On Saturday August 4th, a group of AFS scholars about to embark to the USA on the K-L YES programme, participated in a shared afternoon of activities with a group of scholars from the UK and the USA visiting South Africa through Global Citizen. The programme included a presentation from YES Young African Leaders on Ubuntu, a debate on leadership, and an outdoor activity.
According to Global Citizen Programme Coordinator, Leanne Demery, “the Scholars were greatly impacted by meeting young people with similar passion to make a change.” 19-year-old Lauren Asher, from Dumfries in Scotland, commented that “we visited a Young African Leaders project where 15 young people from South Africa were going on an exchange trip over to America to study and learn. This experience was eye-opening and inspiring. Despite the fact that we live over 7000 miles away from one another we see the world in similar ways, face similar challenges and share the same values. We all felt connected and inspired to be leaders locally, nationally and globally.”
According to AFS Programmes Manager, Claudia Organ, “it is hoped that we can build on the success of the programme, and explore if there might be other synergies between our organisations for future collaboration.”
Boitumelo Mpungose, YES Programme Coordinator, commenting on the programme said “We are investing in the youth to bring change in the world, leadership is a simple thing, all we need to do is unite!”
Many thanks to Makhulu Productions for the fantastic work that they did on photographing the event.