A HUMBLE TANZANIAN RECOGNISED BY THE QUEEN II IN LONDON.

By Ayoub Mzee-London

Meet Angela Benedicto Mnagoza, a girl from a humble background  in  Tanzania, a former child domestic worker, who has  achieved  so  much  to  warrant  an  Award  from  her  majesty  Queen  Elizabeth II  in London.

Last year a search was launched to find exceptional young people to receive the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Hundreds of applications flooded in from incredible young people all dedicated to making lasting change in their community and beyond.

The award, started by the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Trust, recognises the contributions of 18-29 year olds from 35 Commonwealth countries.

As part of their prize, winners were able able to meet the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron and take part in a 2 day leadership course in Cambridge.

They were also  givena mentor for a year and able to take a distance learning course to help them to develop their leadership skills.

The award, which is also in partnership with Comic Relief and the Royal Common Wealth Society, had thousands of applications this year and will run for a period of 4 years.

“This programme will celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary individuals and help develop their skills, thus creating a lasting legacy – benefiting the whole of the Commonwealth – to honour the long and successful reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II.”

In  the case  of  Angela BenedictoMnagoza, thanks  for  the  support  from  Anti-Slavery and the local NGOKivuliniin  Tanzania.

Applications to become a 2016 Queen’s Young Leader will open on 22nd June.

HE QUEEN’S YOUNG LEADERS GRANTS SCHEME.

Grants will be available to eligible organisations in selected countries across the Commonwealth that are working with young people to transform their lives.

Projects will be supported that are led by or focused on young people and provide opportunities for them to learn new skills, secure employment, create enterprises or have a say in decisions affecting their future.

Each project will place young people at the heart of their communities, working with them to help solve the issues that affect their lives. The Grants will be available to organisations working with young people in UK, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, Jamaica and Solomon Islands.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

You are eligible if your organization;

Is registered in one of the six eligible countries, or is registered in a Commonwealth country and will work through a named partner who is registered in one of the six eligible countries.

Has independently audited accounts within the last two years

Has managed grants of equal size before.

Is not a Company limited by shares or a Public Limited Company

Has governance structures that involve, or are made up of, young people and beneficiaries of youth-focused projects.

Has demonstrable experience of working with young people.

Can demonstrate where young people have played a clear role in the planning of projects and activities.

Has a child protection policy.