tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81180913127390283672024-03-18T04:03:50.235+01:00Shades of UsStorytelling for Africa, Africans and people of African descent.Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229641905828999170noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-17487615559252535952024-03-14T06:14:00.004+01:002024-03-14T06:14:42.328+01:00 Inspiring Inclusion <p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamTdocH5XSA7PWqH4tFZcp1d0jX9m22MHtN2fBJ5VSuEwKcoZK9BN_ieSU6h-K2mrquCVFGBRHrvxjZ_Yib6ah18z_WpRFkP1MmQ_q2kumSd5mcOVRwYW1VCbY5LRZuHmc_7nSijXg0JXsuOzwHjnxQmYZ6FeX_Oc3uigGde-mP2EY71zOAG8c0jweBuV/s6960/IMG_2956.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamTdocH5XSA7PWqH4tFZcp1d0jX9m22MHtN2fBJ5VSuEwKcoZK9BN_ieSU6h-K2mrquCVFGBRHrvxjZ_Yib6ah18z_WpRFkP1MmQ_q2kumSd5mcOVRwYW1VCbY5LRZuHmc_7nSijXg0JXsuOzwHjnxQmYZ6FeX_Oc3uigGde-mP2EY71zOAG8c0jweBuV/w640-h426/IMG_2956.jpeg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p><b><i>by Adetayo Adetokun</i></b></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-805b2e50-7fff-f410-eb1c-a1a567671968"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let us clap for women, for their resilience, courage, and the indelible mark they have left on the pages of history. International Women's Day, celebrated every March 8, is a resounding applause for the achievements, struggles, and progress of women worldwide. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The genesis of International Women's Day can be found in the women's suffrage movement, a time when the world first began to deliberately record a groundswell of advocacy for equality. The inaugural National Women's Day took place in the United States on February 28, 1909, organized by the socialist movement. Building on this momentum, the International Women's Conference proposed an international day of celebration a year later.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From these humble beginnings emerged a global tradition dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women and acknowledging the challenges they continue to face. International Women's Day not only serves as a testament to the progress made but also as a rallying cry for the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. </span></p><br /><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Historical Context</span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marginalized and displaced women in Africa face multifaceted challenges that demand attention and concerted efforts for sustainable solutions. Across the continent, numerous factors contribute to the vulnerability of these women, exacerbating their already complex circumstances.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In conflict-ridden regions, women often find themselves disproportionately affected, becoming victims of violence, displacement, and exploitation. Displacement, whether due to conflict, natural disasters, or economic hardships, disrupts the stability of communities and forces women into precarious situations. This situation is particularly acute for marginalized groups, including ethnic minorities and indigenous communities, who may face additional layers of discrimination.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moreover, access to education and healthcare remains a persistent issue for marginalized women in many African countries, limiting their opportunities for personal and economic development. Empowering these women requires addressing systemic issues, fostering inclusivity, and creating avenues for education and skill development tailored to their needs.</span></p></span><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></h2><h3><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: small; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women Inspiring Inclusion </span></h3><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_G_YmHo6rvZ-OOu_xDNvgE4qxSnzF70JRWmI1nqKoXu1uyDQ77toI5TTUZWU2RR95-rqYijeGNb_zqV4uO5G8SCbFrsN_svAFKxNTeNYMCB_T4dn69Q0V4nQezPF56uF2y0zg3EehRK0HUBZudenTgH6cVwBm_g6WseTY3mfhzDFASXOIRXUTM74iTi6/s4032/IMG_5465.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_G_YmHo6rvZ-OOu_xDNvgE4qxSnzF70JRWmI1nqKoXu1uyDQ77toI5TTUZWU2RR95-rqYijeGNb_zqV4uO5G8SCbFrsN_svAFKxNTeNYMCB_T4dn69Q0V4nQezPF56uF2y0zg3EehRK0HUBZudenTgH6cVwBm_g6WseTY3mfhzDFASXOIRXUTM74iTi6/w640-h480/IMG_5465.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wangari Maathai – Kenya:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari founded the Green Belt Movement, empowering women through environmental conservation. The movement not only contributed to sustainable development but also elevated women’s roles in community leadership.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Liberia: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She made history as Africa’s first female democratically elected head of state. Her presidency in Liberia marked a significant breakthrough, inspiring a new era of leadership for women in politics.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Nigeria: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She is a renowned author and feminist, who has used her literary works to challenge stereotypes and advocate for gender equality. Her impactful writings contribute to reshaping perceptions and inspiring dialogue on inclusivity.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oulimata Sarr – Senegal: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarr, a passionate advocate, is the Regional Director for UN Women in West and Central Africa. Her work focuses on advancing gender equality, and she has been instrumental in promoting women’s rights and inclusion in the region.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Malala Yousafzai – Pakistan (with African advocacy):</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> While originally from Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai’s global advocacy for girls’ education extends to Africa. Through the Malala Fund, she has supported initiatives in countries like Nigeria and Kenya, amplifying the importance of education as a tool for inclusion.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dlamini-Zuma – South Africa:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Nkosazana, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has been a key figure in continental diplomacy. Her leadership exemplifies the increasing recognition of women in high-ranking political roles, paving the way for more inclusive governance.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Afua Hirsch – Ghana/UK:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She is a British-Ghanaian author and broadcaster who uses her platform to address issues of race, identity, and gender. Her advocacy contributes to a more inclusive dialogue, fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse communities.</span></p></li></ul><br /><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Movements Inspiring Inclusion</span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1038" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt-FQh05gcSF_N-2oJFWFpAGR1v7d2cTwBwFHGYrQ-4Tg1KfqNLkCjdc7ebvyKLBwJ1M6ywS-kFLwkm3WTUL6KE2K0Z2AlWhtqGNGKNiUZ3JyAeVn10Q5WfatsYzg2pZQE4CD67LP-8ZUFB9PWxZBjYkvQUThLJBDG3zZn79xX3Hn0qgVIZrZncNeC8tK/w640-h586/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20at%2006.06.54.png" width="640" /></div><p></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BringBackOurGirls</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nigeri</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a: Originating in Nigeria, this movement gained international attention, advocating for the safe return of kidnapped school girls. It showcased the power of activism in mobilizing communities and shedding light on issues affecting women and girls.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) – Zimbabwe:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This is a movement that empowers women to address socio-economic and political challenges. Through peaceful protests, it has demonstrated the potential of collective action in fostering inclusivity and advocating for change. </span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TotalShutdown – South Africa</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: This movement, which began in South Africa, brought attention to gender-based violence and femicide. Activists organized marches and campaigns, igniting a nationwide conversation and compelling authorities to address the pressing issue.</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Limitations to Inspiring Inclusion:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpUlcooZD4bxlxl53llrPt5TyE30J7APpGtsd4WOJGT00qJIJTr8myzp3wjVxZ_JuRnPXkzQMandJEHMvAaYWvWZCiTD7wnONS1wXbT0FPeTwPUIlfFQRwE3RaG-BDNM4dJViYSdYX2PYgwr5ya7g0XXorjdq-YLhmkpj-kZi-HC8HMJ2j2d0kyuJxckC/s940/431487859_1009346117408110_35166219063458759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpUlcooZD4bxlxl53llrPt5TyE30J7APpGtsd4WOJGT00qJIJTr8myzp3wjVxZ_JuRnPXkzQMandJEHMvAaYWvWZCiTD7wnONS1wXbT0FPeTwPUIlfFQRwE3RaG-BDNM4dJViYSdYX2PYgwr5ya7g0XXorjdq-YLhmkpj-kZi-HC8HMJ2j2d0kyuJxckC/w640-h536/431487859_1009346117408110_35166219063458759_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><br /></span></div><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cultural Barriers:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Deep-rooted cultural norms and traditions can pose challenges to inspiring inclusion. Resistance to change within communities may impede the progress of initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting inclusivity.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Limited Access to Resources:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Many community movements face resource constraints, hindering their ability to scale impactful initiatives. Limited funding, technology, and educational resources can limit the reach and sustainability of inclusion efforts.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Political Instability:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In regions with political instability, gender equality organizations may face increased challenges. Repression, lack of governmental support, and security concerns can hamper the effectiveness of initiatives promoting gender equality.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lack of Legal Protections:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In some areas, the absence or inadequacy of legal protections for women’s rights hinders progress. Insufficient laws addressing gender discrimination and violence create an environment where inclusive efforts face resistance and setbacks.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resistance to Change: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resistance from individuals, communities, or institutions unwilling to embrace inclusivity poses a significant limitation. Overcoming entrenched attitudes and fostering a mindset shift can be a prolonged and challenging process.</span></p></li></ul><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Future Outlooks for Inspiring Inclusion:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dhjIdren4PE723JBt9kljfRi-jVlYsf2QxM6HjEwHxLZUquNu4o8nnrfs1r3zXf28llAjVLQX5BLn46ru65sKstpwQz3SCV0G5yZr6uMdX6dzV748j1KAB5LdQGgEDnQddp1D9Fd0HZFCHlXbn4_ZvmY3T6PcDTIneXXLuOWxW7JBtK22iR1NW6N0NQt/s940/431474810_1009346100741445_4448276561222340727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dhjIdren4PE723JBt9kljfRi-jVlYsf2QxM6HjEwHxLZUquNu4o8nnrfs1r3zXf28llAjVLQX5BLn46ru65sKstpwQz3SCV0G5yZr6uMdX6dzV748j1KAB5LdQGgEDnQddp1D9Fd0HZFCHlXbn4_ZvmY3T6PcDTIneXXLuOWxW7JBtK22iR1NW6N0NQt/w640-h536/431474810_1009346100741445_4448276561222340727_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Technology as an Enabler: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Continued advancements in technology offer opportunities for greater inclusion. Digital platforms can amplify diverse voices, provide educational resources, and facilitate connections that bridge geographical and cultural gaps.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Intersectional Approaches:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Embracing intersectionality will be crucial for a more comprehensive approach to inclusion. Recognizing the interconnected nature of various identities, including gender, race, and socio-economic factors, ensures that initiatives address the unique challenges faced by diverse groups.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Youth Engagement: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The active involvement of younger generations is a promising avenue for inspiring inclusion. Empowering youth through education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities can foster a more inclusive mindset that will shape the future.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Social Responsibility (SR):</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Increasing corporate commitments to social responsibility can drive positive change. Companies adopting inclusive policies, supporting diversity in leadership, and investing in community initiatives contribute to a more equitable landscape.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Policy Reforms:</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ongoing advocacy for legislative changes is essential. Governments adopting and enforcing policies that promote gender equality, protect women’s rights, and address systemic inequalities will contribute to a more inclusive future.</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The future holds immense promise for inspiring inclusion across Africa and beyond. As we navigate the complexities of advancing women's rights and fostering a more equitable society, several key factors shape our outlook. Technological advancements, intersectional approaches, and the active engagement of the youth represent powerful tools for positive change. Social responsibility, policy reforms, and global collaboration contribute to a more inclusive landscape, while education remains a foundational pillar for empowering individuals and challenging societal norms.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People, we recognize the importance of addressing limitations, fostering future outlooks, and actively participating in the journey toward gender equality fuels our dedication to making a lasting impact in the communities we serve.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we look ahead, we remain steadfast to the commitment to being a catalyst for change to shape narratives that uplift, empower, and inspire a more inclusive Africa. </span></p></span><br />Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-5896477313365172842024-03-04T20:03:00.006+01:002024-03-04T20:03:44.076+01:00Watch Our New Short Film, FLOW!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cUnQZil86VMgNtawIPCUuw52Ic73ZSoJ-k21vpltYrONtDhfmxxwEoc1PnNI8cZgb4xJ6mQsHkQPDvhMi7OtBDaqTvhmRs2VSTiBWF6Lw967oqjGd7glzOj0jcTsqtlDGvmjyRgFT-qJ_wUP8dZhe00IbAHAijWRj9iz02G2Ox-GgZYOJVJ8wu3sNE06/s4496/FLOW%20Film%20Screening%20Attendees%20Pose%20With%20the%20Event%20Banner%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cUnQZil86VMgNtawIPCUuw52Ic73ZSoJ-k21vpltYrONtDhfmxxwEoc1PnNI8cZgb4xJ6mQsHkQPDvhMi7OtBDaqTvhmRs2VSTiBWF6Lw967oqjGd7glzOj0jcTsqtlDGvmjyRgFT-qJ_wUP8dZhe00IbAHAijWRj9iz02G2Ox-GgZYOJVJ8wu3sNE06/w640-h428/FLOW%20Film%20Screening%20Attendees%20Pose%20With%20the%20Event%20Banner%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Premiere of FLOW in Abuja</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">I did a thing!</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="da31" style="text-align: justify;">For the last few weeks, I have been saying this regularly about every achievement I have because I tend to find the faults in my ‘stars’ rather than celebrate the luminance that they represent. I constantly have to remember to be my first cheerleader.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="034f" style="text-align: justify;">So…I did a thing. Or more appropriately, we (Shades of Us) did a thing! We developed our first film in two years. This one is called FLOW.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="graf graf--p" name="950a" style="text-align: justify;">This film was our opportunity to discuss period poverty and shame in Nigeria as economic indices and realities become harder for the everyday person. In this story, Amina has to choose between getting basic necessities — in this case, food — and her menstrual hygiene.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="56ea" style="text-align: justify;">FLOW is part of our Mobile Cinema project where we use films to explain areas of the global goals that form the foundation of our organization. So far, we have shot six films and disseminated five. These films go on tour to various audiences — literary gatherings, schools, and communities — as we hope to change behaviors toward an equitable and sustainable Nigeria, Africa, and the world.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="42eb" style="text-align: justify;">In August 2023, Shades of Us was selected as one of six winners out of over 3,000 applicants for the Giving Joy Foundation grant of $500! This grant contributed to 40% of our production cost and enabled us to produce FLOW.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="3fc5" style="text-align: justify;">Over the past months, my team has poured their hearts and souls into bringing this project to life. There were many firsts in the production and dissemination of this film for me.</p><ol class="postList"><li class="graf graf--li" name="4d3b" style="text-align: justify;">I worked with partners focused on women’s health, education, and hygiene. With my films, I usually go with my gut and do what I think needs to be done, or tell a story I believe needs to be said. This time, I knew that the impact I needed was beyond my perspective. So we reached out to people working on girl education and menstrual health projects. Through the dedication of my Business Development Officer, Atinuke Adeosun, we got support from the Giving Joy Foundation and brought in Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN), Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative, Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI), and even a South African organization, Wild Hearts Africa Foundation. This was huge for us!</li><li class="graf graf--li" name="fe1b" style="text-align: justify;">I shot a crowd scene in an open space. While I give off the energy of being extroverted, I am a functional introvert, and being in front of people while doing my thing is hard. On this project, we had multiple outdoor scenes: deliberately so. Imagine what it was like shooting in a market, with multiple cameras and a drone, and everyone watching us do every move. Goodness! It was all I could do not to hide. But I braved it with the cast and crew and we did it! Kingsford Ani, Saddam Hamza, Emmanuel Anaja and Cynthia Umeh were the best crew to work woth. I also commend myself for engaging the market people before we began shooting. It made the process easier and even the ‘area boys’ were helpful in the shoot.</li><li class="graf graf--li" name="5369" style="text-align: justify;">This is my first story that doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. As we planned to shoot, everyone asked me if I was making another ‘sad’ film. I laughed. From the moment this story came to me, I knew I wanted a simple story that anyone anywhere could relate to. I guess I am not the sad filmmaker after all.</li><li class="graf graf--li" name="4459" style="text-align: justify;">Most of my volunteers mentioned that it was the first time they had gone through story and script development and as usual, I was glad to share knowledge in a meaningful way.</li><li class="graf graf--li" name="0d2c" style="text-align: justify;">While we have screened multiple films in various events, this was the first time we had a proper premiere with promotional items and a full-on event.</li><li class="graf graf--li" name="0d2c" style="text-align: justify;">I have produced a radio drama in another language but this is the first time I have made a film that is predominantly in Hausa and Pidgin. Producing films in languages outside of English is a different ball game. You want to be sure that what you wrote in English and translated into Hausa is the same thing both ways. My film leads, Habiba Musa and Aliyu Doma were so instrumental in ensuring the message stayed the same. </li></ol><p class="graf graf--p" name="7063" style="text-align: justify;">We premiered FLOW seven months after we conceptualized this story, with attendees including the cast, crew, partners, women, and girls from the internally displaced people’s camps and other beneficiaries of our partners’ projects. Ruth Ajawu, Cynthia, Vivian Peter, and Sadiya Ochekliye were such troopers. They are the only volunteers in Abuja and they planned the premiere and handled everything so well. I definitely need to take them out to really celebrate how much dedication went into filming, post-production, and the premiere! If I am keeping it a buck, I need to take every member of my team out. However, we run a mostly remote organization and we have team members in Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, and from Ivory Coast. My team running things remotely (Adetayo Adetokun, Naomi Ezeofuna, Marire Adebanjo, Ifeoluwa Akinpelu, and Moyosore Adebanjo) demonstrated that effectiveness is not a function of physical presence but a dedicated commitment to our goal.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="5865" style="text-align: justify;">I am genuinely proud of this one. But more than that, I am proud of that day in 2021 when I realized that the dream I have for Shades of Us cannot be achieved completely if I ran alone. With the volunteers on my team (Adetayo, Atinuke, Cynthia, Eneojo, Ifeoluwa, Marire, Moyosore, Naomi, Ruth), the Board of Shades of Us, my family and friends (Enigbe, Sadiya, Vivian, Triqx, Krys, Temi, Dorcas, Tunde, Alheri, Ujenyu), my community of practice of creatives, partners and people who believe in me, we have gone much further than I could ever have imagined. And we are only just starting!</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="ff3a" style="text-align: justify;">I especially want to celebrate my mum who ran with this like it was her project. From the moment I told her what I wanted to achieve, she started to find me locations and contribute to the story. She even went location scouting with me. What a woman and inspiration! She is my first inspiration to work hard and give back. Again, what a woman!</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="d449" style="text-align: justify;">I am sharing most people who worked to make this film happen. However, the list is not exhaustive. Some people have supported me and this project in more ways than I can imagine. Our board! What a group of people! I love everyone I have mentioned, and everyone I haven’t mentioned. Wholeheartedly.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="f7e9" style="text-align: justify;">It is an honor to know that I am loved and that people believe in me, trust me, and are willing to go over and beyond for me, for my ideas…even when they are out of the box and unconventional. I do not take it for granted. This has a ‘hard girl’ crying in the middle of the night.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="a6cf" style="text-align: justify;">And with this, it is my pleasure to say…FLOW is live on YouTube! 🎊🎉🍾🎈</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="fcd7" style="text-align: justify;">The next phase requires your help. Please watch the film and share your thoughts. We are a learning organization and we want to improve how we tell stories.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="4001" style="text-align: justify;">Again, we did a thing! And we are proud!</p><h3 class="graf graf--h3" name="3de3" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3><h3 class="graf graf--h3" name="3de3" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everything You Need to Know About FLOW</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="2076" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXG-kRdVwFLxgaO7oJv2hk70GDOKOYslKhgUQzW9ePdFa4B4vWeycmfmYOd6JH1YtO4yUf5fhLtDXYxyl88FpcAo5WTwbJm8TbwSQvy8twfkHEMCxyP8UIzvTvOkvBSPBKAcYHXDFtQ-EC0d13n3FPebPvWpHGfI6qmXeITSgpxlffc9puoDrFWxv__x3/w640-h358/Screenshot%202024-03-04%20at%2008.50.29.png" width="640" /></div><p class="graf graf--p" name="f80e" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">FLOW:</strong> A Film About Period Poverty and Shame </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="14bd" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Logline: </strong>Amina has to choose between getting basic necessities and menstrual hygiene products as she faces economic downturns in the country. </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="08b6" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Duration: </strong>34 Minutes</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="0ae4" style="text-align: justify;">Platforms: <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://youtu.be/m5VSPWg77jM" href="https://youtu.be/m5VSPWg77jM" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shades of Us Africa on YouTube</a></p><h4 class="graf graf--h4" name="b74a" style="text-align: justify;">Full Cast and Crew</h4><p class="graf graf--p" name="cbd3" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Written, Directed, and Produced by:</strong> Ramatu Ada Ochekliye </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="6986" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Story by: </strong>Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People (Shades of Us) </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="307d" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Story Development: </strong>Adetayo Adetokun, Atinuke Adeosun, Blessed Effiong, Cynthia Umeh, Eneojo Innocent Shedrack, Halimatu Sadiya Ochekliye, Naomi Ezefuna, Ramatu Ada Ochekliye, Ruth Ajawu</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="0bb9" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Executive Producers: </strong>Ramatu Ada Ochekliye, Hajiya Hauwa Umar, Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People (Shades of Us), Giving Joy Foundation, Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN), Wildhearts Foundation Africa </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="2db6" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Director of Photography:</strong> Kingsford Ani </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="2907" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Cinematography:</strong> Kingsford Ani, Saddam Hazam </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="20da" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Drone Videography:</strong> Saddam Hamza </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="003b" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Still Photography:</strong> Cynthia Umeh, Anaja Emmanuel Odiba, Ramatu Ada Ochekliye </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="c634" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Editors:</strong> Kingsford Ani, Saddam Hamza, Ramatu Ada Ochekliye </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="e41d" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Translators:</strong> Ramatu Ada Ochekliye, Habiba Musa, Aliyu Abdullahi Doma </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="86b6" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Sound: </strong>Saddam Hamza, Anaja Emmanuel Odiba, Cynthia Umeh </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="613f" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Sound Design:</strong> Ramatu Ada Ochekliye </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="baa5" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Production Managers: </strong>Vivian Peter, Halimatu Sadiya Ochekliye, Cynthia Umeh </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="7330" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Production Assistants: </strong>Emmanuel Anaja, Cynthia Umeh, Ruth Ajawu </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="140f" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Logistics: </strong>Vivian Peter, Halimatu Sadiya Ochekliye, Cynthia Umeh </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="9339" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Costume: </strong>Ramatu Ada Ochekliye, Gwai Fashion </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="b2fe" style="text-align: justify;"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Special Thanks:</strong> Shades of Us Volunteers (Adetayo Adetokun, Atinuke Adeosun, Blessed Effiong, Cynthia Umeh, Eneojo Innocent Shedrack, Marire Adebanjo, Naomi Ezefuna, Ruth Ajawu), Giving Joy Grants, Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN), Wildhearts Foundation Africa, Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative, Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI), Vivian Peter (Gwai Fashion) and Chijoke Odoh (CJ Bright Pharmacy)</p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229641905828999170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-3726219328897507162024-02-26T05:39:00.002+01:002024-02-26T05:46:56.930+01:00Addressing Period Poverty with Our Short Film, FLOW<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hu6Xtu3i5XLcK0OgXMzc-1Mu8JJzGPi4c5h2DihkR9qPO8pW5ia36NEoI6ajwFkeHTTx-0LgRW7XbKi7lGpQbQamH8aFKaGp578nYjqUDEx2le9e6MLm4UylwCSHPcs0nturUI3Nfqo3ChXd4fyvWldq7BHt9zya9HKegi2El5g6RPw009pJ_irtDJM/s1428/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%2005.36.14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1424" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hu6Xtu3i5XLcK0OgXMzc-1Mu8JJzGPi4c5h2DihkR9qPO8pW5ia36NEoI6ajwFkeHTTx-0LgRW7XbKi7lGpQbQamH8aFKaGp578nYjqUDEx2le9e6MLm4UylwCSHPcs0nturUI3Nfqo3ChXd4fyvWldq7BHt9zya9HKegi2El5g6RPw009pJ_irtDJM/w638-h640/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%2005.36.14.png" width="638" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-258bfb40-7fff-0c56-66ea-e0e4bb3246ad"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>By Ruth Ajawu</i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let us talk about something that affects millions of women and girls worldwide but often remains shrouded in silence and stigma: period poverty and shame. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Period poverty is a deeply troubling issue that extends beyond the mere absence of sanitary products. It encompasses a broader spectrum of challenges, including the lack of knowledge and understanding about menstruation that perpetuates harmful stigmas and the promotion of periods as unclean and something to be ashamed of.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In various parts of the world, especially in low-income communities, girls and women face significant barriers when it comes to managing their menstruation. The financial constraints that lead to the inability to afford sanitary products are just one aspect of period poverty. Equally alarming is the pervasive lack of education surrounding menstrual health, perpetuating myths and misconceptions that contribute to the shame and silence surrounding menstruation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 15pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shades of Us is joining millions of activists and advocates to shine a light on this crucial issue and is doing this through FLOW, a short film that is about period poverty, and the pressing need to promote empowerment, dignity, and resilience when it comes to periods. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our journey with FLOW began when Shades of Us was selected as one of six winners of a $500 grant out of over 3,000+ applicants for the Giving Joy Grant for our Mobile Cinema concept which has FLOW as one of the movies in our approach. This grant made up 40% of our production and screening cost and presented us with the incredible opportunity to bring FLOW to fruition. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since August 2023, the entire team has poured their hearts into this project. We started with a script development workshop in September 2023 and wrote the script's first draft in November 2023. Filming took place on February 10 and 11, 2024, capturing the essence of our message: ‘Period no be shameful thing’ and there are renewable options available for women who cannot afford disposable sanitary hygiene products. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During this time, we reached out to multiple organizations working on menstrual health because we believe that we do not necessarily have to reinvent the wheel: partnerships are always more important for achieving the global goals.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Four organizations saw our idea and decided to partner with us: Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN), Wildhearts Africa Foundation, Stand With A Girl Initiative (SWAG), and Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI). </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 2pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WIN is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to women’s human rights, gender, and empowerment of women and girls. WIN is on a mission to reduce the gender gaps that exist in education, living conditions, economic empowerment, technology, and political participation in Nigeria. WIN believes that women's empowerment and gender equality are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). WIN wants women to lead, participate in government systems, have a decent livelihood, income security, economic autonomy, and live free from violence.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 15pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WildHearts Foundation Africa was founded to keep girls in school through the distribution of safe, reusable sanitary products. In partnership with Old Mutual Insure and The Document Warehouse South Africa, the initiative has reached thousands of girls across the country. They plan to expand into neighboring countries through the continued support of their customers and partners.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SWAG Initiative is a non-profit organization that is committed to empowering and educating girls and young women in Nigeria. Their mission is to provide access to education through various programs and initiatives, including their Stand With A Girl Education Project. This project focuses on providing education to young girls in Nigeria who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend school.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SEGEI is a women-led and youth-focused non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping girls and women in low-resource settings find their voices, access resources, and use their talents to thrive. They seek to IGNITE, NURTURE, and HARNESS the intellectual, emotional, and social strengths of adolescent girls and young women through education (formal and informal), mentorship, and life skills development. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each of these organizations brings something to this partnership: empowerment, education, agency, and sustainable solutions to period poverty and shame. We are exceptionally proud that they read our concepts and chose to partner with us!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7f1ddb20-7fff-6037-82e9-fe1d1e6f2687" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: start; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shades of Us is also one of 60 recipients of ten cartons of Kotex Panty Liners from the Yagazie Foundation and Kimberly Clark in their bid to address period poverty and violence against women and girls. This is a great addition to FLOW and we will be distributing these panty liners as part of the approach. We are proud to join 59 other women-led non-profit and community-based organizations to improve the menstrual health, hygiene, and access of women and girls in Nigeria. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Yagazie Foundation and Kimberly-Clark for their commitment to supporting organizations like ours in the fight against period poverty.</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flow will premiere on February 29, 2024. We have organized an event that will serve as a platform for adolescents, public health experts, educators, and community leaders to come together to discuss the possibility of a future where menstruation is no longer a barrier but a source of empowerment for all.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FLOW is a movement—a call to action to acknowledge the challenges faced by women and girls navigating period poverty in Nigeria and beyond. It is about sparking dialogue, fostering engagement, and inspiring tangible action. Together, we can break down menstruation taboos, advocate for change, and champion sustainable solutions to ensure menstrual equity and health for all.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-28761519281488177602024-02-21T16:20:00.000+01:002024-02-21T16:20:15.671+01:00Unclean<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7e731819-7fff-98d2-2d0f-b35f104fc759"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DoKXqTnU6CA8kJ7cLNf1g1aFxKTHu3EyxP4gpiaNy0rbbjSfaM3dAggnithkhUUi5I4yVhyphenhyphenJEhtx-vgaTrPxBQA3S2R9qqmyoPgQAbxp9FbEPxZwz8r3ya7spybHOtiUWxNdG59fYXJKXLHQgqwjyV-nW0EJG2hLx1ra0f5LkgTrecRX35oKD4mvrLk/s7360/pexels-cliff-booth-6590856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="7360" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DoKXqTnU6CA8kJ7cLNf1g1aFxKTHu3EyxP4gpiaNy0rbbjSfaM3dAggnithkhUUi5I4yVhyphenhyphenJEhtx-vgaTrPxBQA3S2R9qqmyoPgQAbxp9FbEPxZwz8r3ya7spybHOtiUWxNdG59fYXJKXLHQgqwjyV-nW0EJG2hLx1ra0f5LkgTrecRX35oKD4mvrLk/w640-h428/pexels-cliff-booth-6590856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-napkin-with-flowers-6590856/" target="_blank">Cliff Booth on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>By Ruth Ajawu</b></i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My eyes fly open courtesy of the sharp pain shooting through my lower abdomen and instant panic grips my heart. Please let it not be what I think it is. It is way too soon: I am not ready.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do not be it. Do not be it. Do not be it.”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I whisper to myself like the words can change anything. I look down to check my undercloth and instant relief floods my heart. It is not my menstrual period. Hopefully, this sharp pain in my stomach is just indigestion and not a sign that my period is about to start. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking out of the window, I see it is getting bright outside. I should start getting ready for church. I love Sundays, not because of the going to church part but because I get to sleep in. Every other day, I have to wake up early to fetch water from the stream before the sun comes up, clean up the house, and go for lessons. Sundays are the exception because according to Mama, </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“it is the Lord’s day and we ought to rest just as God did”.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I get up and stretch my hands as high as they can go, then roll up the sleeping mat and place it in the corner of the room where I usually keep it. Is that a new crack in the wall? Oh well, it is one more crack to go with the millions of cracks that make up this rickety house. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I walk out of my room, I notice how quiet everywhere is: Mama has already left for church then. I would hear her moving about if she were home. I head to the kitchen so I can take out some water from the drum. The drum is big enough for a child to drown in if they get stuck in it. I know this from personal experience: I nearly drowned when I climbed into it when I was younger. I can still remember the sound beating Mama gave me after she rescued me. The beating had the desired effect because I did not go near the drum for years after that.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remember believing Mama hated me for the longest time after that. Those were the times I wished for my parents the most. My parents died in a ghastly car accident when I was an infant so I have lived with Mama, my father’s mother, all my life. I do not know anything about my parents or the accident that took their lives. Mama never talks about either no matter how many times I ask. She always says I do not need to know more because she is my mother and father now. Sometimes, I feel she is sweet for that. Other times, I feel she is selfish for hoarding information about my parents. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I fill up the bucket beside the drum and take it to the back of the house where the toilet is located. The water is cool to the touch but I do not let that bother me as I quickly freshen up and head back to my room. Squatting in front of my small pile of clothes neatly folded at the corner beside my mat, I pick a dress at random to wear. Mama has mentioned a billion times that I should put more care into how I dress for service but I really do not care about impressing anyone with what I wear. I make quick work of dressing up, pick up my Bible, and head to church.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I always take a leisurely stroll to church because I love the sight of nature – the slight wind blowing the tree leaves, the occasional scurry of small animals across the path, the sound of wildlife, and the view of the spectacular sunrise. I have watched it since I was a little girl, up until now that I am the full old age of sixteen. It is all so beautiful and it never gets old. I wish I could stay here forever. Unfortunately, there is church service.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not like church. It is filled with the hateful and judgemental people of our community who gossip from the start of service till the end. I can never tell Mama this though… she will think I have been possessed by an evil spirit and take me to the pastor for special prayers. To be fair, it is not just the church I do not like. I do not like the entire community, their small-mindedness and nonsensical traditions make me so angry. I hear raised voices singing hymns from the church and sigh, I hate that too. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The church is less than a five minutes walk from our house so I get there quickly. I take a moment to stare at the church building like I always do. I should be used to it by now but I am not. It amazes me that such a standard building exists in this community. It is tall enough to tower over every other building in its vicinity with its grey walls and ever-clean window panes. I wonder how much money was sunk into it, money that could have gone into improving the community. I snap out of staring, take a deep breath, and head to the church entrance with an ingenuine smile on my face. I am already dreading the long hours I will be stuck here for.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I enter the church and walk to the back with my head down to avoid having to make eye contact with any of the gossips. Why are the doors at the side of the building and not at the back? I know I ask this question in my mind every Sunday because it annoys me every Sunday. I finally get to the back. I sit in the last row of seats and watch the spectacle that we call a Sunday service. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It starts with Sunday school which is taken by one of the church elders who, as usual, implies everyone is going to hell fire because we are not ‘perfect like her’. Then the sermon is taken by the pastor who requests for yet another donation to be made towards a church project we know nothing about. Then the singing part and finally, the service comes to an end. I leap to my feet before they finish saying the grace. I need to get out of here early so I do not have to endure the parade of pleasantries. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I begin the walk to the doors but something feels different. It seems quieter than it should be. I look back and startle, everyone behind me is looking in my direction in shock. I turn around to find what they are looking at but see nothing. I turn back towards them and confirm they are indeed staring at me. I face forward and increase my pace, I am not sure I want to find out why they are all looking at me. I am about ten steps away from the door when I feel a hand grab me and drag me out.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What do you think you are doing here?” </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The person that dragged me out says. I vaguely recognize her as one of the church elders.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stare at her in confusion and she points at my dress when she notices I do not understand what she is referring to.</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You should be at the hut”, </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she spits out. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is when I feel it. The wetness in between my thighs. Ringing thrashes in my ears as I look down. Blood. It runs down my legs, glaringly obvious for all to see. Oh God, it is heavy, my period always flows heavily. I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No no no no no no!”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I mumble to myself and tears instantly filled my eyes.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Voices and horrified gasps erupt on all sides as more women rush out of the church and begin to angrily scream at me all at once.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How dare you?”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I hear one of them shout. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are old enough to know better!”,</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> another one screams from behind me.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is an embarrassment!”,</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> another says. On and on they go, hurling angry words at me. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did not know!”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I whisper tearily but they do not care to listen to me.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as a woman or girl begins her monthly menstruation, she is expected to immediately report to ‘The Hut’ where she is required to spend the entirety of her period. A woman or girl undergoing menstruation is perceived as unclean for however long she bleeds. It is taboo for her to remain amongst the clean people of the community. Ever since I turned twelve years old and got my first menstruation, I have been subjected to the horrors of the hut every month.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The women soon move from words to action. They appoint the woman who dragged me out of the church to take me to the hut. She does not hesitate, she just starts pushing me forward. I stumble a bit and manage to stabilize myself, barely avoiding falling face flat on the ground. She doesn't care, she doesn't even give me time to recover, she just continues pushing me ahead. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see Mama on the sidelines looking at me with sharp disappointment. I look at her with fear clear on my face but she just ignores me and walks back into the church. I guess I am on my own. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The walk to the hut is short, the entire community is not big so everywhere is close by. I wish it was farther, maybe then I could have stilled my heart for what awaits me for the next four days. But one second we are at the church, the next second, the dilapidated building referred to as ‘The Hut’ comes into view. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The view is all it takes to trigger heart palpitations in me. My palms begin to sweat and I begin to shake uncontrollably. I do not want to stay in the hut for four days, I don't even want to be in it for a second. I hate it and all it represents: I hate the cold sticky ground I would be forced to lay on for the duration my period lasts for. I hate the perpetual stink of menstrual blood in the air. I hate the complete silence when I am there on my own but I hate even more the pointless chatter of anyone else I might be forced to share the space with. I hate the thoughts that assault me there. I hate the nightmares I always end up having. I hate the tears I am never strong enough to stop. I hate the hut. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The woman is not concerned with my visible trembling, she continues dragging me along till we reach the entrance where she hands me over to the caretaker. The first time I was here, I thought the caretaker was here to care for us like family. I have since then realised that she is here to ensure we do not leave the hut and contaminate anywhere else.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t leave me here”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I beg the woman that brought me. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looks at me with very visible disdain and I am instantly filled with regret for speaking to her.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your mother will roll in her grave if she realises what a disappointment her daughter grew up to be</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">", she says in anger. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Such a dirty girl.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She pushes me towards the caretaker, and walks away, like she did not just shatter my heart into a thousand pieces.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With tears rolling down my face at an uncontrollable speed, I turn to look at the caretaker. She stares back at me with a look that says she is very unimpressed with me. Maybe if I deny everything, she will believe me and let me go.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know why that woman brought me here”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I tell her with false bravery. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It is not my time of the month yet.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The woman does not bother giving me a response, she just glances down at my dress that is clearly soiled with blood. Okay this cannot work. Maybe I can offer her something if she lets me go?</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will do anything you want”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I tell her with bravado.</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Anything at all.”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the situation was not so dire, I would probably laugh at what I just said, like I have anything to offer her. It does not matter either way because she does not dignify my statement with a response. It is at this moment I realise there is no hope, I am stuck here again for the next four days. The shakes and tears return with a vengeance. Four days feel like a hundred years right now.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The caretaker stands up and looks at me from head to toe.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not knowing your cycle at this your old age? Disgraceful”. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She says, the disgust clear in her voice.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She takes hold of my hand, and drags me to the hut. She leaves me and goes back to wherever it is she stays. I hear the click of the door lock and the bolts sliding into place, the sounds seem to be taunting me and screaming </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You will never get out”. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I try to hold my breath so I don't smell it. I lose the battle after 40 seconds and I'm forced to take a lungful of the air. The stale metallic smell hits me with full force, it smells as horrible as always, I hate it. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I hate even more the awful words spoken to me by people who do not even know me. My tears start to fall harder and faster. I wrap my hands around myself, collapse to the sticky floor, and weep. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cry till my eyes feel too heavy to keep open and only then do I close them so sleep can take me away.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Period poverty is a deeply troubling issue that extends beyond the mere absence of sanitary products. It encompasses a broader spectrum of challenges, including the lack of knowledge and understanding about menstruation that perpetuates harmful stigmas that view periods as unclean and something to be ashamed of.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In various parts of the world, especially in low-income communities, girls and women face significant barriers when it comes to managing their menstruation. The financial constraints that lead to the inability to afford sanitary products are just one aspect of period poverty. Equally alarming is the pervasive lack of education surrounding menstrual health, perpetuating myths and misconceptions that contribute to the shame and silence surrounding menstruation.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, we stand against period poverty and recognize that addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach. It is not just about providing access to menstrual products: it is about dismantling the societal taboos and cultural norms that surround menstruation. By fostering awareness and education, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to manage their periods confidently and without shame.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We advocate for increased access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products, comprehensive menstrual health education in schools and communities, and initiatives that challenge societal norms perpetuating period shame. By addressing period poverty holistically, we aim to empower individuals, especially girls and women, to manage their menstrual health with dignity and without the burden of stigma. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Together, let us work towards a world where everyone has the knowledge, resources, and support to navigate menstruation without barriers or shame.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-34479132727637571762024-02-21T15:17:00.000+01:002024-02-21T15:17:39.612+01:00 Mental Health Services in the Workplace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC82IZQ0rvlQam1h3FG_pHqfnopJlrcJy8w5hEWgeeyDFrxHVt-NhY7ZKZkdzAYb1TRQwuxWyYePEH5SzWf3dlX2qsTySCp7fc1bjTubSLAWduE9HmVay9198NTG9GspVppUaS-jugLuMmEXE2EinvR_emhyphenhyphen7X1UcC3uPpnDKTOs0Q7NnYieeY1of0z8/s6134/pexels-rdne-stock-project-8172941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4089" data-original-width="6134" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC82IZQ0rvlQam1h3FG_pHqfnopJlrcJy8w5hEWgeeyDFrxHVt-NhY7ZKZkdzAYb1TRQwuxWyYePEH5SzWf3dlX2qsTySCp7fc1bjTubSLAWduE9HmVay9198NTG9GspVppUaS-jugLuMmEXE2EinvR_emhyphenhyphen7X1UcC3uPpnDKTOs0Q7NnYieeY1of0z8/w640-h426/pexels-rdne-stock-project-8172941.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-elderly-man-in-black-tank-top-raising-his-hands-together-8172941/" target="_blank">RDNE Stock project on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Cynthia Umeh</i></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3c513252-7fff-1a23-c511-82cb24f49244"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The success of an organization depends critically on the mental health of its workforce in the fast-paced, high-pressure work settings of today. Employers are realizing more and more how important it is to help employees with workplace mental health services and address mental health issues. Employers and employees alike must comprehend how these services contribute to a productive workplace and increase employee satisfaction.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A variety of tools and support systems are included in workplace mental health services, which aim to improve mental health and deal with mental health issues.</span><a href="https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-an-eap" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Employee assistance programs (EAPs)</span></a><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, counseling services, training on mental health awareness, and access to mental health professionals are a few examples of these services. Employers show their dedication to promoting the overall health of their staff by providing these resources.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the primary benefits of implementing mental health services in the workplace is the positive impact on employee productivity. An individual's capacity to do their work well can be severely hampered by mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression. Employers can assist staff members in managing mental health concerns and stop them from developing into more significant problems that could lead to absence or decreased productivity by giving timely access to mental health support.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition, mental health services help foster an inclusive and encouraging work atmosphere where staff members feel appreciated and taken care of. Employee motivation, engagement, and commitment to their work are likely to increase when they are aware that their employer places a high priority on their mental health. Consequently, this nurtures a constructive company culture defined by respect, cooperation, and trust.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Investments in mental health services at work also have the important side effect of lowering absenteeism. Workers frequently take time off work to deal with symptoms or seek treatment for mental health concerns, which are a major cause of absenteeism. Employers may assist employees in effectively managing their mental health concerns and lessen the need for prolonged absences by addressing mental health issues early on and offering easily available support services.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Additionally, workplace mental health services are essential for de-stigmatizing mental illness and encouraging candid conversations about mental health concerns. Employers can foster a culture of acceptance and understanding where employees feel comfortable seeking help when required by educating staff members and increasing awareness of mental health issues. This helps break down societal obstacles related to mental health, in addition to benefiting individual employees.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Incorporating mental health services into the workplace requires a holistic approach that considers the unique needs and challenges of employees. Employers can collaborate with mental health professionals to develop tailored programs and initiatives that address specific concerns within the organization. This may involve offering confidential counseling services, organizing mental health workshops and seminars, or providing access to digital mental health platforms for remote employees.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shades of Us Storytelling for African People aligns with the importance of mental health services in the workplace. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences, it acknowledges the unique challenges faced by individuals of African descent in navigating mental health issues within work environments. Promoting workplace well-being through accessible and culturally sensitive mental health support resonates with our commitment to holistic storytelling and community empowerment.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is impossible to overestimate the importance of mental health services for workplace wellbeing. Employers have to put their workers' mental health first and foster conditions that encourage resilience and flourishing. Employers who invest in mental health services see increased productivity, lower absenteeism, and the development of a compassionate and empathic work environment.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-1930819918914932832024-02-17T12:31:00.002+01:002024-02-17T12:31:39.325+01:00 Embracing Happiness<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNC6OoOyJra0g-UL2N104iELp9rpbIe0OmJuHNXPmeYJrjYIY2ZBQp71dAE5ztCpl2Yx3856FhE7dwwOKoEf2e5iqHaaHH1prDn5gtMkIVFtPH92ME5lpRl5FK3FPj11rThqwgJ4mbYYpFBXuHrCEepKMSNTDGH3v15VCLJmI8GwzbXSTgGlhI83_fqI/s5472/pexels-obibini-kobby-7302956.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNC6OoOyJra0g-UL2N104iELp9rpbIe0OmJuHNXPmeYJrjYIY2ZBQp71dAE5ztCpl2Yx3856FhE7dwwOKoEf2e5iqHaaHH1prDn5gtMkIVFtPH92ME5lpRl5FK3FPj11rThqwgJ4mbYYpFBXuHrCEepKMSNTDGH3v15VCLJmI8GwzbXSTgGlhI83_fqI/w640-h426/pexels-obibini-kobby-7302956.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="graf graf--p" name="1dee" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/top-view-of-two-boys-lying-on-the-ground-with-their-head-touching-and-smiling-7302956/" href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/top-view-of-two-boys-lying-on-the-ground-with-their-head-touching-and-smiling-7302956/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Obibini Kobby on Pexels</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span id="docs-internal-guid-6fbe6e7c-7fff-6b72-7c4f-52229c8241db"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Cynthia Umeh</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bills, deadlines, and nonstop work abound, so happiness might seem like a far-off fantasy, a fleeting sensation best left for travel brochures and Hollywood scripts. However, what if I told you that happiness is a genuine, attainable reality rather than just a mirage in the distance?<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine this: a sunny day, birds chirping, a warm breeze dancing through the trees. You are walking down the street, a smile playing on your lips, your heart light and free. That, my friends, is what happiness is all about—pleasure that flows from the inside out, uninvited and uncontrollable.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happiness is a way of life, a state of being that penetrates all parts of our existence, not just a transient feeling. Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that those who are joyful have longer, healthier lives, stronger social bonds, and greater resilience in the face of hardship. That being said, why do so many of us end up caught in a never-ending cycle of stress and dissatisfaction?</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It could be because we have been striving for material goods, social position, or outside approval instead of enjoyment in the right places. However, the reality is that happiness needs to be developed internally and cannot be purchased or borrowed.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thus, how can we discover the key to genuine happiness? It all begins with a change of viewpoint, a readiness to let go of our attachments to the things beyond our control, and to appreciate the beauty of the here and now. It is about appreciating the small things in life, like laughter, sunsets, and the sensation of sand between our toes, and realizing that happiness is a journey rather than a goal.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps most crucially, though, happiness is a deliberate choice to emphasize the positive, practice compassion and gratitude, and bask in the little pleasures in life. It is about accepting the limitless possibilities of the present, letting go of the past, and letting go of our anxieties about the future.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happiness is the light that leads us home in a world that frequently seems dark and unclear. It serves as the compass that directs us toward our true north, the spark that kindles our passions, and the fuel that keeps us moving forward.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore, I heartily request that you walk with me on this path to happiness—to let go of the weights that confine us, to welcome the joy that envelops us, and to greet each day with an open heart and a spirit of gratitude. In the end, happiness isn't just something we find—it is something we create, one moment at a time.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you prepared to unlock the joy within? Share your happiness journey with us at Shades of Us. We are always eager to spread happiness to our audience. Together, let us sprinkle a little sunshine in a world that sorely needs it.</span></span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-21338298194214188902024-02-10T08:41:00.001+01:002024-02-13T05:38:52.649+01:00Hiring: Volunteer Administrative and Finance Officer <p><span style="font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX8dMTBablDsrr7mQhEr8OZ1zdZ09lYoWMsMFuxzjiKOaCBPiQT2CuV6OvlyroAwT9DYHw0oFz10NH9GbDGCr95FksOP0IuQO4hmt2rlHlUXPyVL87RdxC5VgNihoEl8VJCoP6jqBrgyjUzIsK__XQy9AiPGbxdyzNaZKJbT7ugwIu9DV0WDFozB8U-bJ/s2560/ebbacfda-bd7e-46bc-b7cf-05148ef08d30.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="2560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX8dMTBablDsrr7mQhEr8OZ1zdZ09lYoWMsMFuxzjiKOaCBPiQT2CuV6OvlyroAwT9DYHw0oFz10NH9GbDGCr95FksOP0IuQO4hmt2rlHlUXPyVL87RdxC5VgNihoEl8VJCoP6jqBrgyjUzIsK__XQy9AiPGbxdyzNaZKJbT7ugwIu9DV0WDFozB8U-bJ/w640-h640/ebbacfda-bd7e-46bc-b7cf-05148ef08d30.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘Shades of Us’</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a non-profit organization using storytelling to address the socio-economic issues affecting Africa, Africans, and people of African descent, to facilitate open and honest conversations that lead to introspection, analysis and perspective change towards the greater goal of a redefined continent and people.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our goal is</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society for Africans and people of African descent.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our objectives are:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To use storytelling to promote equitable societies for African people.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To spark conversations on human rights, roles, and responsibilities for more equal African societies.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To promote African cultures and increase indigenous, national, regional, and continental pride in our heritage.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To promote learning, development, and capacity building of young people to push for African development and growth.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To create safe spaces for survivors of abuse geared at facilitating healing and shared communities for growth.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #000033; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have this position open and look forward to interested individuals applying. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Volunteer Title: Volunteer Administrative and Finance Officer </span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b845e63-7fff-27e3-193f-a3166533b3b5"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Reports to: Founder and Portfolio Director </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Location: Abuja </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Duration: One Year</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.728; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 17pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Summary </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This position will be responsible for using the organization's accounting templates, overseeing financial transactions, complying with financial and tax laws, and projecting the financial growth of the organization.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.728; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 17pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Essential Duties and Responsibilities </span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Work with the Founder/Portfolio Director to provide financial direction.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Develop accounting templates.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Manage all accounting transactions.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prepare budget forecasts.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Publish financial statements on time.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Handle monthly, quarterly, and annual closings.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reconcile accounts payable and receivable.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ensure timely bank payments.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Compute taxes and prepare tax returns.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Manage balance sheets and profit/loss statements.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Report on the company’s financial health and liquidity.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Audit financial transactions and documents.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reinforce financial data confidentiality and conduct database backups when necessary.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Comply with financial policies and regulations.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Develop administrative processes.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ensure administrative compliance. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ensure documentation compliance. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ensure financial health.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attend weekly team meetings. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attend weekly strategy direction meetings.</span></span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any other role assigned by the Founder/Portfolio Director.</span></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.728; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 17pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Supervisory Responsibilities </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.728; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.728; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 1pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Minimum Qualifications and Skills</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Basic understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Knowledge of accounting regulations and procedures.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hands-on experience with accounting software like QuickBooks.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">MS Excel skills including Vlookups and pivot tables.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Experience with general ledger functions.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Strong attention to detail and good analytical skills.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Degree in Accounting, Finance, or relevant degree.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">General understanding of computers and digital equipment and knowledge of new and cutting-edge technology</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ability to take and follow directions, while also having a creative eye for improvements.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Working Knowledge of MS Office Packages and database software and applications. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excellent organizational, and problem-solving skills and attention to detail are essential. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ability to work independently and proactively and track multiple activities and deadlines. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Strong communication skills (written & spoken) in the English language and one or more Nigerian language(s) is required. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ability to travel within Nigeria and work successfully within a cross-cultural, multi-sectoral, multi-project team-based environment.</span></span></p></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Remuneration: </b>N30,000 per month<b>
Application Closing Date: </b>February 15, 2024.<b>
How to Apply
</b>Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letter to: <span style="color: #2b00fe;">shadesofusafrica@gmail.com</span> using the Job Title (Volunteer Administrative and Finance Officer - Shades of Us) as the subject of the email.</span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229641905828999170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-8902536657729281522024-02-04T10:53:00.000+01:002024-02-04T10:53:27.389+01:00 The Women of Sunny Street<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_tmUgLWNnl-fVwwU87lis5DtmxCBK2ZYIDRjw-a6p3coB7jgb2cXFIEDL8S5SK9y971Eh7DSDydDDzQyfTFDU5UJU9QVCWbdreVGfo-pwxX9zFNmtylMl2iFbZB1oal1IKlA87LV3pr0_YxMMC1PQxi9QahhNnS8XFZlf5meKcIHBSDZCmIgkVhkPE8/s3725/pexels-richard-badejo-5409256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2794" data-original-width="3725" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_tmUgLWNnl-fVwwU87lis5DtmxCBK2ZYIDRjw-a6p3coB7jgb2cXFIEDL8S5SK9y971Eh7DSDydDDzQyfTFDU5UJU9QVCWbdreVGfo-pwxX9zFNmtylMl2iFbZB1oal1IKlA87LV3pr0_YxMMC1PQxi9QahhNnS8XFZlf5meKcIHBSDZCmIgkVhkPE8/w640-h480/pexels-richard-badejo-5409256.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="graf graf--p" name="869a" style="text-align: center;">Image by <a href="Photo by Richard Badejo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-brown-ground-under-blue-sky-5409256/" target="_blank">Richard Badejo on Pexels</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>By Marire Adebanjo</b></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f2ffdc26-7fff-15f7-7041-a13d26a36516"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is that time of the month again. My mum has already collected the donations from each person in our street. My mum and our next-door neighbor had gone to the market a day before to get food items, clothing, and other things to give back to the community. This usually made me happy.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Philips, are you ready?</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”, Mrs. Ugwu, our next-door neighbor, asked from the sitting room.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just a moment, please.</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” My mother responded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I always accompanied them when it was time. My mother teaches me that it is never too early to start helping others. I am eight years old and proud to accompany my mother on these trips with the Women of Sunny Street: pioneered by my mother and Mrs Ugwu. It pleases me that the men in the street support every one of our outreaches and projects. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We go to at least two orphanage homes in the city every month to give them basic items. Their smiles when we do this make me want to help more people. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Women of Sunny Street have come a long way: from preparing food and distributing it to the people in remote areas and the homeless to building a shelter where the homeless can call their home while receiving support to find their footing. Now, a lot more people and organizations support this cause to gradually eradicate poverty and unemployment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On getting to the second orphanage home, we encountered another charity organization. My mother had already stepped towards them before I even noticed them. Mrs. Ugwu followed almost immediately.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good afternoon. My name is Mrs.Philips. This is my comrade, Mrs. Ugwu.</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’ My mother began.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good afternoon.</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’ Mrs. Ugwu contributed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh. Hi!</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’ One of them responded. ‘</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a pleasure to meet you both. We are One World Initiative. My name is Destiny.’</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is good to meet like-minded people who take actions like this in addressing challenges faced by our people, especially in this present economy, I thought to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They proceeded to talk about what their organizations focus on. My mother was quite happy to find out that they are quite similar and didn’t hesitate to request a partnership on their next project.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You see, the Women of Sunny Street, in their recent meetings, have decided to hold an empowerment program for women and girls. This included skill acquisition, training, and mentorship. They aim to help equip women and young girls with skills to help them earn a living and impact the community. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a brief yet detailed conversation, the other organization expressed interest in partnering with us. They agreed to hold a meeting the next week to begin preparations for the program.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is up to us to contribute in the little way we can. It could be volunteering, partnership, sponsorship, advocacy, or whatever way we choose to support movements and programs that improve the status of our community. Life is unfair: that is indisputable. However, as humans, we should help one another. The ones who have more should support those who do not.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, we believe that organizations working on similar goals can work together to improve the lives of Africans and people of African descent. Partnership and collaboration are key to our collective growth and development, and moving the needle towards a better world for all of us. Let us seek active collaborations and partnerships, for we are stronger when we unite than we we try to reinvent the wheel. </span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-79682425545500817902024-02-04T07:29:00.003+01:002024-02-04T07:29:48.699+01:00 World Cancer Day Walk 2024 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkVWbn7by7swHc12w35hB9ZfJrcUHJOfL9z2M6rbEZgy0JRaXO3ZphMeg3wnO4_O7jEhzqjlKgR8A1EnN07-JZJt3AeKbQgzg8d2Kdvsb7mGdtPC3Ei3ytSXhNlnuSjROirvLTzelK03dyeHBLVnQCRD1zXlHKn4j6iiceJfd_RgrR1buq_AW0fAi4mc/s4000/20240203_085438.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkVWbn7by7swHc12w35hB9ZfJrcUHJOfL9z2M6rbEZgy0JRaXO3ZphMeg3wnO4_O7jEhzqjlKgR8A1EnN07-JZJt3AeKbQgzg8d2Kdvsb7mGdtPC3Ei3ytSXhNlnuSjROirvLTzelK03dyeHBLVnQCRD1zXlHKn4j6iiceJfd_RgrR1buq_AW0fAi4mc/w640-h480/20240203_085438.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>By Ruth Ajawu</b></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ec0caaa7-7fff-65f1-9c86-544fecd037fb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On February 3, 2024, Shades of Us attended the World Cancer Day Walk hosted by Project PINK BLUE. Since 2015, this organization has been at the forefront of World Cancer Day activities in Nigeria, and this year's edition carried the same message: cancer is a serious and often misunderstood illness that affects millions of people worldwide. By raising awareness and promoting early detection, we can help to improve the lives of those affected by the disease and increase the chances of successful treatment.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The event featured the option of a 5km walk, race, cycle, ride, or marathon against cancer. The route, starting from Transcorp Hilton Abuja, took participants through Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Shehu Shagari Way, Unity Fountain, Federal Secretariat by Eagle Square, Hospital Avenue, Ahmadu Bello Way Harrow Park, BMO Events Arena, Big Bite junction, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent (Studio 24), DST Office, and back to Transcorp Hilton Abuja.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hundreds of people came together to honor those lost to cancer, raise funds for individuals currently battling the disease, and amplify their support for cancer awareness. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A significant aspect of the event was the provision of free Breast, Cervical, and Prostate Cancer Screenings, medical counseling, and hepatitis tests, ensuring that attendees had access to essential health check-ups. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While millions are surviving cancer in other parts of the world, the stark reality in Nigeria calls for urgent support. The World Cancer Day Walk served as a reminder of the importance of collective action to overcome the challenges faced by those affected by cancer.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As World Cancer Day ends, Shades of Us urges individuals and communities to unite, raise awareness, and support the ongoing fight against cancer in Nigeria.</span></p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNPHr4YwfvPewo-y40vClq_iylMU_nwBH1s09H6y_fNhijNkOkeIIUoG_fGmYGqkyiSZ_deXA9-UMKLomSurS0TxetnJEhMh4sYYRS0wHI1KQuBZ48cbWYQACjtrAA2iv4Vuc_uW4RH4saagNX2Zgy9LyFaWO87TcXMSWbwfxuMmWz3gKj4ojdJffauc/s4000/20240203_090343.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNPHr4YwfvPewo-y40vClq_iylMU_nwBH1s09H6y_fNhijNkOkeIIUoG_fGmYGqkyiSZ_deXA9-UMKLomSurS0TxetnJEhMh4sYYRS0wHI1KQuBZ48cbWYQACjtrAA2iv4Vuc_uW4RH4saagNX2Zgy9LyFaWO87TcXMSWbwfxuMmWz3gKj4ojdJffauc/w640-h480/20240203_090343.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvTn3b2xBvqNDyBPc03h16D9FzClg_w-LVbnqrrWTaSHoCdCWi9gI5lSKMfckBfn80aJi1sm2jojmHmtXtOO1FxbdoRFS74-w7ciucHiQ1zBWiWIbbmqbuqEw1jcSiR-XhsTU1kER-kRhpV0HgJ9udJAKsw9wjJYIj2bye_EF8bTCIAIN-hcwPCsDV5s/s4000/20240203_090317.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvTn3b2xBvqNDyBPc03h16D9FzClg_w-LVbnqrrWTaSHoCdCWi9gI5lSKMfckBfn80aJi1sm2jojmHmtXtOO1FxbdoRFS74-w7ciucHiQ1zBWiWIbbmqbuqEw1jcSiR-XhsTU1kER-kRhpV0HgJ9udJAKsw9wjJYIj2bye_EF8bTCIAIN-hcwPCsDV5s/w640-h480/20240203_090317.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mwuxyL2PLABy2zCXxwh2wmfz79eER6iiUf3rnurcJvlYlWv2Jw5h3s-cz6C1PasVu74o1qhbSzmzPb2kxxQHKadlO5nat8oMh4wjspqXD7rg-rk9kT2JotxGhzevbluJ5jFHshMOk-CKvPY4chX_SJPzbVkybKMEZpRMoloG54jhroxsXZ_LyiNS0nU/s4000/20240203_084416.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mwuxyL2PLABy2zCXxwh2wmfz79eER6iiUf3rnurcJvlYlWv2Jw5h3s-cz6C1PasVu74o1qhbSzmzPb2kxxQHKadlO5nat8oMh4wjspqXD7rg-rk9kT2JotxGhzevbluJ5jFHshMOk-CKvPY4chX_SJPzbVkybKMEZpRMoloG54jhroxsXZ_LyiNS0nU/w640-h480/20240203_084416.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-81854290809867518052024-01-24T07:03:00.001+01:002024-01-24T07:03:12.058+01:00Learning for Peace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1o2NgssN5kmYUSJRm-fOc7HYRD3DdKa-Qb7YJZPBwLnJIcZpemxh1NKPeHWHWen159EkOo6rc4TQ083KgTnUkvVQfnen_r6wk1ma4lr65uwKO5aFkcIzHLj9gC7EEnxUCLNF4mAIarVWyI4jtDoXPcYyOXxdmSi3CNRhle_UtzGQn9uFnXESdoRrIK0/s4000/emmanuel-ikwuegbu-MUyq5MiVE2w-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="4000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1o2NgssN5kmYUSJRm-fOc7HYRD3DdKa-Qb7YJZPBwLnJIcZpemxh1NKPeHWHWen159EkOo6rc4TQ083KgTnUkvVQfnen_r6wk1ma4lr65uwKO5aFkcIzHLj9gC7EEnxUCLNF4mAIarVWyI4jtDoXPcYyOXxdmSi3CNRhle_UtzGQn9uFnXESdoRrIK0/w640-h428/emmanuel-ikwuegbu-MUyq5MiVE2w-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@emmages?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Emmanuel Ikwuegbu</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photo-of-people-holding-papers-JwdHpCUmpg8?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span id="docs-internal-guid-66808541-7fff-5cac-c3c5-7118a701a57a"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Adetayo Adetokun </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine a world not too distant from our own, where the shadows of conflict cast a pall over communities. Amid this turbulence, educators and visionaries emerged as storytellers, crafting a narrative where classrooms became sanctuaries, not merely for the transmission of knowledge, but as spaces for understanding, healing, and unity.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this narrative expedition, the transformative power of education isn’t a mere subplot but the very heart of the story. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Power of Education in Conflict Resolution</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout history, there exists a compelling testimony to the profound impact of education on conflict resolution. Consider the aftermath of World War II, where nations lay in ruins, and hearts harbored the wounds of conflict. It was in this crucible of adversity that education emerged as a potent force for change. Schools, once disrupted by the cacophony of warfare, became beacons of hope. Educators, inspired by a vision of a better future, orchestrated the revival of learning, recognizing that a well-rounded education could dismantle the barriers erected by war.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fast forward to more recent chapters of history, and we find the echoes of this transformative power resonating in regions grappling with internal strife. In places like Northern Ireland and South Africa, where deep-rooted conflicts seemed insurmountable, education played a pivotal role in bridging chasms. Schools became spaces for dialogue, where young minds were not only nurtured academically but also instilled with the values of tolerance, understanding, and empathy.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within this context, the story of peace education unfolds—a specialized approach that goes beyond conventional teaching methods. It equips students with the skills to analyze conflicts, promote critical thinking, and foster a sense of responsibility for community and global well-being. By immersing learners in narratives that challenge stereotypes and biases, peace education became a catalyst for dismantling the seeds of discord planted by ignorance.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The transformative power of education in conflict resolution lies not just in the imparting of knowledge but in the cultivation of a mindset that seeks alternatives to violence. The story of Malala Yousafzai, who defied the oppressive forces of extremism through her pursuit of education, serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit when armed with the weapon of knowledge.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beyond individual stories, education acts as a collective force shaping societal narratives. In post-conflict Rwanda, for instance, the education system underwent a profound overhaul to promote unity and reconciliation. The curriculum was redesigned to emphasize shared values, history was taught with an emphasis on common heritage, and schools became spaces where the next generation could transcend the shadows of the past.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we navigate through these historical chapters, it becomes evident that education not only mends the immediate wounds of conflict but also cultivates a mindset that sees beyond differences. It empowers individuals to become active agents of change, working towards a shared vision of a harmonious future. In this symphony of learning and healing, education emerges as a cornerstone in the pursuit of lasting peace—a force capable of transforming battlegrounds.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education as a Catalyst for Social Cohesion</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amid the diversities of human societies, education emerges as a potent catalyst for weaving the fabric of social cohesion, particularly within the diverse tapestry of African nations and black communities worldwide. Picture a world where the remnants of historical divisions are replaced by the bridges of understanding and acceptance that education meticulously constructs.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consider the colorful scenes within an African community, where children from various ethnic backgrounds gather in the embrace of a shared learning environment. Here, education becomes the universal language that transcends cultural differences, forging bonds of camaraderie and understanding among young minds. The classrooms resonate with the rhythms of diverse languages, symbolizing the celebration of Africa's rich cultural diversity.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In places like South Africa, with its intricate mosaic of ethnicities, schools serve as crucibles for cultural exchange. Students don't just absorb knowledge from textbooks: they become ambassadors of their respective traditions, fostering a profound sense of respect and appreciation for the continent's diverse heritage.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education's pivotal role in social cohesion isn't confined to national borders: it extends to regions where historical tensions have left scars. In the African diaspora, educational initiatives become beacons of unity. By facilitating exchanges of knowledge, experiences, and narratives, education becomes a dynamic force dissolving prejudices and contributing to the forging of collective identity within black communities worldwide.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Harmonious Symphony: Education Fusing Peace and Sustainable</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education emerges not merely as a driver for sustainable development but as the orchestrator of a harmonious symphony, weaving together the threads of peace and prosperity. In this nuanced tale of societal evolution, classrooms transform into laboratories where the seeds of economic stability, social harmony, and environmental stewardship are sown in unison.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education, a cornerstone for both sustainable development and peace, becomes the catalyst that breaks the chains of poverty while nurturing tranquility within communities. Picture the vibrant landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa, where initiatives centered around literacy and vocational training not only propel individuals toward economic self-sufficiency but also lay the foundations for communities grounded in a delicate equilibrium of peace and prosperity.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here, education emerges as a potent catalyst, empowering women, dismantling gender barriers, and forging an inclusive society where the values of equality, justice, and community engagement lay the fertile ground for enduring peace.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, the true enchantment of this story lies in the metamorphosis of education into a guardian of environmental stewardship, forming a seamless link between peace and sustainable development. Within the hallowed halls of learning, schools become incubators for eco-consciousness, where each lesson fosters a generation acutely aware of the delicate interplay between human activities and the planet. The narrative unfolds in classrooms where sustainability practices are not just lessons but ingrained principles, forging a sense of environmental responsibility that resonates through communities, ensuring a future where peace coexists harmoniously with the prosperity and well-being of the planet</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within the intricate plot twists and turns, it becomes irrefutably clear that education, when embraced as the conductor of both peace and sustainable development, possesses the transformative power to compose societies. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Navigating Challenges, Paving the Way for Peace in African Education</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the story of African education, challenges stand in the way of peace and progress. Not everyone gets a good education, making it hard for communities to understand each other and live in peace. Complicated rules slow down our progress, and there is not enough support, making it tough for education to do its job in bringing lasting peace.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But in the tough times, we find a way forward. People working together in communities become a powerful force for change. Smart ideas, like local projects and partnerships, help us solve problems and turn them into opportunities. This way, education can become a key to bringing lasting peace.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next step is clear: let us face these problems directly. We need education policies that reach everyone, especially those left out. We should make rules simpler to speed up progress, allowing education to change lives faster. And let us make sure resources are shared equally, forming partnerships that make education stronger.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This part of the story tells us challenges are not the end, but a chance for new ideas and working together. By fixing these issues, we open the door for education to stand as a strong force for lasting peace in Africa—a legacy that empowers generations and changes the story of the continent.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the culmination of our narrative, we find ourselves at the crossroads of possibility and responsibility. The profound intersection of education, peace, and sustainable development in Africa beckons us to recognize the pivotal role of storytelling in shaping the continent’s future. As Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for Africa, this narrative is not merely an exploration but a call to action, an invitation to participate in the crafting of a legacy drenched in harmony.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education, as unveiled in this narrative, emerges not only as a tool for individual empowerment but as a catalyst for societal change. It lays the foundation for lasting peace, economic prosperity, and environmental stewardship.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why should this matter to you? Your role is pivotal. As we traverse the challenges outlined in this narrative, recognize that within each obstacle lies an opportunity for innovation and collaboration. </span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-52216821329889487512024-01-07T12:27:00.004+01:002024-01-07T12:27:58.830+01:00Purple Ball 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQTKwyzFWPv1e9Jgx-BSyduMF7vZFBKnJauxUGTq0Hs5N9g_w5LIScubZfWl0tQCREy4_q3gmeK08oPho55L_rs8Qbub2ESJfd9780G5v3131cpbVuuYBzuz0sNx_pF5V04kMaxqJAHiR9iGv-Bnhy7xUMyIwqaB-RhDVMlLYDwRRyyEwaf-A_HSW92c/s720/336855385_903596354204169_6886505530377182_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQTKwyzFWPv1e9Jgx-BSyduMF7vZFBKnJauxUGTq0Hs5N9g_w5LIScubZfWl0tQCREy4_q3gmeK08oPho55L_rs8Qbub2ESJfd9780G5v3131cpbVuuYBzuz0sNx_pF5V04kMaxqJAHiR9iGv-Bnhy7xUMyIwqaB-RhDVMlLYDwRRyyEwaf-A_HSW92c/w640-h480/336855385_903596354204169_6886505530377182_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-9939f12d-7fff-b2c7-9f21-e0d70507f023"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>By Nwachukwu Nkem</i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since 2018, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/strong-enough-girls-empowerment-initiative-segei/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strong Enough Girls' Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI)</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has been working with Stephanie Apel as a Co-Convener of the Purple Ball, </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an event that brings women together to celebrate themselves and their achievements and also provide mentorship for each other. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2023, the event followed the theme for the International Women's Day, Embrace Equity. This year, SEGEI partnered with Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People (Shades of Us), Stand With A Girl Initiative (SWAG), </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and Anneozeng Ogozi Aid Foundation. </span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The moderator, Linda Raji the program manager at Anneozeng Ogozi Aid Foundation welcomed the attendees and conducted the introductory session for all participants. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stephanie Apel who is the Co-covener of the Purple Ball gave the opening address on behalf of the team members and explained that the purpose of the event was for participants to 'learn, relearn and unlearn'. This was followed by the founder of SEGEI, Onyinye Edeh who explained the vision of SEGEI and gave a detailed history of how Purple Ball started in 2018. She explained that the big idea of the Purple Ball was for women to come together and celebrate trailblazers and their achievements and also create an avenue for young aspiring women to receive mentorship. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The event started with an exciting knowledge trivia session on gender equality, women’s empowerment and the International Women’s Day. This was conducted by Queen Ugwoeru, the programs manager for SEGEI. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The keynote address was given by Irene Ugbah, an educational consultant. She spoke on embracing fairness in treating women. <i>“Society has to ensure that women are given the tools they need to successfully bridge the gender gap in various areas of endeavour.”</i> she mentioned. According to her, continual conversations must be had to address equity in all spheres of life. There must be a conscious effort to drive for more female representation in the tech space and this will start from enrolling more girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The keynote address was followed by a mentorship roundtable where the panellists shared defining moments in their lives and career paths. They also spoke about what skills women need to compete in the global space. Sadiya Ochekliye, a board Member and Technical Advisor at Shades of Us, stated that women require resilience and strategic thinking as part of their skillset in whatever field they find themselves in. Another panellist, Funke Adeoye, stated that women need to do more networking and build social capital. A third panellist, Elizabeth Williams, emphasized the importance of having communication skills for women to be visible in the global space. The panellists also spoke about tackling gender bias in politics by utilizing women’s numbers, working at the grassroots, and emphasizing affirmative action.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Onyinye Edeh the founder of SEGEI showcased their achievements and accomplishments so far. These include:</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The newly revamped website.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The expansion of SEGEI to include 5 full time staff and over 15 volunteers.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Educational sponsorships for 12 girls in secondary school and 5 women in universities across Africa.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Successfully received grants from UNESCO, USAID, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AIDS healthcare foundation and the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Season 2 winner of the Pitch Family Planning Knowledge management competition</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Graduated over 50 African/Black women from the Evolve Mentorship Program</span></p></li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SEGEI’s Impact: </span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SEGEI is currently present in 4 African countries, in the United Kingdom and the United States.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sustained partnerships with government and civil society.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50+ communities reached.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10,000 women reached.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: upper-roman; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Educational sponsorship for women and girls in secondary schools and universities across Africa.</span></p></li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Onyinye also spoke about the Evolve Mentorship Program (EMP0 which connects women within the ages of 18-35 with outstanding female mentors. The goal is to equip these women with the skills and knowledge they need to live healthy, productive lives. EMP is working to bridge the gaps that leave women in a disadvantaged position and help raise more women who are confident and can hold their own anywhere. </span></p></span>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-88768335068775043472024-01-07T11:51:00.000+01:002024-01-07T11:51:13.876+01:00 Twelve Lessons For African Youth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA66EavZS2-n9GJZG5H8juLP1P_6mMe5VcIrCIOYRoVpS8ZftWt4acsCB85HKPUvaqOsotSxZTmLq2NG72veY2zDwLcmdd_vuGmWUGuORLy5jvcCPxvCW_kwrjyD3m3FDj0144ra0_Lmj8ORttvLNMLw3zrORuP70VwgXRh4hm016eUEdQFF0x4uvpNSY/s3456/pexels-peace-alberto-iteriteka-1102570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA66EavZS2-n9GJZG5H8juLP1P_6mMe5VcIrCIOYRoVpS8ZftWt4acsCB85HKPUvaqOsotSxZTmLq2NG72veY2zDwLcmdd_vuGmWUGuORLy5jvcCPxvCW_kwrjyD3m3FDj0144ra0_Lmj8ORttvLNMLw3zrORuP70VwgXRh4hm016eUEdQFF0x4uvpNSY/w640-h426/pexels-peace-alberto-iteriteka-1102570.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/men-and-women-wit-kids-1102570/" target="_blank">Peace Alberto Iteriteka on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span id="docs-internal-guid-eaced1c0-7fff-1662-682f-5d762a1c9317"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>By Adetayo Adetokun</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its journey. With the largest youth population globally, the potential for transformative change is boundless. These young Africans are the torchbearers of their nations, poised to steer the continent toward a brighter, more prosperous future.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, this path forward is laden with challenges, ranging from economic disparities and political complexities to environmental concerns and cultural shifts. To navigate these turbulent waters, every young African youth must be armed with a profound set of lessons that not only equip them with knowledge but also nurture their character.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-62425736295278242192024-01-07T11:12:00.002+01:002024-01-07T11:53:19.663+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A3bsFEAoNXnZINVGiWxtPmAOob02rRv52UxuyLplFXXnOY8lKKCmvOw718WkDpQwbWHMUxjFrq_un2HpIYpNra7RSpNy7W9aFjUJLNHfbmip9HLYiirx82A780cn0X1m08rppxbHPRYrLfVTcQg8wuT9lj-nAMQY6OeJaKKvZjaXHv4VMeLANgMQcjw/s5701/pexels-rdne-stock-project-7915244.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3801" data-original-width="5701" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A3bsFEAoNXnZINVGiWxtPmAOob02rRv52UxuyLplFXXnOY8lKKCmvOw718WkDpQwbWHMUxjFrq_un2HpIYpNra7RSpNy7W9aFjUJLNHfbmip9HLYiirx82A780cn0X1m08rppxbHPRYrLfVTcQg8wuT9lj-nAMQY6OeJaKKvZjaXHv4VMeLANgMQcjw/w640-h426/pexels-rdne-stock-project-7915244.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/overhead-shot-of-a-man-holding-his-mechanical-keyboard-7915244/" target="_blank">RDNE Stock project on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-12d18d51-7fff-d2e8-e8a3-2ca6eec80bc7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an increasingly digital age, the twelfth lesson for young African youth is a call to raise awareness about cyberbullying and prioritize mental health support.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying, the use of digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or harm others, is a growing concern. Young Africans should recognize the impact of cyberbullying on mental health and well-being. This lesson is about fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and digital responsibility.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Awareness about the consequences of cyberbullying should be widespread. Young Africans should be educated about the signs of cyberbullying, its effects on mental health, and the importance of reporting such behavior. This lesson encourages bystander intervention and supporting those who have been targeted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson underscores the significance of mental health support. Young Africans should be encouraged to seek help when facing mental health challenges, whether it is stress, anxiety, depression, or other issues. Mental health should not be stigmatized but treated with empathy and understanding.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Digital interactions are prevalent, thus nurturing strong offline relationships is essential. This lesson encourages young Africans to maintain a balance between their online and offline lives, prioritizing face-to-face connections, hobbies, and activities that promote mental well-being.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Young Africans should use technology as a force for good, promoting positive online interactions and countering cyberbullying. They should be mindful of the impact their words and actions have on others in the digital space.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying awareness and mental health support are essential aspects of navigating the digital age with resilience and compassion. Young Africans who embrace this lesson become advocates for mental well-being, champions of online kindness, and supporters of those in need. They contribute to creating a safer, more empathetic online world for themselves and their peers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-59532731455672798992024-01-07T11:04:00.001+01:002024-01-07T11:53:36.901+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT3KoR511vBBIfbSulAHniU0kn4UTvZ4KTIQepeezga9WAhqzA333ns0jlJ6gQERN6Qr9lfdaYBlrO1c7_gRLJqcyhZ1oP5pA0d7Kal0pdjkNPbuwBkWd7pYS3gwxwS9GR0YXuUwIVBS1wWGffQM0Q7bP_1lOChm781H9omUV-tUqUmw0XvZgf22DDPg/s6009/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7615577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4006" data-original-width="6009" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT3KoR511vBBIfbSulAHniU0kn4UTvZ4KTIQepeezga9WAhqzA333ns0jlJ6gQERN6Qr9lfdaYBlrO1c7_gRLJqcyhZ1oP5pA0d7Kal0pdjkNPbuwBkWd7pYS3gwxwS9GR0YXuUwIVBS1wWGffQM0Q7bP_1lOChm781H9omUV-tUqUmw0XvZgf22DDPg/w640-h426/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7615577.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/capsules-on-green-background-7615577/">Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a452a84d-7fff-29a3-d2c8-d2a06be1093c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an era where African communities grapple with the consequences of drug abuse and violence, the eleventh lesson for young African youth is a resolute call to avoid the pitfalls of substance abuse and to champion non-violence.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa, like the rest of the world, faces challenges related to drug abuse and its associated harms. Young Africans must recognize the perils of drug addiction and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. This lesson is a reminder that the pursuit of a drug-free life is a path toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug avoidance is not just a matter of personal well-being; it is also a means of preventing the cycle of violence that often accompanies drug-related activities. The misuse of drugs can lead to criminal behavior, conflicts, and violence. Young Africans should choose a path of peace, empathy, and respect for one another.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson also emphasizes the importance of resilience and coping strategies. Rather than turning to drugs as an escape from life's challenges, young Africans should seek healthier ways to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional pain. Support networks, mental health services, and positive outlets for creativity and self-expression should be encouraged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Furthermore, violence prevention is a crucial aspect of this lesson. Africa has experienced conflicts that have resulted in untold suffering. Young Africans should champion non-violent means of resolving disputes, advocating for peace, and working toward social justice. They should recognize that violence begets more violence and that sustainable change is achieved through dialogue and cooperation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug avoidance and violence prevention are essential components of a responsible and compassionate life. Young Africans who embrace this lesson become advocates for healthier communities, peacebuilders, and role models for future generations.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p></span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-73391260044419120452024-01-07T10:48:00.004+01:002024-01-07T11:53:51.035+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Resilience and Adaptability<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-XxRboXhvIDyAwRi5P3ZrFJFMGhiWx60I7mFF1Cnpu5zJ6QATyEmNE7W_yckKUBujAz2YZyqOusp-LSiqferizCroBLZdtn4-0QwrKlILgN0wBbGEMSFPNkFDIA8S4ppvhyFzo-S2WnISwmXM6_xzg4c5DgN5nync2zXgBPGNan7jlIOvH_0lGJJxCc/s5184/brett-jordan-hqWWD2ZGpn0-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-XxRboXhvIDyAwRi5P3ZrFJFMGhiWx60I7mFF1Cnpu5zJ6QATyEmNE7W_yckKUBujAz2YZyqOusp-LSiqferizCroBLZdtn4-0QwrKlILgN0wBbGEMSFPNkFDIA8S4ppvhyFzo-S2WnISwmXM6_xzg4c5DgN5nync2zXgBPGNan7jlIOvH_0lGJJxCc/w640-h480/brett-jordan-hqWWD2ZGpn0-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@brett_jordan?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Brett Jordan</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-blocks-on-white-surface-hqWWD2ZGpn0?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: Resilience and Adaptability</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a370d3b7-7fff-8037-a36f-bf8a8686bb17"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tenth lesson for young African youth is a call to embrace resilience and adaptability as essential life skills. In a world marked by uncertainty and rapid change, the ability to bounce back from adversity and adjust to new circumstances is paramount.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa's youth face a multitude of challenges, from economic instability and political unrest to climate-related disasters and health crises. Resilience is the capacity to withstand and recover from these challenges, emerging stronger and wiser.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience is not about avoiding difficulties but about confronting them with courage and determination. It is about learning from setbacks, adapting to change, and using adversity as a springboard for personal growth. Young Africans should recognize that resilience is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience is not just about physical toughness but also about mental fortitude. Young Africans should prioritize their mental health, seek support when needed, and develop coping strategies to navigate stress and anxiety.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adaptability is a hallmark of success in a rapidly changing world. Young Africans should be open to new ideas, flexible in their thinking, and willing to learn from diverse perspectives. The ability to pivot and adjust to evolving circumstances is a valuable asset in both personal and professional life. Adaptability also extends to the realm of technology. In an increasingly digital world, being tech-savvy is essential. Young Africans should embrace technology as a tool for learning, communication, and innovation. Digital literacy opens doors to opportunities and connectivity in a globalized society.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson emphasizes the importance of community support and social networks. Resilience is often nurtured through relationships with friends, family, and mentors who provide emotional support and guidance during challenging times. Young Africans should cultivate strong support networks and be willing to offer help to others in need.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and adaptability are the armor that young Africans should don as they navigate the complexities of life. These skills enable them to face adversity with courage, respond to change with flexibility, and emerge from challenges with newfound strength. By embracing this lesson, young Africans become not just survivors but thrivers, capable of overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities in an ever-changing world.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p></span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-2766711241022447262024-01-07T10:25:00.004+01:002024-01-07T11:54:11.659+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Leadership and Responsibility<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiGhcD9veutyAHGBfiIjnTj8q9eQfT1zmuaOc3zX9hWsXcFCLr1tmL5pwbdOBSVVJp5LymwgEMB7bufHo03g2PP2qz9C5_hiCrYrEQjWmMsMyOBGKmQr8mjPcrUWiizBD0ATevHWv3G2p_8hFR79Q5DQtvslMW_kgo0XuhamuJbNtYSmp7l9-Zzqz8P4/s5850/khyta-x9WZ3aMFKME-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="5850" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiGhcD9veutyAHGBfiIjnTj8q9eQfT1zmuaOc3zX9hWsXcFCLr1tmL5pwbdOBSVVJp5LymwgEMB7bufHo03g2PP2qz9C5_hiCrYrEQjWmMsMyOBGKmQr8mjPcrUWiizBD0ATevHWv3G2p_8hFR79Q5DQtvslMW_kgo0XuhamuJbNtYSmp7l9-Zzqz8P4/w640-h426/khyta-x9WZ3aMFKME-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@khyta?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Khyta</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/black-and-orange-traffic-light-x9WZ3aMFKME?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: Leadership and Responsibility</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f8279f55-7fff-ee8e-3128-8e42c1d664bf"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership is not about titles or positions; it is about influence, impact, and responsibility. The ninth lesson for young African youth is a call to embrace leadership with a strong sense of responsibility and ethical integrity.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa is in need of visionary leaders who can navigate the complex challenges facing the continent. Young Africans should recognize their potential to be agents of change, whether in their communities, schools, or workplaces. Leadership is not limited to political spheres but extends to all aspects of life.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">True leadership is not driven by self-interest but by a commitment to the common good. It involves making decisions that benefit not just oneself but the larger community. Young Africans should aspire to be leaders who prioritize fairness, justice, and the well-being of all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership also entails effective communication, collaboration, and the ability to inspire others. Young African leaders should be skilled in bringing people together, fostering unity, and mobilizing collective action towards shared goals.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ethical leadership is essential for building trust and credibility. Young Africans should lead with honesty, transparency, and integrity, setting an example for others to follow. This lesson calls for leaders who are accountable for their actions and decisions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership is not a destination but a continuous journey of personal growth and learning. Young Africans should seek opportunities to develop their leadership skills, whether through mentorship, workshops, or community involvement. They should be open to feedback and committed to self-improvement.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Furthermore, leadership carries the responsibility of addressing pressing issues such as social inequality, corruption, and environmental degradation. Young African leaders should advocate for justice and equity, challenge systems of oppression, and champion causes that improve the lives of marginalized communities.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Youth make up a significant portion of the population and their leadership can drive transformative change. They should be actively engaged in civic life, participating in democratic processes, and advocating for policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of their generation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership is a calling that young Africans should heed with a deep sense of responsibility. It is about recognizing that leadership is not about personal glory but about serving others and advancing the greater good. By embracing this lesson, young Africans become catalysts for positive change, leaders who inspire hope and shape a brighter future for their continent.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-33621079447087800562024-01-07T10:17:00.003+01:002024-01-07T11:54:29.947+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Financial Literacy<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WeFJu3HrXHpWUELuvZrQA3A2i5Uasj0lC7javTQ7bdqzUaRXSvWEXrJrcJpNOIZkAL_sYVZSJpscJpesRKiexCiBoSwVp6Qt5qsFvc-UacSTw3xutu9B4dF29RSqyPZXUkTx_l4OcO4MN-7wNllvEoQVoIXIqpnbOf3whWo5JTKves5GqJByubwtML0/s3872/pexels-joslyn-pickens-3833052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="3872" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WeFJu3HrXHpWUELuvZrQA3A2i5Uasj0lC7javTQ7bdqzUaRXSvWEXrJrcJpNOIZkAL_sYVZSJpscJpesRKiexCiBoSwVp6Qt5qsFvc-UacSTw3xutu9B4dF29RSqyPZXUkTx_l4OcO4MN-7wNllvEoQVoIXIqpnbOf3whWo5JTKves5GqJByubwtML0/w640-h426/pexels-joslyn-pickens-3833052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-putting-coin-in-a-piggy-bank-3833052/" target="_blank">Joslyn Pickens on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: Financial Literacy</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-64ea3ec6-7fff-6497-074d-6521977da3e2"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial literacy is a skill that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their money, and it is the eighth lesson for young African youth. In a rapidly changing economic landscape, this skill is essential for personal financial stability and well-being.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa's youth must understand the basics of budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. Financial literacy enables individuals to plan for their future, whether it is pursuing higher education, starting a business, or securing a comfortable retirement.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson also emphasizes the importance of economic independence. Young Africans should strive to become financially self-sufficient, reducing dependency on others and building a secure financial future. This not only benefits individuals but also contributes to overall economic stability.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moreover, financial literacy is a tool for resilience in times of economic uncertainty. It equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to weather financial setbacks and make informed decisions during challenging times.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial scams and predatory lending practices abound, so financial literacy is a shield against exploitation. Young Africans should be able to spot financial red flags, protect their assets, and make wise financial choices.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson also highlights the importance of long-term financial planning, including saving for retirement and building generational wealth. By investing wisely and planning for the future, young Africans can create a legacy of financial stability for themselves and their families.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial literacy is a skill that empowers young Africans to take control of their financial destinies. It is about recognizing that financial stability is not a matter of luck but a result of informed choices and responsible financial behavior. By embracing this lesson, young Africans become financially empowered individuals who can navigate the complexities of the modern economy with confidence and security.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p></span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-84282628413012531972024-01-07T10:04:00.003+01:002024-01-07T11:54:51.652+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Gender Equality<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcTMZES-H3WqggdXWoKwujF0UmwBDk9aOVXSY2j4tUpe0iX54S09_k5cwaEPDqt93hwfnBxZSLP4DnESMS7XBoCwICJQCeWC01Io-ximuXqoc2dsI-qFe884CtYkmQ4GJJqOfpVJ6UeIIncxXZ91x712Vx7zK-NYHapO4molhlWDa3Sr6rLpGgvyOYuI/s6497/pexels-laker-6156944.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4331" data-original-width="6497" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcTMZES-H3WqggdXWoKwujF0UmwBDk9aOVXSY2j4tUpe0iX54S09_k5cwaEPDqt93hwfnBxZSLP4DnESMS7XBoCwICJQCeWC01Io-ximuXqoc2dsI-qFe884CtYkmQ4GJJqOfpVJ6UeIIncxXZ91x712Vx7zK-NYHapO4molhlWDa3Sr6rLpGgvyOYuI/w640-h426/pexels-laker-6156944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/inscription-gender-is-a-spectrum-made-of-scrabble-letters-against-pink-background-6156944/" target="_blank">Laker on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: Gender Equality</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80cd7afa-7fff-96c5-2f2f-53686f2d091d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender equality is a fundamental human right, and the seventh lesson for young African youth is a call to champion this cause. Africa, like the rest of the world, has made significant strides in advancing gender equality, but there is still much work to be done.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Young Africans should be at the forefront of efforts to break down gender barriers and challenge discriminatory norms. This lesson is about recognizing that gender equality benefits not only women and girls but also society as a whole.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empowering women and girls is not just a matter of justice: it is also smart economics. Women constitute a significant portion of the African workforce, and their full participation in the economy can unlock tremendous potential for growth and development. Young Africans should advocate for equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, ensuring that no one is held back by their gender.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender equality is about challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting healthy relationships based on respect and consent. It is about fostering a culture of empathy and understanding, where every individual is free to pursue their dreams and aspirations, regardless of their gender.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson also extends to the importance of women's representation in leadership and decision-making roles. Young Africans should aspire to see women in positions of power and influence, from politics to business, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in shaping policies and strategies.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to advocating for gender equality, this lesson calls for allyship. Men and boys have a crucial role to play in advancing this cause, as allies and advocates for gender justice. Young African men should challenge toxic masculinity, support gender-sensitive policies, and promote healthy relationships based on equality and consent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Furthermore, young Africans should be aware of the intersectionality of gender with other forms of discrimination, such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups is essential for inclusive activism and advocacy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender equality is not just a women's issue; it is a human issue, and young Africans have a pivotal role to play in its realization. By embracing this lesson, they become champions of justice, advocates for equality, and architects of a more inclusive and prosperous Africa.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-38943560725125573252024-01-07T09:56:00.005+01:002024-01-07T11:56:51.746+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Environmental Stewardship<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNXwDB7gZgcDfweMMMt4qP468qUx43knzIkvjw1DGSPLqj_JhIqvgAITlxnKW-4sg1wFFyoKVOwLaA7vR1Goi-XwsnCgOwRw7GgVpHm1J1Fp-p3WlhBgiSKAUgcOYH6yPF0__8Hlfdn76yYjkcRKC0mVyHQ3U1jf2dFw0CZxsCd3IszwHMAqmZBeB2mI/s5175/pexels-ron-lach-9034099.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3450" data-original-width="5175" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNXwDB7gZgcDfweMMMt4qP468qUx43knzIkvjw1DGSPLqj_JhIqvgAITlxnKW-4sg1wFFyoKVOwLaA7vR1Goi-XwsnCgOwRw7GgVpHm1J1Fp-p3WlhBgiSKAUgcOYH6yPF0__8Hlfdn76yYjkcRKC0mVyHQ3U1jf2dFw0CZxsCd3IszwHMAqmZBeB2mI/w640-h426/pexels-ron-lach-9034099.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href=" https://www.pexels.com/photo/signages-with-the-words-save-the-earth-and-love-the-earth-planted-on-the-seashore-9034099/" target="_blank">Ron Lach on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: Environmental Stewardship</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2e540c98-7fff-d0aa-133c-ef53454b7cc4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa's breathtaking natural beauty, from its majestic mountains to its lush rainforests and pristine coastlines, is a source of wonder and pride. The sixth lesson for young African youth is a call to embrace environmental stewardship as a moral and practical imperative.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Across the continent, environmental challenges, such as deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change, threaten the very ecosystems that sustain life. Young Africans must recognize their role as custodians of these natural treasures, guardians of the continent's biodiversity, and stewards of its ecological balance.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental stewardship is not a distant responsibility but a personal commitment. It is about making sustainable choices in everyday life, from conserving water and reducing waste to adopting eco-friendly practices. It is also about advocating for policies and practices that protect the environment and holding governments and industries accountable for their impact.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lesson of environmental stewardship extends beyond conservation: it is also about recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic well-being. A healthy environment is the foundation for thriving communities and sustainable livelihoods. By safeguarding the environment, young Africans are securing their own future and that of generations to come.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The African continent is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from droughts and desertification to rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Young Africans should be at the forefront of climate action, advocating for mitigation and adaptation strategies that protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson also emphasizes the importance of traditional ecological knowledge. Indigenous communities have often lived in harmony with their environments for centuries, offering valuable insights into sustainable practices. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-18433112118255721262024-01-07T09:47:00.000+01:002024-01-07T09:47:02.729+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Entrepreneurship and Innovation<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcMD-zTNzh7_1JjFNucyMVsyDuTx01k-bzqyfq_AdeK3TdhU6A88kEYmvbCUBMQ5YaS7dR9P1FBCiB6vCgGe0KLSeLP43bHPtkebpzbYbR1cbIHk2lodx_DXAh4GDxBLLa9SDUjeyIMMcC2nKaNw7SfZaCsg-ouKIPVSy7wX2b3JaRZh_QXIN2Axw9Qo/s6686/pexels-rdne-stock-project-7414211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4457" data-original-width="6686" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcMD-zTNzh7_1JjFNucyMVsyDuTx01k-bzqyfq_AdeK3TdhU6A88kEYmvbCUBMQ5YaS7dR9P1FBCiB6vCgGe0KLSeLP43bHPtkebpzbYbR1cbIHk2lodx_DXAh4GDxBLLa9SDUjeyIMMcC2nKaNw7SfZaCsg-ouKIPVSy7wX2b3JaRZh_QXIN2Axw9Qo/w640-h426/pexels-rdne-stock-project-7414211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: pre;">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/wood-marketing-people-woman-7414211/" target="_blank">RDNE Stock project on Pexels</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3c368a8e-7fff-3913-828d-8eeef6c82f93"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ability to innovate and create is a priceless asset. The fifth lesson for young African youth is a call to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation as potent tools for personal and societal advancement.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa's challenges are manifold. Within these challenges lie opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. The African youth should view these challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as fertile ground for creative solutions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business: it is a mindset characterized by vision, risk-taking, and a willingness to persevere in the face of adversity. It is about recognizing gaps in the market, identifying unmet needs, and devising innovative ways to address them. Young Africans should be encouraged to dream big, to envision enterprises that not only generate profit but also create social impact. The lesson of entrepreneurship is a call to be agents of change, to leverage one's skills and resources to build ventures that contribute to job creation, economic growth, and community development.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Innovation is the lifeblood of progress. It is about questioning the status quo, challenging conventional wisdom, and daring to think differently. Innovation is not the exclusive domain of scientists and engineers; it is a mindset that can be applied to any field, whether it is agriculture, education, healthcare, or the arts.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Technology is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace and fostering a culture of innovation is crucial. Africa's youth should be at the forefront of technological advancements, not just as consumers but as creators. The continent has already witnessed remarkable innovations, from mobile banking solutions to renewable energy initiatives, and these success stories should serve as inspiration.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and innovation are also pathways to economic self-sufficiency. Job opportunities can be scarce, so young Africans who possess the skills and mindset of entrepreneurs have the potential to chart their own destinies. They become job creators, not just job seekers.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and innovation are the engines of progress for Africa's youth. They are the means by which young Africans can not only secure their own future but also contribute to the development of their communities and nations. </span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-67932844197531690992024-01-07T09:38:00.003+01:002024-01-07T11:55:39.603+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Critical Thinking Matters<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL-Ji9UEMnEUhJ6r-1D1zEIyjouxglyCEBfaB0pwKBWL8a7vdTqd22vfBxIjLeMuYSPpKqvELB_FT-N7Zxd9WT1f-6OwMkc1UIejX5tn2_F2B9l65KszA9yyydWroPvWMythtP1BNrVcs9unH8XlofXqA00dUFTFn8VXVZrfdNfEMbaIihir86Fro2cU/s4228/josh-couch-MltM5Bu-mYg-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="4228" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL-Ji9UEMnEUhJ6r-1D1zEIyjouxglyCEBfaB0pwKBWL8a7vdTqd22vfBxIjLeMuYSPpKqvELB_FT-N7Zxd9WT1f-6OwMkc1UIejX5tn2_F2B9l65KszA9yyydWroPvWMythtP1BNrVcs9unH8XlofXqA00dUFTFn8VXVZrfdNfEMbaIihir86Fro2cU/w640-h426/josh-couch-MltM5Bu-mYg-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@joshcouchdesign?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Josh Couch</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/lighted-be-afraid-of-the-enformity-of-the-rossible-neon-signage-MltM5Bu-mYg?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: Critical Thinking Matters</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d8d66ace-7fff-ca78-a196-a0a845e52785"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical thinking is a mental toolkit that every young African should sharpen. It is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, and it is a skill that underpins informed decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical thinking is the compass that helps one navigate the sea of data and discern fact from fiction. It enables young Africans to question assumptions, challenge prevailing beliefs, and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But critical thinking is not just about skepticism: it is also about curiosity. Encouraging young minds to ask ‘why’ and ‘how’ fosters a thirst for knowledge and an appetite for exploration. It is about nurturing a mindset that seeks to understand the deeper layers of the world, whether in science, culture, or politics.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moreover, critical thinking is a powerful tool for solving complex problems. In a continent grappling with multifaceted challenges, from healthcare disparities to political corruption, the ability to dissect these issues critically is essential. Young Africans who possess strong critical thinking skills become catalysts for positive change, identifying innovative solutions and advocating for their implementation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical thinking is not just about personal gain: it is about applying one's intellectual prowess to benefit society. It is about recognizing the moral imperative to use one's skills for the greater good, to challenge injustice, and to advocate for fairness. Critical thinking is a bridge between knowledge and action. It is not enough to identify problems: young Africans should also be empowered to propose solutions and advocate for change. Critical thinking is the foundation upon which effective advocacy and leadership are built.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical thinking is a skill that empowers young Africans to be active participants in shaping their future. It is about equipping them with the ability to navigate the complexities of the modern world with clarity and confidence. </span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p></span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-40874919609831262722024-01-07T09:29:00.001+01:002024-01-07T11:55:55.182+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Education is Empowerment<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_jrOUMBakIkr6XD_ddTEvd86ORGi0ObeScZ803Iuvd4ZBL0FeSDLnS937Zi6PgOzJ0qiTKidIY8DznUIl8Ae6K9ncdn-NzBEH0LpjoDuPYnemfTN0E6wZ-mJXF4Yhxjqm24I8F6QUpcs9sf9p_eGW_PDwI9jUSkafpxo1zk-1J06QPKflMj0lhhf8Us/s3008/baim-hanif-pYWuOMhtc6k-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_jrOUMBakIkr6XD_ddTEvd86ORGi0ObeScZ803Iuvd4ZBL0FeSDLnS937Zi6PgOzJ0qiTKidIY8DznUIl8Ae6K9ncdn-NzBEH0LpjoDuPYnemfTN0E6wZ-mJXF4Yhxjqm24I8F6QUpcs9sf9p_eGW_PDwI9jUSkafpxo1zk-1J06QPKflMj0lhhf8Us/w640-h426/baim-hanif-pYWuOMhtc6k-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@baim?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Baim Hanif</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/silhouette-of-people-standing-on-hill-pYWuOMhtc6k?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: Education is Empowerment</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1e1a2377-7fff-ed1a-f3b9-9930a769008a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is often described as the key to unlocking your potential, and for young Africans, this lesson is a fundamental truth. It is a call to embrace the transformative power of knowledge and to recognize that education is not merely a path to personal success but also a catalyst for societal progress.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Africa, access to quality education has been a longstanding challenge, with disparities in resources and opportunities often determined by geographical location, socioeconomic status, and gender. However, this lesson underscores the imperative of overcoming these obstacles.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To young African youth, it sends a clear message: education is your ticket to a brighter future, but it is also your responsibility to ensure that this opportunity is extended to all. As you pursue your own educational journey, be mindful of the barriers that others face and work towards dismantling them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is not just about acquiring facts and skills: it is about developing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. It is about learning to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and envision new possibilities. These skills are not just essential for personal success but also for driving innovation and progress in Africa.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lesson of education also emphasizes the value of lifelong learning. Knowledge evolves rapidly and being open to continuous learning and adaptation is crucial. Young Africans should not view education as a one-time endeavor but as a lifelong pursuit that enables them to stay relevant in a dynamic world.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education empowers individuals to become leaders, advocates, and agents of transformation. Whether it is addressing social inequalities, advocating for environmental conservation, or fostering innovation, education equips young Africans to be drivers of change.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p></span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-2173016634055872062024-01-07T09:24:00.001+01:002024-01-07T11:56:11.638+01:00Lessons for African Youth: Preserve Indigenous Knowledge<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG66PhptLnHGy4g5KzaQbzREdBGmOJUg40BqjieJ3xHUBo4qxHG94LYLvl04ieYpNKl_u141AeXw7PT_PoaYrFMuSuMBAMKecKG8sZgQN5-gfPAUABTG-8BHjsxPcegQPFJB1izbqdvDavPmBqHEeVyzl0q8pOiNqWX8FmSW30_CO3zv5IsBiuUH5YeQ/s5184/liz-martin-F92lFDtC8fg-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG66PhptLnHGy4g5KzaQbzREdBGmOJUg40BqjieJ3xHUBo4qxHG94LYLvl04ieYpNKl_u141AeXw7PT_PoaYrFMuSuMBAMKecKG8sZgQN5-gfPAUABTG-8BHjsxPcegQPFJB1izbqdvDavPmBqHEeVyzl0q8pOiNqWX8FmSW30_CO3zv5IsBiuUH5YeQ/w640-h426/liz-martin-F92lFDtC8fg-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@lmmartin09?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Liz Martin</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-sitting-on-ground-F92lFDtC8fg?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-16eb1745-7fff-d963-da24-bb5ed32d4902"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A major lesson for young African youth is a call to preserve and cherish indigenous knowledge. Embedded within the customs, rituals, and wisdom of Africa's diverse communities is a wealth of insights and understanding that have sustained societies for centuries.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indigenous knowledge encompasses a wide spectrum of expertise, from traditional medicine and agricultural practices to storytelling and craftsmanship. It is the accumulated wisdom of generations who have learned to thrive in Africa's varied ecosystems, adapting to its challenges and harnessing its resources.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserving indigenous knowledge is an act of cultural preservation, ensuring that the unique heritage of each African community endures. But it goes beyond that: it is also about recognizing the value of this knowledge in addressing contemporary issues.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where climate change, food security, and healthcare are pressing concerns, indigenous knowledge can provide innovative solutions. It offers alternative approaches to sustainable agriculture, holistic healthcare, and environmental stewardship that have been refined over centuries.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For young Africans, this lesson carries a profound responsibility. It is an invitation to engage with your elders, to learn from them, and to document their knowledge for future generations. It is a recognition that while modern education is crucial, it should complement rather than replace the wisdom embedded in African traditions. Moreover, preserving indigenous knowledge is not just a matter of nostalgia: it is about empowering communities to take ownership of their development. It is about bridging the gap between tradition and progress, recognizing that both have a role to play in shaping Africa's future.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p></span></div>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-48755687982527360192024-01-07T09:13:00.002+01:002024-01-07T11:56:34.481+01:00Lessons For African Youth: Embrace Cultural Diversity<span id="docs-internal-guid-ddffc7f8-7fff-1291-da39-965a09e4759b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTBg8Q0AoAm_m8MXACJtm0gP4sd4uSusWKOotB2DBo4ngC8ql9TLr2SI7NaiXGpfrq9b__WqePGJfik6VcwaYDZqhPiNaSmQpEBGOtxYMDEfsiVG23wxvOf-cbxgeYwHoWckK4AONxqZej8j__HniTdKUpbTIhaROS4vaVesuhuaIfHAAKkxIa_N45zM/s3784/clay-banks-LjqARJaJotc-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="3784" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTBg8Q0AoAm_m8MXACJtm0gP4sd4uSusWKOotB2DBo4ngC8ql9TLr2SI7NaiXGpfrq9b__WqePGJfik6VcwaYDZqhPiNaSmQpEBGOtxYMDEfsiVG23wxvOf-cbxgeYwHoWckK4AONxqZej8j__HniTdKUpbTIhaROS4vaVesuhuaIfHAAKkxIa_N45zM/w640-h480/clay-banks-LjqARJaJotc-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@claybanks?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Clay Banks</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/five-human-hands-on-brown-surface-LjqARJaJotc?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>By Adetayo Adetokun</i></b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its journey. With the largest youth population globally, the potential for transformative change is boundless. These young Africans are the torchbearers of their nations, poised to steer the continent toward a brighter, more prosperous future.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, this path forward is laden with challenges, ranging from economic disparities and political complexities to environmental concerns and cultural shifts. To navigate these turbulent waters, every young African youth must be armed with a profound set of lessons that not only equip them with knowledge but also nurture their character.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the bustling markets of Marrakech to the serene savannas of the Serengeti, Africa's diversity is its hallmark. To the young African youth, the first lesson is to wholeheartedly embrace this richness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diversity is not just a matter of demographics: it is a treasure trove of ideas, perspectives, and experiences. Every culture contributes to the intricate fabric of African identity. Whether you hail from the Sahara or the Kalahari, the Nile or the Niger, your roots are intertwined with countless others. This diversity is a source of strength, resilience, and creativity.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diversity is not a threat but a source of enrichment. It is about appreciating the beauty of a continent where over 2,000 distinct languages are spoken, where rituals and ceremonies differ from village to village, and where cuisine can be as varied as the landscapes themselves.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But embracing cultural diversity is not merely a passive act of acceptance: it is an active engagement with the world around you. It means seeking to understand the customs, traditions, and beliefs of your fellow Africans. It means listening to their stories, tasting their foods, and dancing to their rhythms. It means breaking down barriers and forging connections.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lesson lays the foundation for a more tolerant, inclusive, and harmonious society. It is through embracing diversity that Africa can overcome historical divisions and conflicts, forging a united front to address the challenges of the 21st century.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read all twelve lessons here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-49f762c9-7fff-fc23-af1e-c2a8262e9998" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 1: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-embrace.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace Cultural Diversity</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 2: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-preserve.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preserve Indigenous Knowledge</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 3: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-education-is.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is Empowerment</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 4: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-critical.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking Matters</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 5: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entrepreneurship and Innovation</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 6: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-environmental.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental Stewardship</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 7: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-gender.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gender Equality</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 8: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-financial.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Literacy</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 9: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-leadership.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leadership and Responsibility</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 10: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-resilience.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilience and Adaptability</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 11: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-drug.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drug Avoidance and Violence Prevention</span></a></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lesson 12: </span><a href="https://www.shadesofus.co.uk/2024/01/lessons-for-african-youth-cyberbullying.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyberbullying Awareness and Mental Health Support</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lessons outlined here are not merely suggestions: they are a blueprint for the empowerment and transformation of young African youth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Shades of Us, these lessons are not just principles: they are at the core of our mission. By embracing these lessons, young Africans become the protagonists of their narratives.</span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118091312739028367.post-52098995947327373782024-01-01T22:54:00.002+01:002024-01-01T22:54:13.131+01:00 The Future of Health Conference: The Private Sector as a Catalyst for a Resilient Health System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsxa_lNLHlSx0b-C6I_tPzWh2K8vYp9PAwxg0AYp7oslCRLFXxF0mgqRibfHTtdRSoFa8aue-orMo3KMjDdn5om70DaviAUwELTRXWx2C25MjqCyWCIgzByJIf_Vfjd_AdUgtkyhrOK97wZs2uEa81XByLMZILcEupJFYy2wCck4o-Y_3owtQU5mlm_4/s1630/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.39.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1630" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsxa_lNLHlSx0b-C6I_tPzWh2K8vYp9PAwxg0AYp7oslCRLFXxF0mgqRibfHTtdRSoFa8aue-orMo3KMjDdn5om70DaviAUwELTRXWx2C25MjqCyWCIgzByJIf_Vfjd_AdUgtkyhrOK97wZs2uEa81XByLMZILcEupJFYy2wCck4o-Y_3owtQU5mlm_4/w640-h474/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.39.54.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Ruth Ajawu</i></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8e3a709e-7fff-f46c-c4e9-0cec72eab497"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shades of Us attended the 9th edition of the Future of Health Conference on October 12, 2023.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Future of Health Conference is a yearly gathering hosted by Nigeria Health Watch, and this year's theme was a game-changer. Nigeria Health Watch has come a long way since its first health conference in 2015, where the discussion centred on Universal Health Coverage. Over the years, they have delved into diverse topics, from ‘Health Meets Tech’ in 2016, to ‘The Business of Health’ in 2017, the ‘Diaspora as Nigeria's Brain Gain’ in 2018, ‘Quality in Healthcare’ in 2019, ‘Innovations in Health’ in 2020, ‘The Political Economy of Health’ in 2022 in anticipation of the 2023 elections. This year, the spotlight was on ‘The Private Sector as a Catalyst for a Resilient Health System’.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, the Special Adviser on Health to the President, set the tone with her inspiring words: </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The health of Nigerians is a fundamental human right and a matter of national security that requires a resilient health system to ensure the provision and maintenance.” </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She made it clear that the private sector plays an indispensable role in transforming Nigeria's health sector. With over 70% of healthcare expenditure coming from the private sector, this partnership is vital!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Achieving a resilient health system requires a multisectoral and multifaceted approach where public and private sectors collaborate to accelerate progress. With this, Nigeria can have the right policy to promote access to quality healthcare.”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas continued.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But that was just the beginning! Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, reminded us that health is not just about preserving human capital; it is also a driver of growth and prosperity.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Private sector capacities are essential to our health system. Not only can it contribute financial resources beyond what states can do, but their ideas, innovations and partnerships can be leveraged to transform Nigeria's health sector. Health is a core aspect of preserving and accumulating the human capital necessary for growth and prosperity into the future. Health investments are important as a driver of growth and prosperity but can also be a consequence of that growth and prosperity. Private sector actors know that when outbreaks occur, they also get shafted by them. When Ebola hit West Africa in 2014, private sector actors suffered, as we also saw during COVID19 which affected firms and economies. The private sector is essential to our health system because it can provide more financial resources than the government can on its own.”</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Coordinating Minister enthused.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx0e6osvSKJ0tiS4hBX0gQw2EMCb-FYlsiRG6N5h17g-W81FOcJYxNgfdnHzmHlCdEtdKGzMz2w5PlZbhf2xrngwUKq16R3iVmCXRniNc9ehqFCNViAVAadKvRKhwWHyplTPMSgSdTh_Kzpn5RwJ0PKQm6rR_rB26HGu0tPzq-lLNixXJbjTmjWxohhM/s1712/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.40.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1712" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx0e6osvSKJ0tiS4hBX0gQw2EMCb-FYlsiRG6N5h17g-W81FOcJYxNgfdnHzmHlCdEtdKGzMz2w5PlZbhf2xrngwUKq16R3iVmCXRniNc9ehqFCNViAVAadKvRKhwWHyplTPMSgSdTh_Kzpn5RwJ0PKQm6rR_rB26HGu0tPzq-lLNixXJbjTmjWxohhM/w640-h408/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.40.28.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Amit Thakker, Executive Chairman of African Health Business, shed light on the progress made in women's health, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The public-private partnership in Nigeria has laid a strong foundation for women's health. Over the past decade, we've witnessed significant progress in affordability, accessibility, and quality.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary at Lagos State Ministry Of Health (LSMOH) speaking on behalf of Professor Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for LSMOH, emphasised that the private sector can help bridge the healthcare infrastructure gap. With the right policies, it can be a win-win for everyone.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is a need for private sector participation in the health system because the government cannot fund the healthcare infrastructure gap alone. The Lagos State Government’s approach to improving the future of health includes leveraging the private sector funding and capacity and improving skills and training. We have smaller partnerships that enable public-private partnerships in our hospitals. We must facilitate inclusion rather than mere incentivization of the private sector through the right policies. The most effective tool the government has is policy. The right policies will increase the ease of doing business for the private sector and in return share in revenue generated in order to fund government activities and ensure sustainability.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKM0zeSht5K6CJtnEacnc5LDI3goT7cHk6Hjxwx6GqTzjJ6Opew_dgOLO5TY3fBWSWmzX2x5Mh4YWJkzwZLIfmDlNae7V5IQtWEkWiLbyWhCnk48fYT-9m39N1p27yZ1KpL9uAFOmaIkZa8P07yU4B8Q-BkDpkR7MgnY-BCFAsy3fr-aNDnzGIZVD_yM/s1634/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.40.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1634" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKM0zeSht5K6CJtnEacnc5LDI3goT7cHk6Hjxwx6GqTzjJ6Opew_dgOLO5TY3fBWSWmzX2x5Mh4YWJkzwZLIfmDlNae7V5IQtWEkWiLbyWhCnk48fYT-9m39N1p27yZ1KpL9uAFOmaIkZa8P07yU4B8Q-BkDpkR7MgnY-BCFAsy3fr-aNDnzGIZVD_yM/w640-h474/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.40.46.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Panel one appraised Nigeria's journey towards attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, identified funding gaps for UHC, and explored how the private sector can play a vital role in bridging these gaps. Nigeria cannot achieve UHC without stronger partnerships and collaboration with the private sector. This discussion was moderated by Kemisola Agbaoye, Director of Programmes, Nigeria Health Watch and the panelists included Dr Tinuola Akinbolagbe, Managing Director/CEO of Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN); Jadesola Idowu, Chief operating officer, AXA Mansard, Health Ltd.; Dr. Tolulope Adewole, Programs Lead at Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)/CEO of Medserve; Dr. Jide Idris, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Former Commissioner for </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Health</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Lagos State</span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately, there is no ‘Health For All’ without health financing. Partnerships with the private sector will strengthen our health system and quicken our journey to achieving UHC and SDG3 in Nigeria. Let us make it happen.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like some West African countries, Nigeria has had a surge in Lassa fever cases in recent years. But proactive measures are in place to address it. Leading experts discussed cutting-edge vaccine development progress at the event during a Fireside Chat hosted by Kate Kelland, Chief Scientific Writer at Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Epidemiological research and clinical trials are vital components of healthcare, driving disease prevention, treatment and medical advancements. Collaborative efforts by both private and public sectors are vital to push forward Lassa vaccines to end the disease outbreaks. There is a big market for effective Lassa fever vaccines. Millions of people will benefit from the vaccine as it will help to control the spread of the disease in countries where it is endemic.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lassa Fever is a deadly disease in most West African countries, significantly affecting many people. As the disease occurs annually, significant progress has been made in manufacturing Lassa fever vaccines. Partnership integration cannot be dictated. There is a need to involve stakeholders, especially potential private partners at the planning stage, to ensure that there is no segregation and conflicts of interests or trust. As we deal with the issue of false news and misguided information about vaccines. It is important that the private sector is involved in all the processes of vaccine production, starting from manufacturing.” </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">– Professor Alash'le Abimiku shared at the fire side chat.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Donald Grant, Chief Physician Kenema Hospital, Sierra Leone, shared similar thoughts. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The private sector has a critical role to play in the promotion of vaccine creation and promotion to minimise preventable deaths caused by neglected diseases. Lassa fever, a neglected disease that has caused many deaths in endemic countries, is now spreading to more countries. This calls for urgent action to prevent further spread and save lives. We are excited to have governments in West African countries and CEPI come together to have one of the most extensive epidemiological studies to understand the epidemiology of Lassa disease. The Private sector has a critical role in developing the Lassa fever vaccine. For most of the past years, it has been more of the public sector; it is time for the private sector to come on board because governments cannot do it alone.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nigeria's medical brain drain can become a brain gain but needs strategic steps. Panelists on the second two discussed how Private Sector Partnerships and Collaboration can Sustain a Diaspora "Brain Gain" in Nigeria. This discussion was moderated by Dr. Amaka Momoh, Senior Specialist, Girls and Women Empowerment, World Bank, and the Panelists were: Njide Ndili, Country Director, PharmAccess; Dr Oge Ilegbune, General Practitioner, Head of Strategy, Development and Outreach at Lakeshore Cancer Center; Ejim Egba Clement, President Of Nimsa; and Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu, MD/CEO, Regions Stroke and NeuroScience Hospital. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nigeria can turn medical brain drain into brain gain, but it needs to take strategic steps.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkGFW5LYGqdkmdAG5zI8YgjQo7rfYTrB1PbDWqVC5XsI7lFv9elCSUFbkWRExYzdVf6prwCQljV3oNxmDX6yDKcM9GRBITPXseOrceM3qlthc_XDwCvuF1haBeEZ6PS2H2fIgR2K7ngfKIdjWxyhPlFBVp4UVg7v_VqVEvzpl_Py2lFZXm-kyj7lfq8k/s1720/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.41.04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1720" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkGFW5LYGqdkmdAG5zI8YgjQo7rfYTrB1PbDWqVC5XsI7lFv9elCSUFbkWRExYzdVf6prwCQljV3oNxmDX6yDKcM9GRBITPXseOrceM3qlthc_XDwCvuF1haBeEZ6PS2H2fIgR2K7ngfKIdjWxyhPlFBVp4UVg7v_VqVEvzpl_Py2lFZXm-kyj7lfq8k/w640-h380/Screenshot%202024-01-01%20at%2022.41.04.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">The third and final panel at the conference explored how the private sector can be leveraged for quality maternal healthcare. This discussion was moderated by Ekenem Isichei, Chief Executive officer, ACIOE associates, and the Panelists were: Amit Thakker, Executive Chairman, Africa Health Business; Iyadunni Olubode, Nigeria Director, MSD for Mothers; Nneka Mobisson, CEO, mDOC; Dr. Chito Nwana, Chief Medical Director, Tabitha Medical Centre; and Dr. Tokunbo Shitta-Bey, CEO, Duchess Hospital.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This discussion was crucial, especially as Nigeria seeks solutions to combat the alarming maternal mortality rates. Nigeria's maternal mortality rate is a public health concern. Addressing this requires a multifaceted approach, including stronger partnerships & collaboration with the private sector to expand access to quality maternal healthcare for women. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the end of the event, the Director of Programmes at Nigeria Health Watch revealed the theme for the 2024 conference: ‘The Climate-Health Nexus: Making the Evidence Visible.’ Before then, download the report of the 2023 Future of Health Conference </span><a href="https://t.co/kG0TwytlS7" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shades of Us advocates for stronger partnerships and collaborations between the private and public sectors, and encourages everyone to keep pushing for a resilient health system that can meet the needs of all Nigerians.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We look forward to an even bigger conference in 2024. </span></p>Shades of Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16432013761089293687noreply@blogger.com0