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| Dr. Chris Howard
with IYL scholar Zandile Sibanyoni |
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Dr. Christopher B. Howard
CEO & Founder
Listen
to Dr. Chris Howard discuss the future of IYL on Radio
702 in Johannesburg, South Africa
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I visited South Africa for the first time more than a decade
ago and have managed to return in some capacity almost every
year since. It is truly an amazing country. I often remark
that a trip to South Africa is like a trip to everywhere because
the “Rainbow Nation” has just about everything
in it. From the majestic top of Table Mountain in Cape Town
to the steamy beaches of Durban to the bustling shops of Johannesburg,
South Africa is to paraphrase President Lincoln’s commentary
on America, Africa’s “last great hope.”
But dig a little deeper and an unsettling picture emerges.
Although South Africa has placed a decade between its current
self and its sobering Apartheid past, many of its citizens
still lack access to that nation’s hopes and dreams.
Ironically, these previously disadvantaged people, especially
the youth, need us. They need to access our human and financial
capital to accelerate change and to ensure greater opportunities
for their fellow citizens.
Our mission at IYL is simple: we identify exceptional young
leaders amongst previously disadvantaged South African university students and transform them into global-minded citizens
by providing both scholarships & opportunities to travel.
We take promising, sometimes shy students like Zandile Sibanyoni,
who graduated from high school at age 15 and managed to
run a candy store out of her home in the former Black Township,
Katlehong, and place her in front of ambassadors, congressmen,
CEOs, scientists, professors and college presidents. We
teach her some of the nuances of globalization and how to
build and how to leverage networks in the US and South Africa
to improve the livelihood of her country.
Does it work? I recently chaired our first IYL-South Africa
Board meeting and asked Zandile to deliver the opening remarks.
Now a confident, accounting major at the University of Wittswatersrand,
and Gold Key Honors Student, Zandile performed with aplomb.
Our only quandary as a Board was whether she would eventually
serve as President of South Africa one day or settle for
running a major corporation as CEO. You can help us continue
to find and to develop the next Zandile.
Please contact us, get involved and donate
today!
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