Recently Urbanology Magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Priya Ramanujam, caught up with a group of youth in a Creative Writing course at her neighbourhood rec centre. Before leaving, she asked the group members to write down what mattered the most to them in life. Here's what the young creative writers had to say:

What matters to me is that every day I share my friends and family with the happiness they deserve. What matters to me is that every day no one should be an unhappy person. Every day I try hard to get excellent grades for my upcoming future. When I grow up what matters to me is that I'll be successful, happy and make my parents proud. What matters to me is that I know that when I grow up my life won't be as hard as now. When I was little I lived a hard life, even today, so later on I want an easy life and get a job that I enjoy a lot. What matters to me is that I want to be an artist. - Michelle Wan, 13

What matters to me is my life and family because without them I wouldn't be here today. They helped me through hard and easy times. It is also nice to have people by your side when they're going through ups and downs. That is what matters to me. - Carmen W., 13
 
What matters to me are all the things I care for, my friends, family and other loved ones. They don't just matter to me, but are my life. Without them, I wouldn't have been where I am today. For all the love and support my family has given me. Also all the smiles, laughs and the memorable moments I've had with my friends. What matters to me is everyone that has impacted my life. This is what matters to me. - Raymond, 13

What all matters to me is my studies because if I don't study than it is going to be really, really hard to become what I want to be in the future. In the future I want to be a graphic designer or an artist because I like to do stuff like design and draw pictures. - Piraveen, 12

What matters to me is my family. My family is my hope because if one my family members died, I will have other family members to love me and help me throughout my life. What matters to me is making money, which is important to me because I don't want to end up poor and have no job and I will need money to buy food, clothes and have shelter. What matters to me is shelter. We all need shelter to cook and eat, etc. Shelter is my life. I need it to live that is why I love my life. - Joana, 9

What matters to me is my sister. She is always there for me. If I am in a wrong place at the wrong time, she stops me. If I am blue, she's always there. My sister is honest and smart. She is pretty with great talent. She is full with ideas. My sister is very fun and funny. We fight a lot but I will always love my sister. Without my sister I wouldn't be the same. - Thanujan, 10

What matters to me are my friends because if you don't have friends you will be lonely and sad and you have to be kind and nice to have friends. If you are lonely and sad some people even bully you so you need a friend to protect you. Always have a friend. - Mantaj, 9

What matters to me is my school because school can help you learn about stuff like math, music and other stuff. It also matters to me because if you weren't in school you would be begging people for money on the sidewalk so if you go to school you will have a great job. - Jeremy, 9

What matters to me? The power of knowledge. The need for change and a voice for the voiceless. - Shereis Elliott, a.k.a. Poetik Justyce, 22 (Program Coordinator)


Reporting By: Priya Ramanujam