Resilience in action

Sometimes it is a bit hard to understand a concept until you see it in action. Here then, are a couple of examples of resilience from everyday life.

Example one - the house fire

Fourteen year old Arahia was at home with her baby brother when she noticed smoke coming from the downstairs garage. Arahia realised it was pretty serious, felt scared, but knew she needed to take charge and do things safely.

She thought about the situation for a moment or two, grabbed her brother in her arms and left the house by the back door far from the garage. She went to the neighbour's house where she knew there was a retired couple who were probably at home.

She explained the situation briefly and asked them to ring 111. Arahia then stayed with them and played with her brother and helped to calm him. She asked if she could use the telephone and ring her parents.

With the help of the neighbours she continued to comfort her brother until her parents arrived and took charge of the situation.
 

Example two - the school bully

Ten year old Flynn saw Joe bullying younger children in their street on the way to and from school. He tried talking, but Joe was older and bigger and not inclined to listen. So Flynn talked to his mother and she spoke to the school about the problem.

Meantime Flynn decided to do something himself. As school finished he collected the three younger children who were being bullied and walked home with them by a different route.
 

Further links: