My Africanism Began

Bethel Yalew

Ethiopia

My name is Bethel Yalew. I was born in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. I am a high school student living in one of the beautiful countries of Africa.

When I was a child I used to like drawing and watching Disney. Disney was my favorite channel. The shows on Disney are all in English (which is not my first language) and the characters reflect the life style of America, which is totally different from Ethiopians. I used to watch how American children interact with their parents, teachers and other people.

And I thought that is how children are raised back then. It turns out, it is a whole different way in my society. My friends and I were so into Disney that we were somehow not abiding the norms and customs of our society or we used to do some things the western way. Just because we saw it on TV, we want to do it at home for no reason. I don¹t know why they celebrate their 16th birthday in a special way, but I've seen them doing it. So I bothered my parents to do the same thing for me. My mom didn¹t like the party and stuff because it¹s not common here. But she let me do it, though I didn¹t get a car.

At some point I used to believe that everything that I see on TV is real. Last year I got the chance to visit America. So I was able to talk with Ethiopian-American students. They told me that everything I saw on TV was not actually real, it was not either totally fake. My attitude was a bit changed.

In the same year I applied for Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) program, a 5 days summer program for high school students. I got accepted. When I applied, I had no idea what the program was really about. Because it was the first round and I'd never heard of it before.

But it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. 2014 YYAS was held in Ghana and Ethiopia. I attended the Ethiopia program. 51 students including me, who came from across Africa, gathered in Debre Zeit for 5 unforgettable days. We took life changing lectures and seminars and we had workshops and project groups. For me, the most important part of the program was the interaction I had with the students. Because most of the students, especially those who were not from Ethiopia know a lot about their continent. They told me different things about Africa. I felt something strange like I'm a foreigner. I didn't like that feeling. Then I started questioning myself. Who am I?

Where do I belong? What is my society? What do I know about my continent? And the like. I couldn't find answers for some of my questions.

On the last night of YYAS we had a talent show. I was sitting with my new friends who were from Kenya, Ethiopia and Botswana. It was just four days since I met them, but we look like life time friends. We were watching the talent show.

After all the acts, all of the people in the hall started dancing with different African music. My Kenyan friend and I were taking pictures. I was looking at happy faces, laughing and dancing. I took a moment to realize everything. Students and instructors, who were all African children, were enjoying the dance. No one seems sad.

Students dancing on the last night in Ethiopia

There was the future of Africa and I was part of it. So I answered some of my questions. That evening changed everything because that is where my “Africanism” began. And I want to thank YYASP for the experiences I got. God bless Africa!

"I have heard that Africa has many problems, but have come to realise that there are even more solutions."

AraOluwa Adaramola

Nigeria

I almost didn’t get a chance to apply for the YYAS program. Even after I did, I thought my chances were slim. So after receiving my-I’ve-been-accepted letter you can only imagine how happy I was. When I eventually joined the Facebook page I was eager to meet the 21^st century teenagers who, like me, would be reading during the summer holidays. 

It was wonderful putting faces to the names that were posting comments on Facebook. From the airport, everyone was extremely friendly.  By the time we were in the bus en route to the Yiri Lodge, anyone would have thought that we had known each other beforehand. Being that Nigeria is the only country I’ve been to in Africa, it was my first time on Ghanaian soil and I was meeting all these vibrant young Africans, I felt like an explorer.

My favourite parts of the program were the seminars. Prior to the seminars, all we were given were university –level readings. Obviously my mind went into overdrive. How would it go? Would I have to learn every thing? I don’t understand! But I enjoyed every single one of them. Usually we would start with an introduction. Then the instructor would throw open the “discussion” floor. It was amazing how we could discuss, throw questions and add new dimensions to issues for over an hour and wouldn’t feel the time fly.

I also enjoyed workshop sessions where we handled the SATs and college applications. Before then both processes seemed scary. The difference for me was the human factor, being able to talk to the undergraduates who were in my position a few years ago, to ask questions and to hear the goofy things they would never ever tell an admissions officer.

Project group was my most challenging session. Our theme was Politics and Elections and I was a rookie. To top it off we were asked to produce a 1000-word essay and a presentation on a problem, related to the theme, in just 3 days. In my group we were able to break down the essay so we could handle it individually, the easy bit, and then build it up into the finished piece. It was really interesting how specific the problem had to be. So we started with - The misallocations of funds by government officials. Be specific! The misallocation of funds by government officials in Ghana. Be even more specific! The misallocation of funds allocated to the educational sector (particularly the primary and secondary schools) by government officials in Ghana. (I’m not completely sure we had it at that).

Emanuel Alex Asiedu speaking on financial systems in Africa

The beauty of this program was that it was really eye-opening. I left there with a desire to become super woman, okay maybe not exactly superwoman. But now I’ve come to understand the importance of political and financial stability in any economy, and the possible roles I will one day have to play to achieve just that. I have heard that Africa has many problems, but have come to realise that there are even more solutions. I have come to appreciate my strengths and now I am even more determined to work at them.

A New and Connected Network with A Modified Perspective…

Celine Onyawoibi Aju

Nigeria 

YYAS as we popularly called it is the most intense program I have ever attended. It wasn’t intense to the point of utter frustration but to the point where I realized a limit is only a limit when you classify it as one.

In four days we had six lectures, three seminars, four workshop sessions and project group sessions that gave us homework mostly due the next day. That could have been classified summer school as we were even allotted free time; that was our “recess” as popularly called at school.  But every hour felt like free time to me because at every point in time we were discussing and critically analyzing someone`s opinion never ignoring it or marking it silly as most youths deem their ideas.

After discussing with Rachael Adams and  listening to Joyce Agyare I knew that  this program officially just launched  a network of actual leaders  who would be “leading from their strengths” which  is “Personal Leadership “ and not because of a “sophisticated  college degree” because that is the only way one can  work exceptionally  and effectively. On aspects like the Financial Markets of Africa or Election and Governance or the inequality in Democracy and Distribution and maybe even improve Gender and Asset Ownership in the continent.

Last night of YYAS Ghana, at the talent show

So, it wasn’t only about “how to be a good leader” it affected every aspect of life even our individual talents. Apparently they had one non-educational to the core event for us, the talent show.  Recalling the event I know now that the hidden agenda there was to teach us to be fearless because fear limits your abilities and the amount of fun you`ll have as a person.

The beauty of all of this is, that I know 49 extraordinary students, 7 youthful adults and 4 beautiful female directors on the surface of the earth that are there to listen to my opinion on any problem no matter how silly I might sound which to me is quite often or edit my college essay draft as many times as I send it. Who will encourage me and my YYAS peeps when we venture on our  leadership journey and watch us intently. I can stand anywhere today to say I know no matter how far away I might go they will always be there because this was one of their many many agendas I know this because Nicola said “please keep in touch “ with a hint of beseeching  as we walked out the doors of Yiri Lodge.

“Think outside the parallelogram”

# YYAS2014    #YYASWECAN   #YYASWEARE

SMILE...

Elizabeth Babalola

YYAS 2014 Instructor

Nigeria

Elizabeth and Amy enjoy a cup of coffee in Ethiopia

It was my first time in a city where English is neither an official language nor a lingua franca. The billboards and signs bore Amharic letters that fascinated my brain and confused my eyes while Helinna’s conversations with bus drivers, customs officers and housekeeping staff all flew over my head. Although I felt out of place and limited by English amidst the rich cultural history of Addis and Debre Zeit, I was excited to meet the 50 students attending our Ethiopian YYAS program. They had written clear English essays and applications and I was hopeful that my discomfort would disappear once I met them…Wrong, to my dismay, many of our awesome kids responded to my enthusiastic greetings with whispers, lowered gazes and shy teenage smiles. They quickly coalesced into groups and once again Amharic surrounded my head.

My hope of connecting with our amazing students would have been completely shattered if they had not returned my beaming and heartfelt smile. As each student walked in, I found that the smile on my lips was soon mirrored on his or her face. Next, I tried out my newly discovered trick with smaller groups of kids, launching our conversations with a sincere smile. Each time, my effort was rewarded with an ability to communicate that matched and surpassed my expectations. We encouraged them to ‘speak up’, voice their thoughts, and share their opinions with an assurance that there were no ‘right or wrong answers’. As our scholars settled into the rhythm of rigorous seminars, lectures and assignments that ran from 9am – 10pm, their voices got louder, and my ears adjusted to the beautiful accents of fellow Africans. Our smiles got wider bursting forth ever so often into cheerful laughter. In seminars, they now spoke louder and quickly learnt to criticize ideas and concepts from international NGOs, peers and instructors. Our smiles and gentle nudges had worked!

By the end of the week, I was reassured of the power encapsulated in a smile. It had broken barriers for me with our venue’s staff, housekeepers and waiters. Most importantly, it had ushered me into the world of our scholars and past the language barrier that threatened to shut me in. When it was time to say goodbye, the parking lot was aglow with heartfelt smiles, a few tears, hugs and promises to stay in touch with new friends and mentees. 

"I've listened to other motivational speakers but Rachel's speech hit home."

Bethel Gebremariam
Ethiopia

Associate Director for Africa, Rachel Nyaradzo Adams

I came to YYAS expecting a grueling schedule, humorless instructors, basically a school environment minus the fun. But that is so far from the truth.

Yes, we have a grueling schedule. Yeah, I'm losing two hours of sleep but all the lectures, seminars, workshops, and project groups are actually very fun. I had my first seminar yesterday about water power. I expected a dull session but it was actually very engaging!

Don't even get me started on Rachel Adams! I've listened to other motivational speakers but Rachel's speech hit home. The workshops are so extremely helpful. I think the problem in Ethiopia and many other African countries, I assume, is that information does not circulate; it's hard to get the word out. I wish my friends were here with me but unfortunately, they're not. So i'll try to pass on what I've learned and help them as YYAS has done for me. Speaking about friends, I have met so many interesting people. I've made wonderful friends, like my roommate - she's awesome!

I want to conclude by saying thank you so much YYAS Team, and please, please, PLEASE return next year and help young aspirers in Africa with their applications and everything, basically.

p.s. I hope Eno will sing for us at the talent show :)

"It was transformative. It was new and fresh. It was revolutionary."

Leiya Salis

First day at YYAS!

Ghana

“Wow. What was that?”

Those were the first words I uttered as my dad`s red KIA rolled out of Yiri Lodge, hopping into the busy streets of Accra. The YYAS program was more than a rigorous summer program. It was transformative. It was new and fresh. It was revolutionary. Yes, I am a lover of fancy, dramatic words, but this time I am not exaggerating.

When I entered the doors of Yiri Lodge that blessed Monday afternoon, I was but a teenage girl, yearning for something to spice up my summer. I was hungry for real food and brain food. When I left however, something in me had changed. You all noticed it. The twinkle in our eyes, the flame burning in our hearts. You all felt it. YYAS kindled the passionate African in us in a mere week. Whether it was through the seminars and project groups, or just the simple interactions I had in the New Lounge, every single word I exchanged with anyone during the program fueled my intellectual development.

Kweku Awotwi, Founder, African Precious Minerals Ltd.

Kweku Awotwi was right when he said “Africa is a great place once you get to see it.” Now I see it. And I cannot wait till we can make it even better.

"I can't begin to imagine the depth of cultural, political and economic understanding I will leave this program with."

Maame Akua Kome-Mensah
Ghana

It is just so much to take in!

I had extremely high expectations of the program, and so far what I have experienced has greatly surpassed them! I have met extremely intelligent people who are tremendously successful in their fields, and I have rubbed brains with some of the most vibrant and funniest teenagers. It is cool how we are all completely relaxed but at the same time extremely focused.

I have discovered a lot about Yale through interactions with the YYAS staff and their love for the institution is evident in the stories they share with us.

I can't begin to imagine the depth of cultural, political and economic understanding I will leave this program with.

"Refreshed, energized and highly motivated"

Jemima Orevaoghene
Ghana


Being a Yale Young African Scholar has undoubtedly been the best part of my Summer. We were all so fiercely passionate about Africa and driven to fight for change and development. It was an opportunity to meet with some of the continent's brightest thinkers and analysts. The best thing I have taken away from this program is that it's okay for someone else to have a different opinion from you and you neither need to convince the person nor argue over the issue; but like mature intellectuals, you realize that every issue may have two or more solid points of view which deserve to be heard. Refreshed, Energized and Highly Motivated, I am PROUD to call myself a Yale Young African Scholar!