Africa Youth Leadership Forum (AYLF) …nurturing a new breed of leaders in Africa.

AYLF Uganda gathering 2016

For the past ten years, AYLF continues to whisper in the souls of young leaders in Universities across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo and South Sudan on being better individuals and leaders. We have seen a lot of young people passionate about leadership and making a difference pass through AYLF. We have experienced a lot of growth. Looking back to the first day this journey started, our hearts are filled with gratitude.

As we prepare for this year's End Year Dinner crowning our 10^th Anniversary celebration, we will talk more about this movement. In the next few blogs, you'll be interacting with what makes AYLF what it is. The secret sauce and what has been the AYLF journey.

For starters, AYLF is a collaborative initiative that brings together University Student leaders, students and young professionals across the country; both public and private Universities, for mentorship, training, networking, and capacity building. Our focus is on the Principles and leadership example of Jesus of Nazareth

The AYLF work is done simply in the name of Jesus under the auspices of a national leadership drawn from business, industry, politics, academia, and religion. It's not done under the name of any particular organization or religious group. It relates to all people regardless of their religious affiliation - Christian, Muslim, Hindus, and others. It is anchored in the Values, Principles, Precepts and the Person of Jesus. AYLF flows out of and is based on, long-term committed relationships among those involved.

University Student Leaders training - Kenya

At the heart of AYLF, is the dream that emerging African Leaders would know how to speak the truth without being sectarian or religiously divisive, see people without labels or stereotypes - loving each other and those they lead - while serving with integrity. We aim to be a movement of friends to nurture a new breed of African leaders, based on the leadership qualities, values, and principles of Jesus of Nazareth as exemplified by some of the history's greatest statesmen and women. We seek to appeal to the human spirit to rise and embrace values that enhance a high quality of life to the least of these. Our goal is that Young Leaders embody the values and principles of Jesus.

We desire to see young leaders who commit to the following: high levels of stewardship, high levels of accountability, high levels of productivity, leaders willing to serve others, high levels of collaboration, justice in the community and harmonious living & co-existence.

The values we believe in and keep pushing among those we interact with are Integrity/Honesty, Friendships/Relationships, Reconciliation, Community of compassion, and Faithfulness/Loyalty.

Three main pillars that you experience through our conversations and/or work are Jesus, Leadership, and Friendship. We seek to find common ground in these three as we believe that's the secret of a successful life and leadership. It’s at the point that personal transformation that leads to impact happens.

At AYLF, we believe leadership is being self-aware, having the ability to identify and meet community needs for transformation while inspiring them to exploit their gifts and potential. This is through a commitment to Integrity, Reconciliation, Unconditional, long-term relationships, Service, and having an Impact.

We have seen a lot of the young people who have been part of us rise to positions of influence in political, government, business, media, and religious leadership. This has been a huge motivation in AYLF to continue planting the seeds and engaging the young leaders. As they say, you can only twist a reed when it’s still young. We meet the students at a point when they are looking to count for something, to be part of something bigger than them. AYLF’s role is to plant the seeds, help the young leaders dream, and occasionally help them nurture their dreams and passions. We believe in the philosophy of a better me for a better world. If we focus on helping you become a better person, it’s our belief that you will make the world around you a better place.

AYLF Uganda Gathering 2017

By Gabriel Achayo.