tunde folawiyo executive

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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.

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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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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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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 Duke of Edinburgh Kilimanjaro Residential Trek

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has long served as a means of encouragement for millions of young people across the world. In promoting personal development, the DofE sees thousands of students each year participate in activities that will aid in a brighter future for themselves and the communities around them. Supporters of the DofE, including Tunde Folawiyo, play an immeasurable role in the success of the DofE and its recipients, further propelling our next generation of leaders toward greatness in all aspects of life.

Tunde FolawiyoYoung people participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme are encouraged to explore personal growth through volunteering, physical challenges and adventurous journeys meant to broaden their horizons. With this each participant striving for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award must embark on a Residential Project that will ultimately prove a great understanding of the world around them. Set for summer 2015, Kilimanjaro Trek Residential Project, a 2 week experience, will see DofE hopefuls trek Africa’s highest mountain. Ascending Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route – widely acclaimed as the best route for spectacular views – the trip’s cost is £1,925. Payable in manageable installments, the majority of the cost of the trip can be paid for through fundraising efforts. Flight accommodations, guides, permits and food and supplies are all covered under the trip’s cost. Interested participants should consult their Duke of Edinburgh Award leaders before committing to the trek for Residential credit. Contact info@thebec.co.uk or Kili2015@hotmail.co.uk for more information regarding the Kilimanjaro climb.

The Residential requirements for the DofE Gold Award has proved an indispensable part of the full Duke of Edinburgh Award experience. A thorough understanding of other cultures and the struggles faced by others throughout the world will undoubtedly aid in participating youth’s attitudes of empathy.

Since its establishment in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has continually inspired youth throughout the world by promoting the basic skills needed for optimal personal growth and discovery. Founded by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has since spread to over 140 countries around the globe. Its international chapters serve as a constant source of support for young people seeking the capabilities to effect real change within their communities. Supporters of the Award such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others may be pleased with the positive impact the DofE has had on youth across the world thus far. Visit a DofE chapter near you for additional information.

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Tunde Folawiyo | DofE success stories from Ghana

Whilst each country has its own amazing DofE success stories, the accomplishments of those who have completed the programme in Ghana are particularly impressive. Emmanuel Odoi Laryea, for example, chose to set up a plantation business for the Skills section of his Award. Using the knowledge he acquired during his time with the DofE, he managed to create a very successful company, which is still in operation today.

Tunde FolawiyoThe business has done wonders for the local community, providing several young people with jobs; currently, Emmanuel has 25 full-time employees, as well as dozens of temporary workers, who join the team during the harvest season. The plantation grows tick trees, which are chopped up and used for the construction of housing and electrical poles. In addition to running this enterprise, Emmanuel also works as a volunteer for the DofE in Ghana, serving as the Head of Programmes and Administration.

Judith Otabel and Jones Viduku are two other participants whose involvement in the DofE has resulted in significant improvements in the lives of many Ghanaian people. After some research, they observed that the schools in the village of Pepease had extremely low attendance rates. Those with an interest in education, such as Tunde Folawiyo, understand how serious an issue this is. Jones and Judith decided that they would work towards creating educational opportunities for the children in this village, as part of the Adventurous Journey Section of their Silver Award.

Initially, they carried out a house-to-house promotional campaign, which focused on helping parents to appreciate the value of education. Following the completion of this activity, they then served as teaching assistants in the primary school, and raised funds which were subsequently used to purchase learning aids and essential school materials.

Their initiative was a resounding success, with attendance rates soaring within a matter of months. Judith and Jones’ work led to them being nominated for a prestigious award known as the Peter Cruddas Social Innovation Initiative. This prize is one which most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, are familiar with; it recognises the most outstanding enterprises created by Gold DofE participants. Only those whose projects can be classed as exceptionally socially innovative, in regards to their engagement with local communities, sustainability or ethical values, are eligible for consideration.

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International developments in the DofE | Tunde Folawiyo

Over the past six decades, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has become one of the UK’s most successful youth development programmes. Those who are familiar with the DofE, like Tunde Folawiyo, will probably know that its popularity overseas has also increased considerably in recent years; today, more than 120 countries participate in the DofE.Tunde Folawiyo

The enthusiasm for this award abroad has been astounding, with the participating nations taking a very active and engaged approach to their involvement. In Australia for instance, a brand new DofE committee has just been formed in Queensland. Those appointed will be expected to not only promote the award itself, but also to oversee all aspects of the programme, so as to ensure that everything – from the fundraising, to the supervising of activities – goes according to plan.

The committee members will hold these positions until December of 2015. This development was announced by John-Paul Langbroek, who serves as the Australian Education, Training and Employment Minister. Speaking to the press about the committee, Langbroek stated that he hoped these newly appointed people would bring ‘fresh ideas’ which will improve the quality of the programme.

As a supporter of youth development, Tunde Folawiyo might be aware that whilst Australia has been involved in the DofE for several decades, other countries like Bulgaria are still relative newcomers to the award, having first joined just five years ago. The programme was introduced to Bulgaria via an organisation called Future Now 2006, but only received its conditional license last month.

The bestowing of this license took place in the capital, Sofia; Jonathan Allen, the Queen’s Ambassador for Bulgaria was in attendance at this event. In a blog post he later published, he explained that this was not merely a work obligation he had to fulfil, but a ‘personal pleasure’, as he himself had taken part in the programme during his teens, and had learned a number of important lessons as a result of this participation. The President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, also attended the event, so as to show his support for the award. It is hoped that the launching of this programme in Bulgaria will help young Bulgarians to achieve their professional aspirations, and encourage them to become more involved in the charity sector, which is reliant upon voluntary workers.

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How the DofE can assist disadvantaged youths | Tunde Folawiyo

Those who support the DofE, like Tunde Folawiyo, might know that the programme committee encourages all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances, to get involved. For teens that may be Tunde Folawiyogoing through a difficult period in their lives, perhaps as a result of health or family issues for instance, the DofE activities can provide them with a sense of stability, and offer them with something positive to focus their efforts on.

There are countless stories of DofE alumni who have managed to overcome enormous obstacles, complete their bronze, silver and gold activities and go on to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Here, we’ll be discussing two such people – Edward Hampton-Matthews, and Emily Mailes.

Edward was diagnosed with joint hyper-mobility and rheumatoid arthritis at the age of three; doctors told his parents that he would never be able to swim or ride a bike. But just four years later, with physiotherapy and a great deal of determination, Edward began cycling. It was this strength of character and perseverance which would allow him to complete the bronze, silver and gold level activities as a teenager, in spite of his chronic health problems.

He camped in cold, wet conditions, and trekked for many miles, even though these activities were extremely challenging, from a physical perspective. Additionally, he also learned how to sail, gained his first aid and RYA Day Skipper qualifications, and began teaching sailing to other youths at his local club. In 2010, he received his Gold Award, four decades after his own grandfather, Mike Hampton, had done the same. Mike attended the ceremony, and spoke proudly of Edward’s achievements, adding that getting involved in the DofE is a ‘fantastic thing to do’.

Emily experienced a different set of challenges growing up, but like Edward, she successfully overcame them by participating in the DofE. She became a mother at the age of 16, which led to her leaving school without qualifications. Most people nowadays, including Tunde Folawiyo, understand just how much a lack of education can affect a person’s life, particularly when it’s a young parent, who has a child to support.

But Emily was determined to improve her life, and after joining a youth group in her local area, designed specifically for teenage parents, she began to work towards getting her bronze, silver and gold awards. The activities she completed gave her the confidence to return to education, and as she neared the end of her time with the DofE, she took up courses in youth work, media and film-making. Her experience with the DofE was so positive, that she also began to serve as a voluntary expedition leader. Today, she has a job as a youth services co-ordinator.

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Can the DofE programme help teens get into university? | Tunde Folawiyo

Quite often, teenagers join the DofE programme with the simple intention of developing a few new skills, and perhaps going on a fun expedition with their friends. But the fact of the matter is that the programme has a far more significant impact on participants’ lives than they initially realise. As they continue on their journey, completing one activity after the next, they usually become more aware of just how beneficial their involvement can be, particularly when they begin to go for university interviews, and apply for places on academic courses.

A few years ago, the DofE commissioned Northampton University to carry out research into the impact of this programme on young people. The results of this research indicated that participation in the DofE has a tremendously positive effect on teens. Over 74% of the respondents said that their self-esteem had improved during their Tunde Folawiyotime with the DofE, whilst 82% said that the volunteering activities they had undertaken had inspired them to do other volunteer work in the future.

Being familiar with this programme, Tunde Folawiyo is probably aware that the self-esteem which participants develop by planning activities, collaborating with others, and accomplishing their goals, is of enormous help when the time comes to apply to universities. The interview process for the UK’s top educational institutes can be very challenging, especially for teens who are perhaps shy or insecure. However, for DofE participants, who are confident and believe in their own self-worth, the experience will probably be far less intimidating.

One DofE member, who was completing her gold level activities at the time of answering the survey, said that as part of her leadership work, she had been asked to do a 20-minute presentation. She explained that, prior to joining the DofE, the thought of speaking to a large group of people for this length of time would have terrified her, but that, due to the confidence she had gained through her participation in the programme, she was able to deliver the presentation in a professional manner, without allowing her nerves to interfere with her performance.

The volunteer work which young people must do as part of the DofE can also help them get into their chosen academic institute, as this type of an extracurricular activity is something which is looked upon favourably by universities. Nowadays, most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, realise that these institutes want more than just good grades; they want to see that a student is well-rounded, and capable of doing more than merely learning off lists of facts and figures. A history of volunteer work indicates that the applicant has a sense of social responsibility, can take the initiative, and is able motivate themselves.