Young African Leaders Initiative program: The opportunity of a lifetime

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Young African Leaders Initiative program: The opportunity of a lifetime
By Kadiatu “Kadija” Turay
Sept. 21, 2015

There are a large number of young professionals out there who wish they had been selected for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program, selected out of thousands is an opportunity to embrace, explore and use to inspire others. 

My participation in YALI exposed me to wonderful and amazing experiences. I got to meet and build lasting relationships with other like-minded young Africans, establish relationships and professionally network with Americans. It has been so fun! And I have enjoyed so many new “American experiences” doing the right things at the right time by balancing between my professional and academic work with social and fun activities like tubing on a river, bowling, watching a baseball game, site visits and giving back to humanity through volunteerism. 

I also learned to eat sandwiches and cold meals for lunch instead of the hot meals I am accustomed to and strange sweet foods like ‘Thai tuna salad and teriyaki chicken’! I went to happy hours, enjoyed hot dogs and even drank coffee with ice!

Another treasured honor that YALI gave me is the opportunity of building my professional experience through an internship and networking with Peace Corps. The practice of working in different offices with colleagues and supervisors from diverse groups sounds challenging, but it was a wonderful experience to meet and work with people with varying backgrounds and perspectives on leadership. It opened my mind and thoughts on different approaches to leadership and management. I didn’t only get to absorb the management and leadership approaches of my various supervisors, but I also observed the way staff relate with one another, their commitment to work and the welcoming smiles, helpfulness, friendliness and team building and team support of every team member to get things done. 

I have been able to understand the true meaning of volunteerism and the joy and peace it gives through my interaction with Peace Corps staff, many of whom were once Peace Corps Volunteers in different countries in Africa and around the world.

Kadiatu “Kadija” Turay
Kadija has five years’ experience in community work. She's been involved in volunteering through organizing focused group discussions, facilitating sessions on the value of education and hygiene, and giving counselling to teenage mothers in her community. Through dedication and commitment, she has held various positions including food monitor to the District Coordinator, currently National Food Coordinator. She oversees the effective implementation of the project and also acts as a liaison officer. She also serves as the gender coordinator in Plan Bombali. Kadiatu was selected as one of 12 best staff with potential to grow, soon to be enrolled for the Plan International Emerging Leaders High Potential Program. She’s a graduate in Peace and Conflict studies from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, and did her dissertation on gender mainstreaming in Sierra Leone’s decentralization process. Kadiatu intends to continue working on community programs, child protection, and gender.
Category: Africa, Sierra Leone, Let Girls Learn

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