people to assist him in farming. Before he knew it, Martin's pineapple farm was able to support not only himself and his family, but all the families he employed. 

How to manage area barriers

Managing barriers to where you live can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to overcome these barriers and improve your quality of life. Here are some tips:

1. Identify the barriers: Start by identifying the specific barriers that are impacting your life. This might include factors such as a lack of affordable housing, limited transportation options, or a lack of community resources.
2. Research solutions: Once you've identified the barriers, do some research to learn about potential solutions. Look for community resources, organisations, and programs that can help address the barriers you are facing.
3. Connect with others: Connect with others in your community who are facing similar challenges. Join local groups or organisations that focus on issues related to your barriers, and attend community meetings and events.
4. Advocate for change: Use your voice to advocate for change. Reach out to local government officials, attend community meetings, and write letters or emails to express your concerns and ideas for improvement.
5. Take action: Take action to address the barriers you are facing. This might include volunteering with a local organisation, starting a community group, or advocating for policy changes at the local or state level.

Remember that managing barriers to where you live is a process that takes time and effort. By identifying the barriers, researching solutions, connecting with others, advocating for change, and taking action, you can improve your quality of life and make a positive impact in your community.