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African Young Leaders Connect in US Through Government Program
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US YALI FLORENCIA FARM
HEADLINE: African Young Leaders Connect in US Through Government Program
TEASER: YALI participants from 18 Sub-Saharan African countries explore sustainable agriculture and celebrate cultural diversity at Maryland farm
PUBLISHED AT: 07/xx/2023 at
BYLINE: Eric Manirakiza
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND
VIDEOGRAPHER: Lionel Gahima
VIDEO EDITOR: Lionel Gahima
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Timothee Donangmaye
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Megan Duzor
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 3:15
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG//RADIO
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[As part of the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative, or YALI, a cohort of 23 young leaders from 18 sub-Saharan African countries embarked on a visit to an agricultural farm in Maryland. VOA’s Lionel Gahima and Eric Manirakiza, who is no relation to the farm owner, met with some of them and have this story, narrated by Lionel Gahima.]]
((NARRATION))
This farm, owned by Jean Berchmans Manirakiza, is more than 2 hectares. Manirakiza grows Afro-Caribbean heritage crops and uses his family farm to serve underserved communities such as refugees and immigrants. Today he is welcoming young African leaders.
The young leaders dedicated 67 minutes of their time working on the farm to former South African President Nelson Mandela, who spent 67 years fighting for social justice. Lerato Sono, a university lecturer from Pretoria, South Africa, said she isn’t exposed to the farming industry back home but said it was important for her to get a hands-on experience.
((Lerato Sono, University of Pretoria Lecturer)) ((Female, in English))
“The highlight of it was just not working on the farm and knowing that you’re giving back to a farm that is very intentional about growing African crops, but also ... about how Africa has actually saved America’s agriculture industry … it kind of pushed me to also learn a lot more about my own African history through different industries like the agricultural industry.”
((NARRATION))
Young leaders like Isaac Pomboloka of Zambia said they are resolute in using the knowledge and experiences they have acquired to the development of their communities.
((Isaac Pomboloka, Public Health Specialist)) ((Male, in English))
“This is special. It is not just about farming activity, but it is special because I’m getting to learn a lot of things about how the agriculture system is marketed and adding value to the to different kinds of activities you do here ... this is beautiful and I’m looking forward to doing some great impactful things on my continent.”
((NARRATION))
Some of them, like Liberia’s Janice-Love Bropleh, decided to use the opportunity to showcase traditional food from her country.
((Janice-Love Bropleh, Human Resources Manager)) ((Female, in English))
“People are making all kinds of different food. We have Senegalese jollof, we have pepper soup, we have barbecue, all kinds of different food … there are other things I've learned here from my South African friends. There’s something called ‘pap.’ When I get back to Liberia, I’m actually going to practice how to cook a pap.”
((NARRATION))
As the air fills with delightful exotic flavors and spices intermingle with tantalizing aromas, laughter and joy accompany each culinary preparation. Zambia’s Pomboloka said the experience has changed his outlook in life, both professionally and personally.
((Isaac Pomboloka, Public Health Specialist)) ((Male, in English))
“This is just the beginning, because there is just so much that I've learned. Actually, I don't think I can go through this program and yet I’m going to remain the same. And the approach to the project that I run, I think the approach to life as well, even the approach to my personal and professional life, I think everything is going to change because I've interacted with quite high-performing individuals here."
((NARRATION))
Departing from the farm, the fellows said they carry with them unforgettable memories, deeper bonds of friendship, and bridges of companionship that surpass borders.
((With Eric Manirakiza, Lionel Gahima, VOA News, Prince George’s County, Maryland.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
