3 YOUNG TEENS WHO SHOULD INSPIRE OUR KIDS AND US

In Nigeria we have YouWin, an acronym that sounds like an opportunity to win a prize money in a competition but an initiative the government uses to fund start ups in Nigeria. The African Leadership Academy  in partnership with Master Card Foundation has Anzisha, a Pan African Award for young entrepreneurs. The three winners were from Uganda, Kenya and Ghana sharing a prize money totaling $75,000. According to Forbes which reported the story, Andrew Mupuya (20) the first prize winner with just $18 (N2,880)as start up capital and started a paper bag company that now employs 14 people including a 54year old father of 8.  He has gone on to train over 500 Ugandan’s and hope to employ 50 people by 2015. He won the grand prize of $30k.

Diana Mong’are (18) from Kenya decided it was time she clean up the dirt on her street and with just $120 (N19,200) as start up acquired wsste paper bags which she sold to neighbours to help package their waste products properly. In fact she made them separate waste into biodegradable waste and recyclables. She has since added saw dust and rotten vegetables to this and has recruited about 50 families to help. She won $20k.

Yaw Duffuor Awuah (19), a Ghanian was a student who saw an opportunity in students constantly seeking for funds to go on holidays after school is closed. He simply gathered a small group of friends who became his partners and lent money to students in his school. He has zero default rates as the loans are guaranteed by older people in the community. He won $20k as well.

For more on this truly inspiring story check it out here