Adama Kamara, 28, lives in Montserrado County Monrovia, in Liberia. She has enrolled in the 5th Cohort of YMCA Ambassadors on the Subject to Citizen (S2C) Programme. Her goal is to influence and empower young leaders in working towards achieving “Agenda 2063 – the Africa we want” through community-led engagement and awareness for a better Liberia.
Adama is an Intern program assistant at YMCA Liberia, and also works as a nurse at a National hospital. She shares: “I joined the YMCA through the Monrovia Youth Council when I was in high school. After my studies, I volunteered with YMCA Liberia for several years”.
She recognises the importance of the work of the YMCA in her country: “The organization focuses on empowering young people for the African Renaissance by enhancing their knowledge and skills, and by unlocking people’s potential to be active and resourceful citizens, contributing to society. Some of the YMCA programmes include Leadership and Advocacy, National Debates, and a ‘Speakers’ series. YMCA also addresses topics such as peace resolution, conflict mitigation, and peer-to-peer engagements.
Adama Kamara is excited about the S2C programme: “I joined it in order to make an impact on young people when it comes to civic action, promoting peace youth justice, rule of law and conflict resolution”. She explains: “It’s a leadership programme led by the Africa Alliance of YMCAs. Most of our training sessions are conducted online: so far, we have covered the topic of ‘design thinking’ (which focuses on creating or generating solutions based on today’s conditions), and the theme of dignity. I see dignity as a sense of self-worth: we have a duty to develop respect for others and as well protect them. Dignity also means being valued and respected for what we are”.
The S2C programme runs for 2 years, and comprises five main components: Transformative Masculinity, Youth Justice, Civic Action, Economic Renaissance and Environmental Conservation. It also includes mentorship and community engagement.
Adama adds: “The key objective is to unlock the potential of vibrant young leaders”.
She has learned a lot, she says. She also acknowledges the role of her mentor, Vonyee Kollison, one of the National leaders of YMCA Liberia: “Mrs. Kollison has influenced and mentored many young women who are determined to make a positive impact to society. I love her sense of integrity and ethical principles”.
YMCA Liberia supports young leaders such as Adama to build a better world based on human rights and social justice. Adama’s hopes are directed towards her local community: “I want to be more involved in safeguarding issues among children and vulnerable teenage girls. Many drop out of school, especially in the rural part of Liberia. In the near future, I specifically intend to engage more in civic education, gender mainstreaming and conflict resolution”.