By Marie Sheneman, Operations Coordinator Volunteer
Our Youth Ambassador project is a great way for high school students to help Mali Rising’s youth while gaining leadership skills and fostering an international understanding. I recently interviewed one of our Youth Ambassadors, Adjo, by email. She is a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer and was excited to share her experience with you.
How and when did you get involved with Mali Rising?
I applied to become a Mali Rising Foundation Youth Ambassador after spotting a couple of ads on Instagram. I was welcomed into the Mali Rising Foundation family in August of 2019.
What do you do for Mali Rising?
As a Youth Ambassador to this organization I am responsible for completing 3 projects: an outreach project, a fundraising project, and an education project. Youth Ambassadors engage the energy of young people in the U.S. to help Mali Rising's students while simultaneously building our own leadership skills and fostering international understanding among young people. For my service project, I had my peers, members of my Forensics Speech & Debate Team, and members of my National English Honor Society write letters to the children in Mali encouraging them to work hard. I collected over 50! For my outreach project, I made a trifold about Mali and the Foundation’s work and presented it at my school’s annual Diversity Night. I am currently generating ideas for my fundraising project!
What interested you about volunteering for Mali Rising?
I do a lot in school that has to do with closing the opportunity and achievement gap for minority students (The Minority Scholars Program, Student Member of the Board, Councilmember For a Day, Forensics Speech and Debate Team, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, NAACP Youth Council - The NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics, etc.). It is a cause that I am very passionate about because as a student of my background and caliber, my education has opened many doors for me. So, to be able to take this effort internationally? I’m all in!
What has been your favorite part(s) about being a Youth Ambassador?
Teaching others. I strive to foster understanding among my peers and chip away at the cocoon of ignorance that surrounds them so that they can use their privilege to serve others. I just want to make a difference in the world.
What moment from your experience as a Youth Ambassador stands out to you the most?
When I researched Mali for my outreach project and realized how similar Mali and Ghana are. Not only are Ghanaians and Malians pretty similar, but overall, I believe American and Malian students aren’t so radically different as some may like to make it seem. After all, we’re all just trying to earn an education. When people draw lines between themselves and others or categorize people in ingroups and outgroups, they only create more division. This isn’t an us vs. them or even an us helping them. It is us doing this together.
Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of?
The fact that when I spoke up and spoke out, people actually listened and I was really able to collect all those letters.
Why should others choose to volunteer and/or support Mali Rising?
Because they don’t realize what education can do and how it has the power to change lives so this is really an eye-opening experience. Becoming more culturally cognizant not only makes one a more well-rounded person, but a more understanding person who can then use that understanding and that platform to give back.
What do you think other people should know about this organization?
What they do! They build schools in Mali, they donate supplies, they go there and LIVE AMONGST the people and in these villages and get a firsthand account of what life can be like for other people around the globe. They destroy stereotypes about Africans and share the beauty of their culture in a positive light. They understand the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. They understand how their privilege, their white privilege impacts their lives and how they can use it to better those of others. They instill hope in these children. Heck, they give me hope! Hope for a better future and that a world-class education will one day be perceived as the fundamental right it is and that every child is entitled to.
What message do you have for potential volunteers?
Do it! Even small things help!
Is there anything else you would like to share with me/others?
I love this foundation and I am so happy to be involved :)
Interested in volunteering like Adjo? Check out our volunteer postings.
