Africa's problems needs African solutions

Africa is the second largest continent in the world with population of more than 1.166 billion people of which more than 65% of this population are youth. Africa still face lot of challenges  include high rate of youth unemployment, HIV and AIDS, Extreme Poverty, Malnutrition, civil and political conflicts and many more which makes it among least developed continents in the world.

Empowering youth to take the lead in matters affecting them is among the best sustainable solution to many of these problems. 

By realizing this few youth came together to form African Youth Union a Pan-African Youth lead organization with the vision of making African Youth active and productive citizens who can contribute to a unified, peaceful and prosperous Africa. 

Recently the Union held its 4th Annual summit at Makerere University in Uganda which was attended by youth from different African Regions. Among thing discussed is how African youth and women can positively contribute to the  strong regional integration for sustainable African economic development. Youth participated in this summit agreed that "African Problems needs African Solutions" particularly solutions which come from youth since they have power and talents which is vital for both social, political and economic growth.

The summit ended by announcing new leadership of the organization in which Stephen Machua was announced as African Youth Union President, Olauluwa Abagun as a Vice President representing West Africa Region, Sarah-Leigh Elago as a Vice president representing Southern Africa Region and Julius Kessy as a Vice President representing Eastern Africa Region.

Youth Post join all African to congratulate these young and energetic youth whose vision is to transform Africa into a best place for every human being to leave and change the narratives which define Africa as a dark continent.

Summit in pictorial

Youth participants during African Youth Union 4th annual summit

President of AYU Mr. Stephen Machua (right) with participants

Young energetic youth ready to re-brand African narratives in the eyes of the world

Summit on Twits.

I pledge my commitment and allegiance to the @AfricanYouthUni , to uphold, defend, develop and grow the forum. #AYUSUMMIT

— Sarah-Leigh Elago (@GeniusLeigh) November 9, 2015

#AYUsummit really takes great minds to discuss for de rest as we brain Strom for de youth in de 4th annual summit pic.twitter.com/raBbCIsmRf

— Namakula eve X-tine (@NamakulaEveBUK) November 8, 2015

@AfricanYouthUni African Youths don't have a Strong Economic Base. The ambitious ones also face the challenge at all levels. #AYUsummit

— Stephen Machua (@StephenMachua) November 2, 2015

@GeniusLeigh @AfricanYouthUni I'm soooo ready!!! Woop!! #AYUSummit

— Olaoluwa Abagun (@OlaoluwaAbagun) October 28, 2015

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Capacitating Youth and involving them in decision making is a best way of creating inclusive society toward economic and social development

In this era of dramatic global changes in all aspect of life, youth are at the core of any country development, they need to be involved in development process and decision making in matter that affect them directly as well as which affect their country, but in other side each country need committed, ambitious and self disciplined youth who are ready and eager to change their life for the sake of their country.

Today Youth Post have a privilege to meet one of young, ambitious and self disciplined Tanzanian youth who dream to be among heroes fighting for social and economic changes in their community.

Ms. Saumu with students in a training

Saumu Issa Rajabu, a young Tanzanian and ambitious girl. She is a finalist student at Tengeru Institute of Community Development (TICD) in Arusha Tanzania where she pursuing her undergraduate degree in Community development with bias in management of community development programs.

Saumu is passionate about volunteering, which gives her ‘a definition of whom she should be every day, serving, uplifting and inspiring others. Her journey in community service started since her first year at the university as a youth facilitator volunteer at the Vision for Youth, a youth led organization in Arusha Tanzania. This was the time she realized where her dreams lies on and gave her millions of reason to be a social entrepreneur. Currently she is serving as ambassador of Vision for Youth and represent the organization in different activities around East African Regional

Apart from working as volunteer and ambassador at Vision for Youth, she is also volunteer as a facilitator in field of women empowerment at Returned Home DevelopmentOrganization (REDO) in the project aiming at supporting women on how they can start small business including tailoring and handcrafting to sustain their economy.

She has attended various conferences and seminar both national and international as a best way to challenge herself in her life dreams. Among those conferences, includes “Student Liberty conference 2014” in Nairobi Kenya which was aiming at empowering students to become leaders and agents of changes in their community and the East Africa Youth Dialogue. “Be the Change” held in Nairobi Kenya.

She has also participated in leadership where she saved as a Member of Parliament of Student government in her University. She is recognized as an active member of TICD –Students Organization.

As she believe in the saying that “If you want to go faster, go alone, But if you want to go far, go together” and want to go as far as her dreams, she has made efforts to join various youth forums which can transform her toward her life vision. She is a member of Ignite theYouth which is a Society of African Youth Activist and AIESEC which is a global students led organization in 2,400 universities and 126 countries and territories to unleash leadership potential in youth.

She believe that, passion, hardworking and confidence is a best way for an individual to achieve his or her life dreams. “Challenges that you face today in life, is what makes you a successful person tomorrow, Success Is You, the way you think, act and talk, that is ‪Your Success…” she said.

My call to all youth in Africa is that, if we will not stand to build our dreams, someone will hire us to build theirs. Let us stand now.

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Tanzania need positive thinking and risk taking Youth. Meet Novertus Modest, a young Tanzania and change agent who started an English Media School to support children in his village.

To achieve National development Goals, and to realize the Tanzania Development Vision TDV2025 we need to invest not only in education, but quality education  which can educated people who can compete in the job market and with enough knowledge to invest and effective utilization of national resources for the benefit of all.

Today we have Mr. Novertus Severine, a young Tanzania who realized the importance of quality education for all regardless of their background and economic status then decided to start an English Media for nursery and primary school in his village. He need everyone's support to make sure he achieve his dreams of not only supporting children in his village, but also complimenting to National Development plan and Tanzania Development Vision.

  

Mr. Novertus Severine, Head Teacher and founder of Severina English Medium School

Can you tell us about yourself?

My names are Novertus Modest Severine, a young Tanzania and a nurse by professional. I was born in small village called Ngulu which is in Mwanga District in Kilimanjaro region. I am the first born in a single parent family of three children. I live with my mother and my young brother and sister, I like football and working with the community for community.

What was the reason behind starting Severina School?

During my studies I was facing a lot of challenges including lack of school fees and other basic needs, this gave me very hard time to achieve my life dreams because most of time I had to stay at home to help my mother to do some small business and casual jobs (we call them Vibarua) so that we can get money for food and school fees. In my form four I couldn’t get good pass mark though was good for me to go to advance level education, but due to financial difficulties, my mother couldn’t afford to pay for my Advance level education, then I decided to go for nursing. After graduated from nursing I came back home thinking on how I can get rid of all those challenges and support my young brother and sister in their education, this forced me to start small business of buying maize and selling to other people, this business was not successful because I had no enough capital to invest, then I decided to change it to lending money to people where they return with small amount of interest.

But all the time I was thinking on what I can do to help my community at least to get better and quality education in affordable costs, also I was more hurt when seeing children in my village has no access to quality nursery education which is a base of children development, I knew that, their life is in danger even more that how I was, this gave me millions of reason to start up a program of teaching children when I have free time, but at the end I came to realize that I need to devote more of my time to help them and from there is where the idea of Severina School came.

What are your achievement so far as Severina School is concern?

Severina School is an English Media Nursery and Primary School. Since I started it is three years now and we have students in in middle Class, Pre-Unit and Standard one students. We managed to employ one teacher, in that case, Severina School has two teachers including me. Also we managed to secure three class rooms of which our current students use.

How did the community react on Severina School?

At the beginning it was so hard for me to make things happen. Not only the community, but even the village leaders and Local Government Authority was taking it in negative way, they were complaining that I establish it with the intention of killing other normal nursery schools, but thanks God now they appreciate what I do after seeing the progress and achievements of students that we have now.  

Where are you getting funds to run your school?

I have only one source of fund, and that is fees which parents pays for their children. Those money are not enough to cover everything needed for student to get what they are supposed to, but we are trying our best to make sure that whatever we get we invest in school.

What are the challenges that you are facing?

Challenges are many as far as still in a beginning stage. Mostly is the lack of fund to buy school equipment’s including books, chalks and other teaching materials, also three classes we have we use to rent them, to maintain them is very hard since we have very limited source of fund, but also the classes are not enough because we need to extend to standard seven, also parents delay in paying fees or not paying at all is among biggest challenge that face us.

How do you Severina School in next ten years?

I see Severina School among best English Media schools in my district and regional at large with all school facilities and enough teaches and good performance of its students.

What is your advice to other Tanzanian youth and the rest of the world?

Challenges are always there in life, but always there is another way to take you where you want to go, God is only who know everyone’s destiny, we need to link up whatever we do with him, and most of all we really need to work hard, no easy way out for personal success.

What is your call to Tanzania government and other development partners?

I know that Tanzania government do a lot to make sure that its people get better life, but still there are those part which seems to be marginalized, especially in rural areas. Government need to reach us and provide us with better and quality services. I believe most of youth are moving to town because in rural areas services are very poor.

My call is for the government and other development partners to support youth who are doing a lot to rid themselves from the poverty trap, and support their efforts which always complement to National Development Vision. With support to youth in particular they can be a great source of national development.

We have land where we can build our school, but we don’t have money to buy building materials, I would love to ask for development partners to support me at lease to have classes and other equipment’s necessary for school. No matter how small you can give, I believe it is worthy for these children who need to get better education for their bright future

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Meet Miss Hadija, a young Tanzanian woman in the race of supporting youthful generation

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for myself, my community, my country and my world.

Miss Hadija during one year assessment on KISA project achievements

Hadija Hassan is among the outstanding young Tanzanian women who work closely with the societies to ensure changes both human and societal. “Be the change you wish to see” from Mahatma Gandhi had been her favorite quotation. The involvement she had since young with her fellow youth gave her awareness on different issues prevailing in Tanzanian societies. Hadija`s major concern is on transforming the lives of youth and women in Tanzania.

Hadija in her Kisa project

Currently Hadija is working with the Non-government organization in Arusha called AFRICAID under KISA project in which she is mentoring young Tanzanian women and girls on leadership skills and life skills. She chose to work with this group because she believes that, once you educate one girl you have educated the whole society.

The KISA girls, seems to be happy and more confident after one year of mentorship

Traditionally women had been given the role of raising children so mentoring the girls (mothers of tomorrow), will help to shape them and also shape their children in the future. She believe that the chain will be in a form of personal development and nation at large.

“The marginalization of women and other women violation in Tanzania is rooted from our cultural practices that are sometimes encouraged by women themselves. Lack of self-confidence and the status quo have been the major reasons that hinder women’s development. Women had been very behind in social, political, and economic affairs despite the fact that the government has strategies to ensure women empowerment.” said Hadija.

Everyone is a leader, although others have devoted their time, humanity and dignity to serve not only themselves but also other community they live in, these are the one we call them socially responsible leaders. These people have ability to motivate, mobilize and inspire other community members to work together towards archiving the same goal. Not only men are capable of archiving those abilities but also women can, “believing in our selves is the only solution” said Hadija

We Share, Grow and Lead, is among the best motto by KISA girls.

The status quo/the easy way out/kama kawaida is a notion prevailing to all Tanzanian societies and women being the victims. Women and other members in our societies are raised knowing many practices are the result of their cultures and that’s how things are and supposed to be; not to speak in front of men, women being followers and men being leaders are the examples of status quo.

In the process of mentoring these girls, the most important things Hadija put into consideration is to ensure that girls are able to explore their potentials and exploit them to the maximum. She also facilitate girls growth by sharing resources/ideas and networks, she also challenges girls to move beyond their comfort zone.

Hi5 from Kisa girls,,,our future women leaders looking gorgeous with their smiling faces, we all believe on Hi5 towards the journey of achievement. Thumb finger:have the positive and professional attitude, Index finger: have a goal and direction. Middle finger:stand out and be proud. Ring finger:be loyal and a team player. Little finger:take little but smart steps

KISA girls during the seminar on women and leadership

Apart from leadership skills girls have to acquire other life skills to help them reach their dreams in this era of globalization, putting this into consideration she also train girls on social entrepreneurship, budgeting and saving, business plan, and business nuts and bolts. The main aim of life skills trainings is to help women and girls to think beyond employment and hence employ themselves.

“Sharing is caring, the more you share, the more you grow.”           

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The future of Africa depends on youth who dream BIG, meet Miss Catherine Fidelis, A young Tanzania and most promising African young leaders

When we speak of changes, we don’t mean transforming Tanzania to be a developed nation like America in a single night dream, but we speak of small but powerful efforts taken by young Tanzanian who see and dream that one day we will be a really independent country with good governance, quality social service, improved infrastructure and utilization of country’s resources in a way that can benefit every individual.

Miss Catherine Fidelis (Second ) from right with students who are part of Fahari ya Kuwa Msichana Program

Today we are honored to have on board Miss Catherine Fidelis, a young Tanzania, feminist and activist who holds a bachelor degree of Economics in Project Planning and Management from Mzumbe University. Catherine is also a prestigious fellow of Vital Vices LEAD program and a winner of 2014 MoremiInitiative Leadership Development Program (MILEAD) emerging young African promising leaders Fellowship. She is a co-founder of Fahari ya Kuwa Msichana Program at The Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots Tanzania. Catherine is passionate on youth empowerment especially girls and women since she believes it is each woman’s responsibility.

“It was a process to realize my passion and still I am exploring, since 2009 I started being active on community engagement and in years of service I came to be drawn on girls and women issues, but I could say the true realization was in 2013, Yes! Two years after I have started Fahari”.

Fahari ya Kuwa Msichana is a mentoring program for girls between 11 – 24 years of age in primary, secondary school and universities under Miss Catherine, where girls get to participate in two days’ workshop. In this workshop girls who are in Universities and in Secondary and primary schools are brought together where those from Universities train and mentoring the Youngers. The goal is to make girls realize that the development of women and girls in their communities is individual girls’ and women’ responsibility.

The program started in December 2011 with a help of international volunteer Erica Hall after witnessing that girls in Roots and Shoots Clubs and other extra curriculum clubs were not actively participating in leadership roles. Thus, the initiative was to get girls share their experience with their peers and those older than them to boost their morale to use their potential. The program has reached more than 500 girls since it has started. 

Apart from Fahari project, Catherine has actively been involved in Peace building programs after attending a two weeks training in Rwanda on Peace Building and online course on Global Education: The Intercultural Dimension. Catherine believes that peace is undeniable subject since more than ever, Tanzania has been on verge of conflicts, terrorism threats and unsettlement with the majority perpetrators being young people and victims being girls, women and children. These are small signs that need to be addressed before they escalate to more violent conflicts.

Catherine’s most successful story is her education background;

“I am always proud of my education background, I always tell people my education never cost my parents more than 2000USD from primary to university, I studied in government schools, from primary school to university and yet I have managed to achieve most of my dreams that mostly think are for those brought up with a silver spoon on their mouths. But it is about determination, perfection and passion”.

Everyone’s dream has to be natured by someone, on Catherine’s side there are different people who influenced her to be who she is:

“There are several people who are my role models but most are my parents and especially my mother. She has been an inspiration all my life. She realized the value of education; she made sure school was a priority in my life. She was always keen about my progress in school, and she made sure to support me to get the positive exposure and network that will develop my skills. Being a housewife she seek out advice from friends on carrier opportunities. She was never aggressive in dealing with me but she wanted me to prove to her I was bold enough, mature enough and wise enough in making decisions. With her example I am inspired to make every girl realize that education is the first step of empowerment and mothers have a great role to play.”

Life without challenges looks like life without vision. For one to grow and who they want to be they have to face some challenges to test their abilities. Catherine is still facing some difficulties on her ways, she says:

 “My challenging situation is to get girls understand the essence of the Fahari program, mostly they are distracted and they want tangible products not service and at times it gets frustrating when you feel unappreciated. I am restructuring the program to be very simple and fun for them to concentrate and participate regularly”.

Catherine believe that everyone has to succeed, if not today, in a near future, but the best way is to seek for advice and mentorship from those who have succeeded, her advice to everyone is that,

“there is no magic to success but it starts with setting goals, discipline and endurance. Myself I am still seeking advice from others”.

See more about Catherine here. 

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Best is yet to come, Keep on Moving.

Our warm congratulation to you for every steps that you take towards positive changes in the society, we really know that it is hard and challenging but you never tired. We the youth are proud of you and wish you all the best in whatever way you go and initiatives you take.

Aya's story is that of a bold and daring super girl, with a rare zeal for undiluted activism.

A Pan-African at heart, Aya Chebbi is a Tunisian blogger and activist. Her enthusiasm for blogging was birthed during the Tunisia 2011 Revolution, when she felt the urge to report events from a "Proudly Tunisian" perspective as opposed to the international journalists who were tainting her country's narratives to suit the Western media’s interests. Today, the blog she started for the simple purpose of documenting Tunisian realities, has attracted tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. Apart from her personal blogging, Ayais a Columnist at OpenDemocracy, and her articles have been published at Al-Jazeera, D+C for Development and Cooperation, Your Middle East and Foresight for Development-Africa. Her impactful work as a blogger has earned her invites to speak at multiple conferences and seminars, such as the Wheelock Global Conference in Boston on “Human Rights, Health and Education” as well the International Lecture of the National Cathedral School in Washington DC on the “Arab Uprising.” She has also blogged for global events such as the CIVICUS Youth Assembly in Canada and the World Innovation Summit of Education in Doha.

Aya is as passionate about Africa, as she is about her country. This passion led her to establish and chair the African Youth Movement -an action-oriented social movement that strives for the development, active participation and leadership of African youth in the fight for peace and social justice. In 2013, Africa also reckoned with Aya when she was honored as one of Africa's 28 Most Outstanding Women Leaders by the Moremi Initiative’s Leadership Development (MILEAD) in 2013. Making history as the first Tunisian to be so honored, She received this award in Accra from Hon. Samia Nkrumah - the daughter of the first president of Ghana and chairperson of the Convention Peoples Party. During the ceremony, Aya was opportune to meet the Nobel Peace Price Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee, member of Ghana Parliament Hon.Sarah Adwoa Safo, Ms.Esther Cobbah, Ms.Hendrica Okondo and Dr Juliette M. Tuakli among other inspirational African women leaders. 

Our Super Girl Aya, has travelled to over 20 African countries working with young people. She is the producer of a documentary called "Kenya's conscious transformation", a part of her  Africa Inspire Project that aims at changing the negative narrative about Africa. She has also represented Africa on diverse international platforms over the past four years. Following Tunisia’s revolution, she has widely spoken about social movements worldwide at conferences and rallies in the United States, Canada, Poland, Germany, Turkey, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa among other countries. She is also the co-founder of the Voice of Women Initiative and youth advisor of CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Currently she works as a youth coordinator for the World Peace Initiative Foundation.

Aya Chebbi is passionate about volunteering, which gives her ‘a definition of whom I should be every day, serving others, uplifting others, inspiring others.’ The young Tunisian started volunteering in primary school, when she used to clean up her neighborhood on Sundays. She recalls: “I used to gather with the kids and knock the doors of all the houses to get people participate in the Sunday cleaning. I think at that early age, I didn’t see the environmental benefits of my action but I always had a sense of integrity to live in the community and make people happy around me.” She previously worked at the refugee camps during Libya’s civil war then at Bureau de Cooperation Tunisie-Denmark on youth development projects in Tunis as well as the Carter Center in Cairo monitoring 2012 Egyptian Presidential Elections. An adept mobilizer and organizer, she has mobilized a peaceful protest for the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign in Sri Lanka.

A global voice to reckon with, Aya was recently invited to New York to deliver a speech during the 59th session on the Commission on the Status of women. She spoke at the celebratory commemoration after high-powered speakers and celebrities including President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Hillary Clinton, Ban Ki Moon, Melinda Gates and Farhan Akhtar among others.

She has committed her life to reuniting North Africa with the rest of the continent based on her pan-africanist vision, fighting racism and terrorism inside the continent and promoting African values and youth agenda internationally. She has witnessed historical moments at Occupy Wall Street in New York, Occupy Gezi in Istanbul, Presidential Elections in Egypt and Al-Shabab terrorist attack in Kenya. She considers these experiences her strive to further make a difference in the world and fight for peace and social justice. Despite being blacklisted and banned from entering Egypt since March 2014, Aya remains undaunted - pressing forward with her multifaceted activism. She received the "Excellence in Leadership" Award by the African Youth Awards, earlier in the year.

Post credit to I am a Girl, I ROCK!

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