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Tunde Folawiyo | The African Leadership Academy

With an ongoing commitment to promoting the development and future success of Africa’s youth, the African Leadership Academy remains one of the continent’s foremost learning institutions. Through the hard work of students, faculty and board members of the academy, as well as the continued encouragement of supporters such as Tunde Folawiyo, the African Leadership Academy continues to implement new strategies to encourage young African students to strive toward a brighter future for the communities that surround them.

Tunde FolawiyoIn an ongoing effort to spread the impact of the ALA’s programmes across the continent and beyond, students embarked on the 2014 Social Innovation Camps (BUILD-in-a-Box Camps). Organised for high school students in local and disadvantaged areas across Africa this year, these camps provide opportunities for young students to identify needs in their underprivileged communities, learning valuable social and entrepreneurial tools along the way in order to combat these challenges. Teachers from participating schools are taught ALA methods in the hope that they inspire great changes within their respective communities.

Partnered with the Canadian Embassy in South Africa, the first of the Social Innovation camps were organised in February at Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa utilising a unique BUILD-in-a-Box toolkit created by ALA’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership. During the camp’s activities, sixteen facilitators explained the concept of entrepreneurial leadership, teaching the BUILD (Believe-Understand-Invent-Listen-Deliver) model for entrepreneurship. They then led the 60 participants toward understanding the process of identifying societal challenges within their communities and exploring varied solutions to overcome these barriers. Four other camps were organised in February and others across the continent will follow this summer.

The African Leadership Academy and its valued supporters aim to tackle the challenge of excessive youth unemployment across the continent by promoting innovative solutions to the challenges facing African youth and their communities. Students of the ALA have also joined in efforts, with the academy’s young leaders organising numerous summer camps in order to spread entrepreneurial leadership among their peers. It’s this joint partnership between students, staff and supporters that drive the academy’s goals of ensuring Africa’s bright young minds receive the educational tools needed to bring forth great social change within the continent and beyond. Supporters of the academy such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others play an integral role in the success of the ALA and its hundreds of hopeful students yearly. Through these camps and other ongoing initiatives, the ALA continues to provide a great source of encouragement for millions of students throughout Africa.

 

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Tunde Folawiyo | Core African Studies of the African Leadership Academy

Tunde FolawiyoInspiring African youth since its founding in 2004, the African Leadership Academy strives to educate promising young African leaders of the hardships plaguing the continent. Through the encouragement and continued support of many valued proponents such as Tunde Folawiyo, the prestigious African Leadership Academy will continue to foster personal growth, outstanding leadership and exceptional entrepreneurial training to its hundreds of bright students each year, propelling opportunities for social change throughout the continent.

It’s a widely recognised belief among academy leaders that several factors contribute to outstanding leadership. A thriving social life as well as a healthy mind, body and spirit are all of great importance in the quest to improve the lives of the people of Africa. The institution’s curriculum is built around basic principles promoting personal responsibility, entrepreneurial growth and compassion for others.

In order to best educate ALA students of the issues surrounding the people and land of the continent, the academy places a heavy emphasis on its African Studies Department. During a student’s first year, they shall embark on a core curriculum surrounding Africa through historical, economic, geographic and political lenses, studying each aspect closely in order to gain a deep understanding. In the second year, students explore some of the most challenging issues facing the continent and the world as a whole. These include but are not limited to inadequate health care, poverty, and lack of resources.

As part of the African Studies Core, students in their first year at the academy may begin to develop an understanding of the roots of challenges facing Africa and the greatest opportunities for improvement. This curriculum will focus on disciplines such as History, Economics, Geography and Political Science. Created to inspire a great passion for Africa, these subjects of core coursework are imperative to adequately understanding the scope of issues the continent must overcome.

During a student’s second year of the African Studies programme, they will participate in a variety of comprehensive case studies examining Africa’s social issues in depth. These include issues from health care provision to poverty eradication and environmental challenges, among others. Students use a variety of skills to analyse, debate and develop solutions to these issues, thus preparing them to initiate positive change within the continent.

In keeping true to its everlasting mission of providing Africa’s youth with the prospect of a brighter future, the African Leadership Academy continues to make great strides toward their goals with the ongoing support of individuals such as Tunde Folawiyo and others who work tirelessly to ensure the success of the academy and its students.

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Tunde Folawiyo | African Leadership Academy Gap Year Programme

As a premiere Pan-African institution, the African Leadership Academy is continually dedicated to ensuring the growth and education of Africa’s promising youth, providing the tools needed to forge an impact on the future of the continent.

Tunde FolawiyoThe African Leadership Academy (ALA) relies greatly on the support of its various individuals, corporations and groups to maintain a safe, secure and immeasurably valuable learning experience for the hundreds of bright young minds attending the academy. Through the ongoing encouragement of the African Leadership Academy’s various supporters, including Tunde Folawiyo, the institution’s goals will continue to have a long-lasting impact throughout the continent.

While full-time enrolment in the ALA is a highly rewarding experience for students, some may be eligible and find great value in the ALA’s Gap Year Programme. This 10-month pre-university programme assists in building lasting friendships with Africa’s future leaders. Aside from gaining an in-depth understanding of the continent, Gap Year Programme participants will take part in the design and implementation of a community service project to assist communities in need.

Applying to the Gap Year Programme

Students striving to be admitted into the ALA’s Gap Year Programme are required to undergo a multifaceted application process. Hopefuls will be evaluated on five criteria including Academic Achievement, Leadership Potential and Commitment to Public Service. Students aged 17-19 year-old who have graduated high school and possess a great passion for the advancement of Africa are encouraged to apply.

Students hoping to gain entry into the Gap Year Programme during the early round of acceptance must submit preliminary applications and a school report by April 1, 2014. Finalists will then be required to submit a second-round application to be proceeded by an interview with the ALA in late April. Those accepted will be notified of their admission in May. Students are highly encouraged to apply to the first round of selections in order to maximise likelihood of acceptance. A late submission round will follow, with preliminary applications due by June 1st. Those admitted will be notified by July.

With its ongoing dedication to fostering the next generation of young African leaders, the African Leadership Academy remains a vital entity in the economic and sociological advancement of the African continent. Through the valued encouragement of the academy’s supporters, including Tunde Folawiyo, the African Leadership Academy will proceed with its mission to serve as a beacon of hope for thousands of African students hoping to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

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The journey of one ALA student from a refugee camp to Yale | Tunde Folawiyo

Those who, like Tunde Folawiyo, support youth development organisations, know just how significant an impact these establishments can have on young peoples’ lives. Esther Some, a former student of the African Leadership Academy, is a perfect example of the transformative power of youth-centred educational programmes. Like many other students of this school, she experienced significant challenges during the early years of her life, but through her hard work, determination and courage, managed to overcome the obstacles which stood in her way.

Tunde Folawiyo

Esther was born to South Sudanese parents, but spent her childhood in the Kenyan city of Nairobi. She was lucky enough to grow up in a family which valued education, and was encouraged from a young age to excel in her studies. Her father was adamant that she was just as academically capable as her brothers; this not only inspired Esther to do well at school, but also led her to developing a passion for female empowerment.

In order to continue on with her studies in Kenya, Esther and her family had to register as refugees, and so for a month, they lived in a tiny shack in a refugee camp in Kakuma. Esther describes the conditions of this camp as ‘deplorable’. It shocked her that others were forced to live in such an awful environment for months, or even years on end. This experience changed her, and made her more determined than ever; she began to take pride in her South Sudanese heritage, and became interested in helping other students who were being marginalised due to their economic backgrounds or heritage.

Whilst attending the Alliance Girls secondary school, Esther decided to apply for a place at the African Leadership Academy. Despite her parent’s reservations – they believed she should complete her students at her high school, before pursuing a specialised academic course – she sent in her application. Out of the 200 Kenyan students who applied, only Esther and ten others were accepted.

Being familiar with the ALA, Tunde Folawiyo understands how many doors it can open up for its students. Esther’s entry into the ALA provided her with a number of incredible opportunities, one of which was an invitation to serve as delegate at the Forum for Young African Women Leaders, which was led by the First Lady, Michelle Obama.

The classes she took, and the support she received from both her teachers and her peers, provided her with the confidence to apply to Yale, and request a full scholarship. This was a courageous move on Esther’s part, as many of her very talented and intelligent classmates had already been rejected by this Ivy League University. However, due to her impeccable academic record, Esther was accepted, and received a 99% scholarship.

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The experiences of a former student of the African Leadership Academy | Tunde Folawiyo

Nkulukelo Yeni, affectionately known as ‘Ziggy’, is a graduate of the African Leadership Academy, who now attends Yale University.  His younger years were difficult, with his father passing away before he even began primary school, and his mother dying just a few years later. However, despite becoming an orphan when he was ten years old, Ziggy continued to focus on his studies, and ended up being accepted into the ALA.

It was whilst at this academy that Ziggy became interested in not only furthering his own education, but also in helping other youngsters to understand the value, and the power of knowledge. With the help of a fellow student at the ALA, he co-founded ‘KWIT’ (Kids with Insane Talent), an organisation designed to help children to recognise the importance of education, and to encourage them to pursue their academic and professional goals.

Virtually everyone who is aware of the ALA, including Tunde Folawiyo, understands how beneficial attending this school can be. Ziggy himself has described his experiences at the ALA as ‘transformative’. During his time here, he not only received a comprehensive education, but was also given many opportunities which other people can only dream of; one example would be his being asked to serve as a panellist at a prestigious event known as the Clinton Global Initiative.

Created by the Clinton Foundation, this annual conference gathers together young leaders, as well as the heads of NGOs and foundations, CEOs and NobeTunde Folawiyol prize laureates, and provides them with the opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues the world is currently facing, and potentially devise solutions to these problems. Additionally, Ziggy had the chance to attend several other important events, including the Enke Youth Forum and the World Economic Forum.

After being accepted into Yale – one of the world’s top universities – Ziggy became even more interested in Pan-Africanism – an ideology which Tunde Folawiyo is probably familiar with – and so chose to become a member of the YASA (Yale African Students Association).

This organisation aims to represent and raise awareness of Africa’s many cultures, and to also offer the students of the university a forum in which they can discuss, and offer solutions to, some of the continent’s most important problems. Ziggy now serves on the Publicity Chair for this group, attending to his duties, as well as working towards his degree in African Studies and Political Science.

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The ALA – giving hope to disadvantaged youths | Tunde Folawiyo

One of the most admirable aspects of the ALA’s approach to education is that the financial status of applicants has no impact on whether or not they are accepted. This is a fact which most youth development supporters, including Tunde Folawiyo are most likely aware of. Because of this generosity, many talented, studious young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have been given the opportunity to better themselves by attending this academy. Take for instance, Tebogo Mabuka; born in Pretoria, this young woman and her four siblings were raised by a single mother.

Despite being brought up in challenging circumstances, Tebogo managed to graduate at the top of her class in primary school, and was within the top five in her secondary school. She also dedicated much of her free time to co-founding and running ‘Eco Club’, which aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues in her local area. Additionally, Tebogo served as a student counsellor, offering her advice regarding academic issues to those who were struggling with their studies. Unsurprisingly, given her aptitude for academia, and her desire to help others, Tebogo was accepted as a student of the African Leadership Academy in 2009.

Kate Allan, a woman from the Diamond Empowerment Fund (a non-profit which supports educational initiatives in countries that produce diamonds) met with Tebogo during her visit to the ALA. She described the young student as inspirational, and expressed amazement at the fact that Tebogo was incredibly eloquent, self-assured and mature, in spite of the difficult circumstances in which she was raised. Allan finished by saying that she was confident that TebogoTunde Folawiyo would be able to create positive change not only within the local community, but also around the continent.

During her two years at the ALA, Tebogo did indeed have a very positive impact on those around her. She offered her opinions at the Thabo Mbeki Youth Foundation Conference – a prestigious event which Tunde Folawiyo is probably familiar with – worked as the student government’s chairlady, and was the Director of Communications for a student-led organisation called OID (Original Idea for Development), which helps disabled children to gain access to mainstream schools.

Her outstanding work whilst at the ALA led to her being accepted into West Virginia University, and receiving a scholarship which has covered the cost of some of her expenses. Speaking of her experience so far, she has said that she is pleased with the subjects offered, and is particularly enjoying her poetry and drama class, as well as her international relations class.

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How the ALA operates | Tunde Folawiyo

Those who, like Tunde Folawiyo, are in favour of youth development projects, are probably familiar with the African Leadership Academy. Despite being open less than a decade, it has already established itself as one of the continent’s leading academic institutes. The intensive Tunde Folawiyotwo-year programme that the ALA offers students includes everything they need to become the CEOs, presidents, doctors, lawyers and teachers of the future.

It focuses on social entrepreneurship and practical leadership skills, as well as theory lessons which teach young people about Africa’s most pressing economic and political problems. Students at this academy do not merely memorise facts, but are assigned projects which have a real impact on their local communities. They also operate businesses such as beauty salons, snack shops and laundry services on campus. This experience ensures that, at the end of their time with the ALA, they have developed the skills which any good leader must have, including responsibility, creativity and compassion for others.

The success of this venture can be attributed to its co-founder, Fred Swaniker, a businessman who has managed to continuously raise funds for the academy over the course of the past six years. In an interview, Swaniker explained that he has achieved this by developing an extensive network of contacts across Africa. In total, he has raised approximately $30 million dollars, all of which has gone into making the ALA the outstanding educational organisation it is today.

Whilst some of this funding goes towards the everyday running costs of the academy, a large percentage is kept in a scholarship fund, so that the ALA can offer places to talented young students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. One of the most admirable aspects of the academy’s application process is that the students’ ability to afford to attend the ALA is never a factor in whether or not they are accepted. Those who have demonstrated leadership potential, but who cannot afford the expense of studying at the academy, can apply for scholarships, academic prizes and various other forms of funding to help them to complete the programme.

One example of this is the Anzisha Prize. This is a collaborative effort by the MasterCard Foundation and the ALA, which aims to honour young people who have set up businesses and social entrepreneurial projects that have positively impacted their communities; most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, have probably heard of this award. The prize money, which totals $75,000, is shared amongst several finalists.  Students of the academy who receive this prize can then use it not only to help with their school fees, but also to create their next big business venture.

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ALA students travel across the globe for MUN Conferences | Tunde Folawiyo

Ten students from the African Leadership Academy represented the institute in Boston this month, at the 61st Harvard MUN (Model United Nations) Conference. A further six were also sent to the Georgetown MUN Conference last week.

Tunde FolawiyoEvents of this kind are held all over the world each year, and are designed to provide young students (who attend as delegates) with a platform from which they can voice their opinions on political policies and international affairs. Given that the ALA’s educational approach focuses almost entirely on addressing the most serious issues which affect Africa, and the word as a whole, the academy considers these conferences to be some of the most significant events on its calendar.

Approximately 3,000 people attend the Harvard MUN Conference each year; over the course of four days, delegates are given the opportunity to assume the roles of national cabinet members and United Nations representatives, so that they can gain insight into the workings of international relations, and the UN itself.

Attendees are invited to express their thoughts on the world’s most pressing concerns, debate with one another, and potentially devise solutions to the issues being discussed. The experiences they have here enable them to better understand the importance of balancing the needs of their own countries, with the needs of the international community; they are taught how to maintain national policies in the midst of negotiations which involve conflicting global policies. Anyone with an interest in business and international affairs, like Tunde Folawiyo, will be able to recognise the value of teaching young leaders about these subjects.

Harvard MUN also uses this event as a means of fundraising for its charity partners; this year, it raised just over $13,000 for an organisation called Polaris Project, which aims to end modern-day slavery and human trafficking, and to improve the current legislation relating to this crimes.

Whilst, of course, the benefits for those who went to these events in Boston and Doha are tremendous, the ALA’s involvement also helps the rest of its student body too. People who support the ALA, such as Tunde Folawiyo, might be aware that participating in the Harvard MUN Conference enables the academy to organise its own version of the event – the ALAMAU (African Leadership Academy’s Model African Union) Conference – in South Africa. This year, the academy will host it between the 9th and the 13th of April, in the city of Johannesburg, where the ALA is based.

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The educational journey of one ALA student | Tunde Folawiyo

Like many students at the African Leadership Academy, Chernoh Jalloh grew up in extremely challenging circumstances. Born in Sierra Leone, his early years were spent in the east of the country, where the civil war had caused an enormous amount of damage. Tunde FolawiyoEventually, they were forced to move to Guinea, and it was here that Chernoh was given opportunity to attend primary school.

Despite his young age, Chernoh realised that education was the key to freedom – this is a sentiment which most people, including Tunde Folawiyo, would probably agree with. And so he focused all of his efforts on his studies; he even went so far as to transfer to a better junior secondary school, which was much farther away from his home, in order to ensure that he got the best education possible. He excelled in every subject, earning the top exam results in his school. It was this dedication to his academic tasks, coupled with his desire to work towards the economic and social transformation of the continent, which allowed him to go on to attend the African Leadership Academy.

In his first year at the academy, Chernoh became a Bezos scholar; this enabled him to pay for the expenses associated with studying at the ALA. This scholarship is provided by the Bezos Family Foundation, an organisation that offers funding to students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of talent. The foundation offers this money, in the belief that by doing so, they can provide the recipient with the chance to reach their full potential.

Chernoh continued to thrive at the ALA, and was very active both on and off campus; during his time there, he was appointed as the African Football Academy’s CEO. This organisation aims to empower and support young children through sport, and teach them about the value of team work.

Additionally, Chernoh became involved in the academy’s scientific research class, which in turn led to him delivering a number of presentations on the exploration of space and planet Mars. Last but not least, in 2010, he was chosen as the academy’s representative for the Aspen Ideas Festival. Tunde Folawiyo and others who are familiar with the ALA, will understand what an honour it is to be asked to represent the academy in this manner.

Chernoh is a firm believer in the power of knowledge, and maintains that education is at the very core of ethical and effective leadership. After graduating from the ALA, he travelled to the USA in order to pursue his university education. Today, he studies political science and pre-med at Bennington College. As a research intern at K-RITH, he is particularly interested in issues relating to the struggle surrounding the spread of TB in Africa.

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Applying to the Prestigious African Leadership Academy | Tunde Folawiyo

Inspiring African youth since its founding in 2004, the African Leadership Academy strives to educate promising young African leaders of the hardships plaguing the continent. Through the encouragement and continued support of many valued proponents such as Tunde Folawiyo, the prestigious African Leadership Academy will continue to foster personal growth, outstanding leadership and exceptional entrepreneurial training to its hundreds of bright students each year.

Tunde FolawiyoThe African Leadership Academy strives to accept the brightest students throughout Africa. Applicants of the institution must possess exceptional character and a proven record of academic accomplishments to be considered for acceptance into this most prestigious African academy. The continent’s youth, aged 15–18 years old, are eligible to apply so long as they possess a set of core values that showcase outstanding intelligence and integrity. Located in the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, the African Leadership Academy continues to foster a vibrant learning environment for its students. While many are encouraged to apply, applicants will undoubtedly be required to endure a rigorous acceptance process as the African Leadership Academy must ensure adequate capabilities to take on the challenging curriculum set forth by its founders. In order to fully foster a learning environment in which all students may thrive, those attending the academy must also adhere to a set of rules enforcing curfew and behavioural guidelines, each an imperative factor in ensuring a productive learning environment for all.

In keeping true to its long-standing commitment to providing an outstanding learning outlet for today’s African youth, the African Leadership Academy relies heavily on its partnerships with various individuals, corporations and groups in order to fund its operations and to continually make an impact in the lives of young Africans. The African Leadership Academy encourages prospective donors and volunteers to visit the grounds of the campus to meet and form bonds with the student body and experience the thriving environment the institution has to offer. Built around a circular quad, an ideal space for students to meet, interact with another, and study, the institution takes great pride in the ensuring each student’s needs are met. Throughout the institution’s grounds are a number of dormitories and classrooms, a dining hall, an auditorium, and a laboratory to provide a superior learning area for students to enjoy.

In addition to the core values set forth by the African Leadership Academy, the institution also places great emphasis on diversity. With its everlasting mission to provide Africa’s youth with the prospect of a brighter future, the African Leadership Academy continues to make great strides with the support of individuals such as Tunde Folawiyo and others who continually encourage the academy’s success.