 Generations of people are born and they achieve notable legacies. Of course, that is not to say that they do no leave behind their fair share of hard-hitting mishaps. There comes a time when a certain generation is thrust into the spotlight. This limelight is almost blinding; it feels like every move of theirs is being heavily scrutinized by older generations. Questions follow: What is our purpose? Who decides the legacy we leave behind? Who are we? Why was I chosen to be a part of this generation? What is my purpose?
Lately, in such a technologically savvy, globalized world, younger children are maturing faster and gaining knowledge quicker. Certain ideals and beliefs are being challenged by uproarious, rebellious “youngsters”. This younger generation is facing exposure to certain worldly entities much earlier. During a time when information concerning almost any topic known to man is available, adolescents have the ability to reach individuals across the world. And that is power. Personally, as someone who is a part of this younger and rapidly maturing generation, the capacity for change on a grander scale is achievable—and almost laughably so. See, sometimes there is this kind of hopelessness or indifference attached to the idea of being able to impact the world. Yes, the power—the ability—is there, and I feel that it is an inherent characteristic. We have access to the Internet—which in itself is an extremely influential entity—but there is also this innovative, electric current roaring in our blood. As human beings, we possess the power to incite change—both internally and externally. Being as young and capable as we are, imagine the power flickering at our fingertips. It is there. Youth have been taking initiative, especially in raising awareness about certain issues that they are passionate about. Think about Malala Yousafzai’s tireless advocacy for the importance of girls’ education or Alexandra “Alex” Scott of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, who started the campaign in 2000 with her brother. Their goal had been to make money for pediatric cancer patients. Her legacy continues despite her untimely passing, yet the idea for such an impactful organization was brought about by a child. Children’s abilities are often underestimated. If we are the future, shouldn’t we be given the opportunity and platform to express our opinions on the decisions made by our political superiors or authority figures that normally affect us directly? We have the power in our hands as the children of the future. We can advocate for women and girls’ inalienable rights, speak up against sexism, misogyny, and racial issues, and inspire the change we want to see in the world. Social media, despite all of its setbacks, acts as a useful tool to utilize in areas where humanity’s most pressing issues are prevalent. All of the pieces are falling into place, and there is no better time like now for youth to set the whole operation in motion. To my fellow youth, if you are passionate about something that you know could improve who you are, or the conditions other individuals are living in, then it is not too late to set everything in motion. Actually it never is too late, despite the fact that it may feel that way. On this International Youth Day, set it all ablaze because youth spark the flames of change. #IYD2018 By Habiba Matumla, CSI Youth Volunteer
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 "I'm very excited to be a part of this strong team that is touching the lives of pregnant women, newborns, children, adolescents, youth, and health workers in underserved communities around the world especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Growing up on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma, Tanzania, I saw many pregnant mothers, babies, and children suffering from preventable diseases as a result of poverty, harmful cultural practices and low literacy levels. The situation was worsened by the growing number of refugees who fled from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Public services in Kigoma such as health centers and schools did not have the capacity to handle the increased population. With limited medical supplies and equipment in the clinics, health workers did their best to provide services. For those who could not be treated, they were referred to Maweni Regional hospital and they would die on the way because the boat took at least five hours to arrive at the hospital. Even though I am not living in Kigoma, with me I still carry those inhumane experiences I witnessed and I vowed to champion and support programs that will lessen the burden of disease, disability, and death for mothers, children, and youth in underserved communities. I believe Childbirth Survival International (CSI) is the perfect organization that fits in my vision of helping many more mothers and children beyond the borders of Kigoma. By joining the CSI Board, I am confident that I will be able to work with the amazing founders (Stella Mpanda and Tausi Suedi) and selfless team of volunteers to serve the underserved and contribute to advance CSI's mission to make a difference in the lives of women, children, and youth." –Amri M. Ngoye.
Amri M. Ngoye CEO, Alpha Home Care Services, LLC, Virginia Vice-President, Tanzania Adventists in the US South Atlantic Chapter MEDLIFE Member, University of Maryland College Park For more information about CSI, visit https://childbirthsurvivalinternational.org.  Happy International Day of the Girl! Another year has quickly come and gone, yet the work to advance women and girls in the global arena has not waned. The establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has driven gender equality to the forefront of desirable goals as world leaders have begun to recognize that it is the untapped potential of women and girls that may very well be the key to solving the world’s most persistent problems; among them, poverty and hunger. According to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Former Executive Director, Babatunde Osotimehin,“What the world looks like in 2030 depends on doing everything we can to ignite the potential of 10-year-old girls today”.
Historically, discrimination and violence against women and girls has limited the achievement of higher education, access to adequate basic and sexual and reproductive health care, attainment of community leadership positions, and has stifled the personal agency of girls and women. Igniting the potential of girls calls on the global community to support the end to violence against women and girls, to invest in their health care, and to promote education for girls beyond their primary years. In concert, these activities empower women and girls to live longer, live stronger, and to contribute to the global community in a way that women have not before. This year's IDG theme is "The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030". What, exactly, do we envision for 2030? A world in which women and girls regularly achieve higher levels of education in numbers equal to that of males. Societies in which cultural norms support the delay of marriage and motherhood according to a woman's desires, effectively improving maternal and infant mortality rates. We hope for health care systems that recognize the unique challenges in women's health and invest in promotion, making services more accessible to women and girls. Finally, we hope for a workforce that welcomes women and girls, recognizing that economies are stronger and more stable when women participate in them. Our vision for 2030 is of girls that are healthier and more empowered, operating in a more robust global community. In support of the IDG theme, CSI's Girl Talk, Girl Power program works to educate girls on a variety of topics. Over 1,000 girls in Tanzania and Uganda have benefited from the program thus far, learning about topics such as the importance of delaying marriage, ending harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation (FGM), HIV/STI prevention, and the proper use of feminine hygiene products. This year, recognizing that menstruation and lack of feminine products present a great barrier to regular school attendance, CSI secured resources to ensure girls have the supplies they need to continue to attend school while menstruating. Today, and in the year ahead, CSI will continue its work to ignite and unleash the potential of women and girls in Baltimore and abroad. US-based CSI Cofounder and CEO spoke about International Day of the Girl Child on TV and radio at Voice of America in Washington, DC. She highlighted CSI's Girl Talk, Girl Power program, the need to start at the household level to enroll more girls in school, and for increased collaboration among parties. By Kimberly Sarvis, CSI Blog Writer |
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