Kids Nation magazine - Edition 31: Life

edition #31

Kayden

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Everything is Possible

17

Life is ...

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Sheri's Story

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Dream Big

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"let's go on an adventure" handmade gift guide

Mango Rice Pudding

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special offers

Kids Nation is a free digital magazine, dedicated to empowering kids around the world. It is published by MOS Design Creative (http://mosdesign.com.au).

Copyright © Kids Nation magazine.

All rights reserved. Reproducing without permission is prohibited. Copyright of articles and photos remain with the individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission.

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from the editor Hello friends, Recently, I read a report that there was a 200% increase in 5-year-olds reaching out for help to Kids Helpline in Australia, over the first 6 months of 2021 :-( We hope that through this "LIFE" edition, we can inspire you that life is precious. You matter and have a purpose.

We are honored to have some amazing people in this edition.

Jen Bricker (USA) is an aerialist, author and speaker. You can read (or watch) her story and encouragement for all of you.

Nicola McDermott is an Australian athlete who won the Silver Medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in High Jump. She writes about her journey to reaching the Olympics and great tips for those who dream big dreams.

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Sheri Brynard (South Africa) is the only person with Down Syndrome in SA with a Tertiary Diploma in Education (without any concessions made). Watch her story of hope and life lessons.

Desi Trisnawati (Indonesia) is the winner of Masterchef Indonesia 2012. In this edition, she shares her delicious mango rice pudding recipe.

We also have a collection of words from our young contributors about what life is to them.

You can read it on page 17.

Don't forget to check out our handmade gift guide "Let's go on an adventure" and special offers.

xo, Mia

this edition’s contributors:

MIA SETYAWAN | AUSTRALIA EDITOR & FOUNDER - KIDS NATION MAGazine kidsnationmag.com Mia is a mother of two boys and the Editor/Founder of Kids Nation magazine.

She is passionate about imparting positive values to future generations. Mia has been a volunteer at a local children program for over 10 years.

Desi Trisnawati | INDONESIA food artist & chef consultant inspirational-chef.com Desi is the winner of Masterchef Indonesia 2012 and the first female Masterchef Indonesia. She is the author of 20 Fun Recipes of Strong Heart and creator of the Indonesia's first culinary board game.

kayden s. | australia Hi, my name is Kayden and I am 9.5 years old. I live in Melbourne with my mum and dad. I love playing video games, drawing, swimming and riding my bikes.

JOSIAH S. | Australia Hi I'm Josiah. I like exploring and bike riding. When I grow up, I want to be a fireman.

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this edition’s contributors:

JEN BRICKER | USA Aerialist, author & Speaker jenbricker.com Jen, born without legs, is an acrobat and aerialist. Her story is detailed in her memoir Everything Is Possible: Finding the Faith and Courage to Follow Your Dreams, which was a New York Times bestseller.

nicola mcdermott | australia Athlete nicolamcdermott.com Nicola McDermott is an Australian athlete who won the Silver Medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in High Jump. She is the first woman in Australian history to jump over 2 metres and the co-founder of Everlasting Crowns.

Shéri Brynard | south africa teacher, speaker & down syndrome ambassador sheribrynard.co.za Shéri is a National representative, speaker and Down Syndrome International ambassador. She has a tertiary teacher’s diploma and is a full time assistant teacher. Her book is available on Amazon.com.

Joshua & Kezia S. | singapore Joshua (15) and Kezia (12) are Asian-Australian siblings, living in Singapore.

They go to local schools, enjoy local cuisine, and hang out with local people, becoming third culture kids in the famous island nation.

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this edition’s contributors:

atricia B. | AUSTRALIA I am a high school student who loves to write and make music. I also aspire to become a screenwriter in the near future.

annabelle L. | australia Hi my name is Annabelle. I love to draw, play music and spend time with my family. When I grow up I want to be a music teacher.

meredith H. | AUSTRALIA I am a secondary student who enjoys skating and reading during my free time.

damien h. | australia I am a 12 years old, who loves reading and creating. Pizza and pasta are my favourite food!

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Everything is Possible by: jen bricker | Photo: daisy seilern

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JEN BRICKER | usa Aerialist, author & Speaker jenbricker.com

Click on the play button to watch a 60-second video of Jen's message.

My name is Jen Bricker-Bauer. I was born without legs and put up for adoption.

I lived in foster home for the first 3.5 months of my life.

You might think I would be destined for a pretty hard and sad life, full of hardships. However, the hand of God brought me an amazing adoptive family, who gave me one simple rule, “Never say the word Can’t.” photo: ben kolde

photo: daisy seilern

I competed in softball, basketball and volleyball all against able-bodies athletes.

I was also the first person without legs to compete in power tumbling. I won State Champion and went to Jr. Olympics and got 4th all around!

Now as an adult, I have moved to performing professionally as an acrobat and aerialist all around the world, as well as a professional speaker. I even toured with Britney Spears!

‘Never say can’t’ has played out practically in my life as long as I can remember. Knowing that we ALL have challenges is kind of interesting and amazing, because it’s the ONE thing that we all have in common!

No matter how different our lives and back stories are, this is the one thing that no one will escape.

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So, when we have an obstacle or a ‘mountain’ in our lives, knowing that ‘Can’t isn’t allowed’ helps us to see that somehow, some way we can get over, around, or through it.

The title of my book is Everything is Possible.

This is tied hand-in-hand with my parents’ rule and equally as important to our ‘mountains’ in life, because I think where we win or lose our battles is the moment we look at our mountain.

Sure, we can be afraid, confused and not know the how yet. But, if we can look at that moment and say “I know it’s possible to get past this and overcome it” (even if we don’t know everything yet), then that is where we’ve already won!

Rather than looking at the mountain and allowing the fear to overcome and overpower, we need to never move or run away. We know that ‘Can’t’ is not part of our vocabulary and that everything is possible!

"I think where we win or lose our battles is the moment we look at our mountain."

JEN BRICKER

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photo: daisy seilern

One of the most important things I can leave with you is that every one of us was born with a purpose and FOR a purpose! You are not a mistake or an accident.

You have tremendous eternal value. Every one of you was born with gifts, talents and abilities that have equal value. No one is more important than the others.

Different? Absolutely! Diverse? Yes! …and thankfully so, because diversity in gifts is what makes life so creative, unique and beautiful.

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But it also allows us to all reach different people. Maybe you can reach someone that I can’t and vice versa.

All of this is only possible when/if we BELIEVE. No one can believe for us. This is something we have to do on our own.

So, I will ask you: Do you believe everything is possible? Do you believe you were born with and for a purpose? Do you believe that you can touch and change a life?

I know you can! I know you’re beyond special and valuable beyond belief!

BESTSELLER

"Filled with heart and spirit, as well as Jen's wit, wisdom, and no-holds-barred honesty, this inspiring true story points the way to purpose and joy."

jenbricker.com

Give a gift of encouragement.

AVAILABLE AT KIDSNATIONMAG.COM/SHOP

Sheri's Story by: sheri brynard | Photo: Omid Armin Sheri Brynard is the only person with Down Syndrome in South Africa with a Tertiary Diploma in Education (without any concessions made). She has overcome many challenges. Her story is one of hope, encouragement and making the best of what you have.

Click to watch Sheri Brynard's story

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I have written a book about my life.

In my book, I emphasize the fact that parents must motivate and love all their children. Their children will be able to do many things. Don't focus on what they cannot do or how they differ from other children.

In my book, my mother also tells the readers about her journey with me.

Shéri

sheribrynard.co.za

Available in: Afrikaans English

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photo: kishan bishnoi

inspire

Life is ... we asked some of our young contributors what life is to them. we hope their words would encourage you.

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Life is never without hope...

by: joshua & kezia S.

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"Life is a delicious treat.

You have to savour before it's gone, enjoy it while it lasts or the taste will be forgotten."

By: Meredith H.

"Life is like a flame.

We start only as a tiny spark, but as we grow and learn, our fire also grows with us. There may be some which burn brighter than others, but what people tend to forget is that they still provide light in the darkness all the same."

By: Meredith H.

photo: irene kredenets

photo: joshua newton

"Life is also like a bow and an arrow. When you face difficulties, it is pulling you back, ready to launch you into something great!"

By: Damien H.

"Life is like a roller coaster, there are many ups and downs."

By: Damien H.

photo: Chris de Tempe

photo: Afif Kusuma

photo: Caley Dimmock

Life is a collection of good and bad moments.

We need to appreciate and enjoy every moment to the fullest.

By: annabelle L.

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By: Atricia B.

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photo: Florian Klauer

"Life is a story.

Every character has their own obstacles that we overcome together in the end."

photo: KAVOWO

Life is precious.

Do not take it for granted.

By: josiah s.

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Dream Big by: nicola mcdermott Photo: Casey Sims

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nicola mcdermott | australia Athlete nicolamcdermott.com

At 8 years old I pulled out my notebook and wrote a poem about one day competing in the Olympics. I had big drea ms for my sport and believed with all my heart I would one day reach them. My journey to reaching the Olympics took me on unexpected turns.

I found in school I wasn’t the best at High Jump even when I trained so hard, and it required so much time. Yet in the moments when I felt discouraged or lacking passion, I remembered my reason why I started in the first place.

I remembered how I loved the feeling of flying in the air when clearing the bar, and my dream of representing Australia.

As an adult I realised that belief was complete nonsense! I was loved, respected, treasured and valuable regardless of how I performed.

photo: nicola mcdermott

In the pursuit of my big dream however, I had spent most of my life believing what I did defined who I was. It made bad competitions seem so much worse, because I believed I was a failure if I didn’t jump high.

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I was loved, respected, treasured and valuable regardless of how I performed.

I got this revelation when I read the Bible, it taught me that I was loved every moment of my life regardless of if I was successful or not.

I began a ministry called Everlasting Crowns to help teach athletes about their identity outside of sport, and it gave me a new reason for doing high jump.

Fast forward to this year...

photo: nicola mcdermott

At 24 years of age, I stood on the podium in Tokyo and won the silver medal at the Olympic Games with a jump of 2.02m. That day I became the highest female jumper in Australian history, my dream came true.

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mcdermo

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Big dreams take time, but if you know why you are doing it, that reason will sustain you and help you when things get hard. Big dreams take you on a journey where you have to rely on many people to help you reach your goal.

When you dream, don’t be limited by what you have seen or what you think is possible with the talents you have right now, but dream as if you had all the time, money and support in the world.

photo: nicola

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Dream big in the areas where you feel most passionate and excited about.

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From my story, I want to encourage you today:

The most important thing is not a trophy, award or title, but the people that you shared the journey with and the person you beca me along the way. I have no doubt you will be a part of something bigger than what you could achieve on your own.

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ILLUSTRATION: jane xieok

Mango Rice Pudding by: desi trisnawati

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ingredients: A: The rice pudding 2 cup cooked rice 1-1½ cup milk ½ cup coconut milk ¼ cup sugar ½ tsp salt 1 pandan leaf

B: The sauce ¼ cup milk ¼ cup cream ¼ cup coconut milk A pinch of salt

C: The topping Mango (stoned, peeled and cubed) Mint leaves

METHOD: A. Cook all the ingredients together in a saucepan, until the rice is soft and cooked. Stir often. Adjust the sweetness and thickness as you like.

Remove from heat. It will get thicker as it cools down.

Note: I used black rice but you could use any type of rice available.

Simmer all ingredients. Let it cool.

Spoon coconut sauce over the rice pudding.

Top with mango cubes and mint leaves.

You could substitute mango with other tropical fruits.

For more recipes, follow Desi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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adventure compiled by: mia setyawan

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