What We Do:
Half the world is under 25 years old. Young people can be powerful agents of change: when
engaged, they are dynamic, creative and full of positive energy. We believe they can and should
be part of the solution to the problems faced by the continent today.
Thanks to social media, today's youth collaborate in ways never before possible. It is projected
that by 2025, Africa will have tripled its Internet coverage reaching 600 million users. We believe
in the power of youth to use social media and online networks for the common good. We see a
world where African youth from across the continent and globally are empowered to learn with
and from each other to bring about social justice and change in their communities, cities and
countries. Through the education and empowerment of youth, human rights can be a way of
life.
Our mission is to contribute to creating a more open and interconnected African continent by
serving as a source of knowledge and information sharing through our Facebook page and
online newtorks so that African youth can communicate and collaborate for the promotion of
human rights in simple yet concrete ways. In particular, we work in the field for the promotion
of the human rights to health and food by implementing a youth-centered model that can be
replicated in other cities.
Online Development:
Online, our Facebook page works as a platform for learning, dialogue and collective action. We run campaigns and share information and best practices in areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, protection and de-stigmatization, gender equality and women's empowerment, nutrition, food security and development, and encourage youth to take action.
Food Security:
In the field, we work with schools, orphanages and community health centers to plant urban gardens and train youth, mothers with malnourished children and those affected by HIV/AIDS in nutrition and micro-agriculture - including the innovative practice of Spirulina micro-farming - to improve the nutrition and food security of vulnerable children and their families.
The YaLA Academy for Citizen Journalism:
In partnership with the Akilah Institute of Women in Rwanda and YaLa Young Leaders, an online peace movement of youth from across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), YaLa Africa has launched an online education program on Citizen Journalism, aimed at giving young people the tools to make their voice heard and empower them to bring up social issues and foster change in their society.