Hearing the voice of youth Kamanda, is 17 years old and from Sierra Leone. He is Youth Ambassador of the West Africa Regional Office for Plan’s International Youth Steering Committee. This committee feeds into governing bodies including the Members’ Assembly (see page 7), as part of Plan’s Strategy for Youth Engagement in Internal Decision Making, published in 2013. “Children and young people are the most vulnerable people in society; but we are the future leaders. We are the people who have to succeed. We have the vision. But if we are not protected and given the opportunity – if our voices are not engaged – then there is a bleak future for the world. “When I was young, my parents did not know what education was, or its importance, so I would take my younger cousins to school and then stay at home doing household chores. I felt ashamed when I saw other children writing or speaking English, and they sometimes bullied me. So, from a young age I saw the importance of education, and I asked to go to school. “Finally, when I was seven, after the war, I started school. I was elected prefect in my first term and came first in the class at the end of the year. Later, I became involved in Kids Arise – Sierra Leone – a Plan youth group – and I developed a passion for advocating for children and young people when I became its president.
“By involving young people in its governance, Plan is showing that it’s committed to listening to our views. It is saying, “Come on board!” As young people, we can help Plan make sure it runs its programmes in the best possible way. And once Plan has shown that it values our voices, we hope that others – including schools, governments, communities and even families – will follow suit.”
© Plan / Gina Nemirofsky
“I feel so happy to be representing the young people of west Africa within Plan’s Youth Steering Committee. The role provides an opportunity to become empowered, learn a lot of things and improve my practical skills, including decision-making and leadership.
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