Meet the YOWLI 2010 Participants (IV)

Rosemary Agbor Mbeng-Cameroon-21 years

Miss Rosemary Agbor Mbeng, was born on February 12^th 1989 in Buea, South West Region, Cameroon. Rosemary did her primary, secondary, and high school education in Buea where she obtained the First School Leaving ( FSLC), G.C.E Ordinary and Advanced Levels certificates respectively. While in High school, she discovered she had a passion for women’s issues as a result of women’s subordinate position in her community. As a result of her interest in women’s issues, she decided to realize her dream of improving women’s status in her community by taking an undergraduate degree program in women and gender studies/ law, double majors.

 Ms Rosemary is currently a final student at the University of Buea, double majoring in Women and Gender studies/ law. She also represented her country Cameroon in the Moremi Institute for Women’s Leadership in the year 2009 in Ghana. She is currently a volunteer in a local based NGO known as Women In Action. Her activities in this organization include sensitizing the local population on HIV/AIDS, advocating against discriminatory practices which perpetuate women’s lower status in the society such as female genital mutilation and gender based violence. 

She also provides legal counseling to victims of gender based violence.  Rosemary collaborates with the Divisional Delegation of Women’s Empowerment and the Family Limbe, and an NGO known as Associates in Development. By acting as a resource person, she supervises and coordinates projects carried out by the Delegation especially in the domain of vocational training and income generating activities amongst young girls in the Limbe municipality. She represents the youth of her community in the Buea water governance community.

 Rosemary is a member of the Junior Chamber International JCI where she occupies the position of vice president in charge of community affairs. She has participated in several conferences and seminars geared towards the advancement of youth and rural women. Rosemary intends to become a gender consultant upon completion of her studies. 

Musa Soko-Sierra Leone-25 years

As founding member of the national youth-led organization; Youth Partnership for Peace and Development, Musa is a diligent, thorough and organized change-maker who has the desire and passion to make the changes needed within the community he lives and those around him. His demonstrated commitment to the importance of research on peace building and development issues in his country, and has provided invaluable insight into Sierra Leonean governance systems. He worked patiently and enthusiastically, and is continuously eager to learn new knowledge and skills.

He has an unflagging commitment to peace promotion and human rights with specific interest to the rights of women, children, youth and disabled persons. His devotion to the rights of marginalized people is evidenced in his earlier voluntary work and at 20, he introduced the Blind and Visually Impaired in Sierra Leone to basic computer literacy via an on-screen reader known as JAWS. He is also focused on the interlocking dynamic of peace building and reconstruction for development, human security, justice and democracy.

Musa has vast knowledge in peace negotiation, facilitation and training. Today Musa is an outstanding young leader who continues to work in support of his fellow young people and the communities they live. His commitment to development and women’s work is evident in his service as Commissioner to the Women and Youth Commission of the International Development and Cooperation of NGOs (USTKIP).

Musa is actively involved in public advocacy and youth work and with an academic background in Peace, Musa is actively involved in peace-related advocacies and he is a member of the African Union Peace and Security Cluster and also a Member of the Steering Committee of the DisArm for Peace Project. With keen interest in Urbanization, he was elected as a member of Youth Advisory Board of the UN-HABITAT representing Africa. Whilst serving as Board Member, Musa worked with a number of NGOs and government institutions to promote youth issues that has to do with the daily challenges women and youth are faced with, in search of solutions. 

However Mr. Soko has a sophisticated understanding of the need for women’s empowerment and their roles in attaining the MDG as a central component of energizing his country and region.

He has enormous confidence in the powers of youth and civil society to make the necessary changes needed in the world and Sierra Leone in general. As such, Musa put special efforts into youth-led development and activism. He currently occupies key leadership positions within Sierra Leone, Africa and around the world among which to name a few; Global Call to Action Against Poverty as African Children/Youth Taskforce Member and also a Sierra Leonean Youth Representative to the African Union ECOSOCC. Musa Ansumana Soko was a member of the Expert Group Meeting in the design and Implementation of the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps.

The fact that Musa as been an active portion of all these demonstrates the confidence and faith entrusted in him, Musa is interested in development cooperation to which extent he has attended meeting of the African Union-European Union Strategic Partnership Meetings. Musa was also invited by the Real Aid Network to participate at the 3rd High Leven Forum on Aid Effectiveness which also took into account review of progress on the Paris Declaration in 2005. At a point during the UN International Conference on Trade and Development XII, Musa as accredited to participate as one of the youngest youth delegates in 2008

Musa has travelled to a number of countries to participate in international meetings, conferences, training sessions and more to deliver talks and help in design of policy documents. and at the age of 20, he introduced the Blind and Visually Impaired in Sierra Leone to basic computer literacy via an on-screen reader known as JAWS. This has allowed him to have me various and renowned personalities in the UN systems and other key INGOs/NOGs, Leaders and inspiring young people across the globe.

Musa is energetic, capable with sustained concentration, and is enthusiastic about participating in discussions , trainings and debates that helps foster meaningful changes for those he serves and works with.

Habonimana Desire-Burundi-22 years

I am Habonimana  Desire from Burundi. I was born in 1988 in Murama (North of Burundi). In 2006, I obtained my A’LEVEL DIPLOMA from Mureke Junior Seminary in Modern Arts. I am currently a medical student at the Burundi State University .In addition, i am engaged in Human Health care including Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Gender equality, eradication of poverty and hunger in underprivileged communities  to rescue a big number of human lives in general and procure Youth welfare in particular as a contribution to the MDGs achievement.

Erdoo Paula Awai-Nigeria-24 years

I was born in 1986 , i am the second child in a family of 5. I come from kwande local government area of Benue State, Nigeria. I am Tiv by Tribe and Christianity (catholic)is my religion.I had my primary education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help primary school, then proceeded to the prestigious

Queen of the rosary secondary school Gboko for my secondary school, after which I gained my admission into Federal University of Agriculture makurdi to study Microbiology. I graduated successfully in May this year.
I Love interacting with People, though I am Principled. I am highly gender sensitive. I like hard working and dedicated people, but lazy, dependent and dishonest people turn me off.My hobbies include reading, cultural display, travelling, play table tennis.Currently I am a volunteer at First Step Action For Children and I own a grocery shop.