Duke of Edinburgh Award Participants Partner with TEACH to Empower African Youth

Tunde FolawiyoAlmost 200 million people in Africa today are between the ages of 15 and 24, giving the country the youngest population in the world. This massive demographic segment of the population is largely overlooked as a potential source for positive change in African society and is often left without the education and training they need to improve their lives and those in their communities. TEACH (Time to Empower Africa’s Children), a nonprofit, charitable organisation, is endeavoring to alleviate poverty in Africa through the power of education and the engagement of new skills. One of the ways the organisation does this is by partnering with the youth of the UK, through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) programme, offering volunteer opportunities for them to help empower African youth, while meeting the criteria for the DofE Award.

TEACH was founded by two sisters from the UK, Krupa and Shivani Patel, in 2008. Inspired by the experiences they shared while volunteering in Ghana, the sisters returned to the UK and began establishing an organisation that would incorporate their core values and increase the scope of their work in Africa. Today, TEACH is committed to educating, engaging and empowering youth in Africa and the UK. By partnering with schools and colleges across the UK, TEACH is able to spread awareness of the needs in Africa as well as create a sense of global citizenship that can develop into positive social change in future generations. They achieve their mission through three primary platforms – Community Participation; Business Enterprise Initiative and Global Citizenship.

One of the major contributors of youth volunteers is the participants in the DofE Award programme. The programme, which has many supporters such as Tunde Folawiyo, established in 1956 by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, is concerned with youth development in certain key areas. TEACH offers many opportunities for UK youth to fulfill their objectives in these areas, which include volunteering, physical improvement, skills development and expedition completion, whether it is working in Moshi as part of their “Be the Change” programme in youth leadership or organising fundraisers for an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro with part of the funds going to TEACH initiatives. Through their active participation in fundraising events or hands-on building and educational projects, DofE Award participants help raise the awareness of the poverty that reigns in areas such as Tanzania, while building a firm foundation of future global responsibility and sustainability.

Businessman Tunde Folawiyo is one of the dedicated World Fellows of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, who supports the endeavours of the programme in its continuing efforts to mobilise the youth of Africa and the UK.

How the DofE is changing young people’s lives in Ghana

The Ghanaian version of the DofE – known as the Head of State Award Scheme – has been in operation since 1967. Over the decades, more than 180,000 young people have taken part in it, and in doing so, have developed the life skills and practical knowledge that they need to succeed in life. The scheme’s committee has created a framework for the individuals, which celebrates rather than suppresses the unique gifts that each individual participant has. With the support of volunteer leaders and stakeholders, they are now working hard to increase the number of young people in the scheme; within the next six Tunde Folawiyoyears, they hope that at least 5% of those aged between 14-24 in Ghana will be involved.

Being from Africa, Tunde Folawiyo is doubtless aware that whilst young people account for approximately 26% of Ghana’s population, there are currently very few urban employment opportunities for those who are in their teens or early twenties. All too often, this band struggles to make enough money in order to survive. The Head of State Award Scheme gives these people hope, by providing them with experiences which not only build character, but also enable them to become skilled in whichever subject takes their interest. This in turn, increases their chances of finding better paying work.

A young woman named Charity serves as a shining example of how effective the scheme is in helping people to uncover their talents, and increase their self confidence. Prior to her participation, Charity was a very quiet and shy girl, who rarely gave much thought to how she could positively impact her school, or her local community. However, as she progressed through each stage of the Award, she became far more interested in helping others. As someone who is familiar with the DofE, Tunde Folawiyo understands how dramatically the volunteer section can affect a person’s outlook. The 70 hours which Charity spent volunteering in the Governmental Hospital made her more aware of, and compassionate towards those suffering from serious illnesses.

The skills which she acquired have also had an enormously positive impact on Charity’s life. As she completed this section at the GBC (Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation), she learned a great deal about things such as TV camera work, and photo journalism. The sports section – which she was initially less than enthused about – turned out to be a very enjoyable experience as well, and led to her not only becoming physically stronger, but also more disciplined and focused.

Folawiyo is a strong proponent of youth development programmes like the DofE. For further information about this entrepreneur, visit Slideshare Tunde Folawiyo page.

Come September: DofE’s Annual Team Challenge

As a worldwide leader for youth advocacy, the DofE implements a wide variety of events to further connect with DofE participants and the communities that surround them. In keeping true to a quest for excellence, the exciting DofE Challenge will take place in September of 2014. The event will take place over a two-day period in which teams will embark on a variety of thrilling activities to test both their physical and emotional strength through challenges. Tunde Folawiyo and other proponents of the DofE and its mission for a brighter future for today’s youth may find the DofE Challenge to be amongst the most exciting events sponsored by the organisation.

Tunde FolawiyoThe themed event will take place on the 20th to the 21st of September in the UK’s Peak District. Teams comprised of four to six participants will be subject to a £2,250 upon registration. The number of teams may range from 20-25, demonstrating the great popularity of the annual event. Teams will camp out overnight, hiking more than 30 miles spanning a two-day period. During this time, they’ll tackle a variety of activities like archery, abseiling and rafting.

To many, the event serves as a mini expedition during which participants will encounter various mental and physical obstacles. A thrilling atmosphere and a great sense of comradery and team morale make the experience a most memorable one for participants.

Day One

Participants will arrive at the designated Peak District location during the early morning of Saturday, 20th of September for registrations and team briefing. Teams will then embark on a 15-20 km hike during which they will visit a series of control points spanning an exciting eight-hour time period. Upon completion of the day’s trek, the participants will dine, relax and rest at the campsite in preparation of an exciting day 2.

Day Two

After a tasty breakfast and a fun race walk filled with challenges, attendees will participate in a water activity. Upon completion, a prize ceremony will take place with participants free to leave by 2:30 pm.

Since its establishment, the DofE has long sought to promote a healthy, active lifestyle and a great sense of community amongst its participants. Events such as these serve as a great bonding experience, encouraging friendly competition and teamwork. Tunde Folawiyo and other proponents of the DofE across the UK, Africa and beyond may continue to regard events such as these as a wonderful stepping stone toward a brighter future for today’s youth. For information about more charitable organisations throughout Africa, view Tunde Folawiyo Dailymotion page.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Continues Inspiring Youth

Tunde FolawiyoAt an exclusive gala at Windsor Castle sponsored by the Halcyon Gallery, the Duke of Edinburgh World Fellowship recently celebrated twenty-seven years of inspiring world youth. From its founding in the UK, it since has spread in various versions to 140 additional countries. Young people worldwide are participating in the program, and community leaders, in business, politics and education, are doing their part to support the programme globally. Supporters of the Duke of Edinburgh Award are dedicated to the enrichment of young people, including Tunde Folawiyo. Those interested can view this Tunde Folawiyo profile.

Award holders include 22-year-old Vionaver Booysen, of South Africa, who has earned all three awards available in the programme: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Booysen was raised in a situation of adversity, but felt a strong desire to work to make a better life for the people in her community. She became involved in a community-action organisation, of which she is now the Assistant Youth Coordinator. She remains active in The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, the form the Duke of Edinburgh award has taken in South Africa.

Patricia Yeboah, a young woman from Ghana, used her work with the Duke of Edinburgh award to focus on issues faced by women in her local community. In Ghana, women have higher rates of illiteracy and fewer employment opportunities than men. Yeboah addresses the roles of women in her community by organising a photography club for young women. The group meets weekly to share their photography and their experiences, with half the costs of film printing covered by the Head of State Award, which is Ghana’s iteration of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The local school, which provides a space for the group to meet, says that the program is having a visible impact on the students’ well-being. Yeboah’s work has also increased local participation in the Head of State Award program.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme continues to grow. The World Fellowship promotes the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which was founded in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to award young people for living lives of service, acquiring skills, and learning about the world through travel and adventure. The programme has attracted over eight million participants worldwide.

The accomplishments of South African DofE participants

In South Africa, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is known as the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment. Over the past three decades, approximately 110,000 youths have gotten involved in this programme, and in doing so, have not only discovered new talents, developed new skills and become more well-rounded individuals, but have also had an incredibly positive impact on their communities. In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the extraordinary accomplishments of the young South Africans who have completed the Award.

Those who visit South Africa regularly, such as Tunde Folawiyo, may know that it is a nation of economic extremes; although there are some extremely wealthy areas, the country also has very high rates of unemployment and poverty. Schalk Burger, a young student who was studying at a prestigious secondary school, was acutely aware of this problem, and after joining the President’s Award, he decided to do something about it. In 2010, he launched Clothing-4-Children, a garment recycling initiative.

He asked all of his fellow students to gather up any high quality, unwanted clothing they had lying around their homes. Tunde FolawiyoThe generous donations of his peers encouraged him to continue with this project, resulting in him teaming up with the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. This collaboration enabled Schalk and his brother to get 41 other schools around the country involved in Clothing-4-Children. To date, he has managed to collect more than 588 tonnes of clothes, which have an estimated value of $32.1 million.

Emily Mabasa is another participant with an inspiring story. As a physically disabled young person, completing the Award was very challenging at times; however, Emily’s involvement in this programme did wonders for her, helping her to uncover a love for activities such as creative writing, dancing and design.

The Service section had a particularly profound effect, and led to her working on setting up a skill centre, which will be aimed specifically at those living in poorer homes, where children are often expected to take on the role of head of the household. She hopes that this centre will be able to teach young people some practical skills, so that as they grow up, they won’t be reliant on government handouts to survive.

Tunde Folawiyo, and anyone else who is familiar with the Award, will probably understand just how many opportunities it provides participants with. Her involvement in the President’s Award has opened up a great many doors for Emily; for instance, during Youth Month Commemoration, she and three other participants were invited to an event called ‘Youth of South Africa – Legends of the Future and History Makers’. This year, Emily will also be travelling to South Korea, to serve as a representative of the Award at the International Gold Event.

Anyone who, like Folawiyo, is interested youth development initiatives like the President’s Award, and would like to learn more about this subject, should follow Tunde Folawiyo projects online.

How one DofE participant changed the lives of hundreds of young Kenyans

Like many other young people, Molly Macaire chose to participate in the DofE programme in order to challenge herself. She was eager to find a goal which she could work towards with her peers, and wanted to prove to herself that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to.

For the Bronze stage of the award, Molly chose to create a project which would provide children living in a disadvantaged area of Kenya with the opportunity to self-educate. Entitled ‘EDCLUB’, this project was inspired by a speech given by Sugata Tunde FolawiyoMitra, a professor that most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, will probably have heard of (The Business Week bio on Tunde Folawiyo provides more information about this entrepreneur).

Mitra had created a series of educational centres specifically for children residing in the poorest parts of India. These centres gave the children access to both high tech computers and the internet. The mentors then encouraged those in attendance to teach themselves about any subjects which interested them, by searching for the answers online. Mitra’s theory was children are, by their very nature, inherently inquisitive, and that given the right tools, they would be quite capable of educating themselves, even if they were not in a formal school environment.

Anyone with an interest in youth development, like Tunde Folawiyo, will most likely be familiar with Mitra’s method. Now referred to as MIE (Minimally Invasive Education), it has successfully shown that children, regardless of their social status or background, can learn how to use computers and teach themselves everything they need to know – even if they don’t speak English.

Molly decided to set up a similar project in the Kenyan village of Huruma. A company called Stonehouse Ltd donated the first computer, and after several more fundraising events, Molly managed to purchase three additional computers. EDCLUB has been a resounding success, and over time, many other children living in the village have chosen to get involved. As a result of their enthusiasm, Molly built an internet lab on a piece of land donated by the Kenya Forest Service, and hired 90 volunteer mentors.

The project is continuing to expand, with 22 more mentors joining the team this coming September. Ultimately, Molly hopes to get every child from Huruma involved. In addition to having a profoundly positive impact on the lives of young people living in this part  of Kenya, EDCLUB has also helped Molly; in an interview, she explained that completing this part of the award had enabled her to develop many important life skills, including the ability to compromise, and to work as part of a team. It also allowed her to overcome her fear of public speaking.

DofE Gold Award ceremony celebrates the achievements of hundreds of youths

Tunde FolawiyoJust a few weeks ago, the GAP (Gold Award Presentation) was held at St. James’s Palace in London. Anyone who knows of the DofE, like Tunde Folawiyo, will understand how significant this ceremony is for the award recipients; it is a celebration of years of perseverance and hard work.

Hundreds of people attended the event. Amongst the recipients were several youths from Bath, including Rioghnach Hannan, a university student. She was given the opportunity to chat about the DofE with Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. Rioghnach discussed her expedition experience to the Swiss Alps, noting that this was a particularly harrowing aspect of the programme for her, as an avalanche occurred during her stay.

The DofE also led to her taking up both the clarinet and tennis; she grew to love these activities so much that, despite having finished the program, she has continued to keep them as hobbies. Like the rest of the DofE participants, Rioghnach also completed the volunteering section of the award. She chose to work as a carer for disabled people living in Cheltenham, and spent one week helping out at Helen and Douglas House, a children’s hospice. Being familiar with the DofE, Tunde Folawiyo understands how beneficial this type of volunteer work can be, and how great an impact it can have on the volunteer’s character.

Speaking about her overall experience, Rioghnach stated that the program had been fantastic, and had enabled her to prove to both herself and others that she was capable to committing to something, and persevering even when it proved difficult.

Another teen, named Coco Story, also collected her Gold award. She completed the final stage of the programme whilst studying for her A-levels, carving time out of her schedule for all of the activities, which included voluntary work, a residential cookery course, and a three-day hike in the Yorkshire Dales. Coco also took up hockey, and learned how to drive. She explained that these were things which she had never attempted before, and this had made the experience all the more interesting and rewarding.

There were also five students from Northwood, Middlesex in attendance; Zafirah Kalla, Tammy Samuel, Roshni Patel, Katherine Makris and Isobel Cotterell all received their Gold Awards. Their chosen activities included a challenging trek in the Brecon Beacons, taking up instruments, learning to play tennis, and participating in an archaeological dig.

The aforementioned Folawiyo is a well-known entrepreneur, who is passionate about youth development; to obtain additional information about his areas of expertise, visit the Tunde Folawiyo Slideshare page online.

African Impact Creates Adventurous Journeys for DofE Award Hopefuls

Throughout its history as one of the world’s foremost organisations for youth development, the distinguished Duke of Edinburgh Award remains committed to improving conditions for young people all over the globe. The African continent has long seen DofE participants initiate positive change through volunteering, one of the charity’s most valued principles. Through the continued support of DofE proponents like Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others around the globe, the organisation may continue to serve as a revered beacon of hope for millions of young, promising youth worldwide.

In keeping true to its commitment to encourage volunteering to improve conditions around the world, African Impact, a leader of volunteer efforts in Africa, works closely with the DofE in order to offer participants memorable, impactful volunteer experiences throughout the continent. With over a decade of experience, the organisation boasts more than 80 volunteering projects for DofE participants to engage in. In addition to preparing an itinerary, African Impact also assists in ensuring budgetary and organisation Tunde Folawiyorequirements are met, enabling a simpler, less stressful experience for participants. With the prospect of cultural tours, adventurous experiences and thrilling safaris, African Impact strives to provide DofE participants with the utmost experience the continent has to offer.

From wildlife conservation to uplifting impoverished communities throughout the land, DofE participants are exposed to a wide range of opportunities enabling them to forge true impact upon the people of the continent. Developing new skills, learning about the culture of new countries and experiencing a true taste of Africa’s cuisine and wildlife adventures are all part of the journey toward optimal self-discovery when utilizing African Impact. Through their assistance, participants will be exposed to new people and relationships, an exchange of cultures and the comfort of a 24-hour support staff. These perks alone may contribute a great deal to a participant’s overall experience whilst volunteering in Africa.

Whilst travelling with African Impact is not a necessary requirement to volunteer abroad, they can certainly make the experience a memorable one. Contact the organisation’s website, www.africanimpact.com, for additional information regarding this once-in-a-lifetime trek to the sprawling landscapes of one of the most visually stunning continents in the world. Tunde Folawiyo and many other supporters of the DofE and its principles may be aware of the extraordinary impact African Impact lends to the DoE experience as a whole. With the continued encouragement of proponents around the United Kingdom, Africa and beyond, the DofE may ever serve as a great source for improving conditions throughout these continents and other needy regions around the world.

The DofE – changing the lives of participants and their communities

Recently, over 400 Scottish teens gathered together in Edinburgh, in order to collect their Gold awards. Anyone who is familiar with the DofE, like Tunde Folawiyo, will understand the significance of its Gold award ceremonies; the certificates handed out to participants represent years of dedication and hard work.

 Tunde FolawiyoThe ceremony took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and was attended not only by the award recipients and their families, but also by a number of celebrities from the sport, entertainment, music and art industries. Some of the top names included David Murdoch, the Olympic curler, and Kevin Guthrie, the actor who starred in the production ‘Sunshine on Leith’.

A significant number of the recipients hailed from Inverness. These young people completed the volunteering section of the award by undertaking peer mentoring, working in charity shops, and by serving as Scout and Guide leaders. For the skills and physical recreation activities, the group chose archery, badminton and American football, and several of them learned how to play musical instruments.

Whilst each section of the award benefits the participants in one way or another, it is the volunteer work which is often said to be the most rewarding aspect of the programme. Those with a passion for youth development, such as Tunde Folawiyo, are no doubt aware that the simple act of helping others can have a profound effect on a young person’s character. But of course, in addition to helping individual participants to become better people, this section also has an incredibly positive impact on their communities.

Surveys carried out by the DofE show that the type of volunteering which participants choose to do varies widely, and includes everything from supporting charities, setting up eco-friendly groups and campaigning, to working as mentors, making clothes for premature infants, and helping out at local after-school clubs.

The commitment and compassion demonstrated by DofE volunteers has not gone unnoticed, and many are eager to give back to this charity, which has helped so many people over the years. For instance, three weeks ago, a group of 300 employees from Baker Tilly, an accountancy firm, set off for a cycling adventure, which saw them cover more than 660 miles over the course of ten days. The bike ride was set up as a fundraising event, in order to raise £10,000 for the DofE.

Tunde Folawiyo | DofE Gold Award: Embarking on a Residential Project

Tunde FolawiyoThe DofE has served as an enormous means of encouragement since its establishment, inspiring millions of young people throughout the world to explore optimal self-discovery. In keeping true to its commitments to foster the future success of promising youth around the UK and beyond, the DofE employs a variety of requirements for participants to complete in order to be awarded the prestigious award. Tunde Folawiyo and many other supporters of the DofE may find the Residential requirement most exciting for participants to undertake. The Gold Award requirement is intended to awaken a renewed sense of confidence for those participating.

In addition to the four sections required to be awarded the DofE, the Residential section is a requirement only for those striving for Gold. The trek involves participants embarking on 5 day, 4 night trip that will revolve around meeting and cohabitating with a group of people whom they have never met. This results in an enhanced sense of empathy and an appreciation for other cultures. A fulfilling experience for all of those involved, the Residential section encourages learning new skills and assisting others toward a common goal. From snowboarding in Scotland to working closely alongside children’s camps, there are a wide range of ways for participants to forge an impact on society.

The experiences to be had during a Residential Project have been described as extremely fulfilling. DofE participants may download a variety of resources from the organisation’s website in order to prepare for the thrilling adventures that lay ahead. From residential project ideas to requirements check-lists, DofE staff hold all the information needed to initiate this great undertaking. Gold Award hopefuls are responsible for planning their trip alongside an Assessor. Once activities and goals have been approved by a designated Leader, participants are able to begin this great step toward self-discovery.

Since its establishment over a half century ago, the DofE has sought to encourage youth toward bright futures for not only themselves, but their surrounding communities as well. Through promoting life skills like fitness, leadership, volunteering and a thirst for adventure, young people throughout the world may continue to forge true impact upon their respective countries. From the United States to South Africa, the diversity of the organisation’s participants continues to inspire people all over the globe. Tunde Folawiyo and others hoping to provide a better future for Africa may find the DofE’s Residential project to be amongst the charity’s greatest programmes.