Rani Odesh at Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region

Rani Odesh in a hallway
Game On! That’s the appropriate name of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region where Rani Odesh volunteers. The program matches volunteers with groups of boys aged 12-14 years and together the group engages in guided discussion, sports and exercise.

“The sessions include a theme of promoting confidence, self-esteem, and healthy living,” Rani says, and the lessons are valuable for boys in this age bracket.

"This is an age group where guidance and support are needed to smooth out the transition to adulthood,” Rani explains. “It took some time for them to become comfortable and familiar with the topics we discussed.

During this transition period of life, many young men struggle with self-identity and esteem, staying physically active, and eating healthy. Rani realized that these habits, both mental and physical, can have negative consequences in the long term and was eager to play a part in the solution.

"I wanted to be a positive role model whom they could look up to for good advice."

Building trust through open discussion and sport

Through giving the boys a positive outlet for their concerns through exercise and sport, the Game On! program helps encourage the formation of healthy and positive lifestyle habits.

“We tend to think of this population as being rebellious or stubborn,” says Rani as he reflects on how he was able to build a positive relationship with his mentees. “It’s important to keep an open line of communication with the kids and understand their struggles.”

As the boys got to know Rani and his co-mentor over the seven weeks of the program, Rani found that they became more open.

"They became more comfortable opening up about their own challenges and allowed us to guide them to make healthy decisions."

“This group needs our support as much as any other”

Leading a group of 7 or 8 boys can seem daunting, especially for those without younger siblings or experience working with children. Starting out, Rani encountered his own share of surprises:

“What surprised me the most about the kids is how much they are exposed to social media and its effects. They are constantly connected to their electronic devices.”

Social media is an avenue for all sorts of messaging, both negative and positive. From his experiences with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Rani identified the opportunity that digital communication provides, especially when dealing with a younger demographic.

“Social media may cause low self-esteem and a lack of confidence,” he explains. “It made me think of ways to connect and support this age group through social media.”

Through small actions like leading discussions and organizing a game of basketball, Rani realized that it’s easy to be a positive force in the lives of others.

The impact I am able to make on these boys’ lives is incredible.

"As pharmacists, we are advocates for patients of all ages. This age group needs our support as much as any other. Understanding their issues and struggles is the first step to assisting and improving their lives."

If you are interested in being a Game On! Mentor or getting involved in another Big Brothers Big Sisters program, contact 519-629-0180 ext. 222 or visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region website.


Explore other Waterloo Pharmacy volunteering experiences with the Community Service Stories series.