"بالنسبة لنا، الأهم أن نرفع مستوى الناس - أي إعطائهم القدرة على فعل أشياء لم يكن بإمكانهم فعلها، أو السماح لهم بخلق أشياء لم يكونوا ليخلقوها بخلاف ذلك. الأمر يتعلق بإعطائهم الأدوات؛ إنه عن تمكين الناس."

The essence of the quote is that the greatest impact we can have on others is by giving them the means to achieve things they wouldn't be able to do on their own. This can mean providing them with the right tools, knowledge, or opportunities that empower them to shape their own futures. The focus is on empowerment and enabling others to reach their potential.

Historically, this idea can be traced back to educational and social movements advocating for equal opportunities. Think about the civil rights movement, where leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. fought not just for equality, but also for the opportunities that would allow marginalized communities to rise and succeed independently. The idea is timeless—it's been echoed by countless leaders and thinkers across history who understood that true change comes when people are given the means to change their own circumstances.

Let me give you an example you can really sink your teeth into. Imagine a community in a developing country where clean water is a luxury. Organizations like Water.org come in, not just to provide immediate relief but to install sustainable water systems. They teach locals how to maintain these systems and manage resources. It’s not just a one-time charity act—they leave the community with the tools and knowledge to sustain the progress. Suddenly, children can go to school instead of walking miles for water, and adults can focus on economic activities. The community is uplifted because it now has the means to take care of itself.

So, how do we apply this wisdom in our own lives? Start small. Think about the people around you—friends, family, coworkers. Is there someone who’s struggling with something you’re good at? Maybe mentoring a junior colleague who’s new to the industry, or helping a friend set up a business plan for their side hustle. It’s not just about solving their problems for them, but showing them how they can solve these problems themselves in the future.

Now, picture this: You have a neighbor, Sarah, who's always talked about wanting to learn how to code but feels overwhelmed by where to start. You’re pretty good at it—it's part of your job. One weekend, you sit down with her and show her the basics, recommend some resources, and explain how she can find solutions when she gets stuck. Weeks go by, and Sarah starts building her first app. The excitement in her eyes is unmistakable. She's doing it, and she has the confidence to keep going because she knows she has the tools.

In our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to overlook the impact we can have by simply empowering others. Whether it’s through teaching, sharing resources, or providing opportunities, when we help others grow, we create a ripple effect of positive change. So next time someone comes to you with a problem, don’t just give them the solution. Think about how you can equip them to find their own solutions. It’s about lifting others up and, in turn, creating a stronger, more capable community around us.