By Chris Onuoha

A group of young Africans across 26 countries in the African continent who are passionate about leading change in their communities and contributing to meaningful transformation across the continent have unveiled remarkable community development projects that are poised to make a positive impact on the lives of residents in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is coming after five months of inducting the 2024 cohort of the annual Transformative Leadership Training (TLT), a community development programme.

The TLT programme, designed to empower young Africans and facilitate their development of self-efficacy, ethical leadership skills, employability, and entrepreneurial skills is under the auspices of  a pan-African social enterprise and management organisation, VS Management & Consulting (VSMC) in collaboration with the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) scholarship programme, and funded by Mastercard  Foundation.

Disclosing this to the media, Adeyemi Asaba, the Lead Consultant at VSMC said, the programme is aimed to encourage and equip young Africans with life and personal effectiveness skills to support their transition into productive adults.

“To kickstart the pilot programme, VSMC signed a multi-year partnership with the United States International University – Africa (USIU A), Nairobi, Kenya. Some of the scholars and group leaders include Dudi Nyok Luat, Tessy Umutoni and Boston Palanga who unveiled their projects which addressed Sustainable Development Goal 3, 4 and 13. In addition to the three groups, 12 other groups are currently implementing community development projects across Nairobi making a total of 15 interventions,” Asaba said.

According to him, the scholars are actively involved in various impactful initiatives throughout Nairobi, including renovating four classrooms and installing solar power systems at Aduru Educational Center, Korogocho Slum. Additionally, they are focused on rehabilitating the counselling room at Kirigithi Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre, building traditional rocket stoves, and supplying durable utensils to Glory Children’s Home in Kiamumbi, Kiambu. Furthermore, scholars are keen on organising vocational training programmes for identified teenage mothers in the Kibera slum alongside other noteworthy projects.

“In a continent where poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity sit atop the list of challenges confronting young citizens, which make them susceptible to crime, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in August 2023, said more than 72 million youth in Africa are not in education, employment or training. In a bid to change this tide and help the continent move closer to achieving SDG 8 on decent work for all by 2023, organisations across Africa are stepping in through empowerment programmes targeted specifically at young Africans.

“As expected from the beneficiaries of the training, who are to lead national development through community development, social innovation, and entrepreneurship, some of the alumni have started demonstrating the core essence of the training in the immediate communities and putting the newfound skills learnt from the two-fellowship year workshop into action through community development projects that promise to bring about lasting change,” added Asaba.

Asaba also expressed pride in the scholars’ dedication and commitment to giving back to their communities, said the projects engenders cultural cohesion, community and social development in the heart of scholars while empowering them to take initiatives that lead to sustainable development in their communities and across Africa.

“It is also important to note that from the inception of our engagement in Kenya, 32 community development projects have been implemented across 10 communities in Nairobi county,” he said.

According to Asaba “the TLT will inspire deeper social consciousness among the youth, equip them with the tools and skills to make a positive difference in their communities and transform their mindset on the capacity to serve as change leaders in their communities despite their preconceived limitations. The programme will support the successful transition of youths into responsible and productive adults who can contribute to the development and sustainability of their communities.”

He also noted that the TLT was initiated in Ghana, West Africa, in the second quarter of this year and has already produced exceptional ambassadors spanning six African countries.

Meanwhile, the three lead groups expressed optimism as the project runs concurrently in different locations in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dudi Nyok Luat, South Sudanese Refugee in Kenya and second year International Business Administration student explained that the driving force behind his group’s project – renovation of four classrooms, was to urgently address a pressing need within the slums of Korogocho.

“Currently, 198 primary school children are forced to share a single overcrowded classroom, with three different classes being held simultaneously in that confined space. Our initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) – Quality Education, thereby catalysing a brighter future for Africa. This journey, sparked by Transformative Leadership Training, holds the promise of a lasting impact, underscoring our unwavering commitment to bringing about positive change for the 198 young minds in Korogocho. We aim to achieve this by constructing and providing a suitable and conducive learning environment for them,” Luat said.

Tessy Mercy Umutoni, Burundian and second year International Relations student said participating in the TLT Community development project has indeed been a transformative journey.

“It’s provided me with invaluable opportunities to refine my leadership, team management, and fundraising skills while making a meaningful impact on my community,” Umutoni said. “My team, the Elite Innovators, is currently focusing on promoting Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 4 (Quality Education) at the Kirigithi Juvenile Rehabilitation Center. We’re renovating their counselling room to improve mental well-being and offering English and computer classes for young girls aged 11 to 17. Our goal is to empower them with essential skills, enhancing their chances of successful reintegration into society.”

Boston Palanga, a Zambian and second year Applied Computer Technology student also added that African documentaries made by the Western Media usually feature targeted slums in a deranged manner.

“This is the narrative we are changing,” Palanga declared. “I am super delighted to have led a ‘clean-up project’ in Huruma Mathare, Kenya. The project which we named “Clean Earth Now”, falls under SDG 13. The project aims at carrying out cleaning campaigns and sensitising people on the importance of keeping a clean environment.”