Sombo Titan founded C.E.N.A (Centrafrique Avenir) whose main objective is to create employment, offer education and empower his community through various sustainable forms of businesses in agriculture.

Through C.E.N.A’s center, the villagers are encouraged to invest animals like chicken, goats, cows and even pigs with a 100% animal back guarantee after six months upon reproduction of the animals. The villagers who invest get full education sponsorship for their children. The youth are employed to oversee the project.

The organization partners with many villages who offer them a parcel of land for cultivation of agricultural produce ranging from cassava, potatoes, tomatoes amongst other produce. The produce is then sold in different towns with the income directed at training of the youth in their areas of interest.

Currently, they have an alumni of accountants, merchants, entrepreneurs among others. The impact has been huge with tens of youth from the villages running all the projects.

Sombo is working on defending his PHD in Governance and Regional Integration early next year at the Pan African University of Governance, Humanity and Social Sciences.

I used to walk 7Kms to go to school. Many of my friends quit because of the harsh conditions. I vowed to pursue higher studies, develop myself and come back to my community and give back. I am currently building a private school in my village. I have learned to always test out my ideas. Try it, it might surprise you.

I love the networks I have made over the years. Just recently, I was selected for the YALI RLC EA entrepreneurship class. It was an immersion in to a wealth of running successful businesses that transform communities. I love applying for programs that help me grow and help others while at it.

Keep soaring Sombo and changing lives. We can’t wait to visit and enjoy a plate of ugali, meat and sakasaka (cassava leaves in palm oil).

The post My Script Reads Animals and Food. Sombo Titan appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

In 2016, I met tens of African women who are successful in transforming their communities in the most admirable subtle and feminine ways. What is more impressive is that majority of them are under thirty. How cool for Africa.

Pascale Gabriella Serra was born and bred in the Central African Republic. I have to tell you she is very well poised, soft yet very opinionated and with a big and focused vision. She was exposed to different cultures by her father who encouraged her to read and a mother whose second name was classical music.

At the age of 17, Pascale moved to Benin to further her studies. One day as she was leaving work she met a woman who changed her life. The woman approached her and requested her to host a show she was producing. The lady particularly admired Pascale’s perfect vocal intonation, diction, eloquence and beauty. (In my Godly word and world, that lady is called a destiny connector).

Young and adventurous Pascale agreed and became the host of a documentary show at LC2 Nedias TV channel in Cotonou, Benin for three years. The show involved documenting foreigners and their various cultures in Benin. Pascale was also involved in producing, field work and editing of the show.

By visiting her motherland, she came to the realization of the gap existing in the film industry and decided to pursue a course in film making at Le Conservatoire libre du cinéma français (CLCF) in Paris. France was another phase of learning to be dependent.

She was utterly shocked by how people usually talked about Europe being an easy life of fine dining and visiting romantic sites- not so for her. She had to work and she greatly appreciated because it built her as a leader and gave her focus on her vision.

Having been born and growing up in French speaking countries, Pascale wanted to perfect her English. After three years in France, she joined her sister in South Africa and enrolled for an English speaking course. She later worked at Golfe Télévision in Cotonou, Benin, had an internship in film making in New York and pursued a Diploma in Communications at the Université IUT Paris Descartes in Paris.

Pascale later went back home to Central African Republic and dived in to film making with a focus on education and reconciliation. This was in partnership with various donors which made her feel useful and was a confirmation of her purpose.

Pascale is the founder of Illustro (light up) whose main objective is to tell positive African stories through documentaries made by African youth aged 12-15 years. Her vision is to create a love and appreciation for film, create an archive center and culture in her country.

She is the brain behind project Londo (stand up) that had the backing of the French Corporation and the ministry of education in CAR. The campaign involves 38 people classified in to 6’s who document their neighborhood stories. This project aims to bring down the huge walls currently existing in CAR in matters murder and terrorism.

Pascale is currently in the last phase of a documentary about refugees and internally displaced persons, ZONE III which premieres in a few months at various film festivals around the world.

When she made it for YALI RLC 2016, she was beyond excited. The leadership program enhanced her interpersonal and leadership skills.

I have made great connections with amazing young African leaders who are fearlessly transforming their communities. The business and entrepreneurship track changed my perspectives as a social entrepreneur. I am now a proud and well informed young African leader.

I always encourage young people to apply for as many opportunities as they can. To start small because that’s how you grow and go beyond boarders and collaborate. Have a vision that scares you. African film makers should also tell African stories, we have such rich cultures and yet what is out there is mostly negative.

Pascale is working to be a renowned African documentary film maker. She intends to build a movie theatre, launch campus TV- a work in progress and offer training for thousands of young film makers in CAR in the next 10 years.

If we never had the courage to take a leap of faith, we’d be cheating God out of a chance to mount us up with wings like eagles and watch us soar. Jen Stephens, The Heart’s Journey Home.

The post Show Don’t Tell| The African Story Through Film. Pascale Gabriella Serra appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

When I met Jean Martial, I noticed he was a man of few words. However, I was thoroughly impressed by the thousands of lives he is transforming in his country. He is a young African leader who was born and bred in CAR. His father passed on when he was a little boy and his mother had to raise the family as a single parent.

He says his mother opened his eyes to how powerful and strong women are. Growing up, Jean witnessed enormous challenges in his country. He hated the civil war. However, he chose to focus on the potential, resources and opportunities his country offers that only seemed to exist for the high and mighty back then.

He was determined to equip himself as a young boy. His dream was to grow up and be part of decision making in his country.

Jean has a Masters degree in Telecommunications at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. He has worked in the Telecommunication industry for over seven years and over three years in the non-profit sector.

Jean after observing that many children did not have access to basic education, started an Association whose aim is to protect disadvantaged children and enrol them in schools. They train and equip parents in running income generating activities in order to meet the educational needs of their children.

Starting the project was not easy for Jean. He confesses no one believed him when he pitched his idea but he did not give up.

When I spoke to people about my idea, they didn’t believe in me. I didn’t give up. They now believe in the successful project that is changing many lives. Martial.

Jean is constantly looking for ways to improve his leadership skills. He says that getting selected for the competitive YALI is a true confirmation that he is transforming his community. He hopes to equip thousands of youth and help them look at Africa in a different way, a positive one.

His wish is for African youth to believe that everything in life is possible. That they should look and benefit from Africa’s Independence, education and development.

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle when the sun comes up, you’d better be running young Africans. Martial.

In the next 10 years, Martial hopes to be part of successful African leaders who will be transforming and empowering millions of lives.

The post Every African Child Must Have Access To Education. Jean Martial appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.