Heritage Heroes: Inspiring the Next Generation #HeritageHeroes #HeritageRESP

Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post about Heritage Heroes: Inspiring the next generation. All thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.

My husband and I have a daughter and I have to admit that I often think of her future.  What will she be when she gets older?  What are her dreams for her future?  How can we help her achieve her goals in life?

My parents helped me with my post-secondary education by paying for my c.e.g.e.p.  (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel) and my university, while I went to school full-time and worked part-time to pay for my transportation, books, and other post-secondary study costs.  

Without the help of my parents, I would have struggled to put myself through c.e.g.e.p.  and university on my own.  I remember how exhausting it was to go to school all day and then work after school, and then come home to do assignments and study, and do it again the next day.

My husband’s story is completely different from mine.  He put himself through college by working from a very young age.  His first paying job was when he was a kid, raising rabbits to sell.  He saved his money from all his jobs (doing chores for other farmers, working at a gas station, etc).  

People are often surprised that John went to college, because they do not think farmers need to go to college to become farmers.  John invested in his post-secondary education in order to better educate himself on animal health and science, sustainability, soil science, weed and pest ecology, farming methods, pasture management, etc.  For John, the more education he receives, the better he can run his farm operation.  To this day, he still takes agricultural courses and workshops.

We know that post-secondary education is a big investment in our child’s future, and we often think about our daughter’s future.  Though she is only nine years old, she has voiced that she wants to become a NICU nurse to save and take care of premature babies (like her).   

If she wants to go to school to become a nurse, we want to help her achieve that goal.  She also told us that she wants to help put herself through school.  She raises chickens and ducks and sells their eggs.  She said she is saving money from selling eggs to put toward her schooling.  We do not want her to worry about working and going to college or university. This is why we are inspired by the Heritage Heroes we have read about. These young adults are truly remarkable.  These kids were empowered to make their dreams come true.  

Little One and I watched the Heritage Funds videos online and she was truly inspired by all their heartfelt Heritage Heroes stories.  

Sean Leonard’s story of being in medical school was inspiring to Little One, as she wants to go into medicine as well.  As parents, giving our child the gift of education is an amazing and gift to give.  As Little One watched the video, she inquired about RESPs and how they can help her achieve her goals.

Chris Tse talks of how RESPs gave him the opportunity to focus on his studies and not have to always worry about holding down a part-time job or worrying about student debt.  These are all things I think about for when Little One goes to college or university.  I know how stressful and exhausting it can be to have to work and go to school full-time. I’m really hoping Little One won’t have to worry about that, and that she can focus on her studies and earning her degree.

Little One also enjoyed Sinoah Storm-Talbot’s video, because she was amazed that she was able to go to university because of her Heritage Funds RESP. For some reason, her story was exceptionally touching for my nine year old daughter.  

I would love for our daughter to not have to worry about funding her post-secondary education, so that she can focus on her studies and follow her dreams, and reach her goal of becoming a NICU nurse.  It’s great to hear the stories from the Heritage Heroes.  They’re heart-warming and inspiring.  The stories really got Little One thinking about her future and, although she is only nine, it is great to see her in awe of the amazing young adults in the Heritage Heroes videos.  I’m excited to see what Little One will end up doing, and what her future will look like.