For more than three months, 147 youths und the age of 19 years entered into a competition to showcase their skills in various fields for the 2023 Young Voices Awards, and in the end, a panel of judges was convinced that Evelyn Nagawa, a P7 pupil at Gayaza Primary School in Masaka City had trounced her friends.
Nagawa’s award-winning article discussed climate change within her community in Gayaza.
The competition required children and young people from Hello Hub communities in Uganda and Nepal to submit a piece of journalism about a topic that mattered to them. The entries could be submitted in various creative formats, including video, photography, articles, illustrations, and poetry. We received 147 entries overall.
Nagawa’s winning article exemplifies the power of storytelling that sheds light on critical issues and inspire positive change.
Ms Nabaale Juliet, Nagawa’s mother thanked Hello World for bringing development to the community.
“We are seeing a significant change in our children; they have something new to learn every day from the programs at the Hello Hub,” Ms Nabaale said.
Mr Daniel Lutaaya, Managing Director of News 24/7 Broadcasting Ltd was one among other judges who selected Nagawa as the winner of this year’s competition.
“This for me was an exceptional experience seeing young people at that age already chasing their dreams in art and journalism. It was an honor to be a judge of this cohort of fellows. I feel that the future is very bright and that this program will indeed change the trajectory of my country and of Africa for the better,” Mr Lutaaya said in his congratulatory remarks.
All entrants to this writing competition received certificates of recognition for their efforts.
“As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding these programs and empowering more individuals in our Hello Hubs communities,” said Jolly Acha, the Hello World Central Region Officer during the awarding ceremony on Saturday, August 5th.
“The Life Skills Training has helped participants from our community to discover their talent. We appreciate having this Hello Hub in our community,” said Sheikh Mohammad Mostafa Ssempala, the LC1 Gayaza Community, Masaka City.
Mr Jerom Jumba, a participant in the Life Skills training, has learned how to create a website, among other things.
“I have acquired tablet skills and further enhanced my knowledge by researching and learning from YouTube. Now, I can proudly say that I can build a website, and I am even working on becoming an ethical hacker to assist people whose data has been stolen. The Life Skills program has opened doors for me that I never thought possible, and I am determined to use my knowledge to make a positive impact in the world,” he said.
By providing essential life skills and celebrating the voices of the youth, we aim to create a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve. Together, we can build a stronger, more empowered society that thrives on creativity, empathy, and inclusivity.
About Hello Hub
This competition is part of the many activities that happen at the Hello Hub which include providing unlimited free access to tablets loaded with educational software and internet connectivity to empower individuals to learn, communicate, and connect with the world.
There are currently 59 Hubs across Uganda and 18 in Nepal. The Hubs also offer training and run competitions like the Young Voices Awards which give people the confidence to enhance their skills using the Hub to facilitate them.
Recently, 780 participants took part in Hello World’s Life Skills training in a program that supports youths in self-discovery and confidence.
The Life Skills training not only equips community members with problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, and confidence but also fosters a sense of empowerment that extends to the entire community.
By addressing the lack of confidence that may act as a barrier to participation, we strive to create a more inclusive and equal hub community.
