A young Sierra Leonean activist Kamuskay Kamara recently attended the Ignite Retreat at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina, organized by the Sullivan Foundation. The three-day immersive experience provided Kamara with invaluable insights into the nonprofit sector and empowered him to further his mission of driving social change in Sierra Leone.
During the retreat, Kamara participated in workshops that focused on elevating leadership skills, refining elevator pitches, and leveraging strengths for social impact. As a passionate changemaker, he found these sessions particularly inspiring, as they equipped him with the tools necessary to amplify his advocacy work and make a lasting difference in his community.
One of the highlights of the retreat was pitch coaching for Kamara’s youth-led nonprofit organization, Young Active Movement. The organization aims to equip young people in Sierra Leone with advocacy skills and safe spaces to address substance abuse, a pervasive issue in the country. The feedback Kamara received during the coaching session helped him crystallize his mission and vision, providing him with a clearer roadmap to drive change back home.
The diverse and enthusiastic attendees at the Ignite Retreat further enriched Kamara’s experience by offering global perspectives on catalyzing community change. This exposure to different ideas and approaches broadened his understanding of social impact and fueled his determination to scale his efforts.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to expand his capabilities and network with fellow changemakers, Kamara is now eager to pay it forward by supporting other emerging leaders on their journeys to better the world. He invites anyone interested in discussing social impact collaborations or seeking advice on clarifying their purpose to connect with him.
Kamara’s participation in the Ignite Retreat has sparked new energy within him to approach service with boldness and scale his impact. With a renewed sense of purpose and a strengthened network of like-minded individuals, he is poised to make even greater strides in addressing the social issues that affect Sierra Leone.
As Sierra Leone continues to rebuild its economy and strive for development after a devastating civil war and the Ebola epidemic, individuals like Kamuskay Kamara exemplify the potential for change and progress. By empowering changemakers and providing them with the necessary tools and resources, the country can harness its immense potential and work towards a brighter future.
Kamuskay Kamara graduate from the Africa Leadership Academy in South Africa. A citizen of Sierra Leone, he created an NGO called “Young Active Movement” to combat drug abuse in his neighborhood and to help young people envision a better society for all. His dream is to tell the story of children and young people.
