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.

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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

PIECES FOR PEACE

IHAV Foundation, an NGO that seeks to inspire and challenge youth across Africa to envision change and ACT on it, has donated several items to orphanages in the Greater
Accra region, Ghana. The donation worth over Gh₵ 5000.00 was to five orphanages in Tema and Accra, which included food items and clothing. Beneficiaries of this donation included Teshie Orphanage, The Lords Arm Orphanage, Save the Young Mission International, Remar Ghana and StreetWise Orphanage.

As a part of its internal campaign to support youth development through capacity building, the President of the organization, Ms Christabel Ofori, stated that the Pieces For Peace idea was initiated to get upcoming fashion designers and fashion houses to exhibit their works by sewing African prints for the kids. She mentioned that spending time with these orphanages and donating the items to them was to make them know that youthful organizations such as IHAV cared for children in these orphanages and wanted them to feel loved. In her words most people think of used clothes whenever donations comes to mind but IHAV Foundation thought about giving each child two new clothes designed to fit them.

In collaboration with Dress-A-Kid, IHAV foundation gathered pieces of fabric from individuals across the country and gave them out to be sewn for the various orphanages after gathering information on sizes of children in these orphanages.

On the day there was a bus to pick people that were willing to join the group make the donation at various pick up points both in Accra and in Tema.

The first orphanage the group visited was the Teshie Orphanage, where the group was briefed on how the orphanage was formed. Though old and not very well, the joy on the founder’s face when the group showed up to make the donation couldn’t be hidden. Everyone that went with the group dressed at least one child with the exception of those that have reached the adolescent age and were shy to dress in front of the group.

The next stop was to The Lords Arm Orphanage also in Teshie and indeed the good Lord had stretched His Arm upon them. Pieces For Peace had just come at a right time for them, because to them it was to climax the wonderful start to the year they have had. An NGO in the United States of America had just been kind enough to relocate the orphanage from its ‘land dispute’ location so the new clothing was a sign of a new start and new life for the kids.

The reception in Tema was amazing as the group reached the third orphanage Save them Young Mission International. The kids were happy to see the group and pleased with the drinks, toffees and other goodies. The team spent time with the kids dressing them up and taking pictures; it was all joy and merry making.

At Tema Remar Rehabilitation Center, which was the team’s fourth stop for the day, only about 15 boys were present as most of them had gone for an eye check up. They were clothed in the shirts, and given some goodies whilst the team was briefed on the centers activities.

Finally IHAV hit the road with destination Chorkor in mind, to visit SteetWise Orphanage. The team looked exhausted at this stage but was determined to finish on the high after a long day. Most of the people in the bus had never been to Chorkor and were curious to see the place. The facilities there were amazing, especially with a beautiful beach view and a well stuffed library. The head of the Orphanage took as round the place and told us the plans He had for the Orphanage but lacked monetary support especially from the Social Welfare.

Certain things cut across in all the Orphanages visited, and these are:

·         Not much support from the Social Welfare

·         Lack of donations from individuals and organizations

·         Lack of infrastructure

·         Inadequate volunteers and teachers