Çisem Kaço from Türkiye is the YES Student of the Month
By Hassan Abdulkadir Sheba (YES 2017-2018, Kenya, placed by AFS-USA in Defiance, OH)
At 16 years old, I had the life-changing opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture as an exchange student in Ohio through the YES program. This experience not only allowed me to explore the United States but also helped me develop essential skills and gain a broader perspective on global issues. By participating in local initiatives and engaging with diverse communities, I discovered my potential to create meaningful change – sparking a passion for community service and positive action.
My experience as an exchange student inspired me to apply for a YES Alumni Grant, with the aim of continuing to create a positive impact in my community. This led to the launch of my project, Grant Application Skills, designed to provide grant writing skills to 20 youth, who had previously been trained in coding, robotics, and 3D printing for the creation of prototypes to address local challenges. This initiative was made possible through a collaboration between the American Corner Mombasa and the technology-oriented firm Afribot Robotics.
The three-day workshop brought together 34 young leaders, including coding and robotics graduates, university students, and representatives from community-based and nonprofit organizations, all eager to unlock the secrets of crafting compelling grant proposals. Participants explored the art of storytelling, learning how to write narratives that resonate with potential funders. Budgeting, often seen as a challenging task, was simplified through practical exercises and expert guidance, making it more approachable for everyone.
Led by a dedicated team of my fellow YES alumni, the workshop aimed to bridge the gap between aspiration and action, providing participants with the essential skills to transform their ideas into impactful projects. Hamza Kamrudin brought his expertise in narrative development, Shamsa Abdi shed light on the intricacies of project timelines, and Alex Mwakilau's financial acumen provided the final piece of the puzzle, empowering participants to create robust budgets that align with their project goals.
The workshop culminated in a dynamic pitch session, where participants demonstrated their newfound skills in storytelling, budgeting, and relationship building with potential partners. Participants went on to develop community projects that address a variety of issues, ranging from environmental conservation to education to healthcare. On the final day, they presented their proposals to a panel of directors and board members from some of the local organizations.
One participant shared their intention to use the valuable skills they acquired to address period poverty in their community. Several others proposed a follow-on workshop focused on the project implementation phase. "We need a phase two," one participant expressed, "this time focusing more on the process of managing a project – tackling implementation, visibility, and sustainability."
My team and I are committed to providing ongoing support to the workshop participants as they develop their grant proposals and seek funding. We will continue mentoring them and assist in connecting them with potential funders. By nurturing their potential, we believe we can empower these young leaders to make a lasting impact within their communities.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the YES program, and AFS-Kenya for their invaluable support. A special thank you to my partner organizations, the American Corner Mombasa and Afribot Robotics, for their unwavering support. Their contributions have been instrumental in the success of this initiative. I am also deeply grateful to my fellow alumni and volunteers, as the success of this workshop is truly a testament to the power of teamwork.
Shamsa Abdi Jele (YES 2014-2015, Kenya, placed by AYUSA in Atlanta, GA)
Alex Mwakilau (YES 2015-2016, Kenya, placed by AFS-USA in Cumberland, ME)
Hamza Kamrudin (YES 2019-2020, Kenya, placed by AFS-USA in San Antonio, TX)