Detroit-based L!FE Leaders goes global, bringing Youth Leadership Camp to Kenya
The Detroit-based nonprofit L!FE Leaders recently traveled overseas to bring its impactful programs to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
“There’s over 160 youth serving organizations in the city of Detroit alone, but similar initiatives just aren’t as accessible in Kenya,” said Maria Franklin, executive director of L!FE Leaders.
While economic challenges are a reality for many Detroit residents, the daily struggles for people in countries like Kenya offer a harsh wake-up call. For example, nearly 40% of the Kenyan population lives below the overall poverty level, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, with an average monthly net salary of only $619.
“I think, when you're so close to the opportunities that exist in the U.S., you often forget to appreciate or take advantage of it like you would if you saw the circumstance of other people around the world,” said Franklin.
Four dedicated team members from L!FE Leaders traveled to the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi for 10 days this past spring. There, they partnered with the East Africa Impact Hub to bring a Youth Leadership Camp to 87 Kenyan youth between the ages of 11 and 17.
Based off L!FE Leader’s renowned Excellence Corps Training, the youth ambassadors trained participants in professional etiquette, communication, financial literacy, resume building, critical thinking and more. Participants also received training in debate and public speaking from the Africa Debate Academy.
Tanesha McGhee, L!FE Leaders program coordinator, said, “We help youth discover their passions – what they’re interested in, what they want to do and how to get there. We give them the audacity to know it’s already within them, and how to access the tools to get there.”
Kenyan youth participants shared that, through this program, they learned how to stand up for themselves and also gained self-confidence. They learned the importance of reflection, active listening, and speaking with heart – rather than just volume. The unique peer-to-peer training model, where students were guided by individuals close in age who had navigated similar experiences, resonated deeply with them, fostering a sense of camaraderie and leading to new friendships.
Building Global Partnerships
Wairimu Manyara, co-founder of the East African Impact Hub, said, “When I was their age, I don’t think anyone told me about debate and public speaking and how these skills could affect not only my career growth but also my personal growth as an individual.”
“I think a lot of young people who grow up in Nairobi are taught that their path is already predetermined and that they don’t necessarily have a choice. They end up feeling like a machine in the system. So, I think a young person owning their future and deciding what they are going to do with their future is the greatest impact we can give.”
Franklin met Manyara while serving as a mentor for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders through Wayne State University. This program brings emerging leaders from across Africa to Detroit for several weeks through the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative.
“We got to talking about L!FE Leaders and our mission, and she said she would love for us to come to Kenya to work with young people there. And the opportunity presented itself for us to do just that,” said Franklin.
This was Franklin’s first time traveling to Africa, and she was impressed by the youth's strong commitment to education and their understanding of its potential to improve their circumstances.
“Most of them aspired to go to Ivy League schools in the U.S. And, when I asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, they were very specific – wanting to be corporate lawyers or aeronautical engineers,” she said.
“They didn’t shy away from hard work. To me, this reinforced the importance of our programs and raising the expectations of young people that they can be whatever they want to be.”
Looking ahead, Franklin shared the organization's commitment to continued engagement with their partners in Kenya. This includes exploring possible virtual collaborations between L!FE Leaders and the East Africa Impact Hub and connecting Kenyan counterparts with other youth-serving organizations in Detroit.
"We would love to align them to more resources they can use to help more people afford education and get them wraparound services," she said.
L!FE Leaders relies on the support of individuals and organizations to continue delivering initiatives like these. To help empower young people in Detroit and around the globe with the skills and confidence they need to succeed, visit https://fueledbylife.org/sponsor-page.
For a firsthand look at the impact of the Youth Leadership Camp on Kenyan youth, check out the videos below: