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!

IHAV 2013 conference a life changing experience!

First Name(s)   ISSABELLA ESI

Last Name       DENNIS

Country           GHANA

University        UNIVERSITY OF CAPECOAST, GHANA

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

 I saw the ad in a friend’s profile.

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

I was motivated by the fact that the conference was organized by people just like me. (The youth)

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

Explaining my benefit briefly is not fair; because I have too much to say. This conference in-stilled in me the “I can do” spirit. I left the conference knowing that I cannot wait for one more second to go by without thinking about a realistic vision and also putting effort in my visions. After doing critical analysis, I took a bold step of putting my vision into an action and today I can boldly say that though I am an employee for someone, I have also become an employer to others, still being a youth.

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

Unfortunately that has not gone well; initially we formed a chat group to help us communicate more, since not all members were in Ghana. However, nothing came of it; we know is not too late to put an action into our vision.

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

A big Yes

6.    What did you like most about the conference?

I like that I was not dictated to or given long speeches. I was involved and made to think on my feet. I also loved that I stayed with people all over Africa and have all become friends. And of course I loved the entertainment part, especially dance moves of different countries. I totally loved the whole experience.

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

If you don’t have a vision, be there. If you have a vision be there, and at the end of just the very first day your mind won’t let you rest till you dream a vision and enforce it into a profitable action.

MEET OUR DIRECTOR OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY!!!!

NAME: Samuel Darko
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Land Economist
COUNTRY: Ghana
ROLE IN IHAV: Country Director - Ghana

I am a Land Economist by profession. I love reading about the success stories of Africans across the world, listening to music and a secret desire for taking photos. Aside the fact that I love the Lord; I have become a more committed Christian because the second coming is at hand. I am an easygoing, fun-loving and a passionate football fan. Time spent with the people is something I cherish a lot, no matter the occasion, and I like to try new things also.

Due to my background in Land Economy, I am now into Real Estate specialized in Real Estate Management. I commit myself to two things everyday Real Estate Issues and IHAV Foundation issues. I love the profession I find myself in but I’m more passionate about Ihav because of the vision the organization has in youth empowerment.

My role at IHAV as the Country Director is challenging but a challenge I accepted because I wanted to portray the capabilities of the African Youth in a different way. My first initiative to promote IHAV was to come up with #Pieces for Peace, an idea born out of youth empowerment. That is by bringing the youth who are into fashion together to exhibit their products and a platform to encourage them start their own business, whiles giving five different orphanages African prints for the kids. The shared the idea with the President who gave the go ahead to implement it during the festive period so as to give back to the society as a social responsibility from IHAV

#Pieces for Peace is just an initiative we have started this year to promote our upcoming Conference later in the year. My team and I will work harder to put Ihav not just on the Ghanaian map, the African map but all over the World. The African story can be told in a different way rather than the poverty stricken and unemployed youth. Vision will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve excellence.

Put your Vision in Action, I Have A Vision (IHAV)

MEET OUR VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY!!!!

NAME: Angelbert Wamambo
AGE: 22
HOBBIES: Reading, Chess, Tennis, Travelling, networking with African youth
PROFESSION: Statistician
COUNTRY: Zimbabwe
ROLE IN IHAV: Volunteer (Business Development and Research)

BRIEF SUMMARY
I am a doer! A vibrant youth who addresses problems by asking the question “why not”, and then attempts to answer it with a personal creed: that when we dare to believe our vision is possible, and dare to act on this belief, extra ordinary changes can take place. I always encourage people to start where they are with what they have.

I love mathematics and believe numbers keep the world sane. Currently I am studying towards a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Operations Research and Statistics with the National University of Science and Technology. As a volunteer I have worked with Bulawayo Youth Empowerment Trust (BYET) as Special Project’s Coordinator, Rotaract Club, and National University of Science and Technology Students In Free Enterprise (NUST SIFE). With the help of friends, we are in the process of starting up a youth-led Christian organization called The Faith Avenue Zimbabwe (TFAZ) which seeks to empower youth to Godly leadership through community engagement. I practice my religion according to James 1:27 in the bible, and believe it is everyone’s right to look after widows and orphans. 

Africa being the youngest continent, I strongly believe its youth are key assets of any community and particularly valuable players in the socio-economic development of the country. I also agree with (McNutty, 2005) who points out that youth are in a unique place in life, as they are developing their decision making skills, continuing to learn, entering the labour force, cultivating character and a healthy lifestyle, and learning to exercise their leadership. It’s a blessing to volunteer at IHAV as we share the same vision.
Currently I am an intern at Industrial Psychology Consultants where I am doing what I love; crunching numbers