#BOOKALIFE is a first ever audiovisual encyclopedia of professions based on a “case-study” films and professionals-to-kids mentorship for 14-16 year olds, born in the Basque Country. The objective of this project is to bridge the gap between the professional world and secondary school. By directly engaging the socially aware businesses, professionals and organizations it encourages them not only to invest time to embrace and develop future talent, but also strengthen the understanding of WHY within their own professional practice.
Films that look into the depth of
the beauty of the "ordinary" and the mundane of the "status" careers
My personal Why?
There are lots of programs that support talented graduates, funding for youth initiatives, post grad mentoring and the start-up culture has blossomed over the last 5 years. This works great to identify bright talents, although, in reality, all it does is choose the best from those “already” good.
What about the rest of the kids from lower income families, poorer areas? What about those young people who are not even encouraged to aim for a career or develop their talents in the first place?
Their environment / parents / teachers who are unable to provide them with real inspiring role models early enough in life. So by the time they are 18, those young people blend into the crowd of “normal” 90% of working mass. They do not think about their fulfillment. They cannot afford to.
Success is something that is left for those “bright” kids. Sad but so true. What we, as a society, tend to ignore is the basic and most important fact:
The starting point in life (i.e. family, school, environment) will, in most cases, determine the level of ambition and the extend of talent the child gets to explore and develop.
I believe that every single child has a talent! No exceptions! It is our responsibility as adults to help them discover it. As professionals, it is our job to inspire them with our examples. Guide them with our experiences. Mentor them as early as possible. Not when they are 17-18. Earlier. Much earlier.
BOOK A LIFE is for 14-16 year olds. It is about professionals who come together as mentors and role models for those who need advice, inspiration and encouragement. So that they get a chance to break out from their pattern and become whatever they would like to become!
There are careers that look unrealistic and unattainable, but they are quite real and possible to achieve. There are careers that seem unexciting or ordinary, but they are incredibly fulfilling. There are jobs that we are induced to aspire to get, but there will be stories of misery and loss of personal realization within them.
Someone just like you already walked that path, and their story can become a real inspiration. Just as one phrase can sometimes change the rest of one´s life, these films take a look at the depth of a profession, giving real insight into a variety of disciplines igniting interest and motivation of young people on the verge of choosing their paths.
Please join us on this mission…
Yelena Grigorenko | Project Founder/ Creative
Our Mentors
who support and participate in this project
