youth development

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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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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.

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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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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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Tunde Folawiyo | DofE to host Clay Shoot at Windsor Great Park in June

As an organisation, the Duke of Edinburgh Award continually strives to bridge the gap between young people and their communities. The goals of the DofE revolve around encouraging youth throughout the globe to explore the world around them as they embark on the ultimate journey to self-discovery. On Thursday 12th June 2014, the DofE will host a Clay Shoot to be held at Windsor Great Park. Events such as these serve as a wonderful means of togetherness, a great opportunity to join students and DofE advocates for a day of fun. Tunde Folawiyo and countless other DofE proponents throughout the world may participate in these events to gain a better perspective of the organisation’s ongoing mission of a brighter future for millions of youth around the world.

Tunde Folawiyo The DofE is currently the only charity granted permission to hold a shoot at the Great Park by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Regardless of shooting experience, students, clients, colleagues and friends are all invited to participate in the day’s thrilling events. The day will begin with breakfast, followed by a shooting competition. A three course lunch will follow, after which an award ceremony honouring the day’s winning teams will take place. Additionally, there will be an auction to raise money for the DofE.

Throughout its history as an organisation, the DofE have employed a variety of methods to ensure a wonderful experience for their thousands of participants yearly. Through volunteering, physical fitness, harvesting skills and participating in adventurous journeys, DofE participants are expected to gain a worldly perspective of the issues to be encountered by the communities that surround them. As one of the world’s foremost charities for youth development, the DofE remains a highly respected organisation within the United Kingdom and several other nations around the world. DofE sponsored events such as June’s Clay Shoot serve an invaluable purpose of teaching young students new skills and encouraging them to remain active and involved with others in their communities.

For more information about the Clay Shoot or how you can further contribute to the DofE’s mission, please contact Tori by e-mailing Tori.Griffiths@dofe.org or by phoning 0207 798 2882. Tunde Folawiyo and countless others have already lent their support to the DofE and its thousands of worldwide participants. Through these continued efforts and the assistance of other valued advocates, the DofE will continue to forge a positive impact upon millions throughout the world.

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The Duke of Edinburgh Award Collaborates with Village by Village

As one of the world’s foremost proponents of youth development, The Duke of Edinburgh Award continues to implement new strategies to aid its mission of encouraging young people to strive toward greatness in all aspects of life. These initiatives can be seen through the DofE’s valued partnerships with various organisations throughout the UK and beyond, propelling the opportunity for social change with the potential to impact the lives of millions of today’s youth and the communities that surround them. With the aid of DofE supporter Tunde Folawiyo and countless others, the organisation will continue to flourish, utilising new tools to further its goals along the way.

Tunde FolawiyoA main focus of The Duke of Edinburgh Award is promoting an appreciation for charity and community service and as part of the programme, participants will be required to display an understanding of the importance of aiding fellow man. The DofE welcomes students to evoke positive change by empowering communities in rural villages in Ghana, Africa.

Village by Village, a DofE Approved Activity Provider is a professional charity that whilst based in the UK, focuses on offering aid to areas within Africa. Working in partnership with citizens of Ghana, West Africa, the organisation builds wells, improves sanitation and offers scholarship opportunities for children throughout the country. In collaboration with The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Village by Village offers Residential opportunities for participants to use during the process of completing the DofE’s Gold Award programme. Fundraising efforts used to fund projects in Ghana may also be put forth in successfully achieving the Volunteering portion of the Award.

Village by Village also offers Gap Month Residential Trips, giving young students and adults the opportunity to volunteer within the poverty-stricken areas of Ghana. Volunteers will work in remote rural regions and as such, there are a variety of roles for prospective volunteers to consider. Some of these roles include teaching English to children, construction work, sports coaching and healthcare duties. Each of these roles is invaluable in aiding the people of Ghana, whether by giving them hope through fun activities or teaching them skills and techniques they may have not yet been exposed to. One-hundred percent of money raised by volunteers goes directly to the charity, ensuring funds are sufficiently distributed toward aid efforts. Through the continued support from the DofE, proponents of the organisation such as Tunde Folawiyo and countless others throughout Africa and beyond, Village by Village will continue to create positive change throughout the less fortunate areas of West Africa.