I was born in Livingstone, the tourist capital of Zambia. Since an early age, surrounded by other young people in my community, I always been fascinated by the idea that we would eventually replace my parents’ generation as the adults – the working professionals and leaders in our community, country, and world.
Research shows how important it is for young people to be given a voice in public dialogue, and I’ve now experienced how this leads to truly transformative change.
In 2016, I decided to apply for the role of Youth Think Tank Member with Restless Development.
I completely resonate with the mission of Restless. There are massive problems that young people should be addressing: unemployment, a skills gap, limited access to capital and finance…
This is what our research looked at.
During the research, one of the most surprising findings was that young people do not have adequate access to information around innovations and technology in the agricultural sector.
Despite having so much potential, this lack of knowledge slows the sector down and limits its growth from a grassroot level up.
Being on the Youth Think Tank in the last 10 months has been mind blowing! I have learned how to conduct research – from creating a methodology, to collecting and analyzing data – and validate my findings into a completed report.
I also learnt good public speaking and leadership skills through my participation in high level meetings representing the Youth Think Tank. Having an opportunity to discuss opportunities and challenges that fellow young people face in inventing, adopting or adapting agricultural technologies was truly thought provoking. At the sametime, it was a great experience because no one else could describe and find solutions to what young people go through better than we can.
From this experience, I will carry forward the mentality of being inquisitive about matters that involve young people. I will share the knowledge and skills I have attained with other young people for their benefit.
I envision an Africa where young people are aware and take advantage of the opportunities around them. I intend on going to graduate school to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Global Affairs because I would like to play a role in creating policies that favour young people and our development.
I believe we are the only hope to make Africa and the world great.
Faith is one of the researchers for Restless Development’s Youth Think Tank project.
This is the second in a short series of blogs looking at the project and its findings. Read the first blog here.
