Across Africa, millions of young people face an uphill battle; low access to quality education, job opportunities, and essential skills, making them struggle to find their footing in the modern world. Although Africa will have one of the largest and youngest workforce globally by 2035, 6 in 10 youth will lack the essential skills needed for the labour market.
Impact Axis and the Goodwill Fellowship
Recognizing this challenge, Impact Axis (formerly Youths Inspiration) was born. Our Mission: To prepare youth for the future of opportunities by empowering them with the essential durable skills they need to thrive both professionally and personally. This mission materialised in the Goodwill Fellowship, a program designed to equip young Cameroonians with vital soft skills that form the cornerstone to their personal and professional success.
Aurelia's Journey as a Goodwill Fellow
Aurelia, a first-generation college graduate, is a shining example of the program's impact. Initially unsure of what her future career path could look like, she joined the fellowship seeking job skills. However, the program became a turning point, opening her eyes to the power of community impact.
Aurelia especially enjoyed the sessions on digital literacy and personal branding, as it inspired her to leverage her strengths, navigate challenges, and build a strong online presence. Furthermore, the networking opportunities provided throughout the fellowship enabled her to connect with like-minded individuals and mentors from across our network.
After the fellowship, Aurelia wasted no time putting her newfound skills to work. She took to social media, sharing valuable content to inspire others while building a reading club that involved more than 30 young people on the side. It was very clear that the fellowship had instilled in Aurelia a spirit of initiative.
Inspired by the give back component of the program, Aurelia realised she could be a changemaker anywhere. Today, she serves as a youth parliamentarian, advocating for young people in her community. Her current project focuses on providing comprehensive education by helping children discover their passions outside of school, fostering well-rounded individuals prepared for the future.
Aurelia embodies the far-reaching impact of the Goodwill Fellowship. By equipping participants with knowledge, skills, and a network of support, the program empowers them to take charge of their personal lives and become agents of positive change in communities.
Aurelia envisions an even brighter future, built on collaboration and sustainable initiatives. Her advice to future fellows is for them to come ready to learn, set clear goals, and seek support.
By supporting our work at Impact Axis, you are empowering young people to acquire new skills and experiences that prepares them for a future of opportunities. If you are inspired to make a difference in soft skills development for youth, contact us via info@impact-axis.org to learn more about how your support could shape the future of a young person.
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