A small island, a big idea

It began on the island of Hiiumaa, just before Christmas.
A group of high school students gathered at the local youth centre. They were talking about the usual holiday plans when one of them said she wanted to do something different this year. Instead of exchanging gifts among themselves, what if they used that energy to help others?

After many discussions and a few disagreements, they came up with an idea. They decided to collect gifts for children in a small foster home, for local children with disabilities, and for pupils in a nearby village school. They applied for a small grant, spread the word, and organised the delivery themselves.

That first year was simple but powerful. Children who rarely received gifts opened presents hand-delivered by teenagers from their own community. The students returned home with a new understanding of what giving means.

The project became a tradition. Every Christmas, new groups of Hiiumaa students continue the same campaign, keeping the spirit of generosity alive. The girl who first suggested the idea more than ten years ago is now a member of the Estonian Parliament. Her journey shows that compassion and leadership often begin with a small idea shared among friends.

Read the original story in Postimees.

Empowerment, not pity

A 22-year-old young man with Braderville syndrome was referred to a youth centre for daily support. His parents were worried and said that he needed help with everything. When he first arrived, he was quiet and unsure of himself. The youth workers decided not to treat him as someone helpless but as someone with potential. They gave him structure, time to talk, and encouragement to make small decisions on his own.

Gradually, he started to take responsibility for his daily routine. His confidence grew. Within a year, he moved into his own apartment. Not long after that, he found a job as a kitchen assistant in a local restaurant.

He did not need someone to take over his life. He needed to feel secure and trusted. His story reminds us that real support means empowerment, not control. Sometimes the change we hope to see begins simply by believing in someone.

Strength through mentorship

One evening, a 23-year-old man was training at a local gym. He noticed a 12-year-old boy punching a boxing bag with unusual intensity. The boy said he was “calming his nerves.” The young man recognised that feeling. He had used boxing to deal with his own frustration years earlier. He decided to talk with the boy and invite him to train together.

That conversation turned into a mentorship. Over time, the boy learned to channel his emotions into focus and discipline. The two trained side by side several times a week. The young mentor showed him consistency, motivation, and what it means to believe in yourself.

Three years later, that same boy is 15 years old and one of Estonia’s most promising young boxers. He placed third in the Estonian Championships in March and won the national title in August. He has now been invited to compete in the European Championships. His mentor still trains with him and says their friendship has taught them both about strength, patience, and respect.

Each of these young people – the students on Hiiumaa, the young man finding independence, and the boxer and his mentor – show that resilience is built in connection with others. It is not something that grows in isolation. It grows when people are seen, trusted, and encouraged.

True leadership is not always about being in charge. It often begins with small, thoughtful actions: starting a community project, believing in someone who has been underestimated, or sharing lessons learned from personal experience.

As these Estonian stories show, resilience is not about avoiding hardship. It is about turning challenges into change, one human connection at a time.