MYVP sponsored Kelly Sibanda, a young African to attend CYALA (Council for Young Africans Living Abroad)’s Love Being African Conference earlier this year. Here’s her reflection of the experience:

“CYALA’s Love Being African Gathering was a three-day program brought together approximately 200 African young people and professionals from all over Australia. The gathering was designed to initiate the conversation about African youth and our role in the development of Africa.

Something that remained with me way past the gathering was the entrepreneurial workshop. Prior to the workshop, I personally had little or no experience or exposure in the entrepreneurial world and I had no intentions of getting into it. At this workshop, we were asked to think of an issue, problem or something we believed needed change in Africa. After finding this, we were then asked to think creatively and openly about a social enterprise solution based on social enterprises and consider who, why, what, where and how questions. Although there were so many issues, it was amazing to hear the social enterprise ideas the young people presented, their passion showed there is still hope for Africa.

I was so hyped and could not get enough information about social enterprises. They were, and I still believe they are simple but effective ways to solve a lot of issues in our continent. To me, it seemed like if we acted on all the ideas we had presented, we could help, empower and change so much not only in Africa but worldwide. To this day, I still have this social enterprise idea I am so excited about and are looking into how to make it reality.

At the end of the gathering, I was inspired, motivated and empowered by the guest speakers, by my fellow young people and by their stories, their dreams, hopes and passion for Africa and their journeys to Australia, to self discovery and personal branding.”