Spark Link Africa

What is Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?

GBV refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender. It is rooted in inequality, abuse of power, and harmful social norms.

Types of GBV Include:
1. Physical Violence: Hitting, slapping, or physical harm.
2. Sexual Violence: Harassment, assault, or exploitation.
3. Emotional Abuse: Verbal abuse, humiliation, and intimidation.
4. Economic Abuse: Denying financial resources or opportunities.

Why Should We Care?
GBV affects not only individuals but also families and communities. It perpetuates inequality and holds back progress.

👉 Take Action Now! Your Role NOW:
1. Share this post to educate others.
2. Comment with your understanding of GBV.
3. Tag a friend to join the conversation.

Together, we can redefine norms and create a safer world for everyone! Stay tuned to the next educative post on GBV at 7 PM. It will be a survivor's video story. After watching, any action you take will be to echo the voices of the victims of GBV.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Starts NOW! 🌍

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) affects 1 in 3 women globally in their lifetime. It’s time to take a stand and say NO to violence in all its forms.

The Reality:

35% of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence.
In many countries, 70% of women have faced intimate partner violence.
Less than 40% of survivors seek help due to stigma and lack of support.
💡 The Solution Starts With Us!
Together, we can create safe spaces, amplify survivor voices, and push for change in our communities. Education, awareness, and collective action are key to ending GBV.

Take Action Today:
Share this post to spread awareness.
Use the hashtag to join the conversation.
Tag someone who needs to know about this campaign.

Let’s work together to break the silence, challenge the norms, and create a world free from violence.

Stay tuned for more insights, actions, and tools over the next 5 days we shall have at least 3 posts that will educate the community on GBV!

Grooming leaders, turning ideas into viable, scalable, and sustainable social ventures.

Thank you Mrs. Therese NAGGAYI for the impactful lesson you delivered today to the Founders' Squad who are young Africans ready to shape Africa and bring about the change we want to see. Just as you highlighted. Key takeaways we had were in the areas of; successful entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of entrepreneurship and how SDGs are the focus for fruitful social ventures today.

Notwithstanding, the concept of Vision and Purpose resonates better. It is the foundation of entrepreneurship. It highlights what the entrepreneur foresees and his motivation (purpose) to be resilient, risk taker, creative and innovative to transform that vision into a mission that he will embark on building for a life time. The small steps he or she will take to make a difference in this ever changing hi-tech world will set the pace for success or failure. At Spark Link Africa, NO don't mean to stop doing it, but to explore other opportunities.

We are raising changemakers in every domain. Let's stay connected.

The clock is ticking tick! tack! towards the Entrepreneurship Seminar.

This Saturday 05th October 2024 at 4 pm GMT +1, we will be thrilled to have the founder and CEO of ORION Expertise Consulting by name Therese NAGGAYI who is the first trainer of the founders' squad to be the voice of the day. She will be sharing her experiences and journey as a United Nations Consultant, Communication Expert, and Entrepreneur while transferring knowledge to the participants on the subject of entrepreneurship. She will be led by Ojong Godwin 🇨🇲 the founder and CEO of Spark Link Africa (SLAFRIC) as her co-trainer for the day.

A brief resume about Therese NAGGAYI

Therese NAGGAYI is a highly experienced and skilled communication expert with over 10 years of professional experience in technical reporting and documentation within the public health sector. Proficient in narrative engineering, writing, editing, and translation, with a demonstrated track record of producing impactful reports, articles, and documentation. Extensive experience collaborating with stakeholders and fostering partnerships to ensure project success and effective communication. Recognized for excellence in communication by the World Health Organization and other reputable organizations. Strong project management skills, including proposal development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Fluent in both English and French languages, with experience working in various African countries.

She has a Masters Degree in Linguistic Language Pathology from the University of Yaoundé I and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Wales, UK.

As a health and business consultant, the founders' squad awaits to hear the voice of this great leader to show them where and how to start thinking like successful entrepreneurs from this week of the program. The skills they will acquire will prepare them to journey the next 9 to 12 months, implementing the concepts learned, and developing their ideas into solutions.

Meet the Founders' Squad: Pioneers of Change!

We are excited to introduce Entrepreneurs' Squad 1, also known as the Founders' Squad, of the Empowering Youth in Entrepreneurship Action for Change (EYEA4C) program!

This incredible journey is a 12-month comprehensive mentorship and entrepreneurship training designed to empower young African changemakers to bring their dreams to life. Over the next year, these passionate individuals will embark on a transformative path to:

✅ Acquire social entrepreneurial skills

✅ Realize their professional projects

✅ Start new social ventures

✅ Scale up existing social ventures

Our Founders' Squad features 10 young entrepreneurs — 1 from Ghana and 9 from Cameroon — united by their shared vision to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Throughout this journey, they will receive guidance from a team of seasoned experts, each with years of hands-on experience in entrepreneurship.

💡 What makes the EYEA4C journey unique?
Real-world Expertise: Our mentors have been practicing entrepreneurship for years, and their experience is the backbone of the training.

Customized Learning: The program caters to each participant's unique goals — whether they want to launch a new social venture or expand an existing one. They will be developing social solutions in the following industries; agriculture, health, education, technology, fashion and social organizations.

Africa at the Center: Together, we’re building solutions that reflect our communities' needs and aspirations.

At Spark Link Africa, we believe in empowering and equipping young Africans with the skills, resources, and networks necessary to unlock their full potential. The Founders' Squad is the first step toward creating a resilient network of social entrepreneurs who will change the future of our continent, one venture at a time. 🌍💪

📢 Stay tuned for updates as these incredible young leaders start their journey to create impactful change across Africa! We’re thrilled to see their progress, innovation, and commitment in the coming months.

Empowering Women, Enriching Leadership

Join our partner YouthKonnect for the inaugural "Women Leading Change" conference, where female leaders unite to redefine sustainable and effective leadership!
A global citizenship and leadership conference envisaging to host female participants from over 10 different African countries

Date: October 7th and 10th, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM WAT respectively
Location: Jamboard /Google Meet App

Panel Discussions:
- Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Biases in the Workplace
- Sustainable Leadership
- Empowering Future Leaders: Mentorship

Workshops:
- Effective Communication Strategies
- Building Resilience and Confidence
- Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Networking Opportunities:
- Connect with 35+ female leaders and change-makers exceptionally selected for the conference.
- Collaborate and share best practices
- Forge meaningful relationships and partnerships

Registration:
https://forms.office.com/r/t7YCxZMAu5



Follow Us for updates on your application:
Facebook: YouthKonnect
Twitter:
Instagram:
LinkedIn: Youthkonnect

Don't miss this transformative experience!

Empower. Inspire. Lead.

🚀 Exciting News! Better News!🚀

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Squad 1: The Founders' Squad of the Empowering Youth in Entrepreneurship Action for Change (EYEA4C) program, kicking off on 28th September 2024 with an orientation session that will set the stage for a transformative journey ahead! 🌍✨

🔸 Who’s in the Founders' Squad?
This inaugural squad consists of 30 existing and aspiring social entrepreneurs representing 30 innovative businesses across Africa. These driven changemakers are ready to push boundaries and turn ideas into impact.

🔸 What to Expect?
During the orientation session, Squad 1 will be introduced to the full scope of the program, which will unfold over the next 9 to 12 months. Key highlights include:

🌟 Expert Guidance: They’ll have the opportunity to engage with consultants who are experts in various fields such as business strategy, finance, health, education, agriculture, social impact, and innovation. These seasoned professionals will provide tailored mentorship and invaluable insights throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

🌟 Networking with Young Leaders: The Spark Link Africa team—a dynamic group of young leaders from across Africa—will be there to inspire and collaborate. Our founder Ojong Godwin 🇨🇲 from Cameroon who is passionate about social entrepreneurship and a YALI Fellow will share the vision behind EYEA4C and the importance of youth entrepreneurship in driving social and economic change in Africa.

🌟 A Roadmap for Success: Over the next 9-12 months, Squad 1 will embark on a hands-on learning experience designed to equip them with practical entrepreneurship skills. There will be interactive sessions on business development, scaling, leadership, funding strategies, and more! This journey will transform ideas into sustainable ventures that create real impact.

🔸 The Journey Starts Now
As a member of The Founders' Squad, you’re not just part of a program—you’re part of a movement to shape the future of African entrepreneurship! Prepare for a collaborative, action-packed experience that will challenge, inspire, and empower you to make a lasting difference.

Are you ready to blaze the trail and be the Founders of change? Let’s ignite the future of entrepreneurship together! We are open to financial support to help these young stars build the Africa we want to see.

Stay tuned for updates as we begin this exciting journey! 💡🌱

Apply for the Empowering Youths in Entrepreneurship Action for Change (EYEA4C) program and join the Orientation Session on September 28th, 2024. This training is open to youths who want to become social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs while working as a team to transform their ideas into scalable and viable social solutions.

Apply Here: https://forms.gle/EB33VqxY51wNQC8FA

Deadline: 22nd September 2024.

🛑 Amazing Vibes 🎯

Let's celebrate us! We are nominated for the Cameroon Youth Award. Thank you 🙏 for being part of the whole. Together we thrive!

Kudos!

YALI Network Cameroon USAID - US Agency for International Development USAID West Africa U.S. Embassy Yaounde Ojong Godwin

My Transformative YALI Journey: Three Weeks of Experiential Learning!

My three weeks of experiential learning were nothing short of transformative. It was an unforgettable bonding experience with young leaders across West Africa, forging invaluable connections that will undoubtedly shape my future.

As a business and entrepreneurship participant, I left the program enriched with a wealth of knowledge and experiences. One of the most significant takeaways was the establishment of a robust network of agripreneurs from various West African countries. This network provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support as we strive to drive agricultural development and entrepreneurship in our respective countries.

Moreover, the program offered me a deep dive into the practical aspects of social entrepreneurship. The hands-on experiences I gained have equipped me with the skills and confidence to leverage my entrepreneurial endeavors for social impact. The mentorship provided by our expert facilitators was instrumental in guiding me through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

I am also incredibly grateful for the inspiring and selfless YALI staff. Their dedication and commitment to empowering young leaders like myself was truly commendable. Their guidance and support played a crucial role in making this experience a resounding success. Thanks to the YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa, Accra's director Dr. Esi, Dr. Benonia Aryee, Mr. Abeiku Bentsi, Prof. Obeng Bernard, Mr. Erasmus, Mrs. Adjoa, etc. for their leadership.

Yes, these three weeks of experiential learning have catalyzed personal and professional growth. The knowledge, connections, and experiences I have gained will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for my future endeavors. I am excited to apply the lessons learned and continue to contribute to the development of my community and Africa.