Eleven high school students from Inala Country School in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, are in the United States for a Youth Ablaze Global exchange and mentorship program.
They are visiting colleges and universities and attending workshops and other important events to learn about American culture and traditions.
Youth Ablaze Global founder Doctor Mlungisi Mhlophe says the exchange program, will immerse these students in programs that will propel them into leaders and entrepreneurs in their areas of interest.
“The idea is to expose the children to a global understanding of things, and also to expose them educationally to make informed decisions about their future and their dreams. We are going to be doing this every year."
This year, Youth Ablaze Global partnered with Inala Country School in an effort to empower rural children. The school principal Mr. Qiniso Mpofu says the program will impact young minds.
“Our thinking is that, taking children to platforms where they can be taken seriously, makes them take themselves seriously, and that habit of self-consciousness, habit of being aware of themselves and what the world holds, can help shift their thinking and when they go back home they are part of a transformation.”
Kuyanda Sibusiso Moyo is one of the students currently in USA.
“I am looking forward to gaining knowledge from the people here and also sharing what I have. I am also looking forward to sharing my culture and beliefs, get to know and learn more about Americans.”
Another student, Kim Maphosa, says she will represent Zimbabwe well during her stay in the United States.
“I really want to showcase my country here, show people how it is like. I also want to improve my country by learning a lot and improving myself in order to improve my community, city and country. Feeling so small (insignificant) is something that most people go through, but an opportunity like this one will help me gain confidence.”
Ms. Paula Paloma, a teacher at Inala Country School, says the Youth Ablaze Global Exchange Program is a high-impact program.
“It has a very big impact, taking students from deep, deep in rural areas to America, honestly it is a very big impact. It is really inspiring to most of the kids. The whole journey they were just happy talking about the journey. To them and us it is a very big opportunity, it’s going to have a big impact on our career choices, on how to look at other people and we are hoping it will also inspire other kids back home.”
The Youth Ablaze Global Exchange Program, is the brain-child of Doctor Mhlophe, an academic born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and residing in Virginia here in the United States. Under the program, the less-privileged students visit educational institutions such as colleges and universities, museums, businesses, and some recreational facilities during their two-week stay in America. It was launched in 2018 and has been bringing students to the US every year.
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