President Olusegun Obasanjo, 

 President Benjamin Mkapa,

These are the quotes from Africa Leadership Forum organized by Institute of African Leadership for Sustainable Development in August 2018 at Kigali, Rwanda.

Listening to the forum and presentation from African Leaders reminds me one of the community activities conducted  at YALI RLC Leadership program (Cohort 28) at Kareen Streets. It was a historic event to see more than 100 young African leaders from 14 countries different African countries working together to clean a street of Kareen in Kenya. Despite coming from different countries with different experience in environment, we worked together as one to make sure that the street is clean. Interestingly, young leaders from Kigali - One of the Cleanest City in The World- were leading the activity with their experience. 

From this experience and messages from President Benjamin Mkapa, President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Paul Kagame capitalize AFRICA IS ONE, it is our responsibility as Young African Leaders to work together to build AFRICA WE WANT TO SEE. What seems to be a problem in Ethiopia has been successful solved in Central Africa and Burundi, Innovations in agriculture from Sudan can be adopted and implemented in Uganda, m-learning platform for vocational training in Tanzania can also work in Somali-land and DRC Congo, Tea and Coffee harvested in Kenya can be consumed in Somalia and Eritrea. With cooperation among African Young Leaders, We can lead change and sustain Africa.

 

 Picture 1: Cohort 28 YALI Participants working together to clean Kareen Street in Kenya

Attending YALI Program in Business Track extended knowledge I possess in Human Centered Design and Developing Business plan using Business Model Canvas in more practical way. In a team, we managed to develop solution for a real problem facing Riara University on increasing enrollment number of students. The experience builds confidence in applying Human Centered Design to solve real business challenges. Back to the organization I work with, after sharing the knowledge received from the program, we are planning to develop curriculum specific for vocational training student from our center to support their innovation. We are looking forward to integrate the approach with innovation projects developed by students to be more customer-centered. 

YALI Program exposed me to opportunities to support my community. Being part of the network of more than 2500 leaders in Africa is an asset to use to transform my community and Africa. From the program, I learn so many things about Africa that made me see same Africa in African way. Through This Is African session I learn about Somali Land Country, an African country which is not on the map. The endless debate about the source of River Nile from Tanzanians, Rwandans and Ugandans was funny story to friends from Sudan who have blue and white River Nile to use for economic activities. To learn that people from Central Africa eat almost every animal found in the jungle including Big snakes, elephants, dogs, Tortoise, and monkey was very surprising, unlike in our culture we normally rotate from Cow, Goat and Pigs. 

 

This program is very experiential and informative in all aspect of leadership. I encourage more youth to apply to join the program since it will change their lives completely to make them community change agents. I also call to my fellow alumni of the program to "keep the fire burning" and transform our communities.