Seeing Potential

Youth in Africa today are faced with a series of contradictions and frustrations. In every way, they are the most connected generation to have lived on the continent. The know what they have, they know what they don't have and they know that their lives could be better. This is a recipe for disaster – or hope.

While everyone knows the stories that come out of Africa - stories of troubles, systemic failures, starvation and cruelty, very few people have heard about the efforts being made by youth in Africa today. Recently, a tipping point was reached, a point where youth stopped saying, "Why is it like this?" and started saying, "Why can't I make it better?" Anthony Kaguara, a recent ALA grad called his peers "the daring generation," and it is a fitting title for many of the youth on the continent today.

This sense of individual empowerment, of having the tools, abilities and responsibility to take action at the most local of levels in society, is taking root throughout Africa. These young people, men and women, who are daring to make a difference, who are showing potential and willingness to make small but radical changes to better their lives, are the core of ALA's existence. Working with a variety of organizations from across the continent - government ministries, NGOs, charities and multi-national corporations, ALA seeks out these daring young leaders and offers them not only two years of training, but a lifetime of guidance.