Amala alumnus Daniel Kabonga has begun learning at the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg, a two year residential programme where he will be developing as a leader, and studying for the Cambridge International A Levels.
“Getting to ALA is not just an educational achievement; to me, it means the dreams and objectives I carry about changing my community and empowering young refugees across Africa. To me, this means that we can never be defined by our current legal status. It reminds me that everyone has the ability to make positive impacts regardless of where they come from or what their backgrounds look like.”
Daniel Kabonga nods to the skills he developed during his time taking part in the Changemaker Foundation Programme, including entrepreneurial and leadership skills and a change-making mindset, for getting him to ALA. Through Amala, Daniel also strengthened his resilience: he applied to the Yale Young Global Scholars Program (YYGS) and Yale Young African Scholars Program (YYAS) twice each without success before reaching ALA. “Amala taught me how to rise even if the situation is unbearable. I learnt how to be resilient during the most catastrophic moments.”
Daniel is already a leader in Kakuma, having founded Kakuma Climate Action, a tree-planting initiative creating ecological sustainability in Kakuma Refugee Camp where he grew up. Kakuma Climate Action enables people to practice agriculture and develop livelihoods from the tree products. To date, Daniel’s initiative has seen over 500 trees planted across the camp.
With his sights set on studying International Relations and Diplomacy at university after ALA, Daniel wants to become a diplomat to advocate for the rights of refugee communities.