Ifunanya Otti was hungry for knowledge when she heard about the WAVE training, "I stumbled upon the program on Facebook, and I was curious because it spoke about leadership and employability skills."
The curriculum touched upon critical topics such as systems thinking, teamwork dynamics, and leading diverse teams. What made this experience stand out for Ifunanya was the approach used by the facilitators. "We were not just passive learners; we were put into group exercises that brought the leadership principles that we were being taught to life," she shared.
After the in-class aspect of the training, the trainees had the opportunity to work on projects within their community as an avenue to impact their environment while also further practicing the skills they learned.
Ifunanya's journey during the community project was one of growth for her. Her group went to a correctional center in Idi Arabia, where they imparted the significance of vision boarding to young girls. "Our team faced conflicts because of individual differences, but we tried to focus on impacting the young minds we aimed to serve," Ifunanya recounted.
"Through this training, we achieved what we set out to do, and it was immensely fulfilling," she shared.
The impact of the leadership training on Ifunanya's personal and professional life was profound as well. "The time management class was a game-changer for me. It taught me the art of prioritization, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities," Ifunanya revealed. Her newfound skills not only enhanced her efficiency but also proved instrumental in the success of their community project.
Anyone can lead from wherever they are and stories like Ifunanya’s is testament to that. This leadership training, which is funded by the MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation enables more young people to develop skills that are applicable wherever they are.