As part of the 10th anniversary of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program, an African Regional Digital Storytelling Workshop was organized for YES Alumni. This first-of-its-kind workshop was hosted in Accra, Ghana on May 22-26th, 2013 and brought together 21 alumni from 15 different countries across Africa.

The Africa Digital Storytelling Workshop was a hands-on workshop that enhanced and expanded participants’ technical skills in video and photography. In today’s multimedia environment, activism and community service require a range of communication and media skills. The workshop explored time-tested storytelling techniques, and focused on creating accessible messages for both local and international audiences.

Divided into five production teams, participants spent an intensive five days, often working until late at night, to complete digital storytelling projects. Their energy and curiosity was evidence of their dedication and interest in the topic. Below are some of the quotes from participants as they reflected on the experience and what they learned:

“The workshop is making me better and we are learning so much. I am about to become a great storyteller!”
“During the workshop I was really inspired. Seeing examples of storytelling really inspired me and made me believe there is hope when there is life.”
“Social media is awesome and being responsible while using it makes you a good digital citizen.”

Throughout the workshop, participants worked in groups to create short video’s highlighting an alumni project. Participants utilized all the skills they learned in the sessions and received one-on-one guidance from trainers. Lastly, participants created a social media plan to advertise and share their products. To view the videos, please see below.

From Zeros to Heroes
The video was produced by the following alumni: Hiba Belhadj, Tunisia;
 Hafida Faraj, Tunisia; Mariam Konate, Mali; Mariama Salifu, Ghana;
 Aisha Waziri, Nigeria.

No Mama, No Papa, No School
The video was produced by Mariam Dramani, Ghana; 
Ahmed El Serougui, Egypt; 
 Kadidia Samassekou, Mali; 
 Hassani Msanga, Tanzania.

Educating Girl Child
Team members included: Issaka Sani Adams, Ghana; 
Augustine Mulai, Sierra Leone; 
Jessey Coleman, Liberia; 
Serigne Baytir Dieng, Senegal.

The Poor Flowers of Kilifi County
Digital storytelling members included: Abdillah Salim, Tanzania; 
Ishmael Sheriff, Sierra Leone; 
 Yuran Pereira, Mozambique; and
 Franklin Ndoro, Kenya.

Ride of Life
Team members included: Kholoud Houssaini, Morocco; 
 Nendi Lukolm, Nigeria; 
 Najat Salifu, Ghana; and Rudolf Ndjock, Cameroon.

Through the workshop students not only sharpened leadership skills, gained new digital media and social media skills, but also began cultivating a regional alumni network. Now, they have been tasked with completing an individual digital media project about a story in their community. They must produce a 2-3 minute video using the skills that they learned at the workshop, post it to an online platform and implement their social media plan to spread their message. Watch the YESProgramsTV YouTube channel for the individual projects as they are released!

View pictures from the workshop and watch the video below!