Five Tanzanian Students Return from a Youth Leadership Program

December 27, 2010

Andrea Wojnar-Diagne, Peace Corps Director (center) with six participants of Youth Leadership Exchange Program. Left to right: Chausiku Ramadhani Mkuya, Yusra Nasibu Ibwe, Yolanda Vermund Kaberege, Adolf Lucas, Isaya Erick Ng'aso and Robin John Ufunguo.

Five Tanzanian high school students and a teacher gave high marks to the Youth Leadership Exchange Program (YLEP) in the United States of America. The November 28 - December 22 program, sponsored by the American people through U.S. Department of State, took them to Denver, Colorado and Washington D.C. They lived with American host families, visited schools and participated in school and community activities in Denver, and attended meetings and presentations in Washington, DC. The students took part in workshops and discussions, met grassroots activists and community organizers and learned how to build an community of empowered young people and educators. They had a first-hand experience of the American society, acquired leadership skills and at the same time helped Americans learn more about their country and culture. The Tanzanian students joined similar groups of high school students and educators from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

The students included:

• Adolf Lucas (form II), Itigi Secondary School;
• Yusra Nasibu Ibwe (form III), Kighare Secondary School;
• Robin John Ufunguo (form II), Mlingano Secondary School;
• Isaya Erick Ng'aso (form III), Chidya Secondary School; and
• Chausiku Ramadhani Mkuya (form II), Arusha Secondary School.

The group was led by Ms. Yolanda Vermund Kaberege, Headmistress of the Philip Mangula Secondary School.

Upon their return, the students shared their impressions of America with Andrea Wojnar-Diagne, Tanzania Peace Corps Director, and Dr. Ilya Levin, the U.S. Embassy spokesperson. The students spoke about the friendliness and hospitality of Americans, the warm welcome they received from their host families in the United States, and the transparency of government operations. They also said they were ready to use the leadership skills they acquired during the program for the benefit of their country. The students discussed their plans to implement a range of projects that address HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, opening school library and launching a computer lab.

This is the third group of Tanzanian high-school students to take part in the program. The next group of students is scheduled to participate in the program in March-April 2011.

The Youth Leadership Exchange Program was developed in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies. The participating countries face challenges in at least one area such as tribal and religious conflict and rivalries, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, corruption, and new government structures.

The Youth Leadership Exchange Program offers African secondary school students and educators from Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa the opportunity to explore civic education, leadership development, respect for diversity, and community activism through U.S.-based exchange projects. The program is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750 billion Tanzanian shillings this fiscal year.