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Eslien Tsuses (26), a youth advocate and former Young African Leaders Initiative (Yali) member, is currently enrolled in the three-month Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) programme in the United States (US).

She says she is focusing on strategies to promote rural economic growth through this programme.

The programme, which commenced on 17 April this year, involves a global network of young innovators collaborating with communities to address pressing 21st-century challenges.

Its objective is to empower civil society leaders between the ages of 21 and 28 to use networks, relationships and information for the greater good.

Tsuses highlights the significance of investing in rural development to address various issues.

She says young people, especially those in rural areas, have the potential to transform rural economic growth.

“My objective is not to reinvent the wheel. My objective is to improve the wheel.

“I will continue to work toward this objective by learning new approaches and putting them into action. The CEE programme is the platform that allowed me to practise and develop in a supportive environment,” she says.

As part of the programme, Tsuses has dedicated five hours to volunteering at needs-based organisations.

She says she has volunteered for two hours with Meals on Wheels Northern Illinois, experiencing the power of small acts of kindness first-hand.

Additionally, she says she spent five hours volunteering at Pan De Vida, an organisation providing hope, healing and fresh food to families in various communities in Illinois.

“These experiences have reinforced my belief in the positive impact of community engagement,” Tsuses says.

She says during her time in the US, she has also been taking part in an online leadership academy, and has coordinated the marketing and fundraising for her host organisation, Youth Technology Corp.

“I have been able to establish a partnership between Youth Technology Corp and I am the Key Children Media, and I’m excited to bring a robust virtual robotics camp that uses Arduino technology to the Namibian child through this partnership,” she says.

Tsuses says she has also been working on a community engagement project, because it is an opportunity to plant the seeds of rural development.

“I aspire to empower communities to collectively address social issues by transitioning from a needs-based approach, where external e
xperts provide interventions, to an asset-based approach that emphasises utilising local strengths, expertise and skills to find solutions.
“The programme addresses crucial topics such as civic dialogue, peace building, open government, women’s issues, gender equality, resilience, sustainable development and youth engagement.”