Name: Josephine Kalondji
TAC Project Name: African Teen Empowerment
Number Impacted: 12
Tell us about your Take Action Challenge. Why did you start this project, what impact did you want to make?
I started this Project because I felt like I need to be heard. I was tired of living in a society in which it is believed that males are most likely to be successful. Growing up as a refugee, I was taught that males are meant to be successful. I never believed in this. I lived with my grandma. she is not a male, yet successful. There are girls out there that believe that they can never be successful because of the morals that our communities make. This at some point has to stop. To make the world a better place requires everybody’s efforts not only male’s. With this project, I wanted to encourage girls like myself to have self confidence. We all can impact people’s lives if we believe we can, not by others’ down fall disbeliefs but by truly believe that we can.
What did you accomplish?
I was able to inspire other girls like myself to step for themselves in cases like initiating fundraisers to help children go to school in poor neighborhoods.
How did you overcome obstacles?
I overcame my obstacles by not giving up through the project. At some point I felt like I was not good enough, but instead of quitting I changed and twisted my ideas. This facilitated my project from going the wrong directions.
If you could advice to a future YWLC participant about her Take Action Challenge, what would it be?
Don’t rush through the project and don’t take it slow. Have a plan and make sure you understand what you’re passionate about. The project is definitely worth it. I promise you will not regret it.
