Celebrating Success: The Impact of Action Guinea Bissau's Leadership School Project
At Action Guinea Bissau, we believe that the future of our nation lies in the hands of its young people. This belief has driven us to fund a project led by Moisés N. da Silva, for the Leadership School, an initiative designed to combat the pervasive sense of hopelessness and disillusionment among the youth of Guinea-Bissau. The school's mission is to inspire a new generation of leaders who are committed to the development and betterment of their communities and country.
Project Overview
The Leadership School was conceived by young activists in Bissau who saw the urgent need to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and empower the youth through education. The project, executed in various neighborhoods of Bissau, aimed to provide training sessions on leadership, drawing lessons from the lives and works of world-renowned leaders. More than 25 dedicated instructors volunteered their time and expertise to train over 100 students in 6 different communities.
Motivation and Objectives
Guinea-Bissau has faced numerous political crises since its independence, which have led to widespread corruption and a lack of faith in the country's future among its youth. This demotivation has resulted in a common belief that success can only be found abroad. The Leadership School sought to change this mindset by showing young people that change is possible through education and commitment to their country.
Training and Activities
The Leadership School conducted a series of training sessions over several weeks, covering the lives and achievements of six global leaders:
- Amilcar Cabral
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Nelson Mandela
- Malala Yousafzai
- Barack Obama
- Kwame Nkrumah
Each session focused on the qualities and accomplishments of these leaders, aiming to instill a sense of pride and possibility in the students. The training also emphasized practical community involvement, encouraging students to start making a difference in their own neighborhoods through activities such as cleaning and awareness campaigns.
Outcomes and Impact
The impact of the Leadership School has been profound. Over 600 young people have been trained in this first phase, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Students reported feeling more inspired and motivated to contribute to their communities. The practical tasks they undertook helped them realize that leadership begins at home and that they have the power to effect change. Moisés reported "It was an amazing moment for this project and it was witnesses by National TV and 4 Radio stations of the City of Bissau."
Community Involvement and Support
The success of this project was made possible through the support and collaboration of various schools, soccer academies, and community associations. These partners provided venues for the training sessions and helped promote the program. The agreements with these institutions ensured that the trained students could share their newfound knowledge and inspire others, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Acknowledging Our Funders: Honoring Joshua Faria Teixeira
This project was generously funded by the "Walking with a Purpose" fundraising initiative, conducted in memory of Joshua Faria Teixeira. Joshua, born and raised in London, developed a deep love for his parents' homeland, Guinea-Bissau. His dream was to contribute to the country's development by building structures to provide opportunities for success to the community. Though he was unable to see these dreams come to fruition, his spirit of generosity and passion for helping others lives on through this project.
Joshua's mother, Ludimila Faria, and his family have taken up his mantle to continue his legacy of giving back to the community of Guinea-Bissau. Ludimila expressed, "Joshua was my only son, and I feel the need to support his vision. By helping the young lives in Guinea-Bissau achieve their goals and pursue their dreams, we hope to relieve the pressure to seek better opportunities abroad."
Future Plans
We are excited to continue funding the Leadership School to expand to more neighborhoods and eventually to different regions of Guinea-Bissau. The school's long-term vision is to create a nationwide network of young leaders who are equipped with the skills and mindset to drive sustainable development and foster a sense of national pride.
Further workshops will be held three times in a year during the weekends, from 4 pm to 6 pm. At the end of each section students will be submitted to an exam. Those who finish the training in a better condition will be selected to the second stage of this first phase of the leadership school and those who finish the training in this second phase will be given certificates and sent to school in order to share what they have learnt.
Conclusion
The Leadership School is more than just a training program; it is a movement to restore hope and empower the next generation of leaders in Guinea-Bissau. We invite you to join us in this journey and support our mission to create a brighter future for the country.
For more updates and stories from the training sessions, stay tuned to this blog and follow us on social media. Together, we can make a difference.
Project Manager: Moisés N. da Silva
Timeline: March - June 2024
Action Guinea Bissau Initiative: Leading Change, Inspiring Futures
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