Meridian is pleased to implement the U.S. Department of State’s Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) on behalf of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Each year, this dynamic youth leadership program engages 150 anglophone and francophone high school students and adult mentors from over 40 countries in Africa for a three-week U.S.-based cultural exchange and civic engagement training program.
Launching in the birthplace of the civil rights movement, Atlanta, Georgia, PAYLP commences with an intensive week of workshops and cultural visits before participants split into smaller cohorts across diverse regions of the United States. The program offers:
Interactive leadership trainings
Conflict resolution seminars
Social entrepreneurship classes
Community service opportunities
Homestays with American host families
An overview of U.S history and institutions
Exciting cultural activities
A lifelong alumni network
Following a program of practical leadership and technical skills training centered around an action-planning curriculum, the PAYLP experience concludes with capstone project presentations, and a closing ceremony in which participants reconvene to share their experiences and reflect on the lessons learned from the program.
Throughout the program, youth encounter and foster relationships with fellow participants from different ethnic, religious, and national groups across the African continent and exchange ideas with each other in addition to American peers.
Objectives
When we think of youth, we think of idealism, hopes, and dreams for the future. PAYLP believes in the potential for great and lasting impact when leadership development programs target young emerging leaders and adults who empower them. Centered around the key themes of civic engagement, community service, respect for diversity and youth leadership development, PAYLP aims to:
Empower African youth to positively contribute to their communities
Prepare African youth to become responsible citizens
Build tolerance and respect through shared culture and values
Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States
and rising leaders throughout Africa
Community Action Plans & Mini-Grants
Community Actions Plans are the capstone project of PAYLP. While on the program, participants and adult mentors work in country teams to create a Community Action Plan for a community in their home country. Toward the end of their time in the United States, participants then showcase these action plans to the rest of their cohort through 5 to 10-minute presentations.
Upon successful completion of the program, new PAYLP alumni can apply as a group or individually for a PAYLP Mini-Grant with seed funding of up to $500 to implement a Community Action Plan. This is an excellent opportunity for recent alumni to put their new leadership and problem-solving skills to work.
*(A) denotes country participated in the Anglophone cohort
*(F) denotes country participated in the Francophone cohort
Country
Project Name & Description
Botswana (A)
Youth Awareness Society
In this project, the team from Botswana held a four-day workshop to empower 279 young women and girls to start small income-generating projects. The project offered 14 unique skills courses on topics such as confidence-building and mental health awareness.
Burundi (F)
Young Logic
This project contributed to the Burundian government’s strategic plan to become an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. The project targeted 33 high school students, aged 15-17, across the outskirts of the city of Bujumbura and empowered them with basic computer skills.
Burkina Faso (F)
Clean School
In this initiative, the Burkina Faso team organized four clean-up days for 2,500 students and 100 teachers at a local high school in Saaba. The project provided garbage cans to dispose of waste and educated the community on combatting plastic waste pollution.
Cameroon (F)
Stream Sanitation
This initiative engaged 7 volunteers to clean streams around the neighborhood of New Bell in Ebolowa. The team in Cameroon removed a total of 100 plastic bottles and other garbage from waterways to improve water circulation and educate the community on the importance of preventing water pollution.
Central African Republic (F)
Establishment of a Mobile Listening Centre Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
The team in the Central African Republic identified eight peer educators to be trained by a gender-based violence expert and established listening centers for students and educators at two high schools. The goal of the project was to hold two awareness sessions for 100 students, teachers, parents, and local youth associations on how to prevent gender-based violence.
Chad (F)
Stop the Proliferation of Plastic Waste
This project consisted of clean-up and recycling sessions that involved 1,060 participants and awareness sessions that engaged 1,050 students and teachers across two high schools. The goal of the project was to combat plastic pollution by encouraging students and teachers to recycle.
Cote d’Ivoire (F)
Creation of the Leadership Club at the Lycée Moderne de Cocody
The team in Cote d’Ivoire established a leadership club that engaged 20 students, aged 12-18, in five sessions on understanding leadership and building self-esteem. The goal of the project was to equip students with leadership and personal development skills and inspire students to be leaders in the community.
Ethiopia (A)
Girls Advancing in STEM
This project targeted 70 girls from local high schools through in-person and online sessions on the following topics: designing experiments, meeting with mentors, and developing collaborative projects. The goal of the project was to create a supportive and inclusive environment that would inspire girls pursue STEM-related careers.
Ethiopia (A)
Awareness Creation on Media Literacy to Counter Misinformation and Disinformation at Schools in Ethiopia
In this project, the team in Ethiopia equipped over 250 high school students, educators, and community members with media literacy skills through three in-person sessions and two online sessions. The goal of the project was to address the issue of violence and misinformation in schools and promote the value of fact-checking.
Malawi (A)
Creating Clean Cities
In this project, the team in Malawi led awareness sessions on waste management schemes such as upcycling, creating briquettes, and making eco-bricks that engaged 185 students and 15 members of the Parents and Teachers Association. The project’s goal was to raise awareness of waste management and create waste management facilities in schools.
Namibia (A)
Project Delta
This initiative involved presentations to students, aged 15-18, by government social workers and counselors on the importance of mental health. The project sought to prevent school dropouts and equip students with the skills and resources to manage their mental health in school.
Republic of the Congo (F)
Eco Kelasi
The team in the Republic of the Congo delivered presentations and arranged clean-up sessions for 850 students and 100 administrative staff and teachers. The goal of the project was to emphasize the importance of a clean and healthy school environment to prevent the spread of illnesses.
Tanzania (A)
English Language Campaign
This project engaged 50 students in essay writing competitions and speaking events to improve their English writing and speaking skills. The goal of the project was to build students’ self-confidence in expressing themselves in English and expand their future job opportunities.
Uganda (A)
Mental Health Awareness Using KenKen Puzzles
This initiative engaged 30 secondary school students from five local schools with a mental health expert who led a session centered around KenKen puzzles and mental health awareness. The goal of the project was to provide students with techniques to manage mental health challenges both in school and their personal lives.
South Sudan (A)
Safe City for Children
The team in South Sudan partnered with 5 city council officials, 20 students, 3 teachers, and 2 military personnel to offer sessions on pedestrian roadway safety and paint a crosswalk between two local schools. The goal of the initiative was to increase awareness of high traffic pedestrian areas among motorists and decrease motor-related accidents in the area.
Zambia (A)
Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Selected Secondary School Leavers of Referendum Community in Chipata District, Eastern Region of Zambia
This project equipped 20 secondary school dropouts, aged 16-20, with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, including poultry farming and carpentry. The goal of the project was to increase awareness of vocational career opportunities and reduce the abuse of drugs and alcohol among the targeted demographic.
*(A) denotes country participated in the Anglophone cohort
*(F) denotes country participated in the Francophone cohort
Country
Project Name & Description
Botswana (A)
Youth Awareness Society
In this project, the team from Botswana held a four-day workshop to empower 279 young women and girls to start small income-generating projects. The project offered 14 unique skills courses on topics such as confidence-building and mental health awareness.
Burundi (F)
Young Logic
This project contributed to the Burundian government’s strategic plan to become an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. The project targeted 33 high school students, aged 15-17, across the outskirts of the city of Bujumbura and empowered them with basic computer skills.
Burkina Faso (F)
Clean School
In this initiative, the Burkina Faso team organized four clean-up days for 2,500 students and 100 teachers at a local high school in Saaba. The project provided garbage cans to dispose of waste and educated the community on combatting plastic waste pollution.
Cameroon (F)
Stream Sanitation
This initiative engaged 7 volunteers to clean streams around the neighborhood of New Bell in Ebolowa. The team in Cameroon removed a total of 100 plastic bottles and other garbage from waterways to improve water circulation and educate the community on the importance of preventing water pollution.
Central African Republic (F)
Establishment of a Mobile Listening Centre Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
The team in the Central African Republic identified eight peer educators to be trained by a gender-based violence expert and established listening centers for students and educators at two high schools. The goal of the project was to hold two awareness sessions for 100 students, teachers, parents, and local youth associations on how to prevent gender-based violence.
Chad (F)
Stop the Proliferation of Plastic Waste
This project consisted of clean-up and recycling sessions that involved 1,060 participants and awareness sessions that engaged 1,050 students and teachers across two high schools. The goal of the project was to combat plastic pollution by encouraging students and teachers to recycle.
Cote d’Ivoire (F)
Creation of the Leadership Club at the Lycée Moderne de Cocody
The team in Cote d’Ivoire established a leadership club that engaged 20 students, aged 12-18, in five sessions on understanding leadership and building self-esteem. The goal of the project was to equip students with leadership and personal development skills and inspire students to be leaders in the community.
Ethiopia (A)
Girls Advancing in STEM
This project targeted 70 girls from local high schools through in-person and online sessions on the following topics: designing experiments, meeting with mentors, and developing collaborative projects. The goal of the project was to create a supportive and inclusive environment that would inspire girls pursue STEM-related careers.
Ethiopia (A)
Awareness Creation on Media Literacy to Counter Misinformation and Disinformation at Schools in Ethiopia
In this project, the team in Ethiopia equipped over 250 high school students, educators, and community members with media literacy skills through three in-person sessions and two online sessions. The goal of the project was to address the issue of violence and misinformation in schools and promote the value of fact-checking.
Malawi (A)
Creating Clean Cities
In this project, the team in Malawi led awareness sessions on waste management schemes such as upcycling, creating briquettes, and making eco-bricks that engaged 185 students and 15 members of the Parents and Teachers Association. The project’s goal was to raise awareness of waste management and create waste management facilities in schools.
Namibia (A)
Project Delta
This initiative involved presentations to students, aged 15-18, by government social workers and counselors on the importance of mental health. The project sought to prevent school dropouts and equip students with the skills and resources to manage their mental health in school.
Republic of the Congo (F)
Eco Kelasi
The team in the Republic of the Congo delivered presentations and arranged clean-up sessions for 850 students and 100 administrative staff and teachers. The goal of the project was to emphasize the importance of a clean and healthy school environment to prevent the spread of illnesses.
Tanzania (A)
English Language Campaign
This project engaged 50 students in essay writing competitions and speaking events to improve their English writing and speaking skills. The goal of the project was to build students’ self-confidence in expressing themselves in English and expand their future job opportunities.
Uganda (A)
Mental Health Awareness Using KenKen Puzzles
This initiative engaged 30 secondary school students from five local schools with a mental health expert who led a session centered around KenKen puzzles and mental health awareness. The goal of the project was to provide students with techniques to manage mental health challenges both in school and their personal lives.
South Sudan (A)
Safe City for Children
The team in South Sudan partnered with 5 city council officials, 20 students, 3 teachers, and 2 military personnel to offer sessions on pedestrian roadway safety and paint a crosswalk between two local schools. The goal of the initiative was to increase awareness of high traffic pedestrian areas among motorists and decrease motor-related accidents in the area.
Zambia (A)
Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Selected Secondary School Leavers of Referendum Community in Chipata District, Eastern Region of Zambia
This project equipped 20 secondary school dropouts, aged 16-20, with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, including poultry farming and carpentry. The goal of the project was to increase awareness of vocational career opportunities and reduce the abuse of drugs and alcohol among the targeted demographic.
PAYLP Alumni Engagement
The goal of PAYLP is to create the next generation of leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa and around the world. Participation in the program lays a foundation for lifelong connections across the African continent and beyond. In addition to joining the PAYLP alumni community, participants also become a part of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ ever-growing global network of exchange program alumni. These two communities provide participants with a wealth of post-program development and engagement opportunities upon their return to their home countries.
PAYLP Ambassador
After the program, participants are encouraged to share their PAYLP experience with others in their community, creating opportunities for their friends, family, classmates, and colleagues to gain from their new knowledge and experiences.
Please inform Meridian of any events or webinars you organize or attend as a PAYLP Alumni Ambassador. Continuing as a PAYLP Ambassador is a great way to expand and maintain your network while also helping your community benefit from your time on PAYLP.
PAYLP All-Stars
Between February and March of 2023, Meridian International Center hosted the PAYLP All-Stars Program – a one-time alumni program bringing together competitively selected top PAYLP alumni from across all cohorts (2013-2022) and countries. Through PAYLP All-Stars, 67 talented, hard-working, and highly motivated PAYLP alumni from 38 countries spent two and a half weeks in the United States for an intensive leadership training and development program.
The program consisted of a short orientation conference in Washington, DC, where participants received a program overview, followed by a two-week community leadership program held in Alabama, Missouri, Vermont, and Washington. During this portion of the program, All-Stars participants received leadership training, networking and volunteer opportunities, and cultural experiences. The program culminated with Community Action Plan competitions in each host city. Semi-finalists selected by panels of judges in each host city presented their Community Action Plans during a closing forum to the rest of their cohort. During this forum, one semi-finalist was selected by a panel of judges to receive funding of up to $3,000 to implement their Community Action Plan.
The PAYLP All-Stars Program focused on the following skills:
Leadership Development
Communications and Negotiation Skills
Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolutions
Community Activism
Upon completion of the program, all participants were able to apply for funding of up to $3,000 to implement their Community Action Plans.
Applicants interested in the program should contact the nearest US embassy regarding more information as Meridian is not involved in the recruitment or selection process.
