INTERVIEW WITH PORTIA DERY (GOLDEN BAOBAB PRIZE SHORTLIST AUTHOR)

PORTIA DERY (IHAV PARTICIPANT 2013)

Congratulations Portia on your nomination and shortlist for the Golden Baobab prize. You were a participant at the 1^st edition of the IHAV Project Conference.

Tell us:

 1. How would you describe your experience at the IHAV Conference?

My IHAV experience is something I would never trade for anything in the world. If there was anything that challenged me to thrive to attain my dreams; then it was the 2013 IHAV conference. Indeed, for me I did not just gain knowledge at the conference, but I gained long-life friends from other African countries, I got opportunities that open doors for me, I gained hope for the future and I got infected with the African love; I felt in love with Africa for the first time! And when I came back from the conference I was elated, I just couldn’t shut up my mouth (my mum and brother soon got tired of me-lol)  and so I told anybody I met down the street how the IHAV conference  was awesome.

2. How has the IHAV conference you participated in shaped your insight and challenged you to pursue your vision?

I have always had dreams of starting something that would thrust my vision into action, but I never knew how or when nor if I was even capable of pursuing it. But at the IHAV 2013 conference my worldview was vigorously challenged. I used to think I was the only passionate person  in the world that wanted to change it, till I meet people(who were roughly the same age I was)   who  had achieved so much and were doing amazing things back in their  own countries.  And so right after the conference i too knew it was time to propel my vision into action. 

 3. Tell us about how you heard of and participated in the Golden Baobab Prize?

I love writing and I love children, and these were the very things Golden Baobab was championing  and so when I heard of the 2014 Golden Baobab Prize for African children’s literature , I knew there was no way I would miss that and  so I wrote two stories and entered them and am glad to know one made it.

 4. Tell us how you feel about making the shortlist.

I feel very humbled and grateful; my faith in God had crossed a 100% threshold. Also, as writer with self-doubt; who is never really sure if  a sentence or a word  is in the right place or if a story is really  good enough, I feel validated! 

5. Was the IHAV conference instrumental in your participation and nomination?

A yes! After the conference, the fire that ignited within me was difficult to quench. I think it led me to seek more opportunities to enrich and empower myself.  The conference made me believe that it was ok to have bold dreams, that it wasn’t strange to succeed and that was the mindset that led me in writing for the Golden Baobab’s competition.

6. Tell us about your organization AYWO.

 The African Youth Writers Organization-AYWO is a non-profit organization which seeks to promote African literature and child literacy. We believe that if we could groom a vibrant young crop of readers and writers now; imagine what that would mean in the next 5-10 years? It would imply that writers and publishers would have a guaranteed market for their books, it would mean that the reading culture of Africans would improve (which would reflect in the choices they make as citizens) and it thus strongly suggest that we would have a strong crop of African writers that would write beautiful stories of Africa.   Because, when the writers of a nation are right; their leaders would be right.

AYWO is currently promoting child literacy by making reading books accessible to children and by organizing reading and writing clinics. AYWO in collaboration with Mariam Ziona’s ‘Bliss butterfly network’, Kofi Larbi( a media expert) and IHAV foundation have declared November as #Bookcollectionmonth where we are seeking to collect 1000 books to donate to the Tamale Regional Library and IHAV’s Pieces  for Peace project.

7. Can anyone be a part of AYWO, and how do they join?

AYWO is open to anyone who has the passion to make a difference. At AWYO we believe in volunteerism and partnership, so no matter your skills/expertize and profession, we have a place for you! We therefore strongly encourage people who are interested to send us a mail via afrikanywo@gmail.com. Join us in promoting African literature and child literacy.

8. Lets delve into social entrepreneurship and volunteering, what’s your take on these two?

Social entrepreneurship and volunteerism should be the new cool. We can no longer afford to wait on politicians to do the very things that directly affect us. We need to develop local initiatives that would promote development and create jobs. Although we are not all cut out to be social entrepreneurs, we can still support others with our resources, time, passion and skills.

If the road to your house is full of potholes, do something! Don’t wait on a politician who may never ride on that road. If a local school lacks school supplies, go there and give out your old books. If homeless children hover around your area; get up and volunteer to help them, because if you don’t it is you they would rob, not the politician in his/her secured building.

So that in the end no politician can tell us that they have built more schools, roads, and other things as their achievement; we would be bold to let them know that through social entrepreneurship and volunteerism we too can do even those things!

I therefore salute social ventures like the Ghana Think Foundation, the Golden Baobab, the Sangy Foundation, IHAV Foundation, Tech Need Girls and others that are changing lives within Ghana and across the continent.

9. Can we (the public) help in you anyway for you to claim the Golden Baobab prize? If yes, How?

The Golden Baobab Prize is a competition that is strictly determined through a vigorous and technical evaluation process by a set of judges.  It is therefore not open to the public for voting/views. Nevertheless, the public can hype the Golden Baobab prize by promoting its activities and celebrating the shortlists especially through social media. Media houses, writers, publishers, readers should be promoting Golden Baobab activities because it is an initiative that is empowering Africa writers and promoting children’s literature.

10. Do you have something you want to share with us that has not been asked?

Success is not by chance nor is it by luck but a deliberate strategic plan that when combined with God’s favor would propel you to greater heights. I therefore encourage the youth particularly aspiring/emerging writers to focus and invest their time on their passion.

I kindly urge everyone to join AYWO in the #bookcollectionmonth and the Pieces of Peace initiative. Please donate books/writing materials/school supplies to help promote child literacy.

And thank you so much IHAV foundation for giving me this opportunity

It has been a privilege to speak with you and I know the public especially the IHAV family will support you in every possible way. Thank you.

POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT TO POLITICIANS

The woeful story of Ghana that gets frightening each passing day, depicts a nation in a never ending cycle of failure, an intentional handiwork of politicians spanning decades, who have chosen to go down the destructive political path of overzealous political rivalry , excessive partisanship, unreasonable political patronage, marginalization, indiscipline, lawlessness, greed, self-aggrandizement, deceptive campaign promises, cheap illogical talk, consistent inconsistency, immorality, pit level devaluation, base level mediocrity, rationalizing failure, tribal divisions, wanton dissipation and conspiratorial looting of national resources, and compromising sacred state institutions. Our "JOKER POLITICAL CLASS" who have made us the laughing stock of the world, preside over a wealth of globally valuable natural resources and human capital, yet have failed to leverage all that to create a winning situation for a people whose national anthem requires of them to build a great and strong nation.

Politics is not a job. Politics is community service. Politics is a passion to improve the quality of life of a people, ultimately raising their living standards. Anyone who wants to make money out of a career in politics is in the wrong profession.The success of a politician is dependent on the poor guy on the street, his or her ability to lift that person to a better self sustaining situation.

Politics and politicians must adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards and values to give the call to fight nation wrecking corruption the legitimacy and seriousness it requires. If the trust of the citizenry is undermined, the citizenry will question the validity and motive of any goals the leadership states. This will frustrate the special influence the leadership has over the citizenry necessary to move it towards goals of beneficial permanence, that meet their real needs and aspirations.

If the citizenry is to demonstrate patriotism and strong nationalism, the political leadership which shapes the national character, must set the best example to give it a moral leverage to drive down the message forcefully. There is an urgent need to restore credibility of government as it is globally known. We need to restore financial integrity of leadership in the nation's political world. It is a must that we restore our national inheritance for the benefit of the whole. Simply put, the restoration of leadership by example.

Wake up Ghana !

By Mr Charles Sam

Volunteer of the month.....

SABTIYA WAHAB-ABUBAKAR

 AGE: 23

PROFESSION: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

 HOBBIES: LISTENING TO MUSIC, WRITING, READING AND SURFING THE INTERNET.

I have always respected those who try to change the world for the better rather than complaining', these are the words of Michael Bloomberg, a renowned business magnate and a philanthropist. I have the same attitude as Michael, admiring the few social entrepreneurs and change makers I know and are connected to me via social media from afar without getting involved.

My mindset changed when I met Ms. Christabel Ofori, who made me realize I can also make a change in my own way. I therefore decided to volunteer for IHAV Foundation because i believed in their vision, making it my first ever volunteering experience.

I am a vibrant, down to earth and an introvert by nature who has passion for writing and socilaizing with youth who believe in Ghana and in Africa. I have a secret desire for media works which played a large role in influencing my decision to join the media and event coordination committee in IHAV. I love football and I follow it keenly. A woman, watching and debating football? Yeah that is me. I studied Business at the O'reilly Senior High School and proceeded to Debest College where I graduated with a Diploma in Business Administration. I am currently enjoying my role at IHAV because it makes me feel alive to be part of a dedicated team planning towards a ground breaking conference on agribusiness this year.

The youth are the future leaders and believing and empowering ourselves to achieve greater heights and to be self-sufficient to reduce unemployment is my focus for joining IHAV foundation. It has been fun and educating being part of this experience. My engagement with IHAV moved me to start my own company -  Creative Media Network Which deals in Filmmaking, Documentaries, Artist Management, Journalism and Event Management.I Have A Vision and I am sure you do too. Let us join hands to make it materialize.

AFRICA’S YOUTH, AGRICULTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The African youth is anyone who is between childhood and adulthood who is of African descent. Agriculture basically is the growing of crops, rearing of animals for man’s use. Entrepreneurship identifies or describes someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for its failure or success.

The agriculture sector as stipulated by the World Bank employs sixty-five percent of the continents labor force and the sector alone account for thirty percent of the continents gross domestic product. One striking revelation is that, the sector has been identified as an essential component for the development of Sub-Saharan Africa, and her subsequent attainment of the Millennium Development goals in the year 2015. If this revelation is anything to go by, then it is no wrong to say that the needed measures must be put in place to strengthen the sector in the sub-region.

But in doing so, mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that obstacles that have in a way barricaded the efforts of successive governments, stakeholders and individuals to enhance the growth of the sector in the past be forestalled. Such mechanisms can be by way of charting a course that would eventually lead to a re-orientation of the continents mindset towards agricultural activities, instituting policies that sees to agricultural development, investing heavily into research activities, budgetary allocations that would see to training of experts and building strong institutions cum mounting of agribusiness related courses in that would see to the development of the needed experts.

Though the sector as said accounts for the greatest percentage of employment in the continent, and has the potential to transform the economy of the Sub-Saharan region,the youth which to a large extent forms a greater portion of labor unfortunate has developed an apathetic mindset towards the sector, hence the lack of interest in the sector’s activities. The youth in this aspect of the globe so much of a sort takes much interest in landing “highly esteemed” non existent white collar jobs. Ironically, a chunk of the students studying various agricultural related courses in our universities in long run earns diverting into other sectors. Why? The mindset from the beginning have been that, the sector is a reserve for the poor in our the community. So until the youth experience the needed paradigm shift in mind, the sector though would account for such huge percentage in terms of employment in the continent but would not see the needed development.

Stakeholders and individuals should partner government to create a common platform for the development of agribusiness-entrepreneurs. Such platforms should be made in a way that it would provide and make possible the coming together of certain individuals who have made strides in the area of agriculture, agribusiness, entrepreneurship with students in various institutions that are majoring in courses related to the development of agriculture. Such forums in the long run would provide the opportunity for people who of a sort are liked minded confer by sharing experiences, training and the establishments of a broad network for future engagements. This network should allow for the establishment of agricultural based fraternities on campuses with agricultural experts, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders entrusted with the duty of supervising the progress of these students, and acting as mentors. The eventuality of such an undertaking would be the direct partnership with these students after completion of their courses.

There should also be room enough for farmer-student engagement. Whatever be the case, the student youth who is taking study in any agricultural related course, though might be exposed to changing trends in the sector can never much the expertise of the farmer who has been in the profession for some considerable number of years because the farmer for a fact has been much exposed to the practical aspect of activities. This engagement between the farmer and the student would afford the each the opportunity to learn from each other. It would equally expose the student to the reality side of the theories gone through within the confinement of their lecture halls, either than it forever remaining mere methods.

African countries should by way of policies, develop modules that would lead to the training of the uneducated aspect of the youth population. This module should be open and very attractive. It should include incentives like insurance, loans that are interest free for a stipulated period, special award schemes and scholarship for the education the children of such people among others. Such an initiative would not allure such persons into the sector but would go a long way to tackle the canker of rural-urban migration, unemployment, food insecurity among a host of other problems.

Financial institutions should institute loan schemes with flexible paying schemes. Such schemes should create a situation whereby the interest charged would come with an automatically created account that would insure against contingency needs. These institutions together with government and other stakeholders can equally run a major partnership that would see to the creation of a “national farm” which would come with various compartments like buffer stock industries, composite plants, poultry, a research department, among others. The various compartments as mentioned should be opened up to employment for only natives of the African region. A major contribution that can come with such an initiative is the production of fertilizers and other agro based chemicals internally, a phenomenon which would allow us to turn our waste components to our benefits and help fight the dirts that have engulfed us.

The entrepreneurial aspect would come into play when the youth is allowed to on their own with little or no supervision identified special investment ventures, draw comprehensive business proposals and effectually tender such proposals for the needed support. Local industries should as part of their corporate social responsibilities create a platform where they would periodically invite such proposals, screen them and identify the most innovative and comprehensive ones to give the needed financial backing.

The continent should equally encourage a continental blueprint that would create an inter-country youth entrepreneurial platform where, youth leaders, entrepreneurs and national leaders would periodically meet to dialogue and exchange ideas on issues that are peculiar to each nation’s youth development.

The African Youth just like their counterparts across the globe are faced with major challenges that do not argue well for their development but with the appropriate measures like those elaborated on above put into its proper perspective, we would not only be solving the core problems bordering the youth, but it would be a course to ensure the total independence of the continent in the next foreseeable future.

By Akaho Felix Junior (Ghana)

iHav 2013 conference participant 

Director of the month

Name: Asamoah-Boadu Kofi

Age: 22
Hobbies: Programming, Computer Games
Country: Ghana
Role In IHAV: IT HEAD

I am a highly accomplished, skilled and knowledgeable computer science student of  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology (KNUST) in Ghana.  I had

my basic and secondary schools in Ghana. As an innovator, I developed an electronic pulpit (lectern) with which I won the most innovative student in the KNUST TRATECH fair in 2010. The thought of me solving a mathematical problem correctly greatly fascinates me and I love all mathematics related subjects. I have been working with Sabonay Technologies, a software company in Ghana, for 3 years. Some of the applications I have handled at Sabonay are "Sabonay Inventory and Retail Services codename SIRS, Sabonay banking codename sBANKING and Sabonay Messaging codename sMessaging". I am the IT head for Stealth GH, a photography and graphic design company in Ghana. I believe that everything thing you dream of is possible to be achieved, if we have the courage to pursue them. And though it can't become a reality through magic, it can through sweat, determination and hard work. Above all, I believe in God and what is written in the scripture

10 unique points on IHAV Project conferences

In the run up to the 2014 conference, conference applicants may be asking themselves what makes iHav unique and different from other conference projects they have attended before? Well here is a list of 10 unique points about IHav Conference Projects

1.  The event is a continental wide event, so as to foster regional integration amongst African youth and finding out regional perspective on issues affecting the youth such as unemployment, encouraging sustainable lifestyles through promoting green economies, and healthy living and promoting green economies as an adaptation to climate change.

2. Break cultural diversity through teamwork, our team has  youth with a diverse academic background, this showing the great confluence of skills as an appropriate approach in dealing with issues affecting Africa. The great diversity of thought is our strongest link.

3. We aim at promoting a dialogues which are action oriented through the establishment of social projects that iHav Foundation will fund and assist to set up

4.  Create solutions for the future through practical models

5.  Break political boundaries

6. Smaller groups to enhance more involvement in outlined activities

7.       Round table discussions and debates with speakers and other participants

8   8. Exchange of ideas

     9. Challenge to act and improve the quality of life across the continent We aim to create public-private sector partnership, through engaging regional bodies like the A.U , Africa Development Bank and youth entrepreneurs

    10.  Organised entirely by and for the youth

      If you haven’t applied to be part of the 2014 Conference apply today and you may just stand a chance to be a part of the 100 visionaries drawn from across the continent of Africa.To register CLICK HERE

THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN REALIZING THEIR VISION FOR CHANGE!

A cursory look at our society and world  at large will reveal that the  young people are not effectively represented in the decision making bodies that exist in the world today and  this  has  hampered  the  contribution the  young  people  can  make  towards ensuring  a  peaceful  and  harmonious society and world at large. So the  question is,  despite  this  difficulty,  how  can  the young  people  still  play  a  role  and contribute to the peaceful and harmonious co-existence of our world? I have been able to identify three ways by which young people can help to realize the vision of a peaceful and harmonious world and they are:

1.  BY  JOINING  INTERNATIONAL  AND NATIONAL VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS:  

 In  this  present  world, there  are  so  many  national  and international  voluntary  organizations  that a  young  person  can  join  and  through which such a  young person will be  able to play  a  role  and  contribute  to  a  peaceful and harmonious  world. Such organizations include   AIESEC,  ROTARY,  AMNESTY and RED  CROSS   just  to mention a  few.  These bodies  are  notable  for  the  efforts  being made  by  them  to  ensure  that  the  world will live in is peaceful Thus; a young person can  join  any  of  these  organizations  in  his domicile  country  and  be  effective  in projecting the vision. Also at  the national level  there  are  other  organizations  that  a person can join. In Nigeria for  example we have  Access  to  Justice,  CODER,  Save Democracy Group and professional bodies. This is also another forum where a young person can  make  himself/herself  effective in ensuring global peace and harmony.

2.THROUGH  THE  LOCAL  AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA:

The  media  has  proved  to  be  one  of  the best  tool  through  which  global peace  and harmony can  be ensured. A young person can  share his ideas and views through the media.  The  Internet  which  the  young people are so used to is another effective avenue through which a young person can

contribute  to  global  peace  and  harmony. Social  network  sites  like   FACEBOOK   and TWITTER  host  millions  of  youth  around the  world and  it  can  also be  employed  to contribute to global peace and harmony.

3.THROUGH  STUDENTS’  BODIES  AND ORGANIZATIONS:

Majority  of  young  people  are  at  different stages of the educational structure such as the  High  School,  College  and  the University.  Students’  bodies  exist  in  most institutions and where properly  employed, they  can  become  effective  means  of participation  in  ensuring  the  vision  for global  peace.  The  popular  social  network site, FACEBOOK was started by a group of students  in  Harvard  and  today  it  has become  the  largest  and   most  popular social  network site in the world. If a group of students could achieve this feat then we can  imagine  greater  things  students’ bodies  will  be  able  to  do.  Thus,  Students’ organizations can be an  effective platform for a young  person to contribute to world peace and harmony.In conclusion, to build the theory of Change we need to support the  youth  to  be  part  of  policy  making  in the nation.

By Olumide Climate Idowu (Nigeria)

IHAV Nigeria Country Director / iHav 2013 Conference participant

My Vision is my boss – A lesson from IHAV

After taking a look at the structure of the organization and work that needs to be done, I came to a conclusion – this organization must be run by one African Superman/ superwoman really serious about investing in youth. Question is who is this super house and what makes this organization so successful? What makes the youth so motivated to work and put the organization on the map? I mean, coordinating activities around Africa, surely there is something more than money, ability, and willingness at play here. Anyway, as a researcher I just could not leave these questions unanswered, so I went on a research jaunt to quench my thirst. I found answers!

On a personal basis I have always found satisfaction in volunteering at various levels such as at school, church, and my community. This I do in a bid to help make my community a better and safer place to live. In my volunteering years I have learnt many a lesson, one particular one being that what strengthens my resume is more responsibility not a bigger title. This I learnt from a great team at IHAV Africa, an organization I volunteer at which seeks to inspire and challenge youth across Africa to envision change and ACT on it.

If I were to describe the IHAV family in a few words I’d say they are “engagement champions.” Why do I say so? It’s simple. Let me explain to you what to me, makes IHAV the most fun organization to volunteer for. IHAV is an open platform of visionaries who encourage each other to act on their vision to make Africa a better home. What I like most is the fact that youth are not fitted into jobs but they do what they feel is in line with the organization’s objectives and vision. In not so many words they make the vision the “BOSS.”

One might then ask how this can be when clearly it has departments and Directors in those departments. These are just there to act as focal points or references but definitely not bosses. This is the reason why even a volunteer can communicate with the Head Director straight up. I believe when people always tell you what to do, then you are a machine, but if you are given enough authority and work with people who share the same vision as you, extraordinary things happen. J IHAV team members do not wait to be given work, rather they come up with innovative and engaging ways that continually better the organization. Like this article, I wasn’t told to write it but I’m sure it adds some value, continue reading.

It is always a joy to work with people who share the same vision as you and encourage you. This makes you grow in the right direction. I always enjoy sharing whatever I learn from the team with others. After all, a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Having said this, let me take this opportunity to invite you all to the upcoming IHAV annual conference from the 30^th of July to the 2^nd of August in Accra Ghana. Here over 100 young African visionaries interact to discuss on challenges and opportunities in agribusiness. This year’s theme is “Creating an agribusiness revolution with Africa’s youth.” Make sure you book your seat, see you there.For registration please CLICK HERE

BY ANGELBERT WAMAMBO (IHAV TEAM MEMBER FROM ZIMBABWE)

Curious mind broadcaster shares his views on last years conference......

First Name:  Herbert

Last Name:  Acheampong 

Country:      Ghana

University:   University of Education Winneba

1.    How did you get to hear about IHAV Foundation?

Eventbite post

2.    What motivated you to participate in the 2013 July conference?

I needed to meet new people with different problem solving abilities

3.    Briefly explain how you benefited from the experience during the 2013 July conference

I had the chance to understand other cultures and to merge or integrate agriculture and education, which will enable me to counsel students on choosing a career in agriculture and curb the misconception of agriculture as a business for the poor.

4.    Have you followed up with your team mates to see that your project is done and how have you managed that

Yes

5.    Given a second chance would you like to participate in the upcoming conference

Yes

6.    What did you like most about the conference

The people, the food and the education

7.    What would you tell those anticipating to apply for the 2014 conference

They should expect to meet great young people who are willing to help solve issues bothering them.

.

Dr Progress Africa on IHAV 2013 CONFERENCE

First Name(s): Stephen (Dr. Progress)

Last Name: Daniel

Country: Nigeria/Uganda

University: Uganda Christian University

1.     How did you get to hear about IHAV Foundation?

I was going through the internet for opportunities that could add on my experience and equip me on my quest to transform the African continent when I found about the IHav conference. I applied and luckily I was selected to attend.

2.    What motivated you to participate in the 2013 July conference?

 I was motivated to attend because the program was in line with my vision. I have a vision to see Africa transform into a first word continent by the year 2030 where every human ha equal opportunity to maximize their God given potential.

3.    Briefly explain how you benefited from the experience during the 2013 July conference.

I benefitted from this program as I got to meet with like minded youths from across Africa who are ready to take on the responsibility for transforming to continent to what it should be. I met with youths doing great things at the African Union in Addis, from Zimbabwe and other great African countries. I also got an opportunity to be featured on Ghana’s national TV to air my views on what should be done to transform the continent.

4.    Have you followed up with your team mates to see that your project is done and how have you managed that

 I would be sincere and say Yes and No. Yes I have been able to contact them after the program No because we have not started working on the project as a team but as individuals.  We have not been able to effectively manage the project effectively due to distance and lack of coordination.

5.    Given a second chance would you like to participate in the upcoming conference

Yes

6.    What did you like most about the conference

 The group discussions and project design.

7.    What would you tell those anticipating to apply for the 2014 conference

I would say go for it as it is worth the while. Come meet with other African youth and tie the knot together for the transformation of our continent. Nobody would build Africa for us better than ourselves and you have the key to that transformation.

A Nigerian's perspective of the 2013 IHAV Conference

First Name:      Samuel

Last Name:        Kalu

Country:             Nigeria

University:      Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike-Nigeria

1.      How did you get to hear about IHAV Foundation?

I got the information as a mail from the Country Representative of YPARD, Nigeria.

2.      What motivated you to participate in the 2013 July conference?

I love change and had a passion for entrepreneurship in Agriculture. I came to the conference to contribute and share ideas with other youths across Africa.

3.      Briefly explain how you benefited from the experience during the 2013 July conference

The IHAV conference has indeed opened way for greater opportunities for me, I am currently enrolled in an online International Post harvest training so that I can be better positioned to handle our group project of reducing post-harvest losses with ICT tools in Africa, an opportunity I won’t have gotten were it not for the conference.

4.      Have you followed up with your team mates to see that your project is done and how have you managed that.

I have been able to follow up my team mates to further discuss our project via social networks.

5.      Given a second chance would you like to participate in the upcoming conference.

Yes

6.      What did you like most about the conference

The networking and the field trip was awesome!

7.      What would you tell those anticipating to apply for the 2014 conference.

It’s a way to meet wonderful visionaries across Africa as well as collaborate to achieve a common goal, by all means Apply!