As country director of Global Youth Network in Benin Republic, Sossou Yao Amevi Amessinou has built a team of over 500volunteers in the nation with each undertaking projects aimed at responding to social issues. In this interview with Project Inspire Africa, Sossou speaks about the progress made so far.
Can we meet you?
I am Sossou Yao Amevi Amessinou, a 33-years-old citizen of Benin Republic. I look reading and surfing the internet.
Tell us briefly your childhood experience.
I was born in Cote d’Ivoire into a family of 10. I have five sisters and four brothers. My parents did their best to give a good life. I grew up in an environment of warmth. I was the typical good boy who respected elders and gave a helping hand. My mother taught me how to do. She housed our relatives (my cousins) and cared for them as though they were her biological children. It was until I was 20 that I realized that my cousins had different parents.
What’s your educational background?
After my common entrance exam in Cote d’Ivoire, I returned to Benin Republic to continue my education. I got my first degree from Université d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC) where I studied English Linguistics.
By the grace of God, I got a scholarship after my first program from the Burkina Institute of Technology to study computer science. The scholarship covers only the tuition fees but I decided to take that second change life was offering me and in the process two other scholarships came through.
What are your contributions towards making your country a better place?
Long before I ventured into the nonprofit sector,It has always been my desire to create change in my community. Currently, that desire is been fulfilled through the Global Youth Network in Benin (GYN), where I sit as country director.
What steps did you take to bring your vision to fruition?
When I became GYN Country Director for Benin, the first I took was to begin to build a team of vibrant youth leaders who could implement the vision of GYN in their individual communities. After a team was set up,we began working to achieve the SDGs in our country. Even though we have suffered setbacks,we have not given up.
What have been your achievements?
Our work has largely revolved around advocacy. Our greatest achievement in the last one year was our participation in the global citizen discussion on the future of the Internet. We represented our country at the event involving more than 70 countries. Our network has also grown to 500 volunteers at different levels. Our work is also gaining visibility in the social media space as our audience has reached more than 3000. At different regions in the country,we have held climate change advocacies reaching over 120persons. We are also gradually awakening the consciousness of our young people to get involved in governance. GYN provides a platform where youths can respond positively to social problems and that’s what we are doing in Benin.
What motivated you to do what you are doing?
The will to serve is what keeps me motivated along the road. I want to inspire youths in my country to begin pursuing their dreams with what they have.
What has been your major challenge since you began your nonprofit?
Getting people to see the bigger picture ahead has been my major challenge.
How have you been able to raise money to implement your ideas?
We have gotten funding in the past and we raise money whenever we have projects to carry out.
Could you share with us one or two experience(s) you have had in the course of your campaign that has impacted on you?
At one point,we needed funds to carry out projects but we didn’t have any. I was obliged to put the money for my housing in the balance in order to help us kick start that project.
What are your prospects in the next 5 or 10 years?
We want to continue working towards increased citizens involvement in policy making and reduce the gender gaps in education and opportunities at work. Our biggest project for 2021 is to setting up a national coalition of youth lead SDGs organizations and create the SDG academy by November 2021.
What do you think is the major cause of unemployment in Africa, and how can we get over this?
Lack of intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial mindset. I want to say that youth in general are afraid to take risks. Those who are able to take that path are enjoying the benefit of it. To overcome this situation, I will say one word “education”. Education is the key to unlocking the barriers that are strongly built in the mind of our young people . Despite the trust they have lost on our institutions, we must work to strengthen our educational system.
If you had an opportunity to speak to presidents in Africa, what would be your message.
African leaders must begin to trust in the abilities of its young people.Do what is best for the youth of this continent.
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
A thousand thank you notes to Busaosowo foundation for recognizing the hard work done and the leadership of our country Director.
ReplyDeleteWe are confident enough on his potentials to conducting the great challenges ahead into fruition. Especially his commitment to gender equality and inclusive accès to the digital sphere.
Cheers dear country Director.
Wooow!! This is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThe world needs such transformative leaders and you are among them!
It will never go unrewarded!
Good work!
Congratulations Yao, you humbly deserve it. Your journey is very praiseworthy despite the various obstacles you have encountered. It inspires me even more to work for my community. I remember the preparations for the organisation of the Citizens' Dialogue in Benin, we were at the oven and the mill. I noticed your dynamism in managing the two citizens' dialogues (Cotonou and Parakou) being only on the Cotonou site. Even on the eve of the event, I asked myself a thousand questions about the success of the event. On the day of the event, we were the first two to arrive at the venue. And from action to action, the citizen's dialogue took place and it went very well. Once again, congratulations and thank you for what you are doing for the community. Keep it up.
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