tunde folawiyo bio

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The Duke of Edinburgh Award: Opportunity, Art and Charity

Tunde Folawiyo With a history spanning over fifty years, the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme has affected the lives of countless youths in the UK and around the world. The programme, commonly called DofE, was started by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. To counteract the modern social forces, described by German educator Kurt Hahn, that were making young adults less imaginative, adventurous, and socially minded, the DofE encourages participants to achieve goals in five categories: volunteer work, physical activity, practical skills, adventurous journey, and a residential category that requires participants to live away from home.

One opportunity for service and adventure approved for the Duke of Edinburgh Award criteria is the Village by Village project, which works to improve lives in rural Ghana. Volunteers can travel to villages untouched by tourism and spend two to four weeks engaged in meaningful service within these communities. Opportunities include working to teach English to children, construction jobs, or serving as a coach for a youth football team. Roles as photographers, videographers, business advisors and healthcare workers are also available. The charity was founded by Neil Kerfoot in 2006, with the goal of reaching one hundred villages by 2016.

The non-profit organisation ‘Films Without Borders’ is another group working within Africa that is independently affiliated with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. ‘Films Without Borders’ works in Rwanda, Israel, Palestine and elsewhere with the goal of giving teachers the training required to teach schoolchildren the basics of film, so that students are then able to produce their own short films. ‘Films Without Borders’ then brings this work to a global audience, as one film is selected from each country to go on to an international film festival, along with the student team that produced it. The goal of the organisation is to unite young people from all over the world, and to help them overcome their differences through the medium of storytelling.

The DofE is supported by a global network that gathers at events globally to promote the programme, including at an exclusive World Fellowship Anniversary Dinner, usually held in a London palace. The Duke of Edinburgh’s World Fellowship represents just a few of the award’s many supporters, including Tunde Folawiyo, who admire the efforts of the Foundation to encourage the enrichment of youth worldwide. Readers interested in Tunde Folawiyo’s work can interests can find YouTube videos from Tunde Folawiyo online.

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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.

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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.

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Baker Tilly Uses Cycling To Raise Funds for DofE

As one of the world’s foremost proponents for youth development, the DofE frequently partners with a variety of trusted organisations in order to further its influence throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. Seeking to promote a variety of valuable life skills such as fitness and volunteering, the DofE and its teaching will prove immensely beneficial to many communities throughout the region. Recently, a group of cyclists with Baker Tilly, an accountancy firm with offices around the UK, began a nationwide charitable bike ride to raise funds for the DofE and Anthony Nolan. These efforts along with those forged by Tunde Folawiyo and many other advocates for youth development will continue to inspire millions of young people around the globe.

Tunde FolawiyoThe journey, which began in London and ended in Leeds ahead of the beginning of the famed Tour de France, covered a terrain of 660 miles over a 10-day period, with 23 stops spread amongst the firm’s United Kingdom offices. Great enthusiasm surrounded the event, with a large number of individuals from all over the UK joining together in solidarity to accomplish a common goal. Over 300 of the company’s staff participated in the trek in hopes to raise over £10,000 toward charity. Volunteer riders joined in the race’s 11 legs which saw approximately 30 riders travel between 50 to 80 miles each day.

The event took place over three stages, with the first spanning London through Bristol, then secondly from Glasgow toward Edinburgh, concluding with the final section from Birmingham toward Leeds on 4 July. A number of guests participated as well, ranging from Santander UK’s Colin Woolinscroft to Oriel Securities’ Simon Bragg. Njinga Cycling was on site to support the cause as well, providing mechanics and other support for riders throughout their journey. These culminated efforts will provide immeasurable support for communities across the country. Martin Rodgers, Chairman at Baker Tilly, praised the Tour as a means of fundraising, thanking supporters of the initiative for their time, efforts and participation.

Throughout its history as one of the UK’s foremost charities for youth development, the DofE has long fostered valuable relationships with many respected organisations throughout Europe. With the continued support of DofE advocates and the communities that surround them, millions of young people will continue to reap the rewards of the charity’s Award programme. Tunde Folawiyo and others involved with the DofE may regard the cycling tour as a significant step toward achieving a brighter future for today’s youth.

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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.

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DofE Sees Significant Growth in Both Licensing and Participants

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to provide a rewarding experience for thousands of youth worldwide each year, partnering with a variety of trusted organisations along the way. With its efforts to promote long-lasting, valuable skills amongst today’s most promising youth, the DofE utilizes many local resources to achieve their goals of a brighter future for Tunde Folawiyomillions. Tunde Folawiyo and others with high hopes for DofE participants and the vibrant communities that surround them may find the organisation’s work as a giant step forward in the quest for a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

The DofE has grown exponentially since its founding, impacting a new generation of students seeking guidance throughout the challenging years before adulthood. The DofE recently announced its record figures for the 2013/14 year with the organisation reaching its 100,000 Awards mark for the very first time. A total of 108,288 determined young people achieved their Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards during that time, whilst the total of new participants reached a peak of nearly 240,800. These numbers are up 10% each year, demonstrating the organisation’s endless potential for growth. These successes are expected to forge a great impact upon millions throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.

To support the organisation’s astounding growth, each day more organisations, local authorities, charities and schools included, sought to secure a registered license to operate the DofE. These numbers have increased significantly, rising 33% to a new 902 total. Although the amount of centres like youth clubs and young offenders institutions increased by nearly 9%, bringing the total to upwards of 12,735. The welcome rise in the number of Licensed Organisations may be the collective result of a shift in institutions seeking to acquire a license straight from the DofE Charity, whereas this is usually done through local authorities.

As the renowned DofE approaches the milestone of its 60th year in operation, its growth remains a great source of inspiration for so many promising youth today. Not only are the programme’s employability opportunities of great significance to DofE participants, but the life skills incurred may also provide endless possibilities for personal growth. Team-work, communication, determination and drive are all amongst the basic principles of the DofE and its mission to forge a great impact upon the future of millions throughout the world.

In keeping true to its commitment to foster today’s youth, the DofE has set its sights on a 300,000 enrollment total each year, to be accomplished by 2016 . Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others with high hopes for the future of the UK and beyond may be inspired by the wonderful work set forth by the DofE and its valued staff and participants.

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The growing role of the internet within the DofE programme

The DofE is known primarily for its ‘real life’ activities, which have a tangible impact on the lives of both the participants, and their local communities. Up until recently, the internet played a relatively minor role in this programme, having been used mainly for promotional purposes. However, this has started to change, as the DofE committee, and the individual Award participants, are now beginning to see the many ways in which the online world can help them to develop and improve upon the existing programme.

Tunde FolawiyoThose who are familiar with the DofE, such as Tunde Folawiyo, are probably aware that the integration of the internet into its operations is proving to be particularly beneficial in Africa. Take, for instance, Joram Otieno, a man who helps to run the DofE in Kenya. As an external relations coordinator, he is now managing the new online platform through which the Award committee are training leaders.

Otieno believes that this new way of teaching leaders will ‘revolutionise’ the DofE, by not only attracting more candidates, but also by making the monitoring of their training more efficient and effective. There will be far less physical management and paperwork processing to be done, and this in turn will free up the committee’s time, allowing it to expand the Award around other parts of Kenya.

Programme participants in South Africa are also making use of the internet to achieve their award goals. Duncan Vanniekerk is one such example. He noticed that there were several corporations that were claiming to have helped those living in disadvantaged communities, but in reality, had simply used ineffective one-day sponsorships to improve their public image.

He set about creating a project which would convince organisations to commit to helping people in these areas on a more long-term basis. The online platform which he developed, called ‘Sponsor Me’, enables groups to post their charitable and developmental initiatives on the net. Companies can then go through the website and select a project, which they can then sponsor for a specified amount of time. It had been very successful, and is a site which most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, are likely to have heard of.

Vanniekerks’ online efforts enabled him to complete his DofE Award, had a profound impact on many South African communities, and resulted in him continuing in this field of work after he finished the programme. His involvement inspired him to continue to focus on youth development, and led to him participating in a Youth Parliament session. He also join VOSESA (the Volunteer and Service Enquiry Southern Africa) as a youth leader, and attended one of their conferences, at which, he discussed the expansion of programmes around the country and, he said, became even more inspired about youth development.

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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.

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Tunde Folawiyo | The Founding of the Distinguished Duke of Edinburgh Award

Tunde FolawiyoFounded by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, the DofE has long inspired millions of young people around the globe. The programme was established to serve as a positive influence for young boys, though girls were later introduced to the charity’s teachings. Promoting a variety of paramount life skills such as public service, fitness, expeditions and the thirst for new skill, the DofE shall ever serve as a positive influence in the lives of youth throughout the United Kingdom, Africa and beyond. Tunde Folawiyo and others with similar goals to encourage the self-discovery of today’s promising youth may be fascinated by the rich history of the DofE and how it has over time impacted the lives of millions.

During February of 1956, the DofE made its debut, targeted first at boys from the ages 15 to 18. It was designed largely by retired Army member John Hunt, who had also led the first club up Mount Everest during 1953. The Award was intended to attract youth who were uninterested in joining other youth movements aiming to foster the proper upbringing of the nation’s youth. Their first Award ceremony took place during 1956. Since then, the DofE has continued its mission of spreading goodwill and encouraging the further development of the next generation of young leaders.

The number of DofE programmes, as well as its population of participants has grown with each year since its founding in 1956. As of the year 2013, approximately 300,000 youth were participating in the charity’s programmes, utilising over 11,000 Award centres throughout the United Kingdom. These designated locations include youth clubs, schools and businesses. Today, more than five million young people throughout the UK had participated in the distinguished DofE programme, with the total amounting to eight million worldwide, demonstrating the wide scope the organisation has reached in their efforts to improve conditions for communities across the world.

Since its establishment, the DofE’s rich history of goodwill has been commended throughout the world. By providing a source of encouragement and guidance for its participants, the charity will remain a much valued entity in the quest to promote optimal self-discovery amongst youth. Tunde Folawiyo and others wishing to forge a lasting impact on today’s young people may contribute to the DofE so that it may continue to fulfill its mission of a brighter future for millions around the globe and the communities that they call home.

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Tunde Folawiyo | The Social Impact of DofE Volunteering

As the DofE continues to forge an impact on the lives of millions throughout the globe, the organisation continues to place great emphasis on the act of volunteering, inspiring thousands of world-wide participants to become active in their respective communities. Supporters of the DofE like Tunde Folawiyo and others around the UK and beyond may join in Tunde Folawiyo the organisation’s efforts to propel our generation of youth to make significant change in hopes of a brighter future for all.

Amongst a variety of principles, the DofE places the act of volunteering high on its list of participant priorities. Volunteers’ Week, which took place the first week of June, was used to spread word of this commitment to bettering communities around a range of countries throughout the world. The DofE programme has long recognised the impact of youth volunteering and the enormous sense of accomplishment that comes with helping fellow man. A recent survey of nearly 232,000 participants showed a great number of young people active in volunteering. From tutoring in after-school programmes to advocating for local social issues, DofE participants have excelled in a wide range of volunteer opportunities, demonstrating the caliber of character the DofE prides itself in encouraging.

In order to merit a DofE Award, participants must commit to a prolonged period of volunteering, which may range from three months to upwards of one year, depending on the level of Award they hope to accomplish. In examining the positive impact set forth by these volunteer efforts, it’s been estimated that the value of free time DofE youth contribute to society could possibly be worth £24m yearly – a true testament to the outstanding impact that can be made possible by a joint effort for a greater good. Furthermore, over 80% of volunteering participants expressed hopes to continue volunteering even after receiving their awards after having witnessed the impact they’ve forged with over 60% crediting the DofE with providing them the tools needed to create positive change through volunteering.

The DofE continues to maintain valued partnerships with other charities holding likeminded goals. In addition to volunteering, the organisation also promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and a thirst for new skills and adventures. These sections are all necessary requirements in order to receive the esteemed DofE Award. With the continual support of Tunde Folawiyo and others hoping to inspire today’s youth, the DofE may ever remain a foremost figure in the development of today’s most promising youth.