Image a state of affairs the place you’ve gotten the chance to nurture the leaders of tomorrow, information their studying, and empower them to observe their passions. The International Citizen Fellowship Program, supported by BeyGOOD, the charitable basis of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, has made it potential for greater than 50 younger Africans to pursue their desires within the discipline of social affect.
In December 2018, Johannesburg hosted the International Citizen Competition: Mandela 100, the place 70,000 International Residents took 5 million actions as a part of the marketing campaign to finish excessive poverty and honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
On account of the pageant marketing campaign, 60 pledges had been mobilized to fight poverty and its impacts and at present, $7.4 billion in funding has been supplied to communities in want.
Certainly one of these pledges noticed Tyler Perry, actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, dedicate $1 million to help 50 younger changemakers all through Africa, marking the inception of the International Citizen Fellowship Program, fueled by BeyGOOD.
Over the previous 5 years, 50 younger people from marginalized communities in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya have had the chance to achieve sensible expertise in contributing to social affect initiatives by way of a paid, year-long fellowship with International Citizen.
“Strolling alongside 50 distinctive people over the previous 4 years has deepened my understanding of the youth and the enchantment that lies inside,” stated Lipalesa Morake, International Citizen Senior Packages Supervisor of Strategic Partnerships. “The journey has reaffirmed an important perception: there’s a profound magic on this market.”
In 2019, International Citizen partnered with the Fellowship Program’s advisory council, a gaggle of good younger leaders from each Nigeria and South Africa. The experience gained by the fellowship cohort has seamlessly transitioned into ongoing contributions within the discipline of social affect.
“The publicity to numerous individuals and environments through the Fellowship Program influenced me to dream even greater and motivated me to create my inspiring setting for constructive change,” stated Noxolo Gigaba, a category of 2020 BeyGOOD Fellow.
This 12 months, International Citizen celebrated the fellowship’s fifth anniversary by releasing an in depth affect report highlighting every cohort’s position in reworking their communities.
These fellows have gained distinctive expertise, experiences, and networks by way of the Fellowship Program, which has helped them proceed their work within the months following their commencement.
“I’m a decided and self-driven particular person with a ardour for creating constructive change in society,” stated Sibusiso Bokveldt, a Class of 2022 BeyGOOD Fellow. “My work with International Citizen has deepened my dedication to addressing urgent points equivalent to psychological well being, local weather change, and menstrual well being in underprivileged communities.”
Letshego Morake, a category of 2021 BeyGOOD Fellow, added: “Throughout my time within the International Citizen x BeyGOOD Fellowship Program, I discovered invaluable classes on constructing self-confidence and successfully dealing with the pressures of teamwork.”.
Within the lead-up to the 2018 fellowship bulletins, Govt Director of BeyGOOD Ivy McGregor hung out touring by way of South Africa assembly people, NGOs, and enterprise leaders who believed in this system’s mission.
“Our objective was to affect the lives of younger individuals, and to offer them experiences and the mandatory instruments to advance their lives and their futures. And I’m proud to say we did simply that,” stated McGregor.
In 2019, a cohort of fellows additionally crossed the Atlantic to grace the stage on the International Citizen Competition in New York’s Central Park. The International Citizen workforce additionally stays in touch with every cohort for 12 months after this system ends to help them to find work.
“As every fellow strikes ahead, my want is that they uncover their magic in all their endeavors. I’m grateful for having been a part of every of their journeys, to be taught, to develop, and to find elements of myself I by no means knew existed,” stated Morake.
In 2023, the International Citizen Fellowship Program continues with a mission to maintain serving to present the abilities wanted to encourage the following era of younger leaders in Africa.