The Boy in the Back of the Room
My journey began in June 2008 at St. Bede’s in Santhome, Chennai. If you met me today—a confident banker and Catechism teacher—you might not recognize the boy I was then: a tall, silent introvert who preferred the shadows of the back row to the spotlight.
I owe my turning point to my animator, Mr. Edwin. He didn't ask me to be the loudest person in the room; he simply asked me to "show up". During our diocesan meetings, he gave me two words that changed my life: "Go Enjoy". Those words stripped away the pressure to perform and allowed me to simply "be," sparking a transformation that would span nearly two decades.
The 20-Rupee Lesson
One of the most defining moments of my life happened in May 2016. I traveled alone from Chennai to Delhi to help plan the XVII National Council. I started that 30-hour journey with only 150 rupees; by the time I arrived in the busy streets of Delhi, I had only 20 rupees left and was five miles from my destination.
Stranded and nervous, I met a stranger who spoke my language. Without asking for anything in return, he took my hand, led me to an auto-rickshaw, and paid for my ride. That encounter taught me the "art of helping" and showed me how to find God in the simple kindness of others.
The "Golden Solution": See-Judge-Act
For 18 years, the See-Judge-Act philosophy has been my backbone. It transformed my "scare" into "care" and gave me a social conscience.
In 2008, I joined a simple school campaign writing "Thank You" postcards. I never stopped. For 15 years, I have continued these campaigns because I’ve seen how a small piece of paper can fight loneliness and support mental health. It taught me a vital lesson:
"Even a small piece of paper can eradicate a sense of isolation if you have the courage to send it."
Building a Tribe and a Career
The community I built in YCS/YSM isn't just a network; it's a family that has stayed connected for over a decade. These friends are my "tribe". We have lifted each other up through every high and low, and their encouragement is exactly what led me to my career in Banking.
Today, as I teach Catechism, I pass this legacy on to my students. I teach them to move from being spectators to being leaders who serve, always keeping an eye out for the "Other".
A Message to Today’s Students
YCS/YSM is the "Golden Solution" that transformed me. My message to you is simple: Never underestimate a small act of kindness. Whether it’s a postcard or a helping hand, when you choose to See, Judge, and Act, you truly have the power to change someone’s world.
Joseph Kamal Francis
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