From education to entrepreneurship, young people are changing the world. They are standing up and speaking out against injustices big and small. They’re organizing marches, raising awareness on social media, and running for political positions. They’re starting businesses and creating change in their schools and communities.
It’s no secret what impact our youth can achieve but they do this with the support of youth-centric organizations, working to promote social and emotional growth as well as providing a sustainable support system, teaching new skills, and fostering a sense of community.
These organizations work tirelessly to help the youth grow and thrive. Read on to know 5 of such organizations positively influencing our youth, each with their own unique approach to attaining empowerment
1. Paradigm Initiative
LOCATION: NIGERIA, CAMEROON, KENYA, SENEGAL, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE
Unfortunately, many nonprofits struggle with growing visibility and achieving exposure. However, with the right m
Paradigm initiative connects African youth with digital opportunities and seeks to promote digital rights for all.
They do this by working closely with unreached and marginalized communities to improve livelihoods via digital inclusion and digital rights programs.
Some of these programs include Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship (LIFE) training program, Dufuna, and a digital rights program.
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2. Youth hub Africa
LOCATION: Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana
Youth Hub Africa is a leading organization that has an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of Africans.
As frontline youth advocacy and policy-oriented organization programming for Africa and beyond. YouthhubAfrica provides a platform for young people to effect social change, interact, learn and collaborate in new, creative, and excellent ways.
YouthhubAfrica sees young people as catalysts of Africa’s sustainable development, they contribute to this growth by providing advisory and technical support for development communications, using media to drive meaningful conversations, advocacy, and campaigns, as well as engaging youths on a national and regional level.
3. Slum2School
LOCATION: NIGERIA
This organization is a volunteer-driven, impact-focused, and forward-thinking organization. They work directly with communities to implement custom programs that ensure access to quality education. One such program is the Virtual learning program. Slum2School seeks to provide 10000 children access to educational tools needed to excel in the 21st century.
They are particularly interested in providing this unique solution to children with minimal access to education and technology.
Now, this is phenomenal and barrier-breaking. We look forward to the impact this program will have on society at large.
4. Leap Africa
LOCATION; NIGERIA and 8 other African countries
LEAP Africa is not your usual nonprofit organization, they recognize and strongly believe that youth leadership and inclusion is critical to national growth and development.
It has been over a decade since LEAP Africa was birthed and they have proven to be 100 percent action-oriented and a youth-focused leadership development organization committed to raising leaders that will transform Africa through interventions for young people, that bridge the gap in leadership, education, employability, and entrepreneurship.
LEAP Africa actively contributes to the body of knowledge via ecosystem building, thought leadership, and advocacy.
Currently, they have impacted over 1 million direct and indirect beneficiaries; with a presence in about 26 states in Nigeria and 8 African countries.
5. Trevor Noah Foundation
LOCATION: SOUTH AFRICA
Trevor Noah Foundation envisions a world where education enables African youth to dream, see, and build the impossible.
Khulani Schools initiative for example is set to increase student capacity for educational excellence.
Interestingly, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, each school enrolled in this program is engaged differently, by identifying and investing priority needs in teacher training and support, learner skills and development, and infrastructure.
In doing so, they ensure young people have access to the educational foundation and opportunities needed to emerge from school with the best possible chance of succeeding in life.
These are five of a great number of Youth empowerment organizations out there making the world a better place. In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in youth empowerment organizations and there are a number of factors that have contributed to this.
One of which is the increasing awareness of the importance of youth engagement for social and economic development. Another could be that young people are no longer underestimated. With the focus on youths and their growth, their ability to change their communities for the better is remarkable.
The question is how can you contribute to change?
It is pretty simple; with donor and volunteer support, youth empowerment organizations can help promote growth in young people from all backgrounds, inspiring them to become the impossible.
How can I get involved in the program you have for the youth