Alumni addressed global challenges through SDG projects, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives.
The 2014 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Alumni Awards Program came to a close in September, which means it’s time to showcase some of the incredible projects that alumni implemented! Twenty YES alumni from Cameroon, Egypt, Gaza (Palestine), Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa received grants to complete community projects throughout 2014-2015. Their projects address development needs in their communities related to education, civic engagement and community development, public health, the environment, and social entrepreneurship. While some YES alumni projects served entire communities, others targeted specific populations, such as children from underserved communities, adult women, at-risk youth, and teachers of English. YES alumni worked hard to bring their ideas to fruition by engaging their target communities and populations, other YES alumni within their countries, and local partner organizations, such as schools and non-profits, in the implementation of their projects. Great job, YES alumni!
1. Connecting English Teachers in Pakistan
With the desire to improve English teaching techniques in Pakistan, Hassan created English Language Teaching Workshops for over 100 teachers from nearly 15 institutions. The workshops allowed English teachers to connect, share teaching methods, discuss classroom challenges, and discover solutions to classroom problems.
Hassan Saeed YES 2008-2009, Pakistan, was hosted by ASSE in Topeka, KS.
2. Promoting Public Health Education in Cameroon
After returning from his YES year, Joseph created his Saving Our Environment project to address sanitation issues in his hometown of Douala. Joseph’s project included a street clean-up and educational presentations on unsafe drinking water and hygiene education.
Joseph Lambe, YES 2012-2013, Cameroon, hosted by AFS in Eden, NY.
3. Constructing a Water Distribution Center in Kenya
To address sanitation issues and a lack of clean water in his home community, Anthony worked with local engineers and technical students to construct a water distribution center, which currently serves around 700 people.
Anthony Mulzania, YES 2012-2013, Kenya, hosted by AFS in Hebron, IN.
4. Addressing Hiking Safety in Egypt
A tragic hiking accident last year in the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula inspired Hady to improve safety for hikers through training local guides, improving trails and creating printable materials for tourists. As of now, 4,000 printed copies of their brochure have been distributed and they have partnered with the Arab Medical Union in order to provide trainings and various health services.
Hady Hewidy, 2010-2011, Egypt, hosted by AFS in Ann Arbor, MI.
5. Bringing Joy to Disabled Children in Gaza, Palestine
Mohammed organized his fellow U.S. Department of State alumni in Gaza to address the post-traumatic effects of the 2014 war on Gaza on a group of 25 disabled children, some of whom were wounded as a result of military operations. Mohammed facilitated uplifting activities for the children, such as painting sessions, music performances, and poetry recitations.
Mohammed Abu Zaanona, YES 2007-2008, Gaza, hosted in Muncie, IN.
6. Sewing for Sanitation in Nigeria
Ummul-Khair coupled her passions for medicine and public health with her skills as a seamstress to make Nigerian hospitals cleaner and healthier. Ummul-Khair gathered together nine YES alumni and seven other Nigerian students to sew and package 100 sets of bed sheets and 20 hospital gowns for two local hospitals.
Ummul-Khair Aliyu, YES 2009-2010, Nigeria, hosted by IRIS in Des Moines, IA.
7. Inspiring Students to Serve in Indonesia
Topaz was so inspired by his American host school’s community service club that when he returned home to Indonesia, he decided to share his love for giving back with high school students in his area. Topaz created a YES Volunteer workshop that taught 60 students how to design and implement their own community service projects.
Topaz Putra, YES 2010-2011, Indonesia, hosted by AFS in Townsend, WA.
8. Encouraging Civic Engagement in Senegal
Souleymane and a great team of local youth worked to establish Civic Clubs in three schools in Senegal as a way of encouraging students to become involved in their communities. The team organized many activities, which included lectures, films and discussions on the value of civic pride and responsibility.
Souleymane Mbaye (Senegal, 2010-2011) was hosted in Greeley, CO by AYUSA
9. Mentoring Youth for the Future in Pakistan
Muhammad is on a mission to tackle the education gap in Baluchistan, a remote part of Pakistan, by inspiring students to pursue higher education. Muhammad and his fellow YES alumni set up workshops to mentor over 275 students on potential careers, educational opportunities, and academic scholarships through his Education for Everyone project.
Muhammad Nadeem, YES 2011-2012, Pakistan, hosted by AFS in Whitefish, MT.
10. Teaching Children the Importance of Water in Morocco
After a year in the U.S., Marouane returned to his home in Morocco and dove head-first into a career in community service. He founded The Water School, a summer program educating local children living in the desert of southwest Morocco about water-related environmental issues through hands-on science activities and field trips.
Marouane Smaili, YES 2007-2008, Morocco, hosted by AYUSA in Tucson, AZ.
11. Supporting Computer Literacy in Rural Nigeria
Many young people in Ibrahim’s rural community in Nigeria had never used a computer. After his YES year, Ibrahim realized the importance of computer literacy in the global job market, so he founded the Computer Education for the Youth project, which has so far helped over 150 young adults learn word processing, keyboarding skills and much more!
Ibrahim Ezekiel, YES 2006-2007, Nigeria, hosted by IRIS in Boone, IA.
12. Building a Library in Rural South Africa
Inspired by the educational facilities available at his American host school, Norman returned to South Africa and built the first library within his local community center. He worked with his host parents in the U.S. to collect books and to connect the two countries and communities.
Norman Vezi, YES 2010-2011, South Africa, hosted by AFS in St. Louis, MO.
13. Improving Water Accessibility in Sierra Leone
Upon returning home to Sierra Leone, Amadu decided to take on the issue of water accessibility in his community. Amadu drew up a plan to build a dam, and worked with the community members to construct it. The dam now provides around 5,000 people with easy access to clean water.
Amadu Kabia (Sierra Leone, 2010-2011) was hosted in Harper, TX by AYUSA
14. Conducting Career Development Workshops in Liberia
After his YES year, Amara wanted to inspire other Liberian students to explore their career options. YES alumni in Liberia came together to conduct a two day career development workshop for at-risk youth, allowing top professionals to directly engage with over 75 high school students.
Amara Kamara (2012-2013) was hosted in New Haven, Florida.
15. Organizing Extracurricular Activities for At-Risk Youth in Kenya
Ali organized his fellow YES Alumni in Kenya to give back to children living in the impoverished neighborhoods of Mombasa. Ali and his colleagues supplied school materials and sports equipment to local schools and organized activities during school vacations for 126 children.
Ali Omar, YES 2010-2011, Kenya, hosted by AFS in Schererville, IN.
16. Opening a World through Reading for Orphans in Nigeria
Upon returning home after her YES year, Rosaline decided to become more invested in the education of children at a local orphanage. She organized other YES alumni to conduct a book drive and build a library with more than 1,000 books for the orphanage and other community members.
Roseline Teghtegh, YES 2009-2010, Nigeria, hosted in Cedar Falls, IA.
17. Fighting Underage Drinking in Cameroon
After the death of a classmate, Paola decided to start a program to address the issue of underage drinking in her community. She organized a workshop to educate youth on the dangers of extensive alcohol consumption, reaching her entire community.
Paola Wouappi, YES 2012-2013, Cameroon, hosted by CIEE in Bloomington, IN.
One of the first things Ndeye Maty noticed about her host community in Pennsylvania was how clean the public spaces were. With the help of other YES alumni, she implemented The Green Way Project, which teaches students at two high schools in Dakar about recycling and the importance of public sanitation. After being covered on national news, the enthusiastic alumni team is now expanding their waste management educational initiative to more schools in Dakar.
Ndeye Maty Diop, YES 2012-2013, Senegal, hosted in Pittsburgh, PA.
19. Creating a Community Center for Women in Pakistan
After being unable to finish high school, Maria single-handedly founded The Community Learning Center in her very own living room. With a mission to provide educational opportunities and vocational training to young girls and women, Maria has worked tirelessly to expand her project into its current state, and the center is now called the YES Alumni Vocational Training and Community Center.
Maria Taqdees, YES 2004-2005, Pakistan, hosted by ASSE in Reno, NV.