One Million Leaders Africa Project

Grant Award: OMLA Alumni Making a Positive Impact

Three outstanding alumni members were recently awarded grants through the Lynne Murguia Grant Opportunities. These grants support innovative projects aimed at tackling critical issues within our communities.

• Tafadzwa Muzira is empowering young farmers in Zimbabwe with his Climate Smart Agriculture Training (CSAT) Project.
• Kesandu Uchenyi is tackling hunger and promoting academic success by providing nutritious meals to young people in Ndi Enugu, Nigeria.
• Ejolle Lovert Epie is helping communities affected by conflict and climate change through the establishment of regenerative farming systems and financial support for returnees.

Launching the OMLA Club

The year kicked off with the much-anticipated launch of the OMLA Club with over 300 enthusiastic students who participated in last year’s bootcamp across 11 partnering schools. A manual developed by the team was distributed to Club members. This exciting initiative gives students a platform to explore their leadership potential and become advocates for positive change. We also notified 17 partnering schools about the upcoming second edition of the OMLA Bootcamp, generating a buzz of excitement. To ensure a smooth rollout, we developed comprehensive OMLA Club Manuals for both teachers (Club Supervisors) and students. Recognizing the importance of sustainable funding, we embarked on a sponsorship outreach, garnering support from local organizations.

Igniting a Passion for Change

The first OMLA Club meetings commenced in March, providing a platform for students to delve into the world of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore the power of advocacy. Additionally, the dedication of our Club Supervisors was evident through the submission of monthly reports via Google Docs.

Major Milestones Achieved

The second edition of the OMLA Bootcamp received an official thumbs-up from the government! Following this triumph, the successful list for the Bootcamp was compiled, and a call for volunteers was initiated – a chance for passionate individuals to make a real difference.

Gear Up for the OMLA Bootcamp!

June saw the securing of a fantastic host school for the OMLA 2024 Bootcamp – St. Louis Catholic Grammar School in Akure, Ondo State. To further engage students, the OMLA Club Challenge, an essay writing competition, was launched. Awards will be presented to the top three winners during the grand finale of the Bootcamp. Official notifications were sent to the 200 successful Bootcamp participants, along with consent forms to ensure a smooth onboarding process. The host school's facilities were inspected, outreach efforts were initiated to secure facilitators, and strategic partnerships were formalized with organizations like MSTP and NPF.

We're incredibly proud of the progress made so far, and we can't wait to share more updates on the upcoming OMLA programs and activities! Stay tuned for more exciting news as we continue to empower young people to become the changemakers of tomorrow!