My name is Ephraim Phiri, a 23-year-old Malawian youth who graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. I have always been passionate about growing and developing in my career, and my journey so far has taken me across various sectors of the IT industry in Malawi.

From interning with the National Economic Empowerment Fund in data entry and digitisation support, to working at NBS Bank in core banking system support, and later serving as a Network Engineer intern at the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN), I have been able to gain diverse experiences and expand my skill set.

However, I have always had the desire to contribute to development, learn, and grow on a global stage. When I came across the opportunity to intern as an ICT Engineer at UNDP ITM in Copenhagen for six months, I applied with determination. After going through the interview process, I was thrilled to be selected.

I am excited to share that I have now begun my onboarding journey and will soon immerse myself fully in the work ahead. I truly appreciate the efforts that Opportunities for the Youth (OFY) brings to the table in empowering young people like me, and I look forward to continued support as I advance both professionally and academically.

I first connected with OFY because I wanted to find a space where young people like me could act, grow and support each other. I’m a business student in Brunei, but most of my energy goes into advocacy for mental health, women’s empowerment, and ocean conservation.

I’m part of GenSea, a youth community that protects our oceans. That work showed me how much small actions matter, like educating people about plastic waste or sharing knowledge with younger students. At first, I felt unsure. I thought leadership was only for people with big titles. But through spaces like OFY, I’ve learned that leadership is also about listening, caring, and showing up.

Mental health is another cause close to me. In my community, many people still feel ashamed to speak up. I’ve tried to change that by opening conversations, even in simple ways, like checking in on friends or sharing stories that remind people they’re not alone. These moments taught me that advocacy doesn’t always need a stage; sometimes it’s about the quiet work that changes someone’s day.

What I value most about OFY is how they open doors for students who might never have had the chance. They help underprivileged youth join events and conferences across borders, many of which we would never even hear about on our own. They keep us updated, share countless opportunities, and help us build stronger testimonials. For students like me, it’s the best platform to look for internships, youth events and spaces to grow skills we’d otherwise miss.

What inspires me is how OFY connects youth across different places and backgrounds. It’s easy to feel like our struggles are isolated, but seeing other young people act in their own communities makes me feel part of something bigger. And that’s what keeps me moving; knowing that our voices, joined together can shift things for the better.

My name is Saurav Singla, and I am writing to share the story of my son, Parth Singla, who is 10 years old and based in Gurgaon, India, for your Share Your OFY Story initiative. OFY’s mission has inspired him to believe that even children can take meaningful action and contribute towards positive change.

Parth has been actively using his creativity to spread awareness about sustainability—through book reviews, STEM projects, and impactful social media reels. One of his awareness reels on plastic pollution reached over 100,000 views, encouraging many other children to say “no” to single-use plastic. He has also connected with global youth communities such as Design for Change, Youth Ki Awaaz, and YOUTHTOPIA Circle of Youth, which has helped him grow as a young leader and realize the power of collective youth voices.

Beyond advocacy, Parth also expresses himself through writing. His poem “My Magical Book – Harry Potter” was published on StoryMirror, celebrating how reading opens doors to imagination and friendship. His story “Exploring the Enid Blyton Mystery Series” was featured in RobinAge, where he shared how detective stories sharpen curiosity and problem-solving skills for young readers. He has also been recognized as an International Star Kid, with his creative work continuing to inspire his peers.

What Parth treasures most is motivating other children to take small steps—whether refusing plastic, planting trees, or sharing their stories. His message is simple: youth leadership is not about age—it’s about action. You can also see more of his work and projects on Instagram at @parthsingla2015.

Thank you for providing a platform where young voices like Parth’s can be heard and amplified.

My OFY Story: From Displacement to Global Impact

Growing up in the conflict-affected North West Region of Cameroon, I dreamed of becoming an engineer. At just 17, that dream was abruptly interrupted when the Anglophone crisis escalated, forcing me to flee my home. Like over 1.1 million others, I became internally displaced, losing access to education for a year. Yet, in that moment of uncertainty, I made a decision: my story would not end as a victim of circumstance. I would turn my pain into purpose.

This was the seed that grew into e-Mentor, an immersive VR learning platform designed to bring quality STEM education to displaced and marginalized students in conflict-affected areas. With VR headsets powered by solar energy and SIM connectivity, we make learning possible even without electricity or internet. Since launching, we’ve reached over 800 students, trained more than 170 teachers, and impacted over 1,000 young people and learners in Cameroon — not just through improved test scores, but through greater self-confidence, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and renewed hope for the future.

One student, Killian, whom we met in Bamenda during one of e-Mentor’s flagship projects, once told me, “Before e-Mentor, I thought my dreams had died when we fled our home. Now, I feel like I can achieve anything.” Another teacher shared, “Your training has completely transformed how I teach. My students are more engaged than ever.” These personal stories fuel my determination and keep me going.

My journey has been shaped not only by personal resilience but also by the transformative role of Opportunities for Youth (OFY) in opening doors I once thought unreachable. I first encountered OFY while searching for programs, mentorship, and funding to scale e-Mentor beyond its early pilot stage. Through OFY’s platform, I discovered scholarships, fellowships, competitions, and professional networks that became life-changing catalysts, each one equipping me with new skills, resources, and connections. These opportunities have connected me to global networks, high-level mentorship, and vital funding, while also boosting my visibility and credibility as a young African innovator committed to creating lasting impact.

Thanks to the doors opened through OFY, I have:

• Won prestigious awards like the Commonwealth Innovation Award for the SDGs (presented by the President of the Republic of Kenya), the Globethics Youth Leadership Award in Switzerland, and the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work.
• Represented Cameroon on global stages including the World Youth Forum in Egypt, the Yale Model African Union Conference in Rwanda, and One Young World in Manchester, as well as visiting and working in six countries — Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Norway — to share and expand my impact.
• Joined influential networks such as the Ban Ki-Moon Global Citizens network, the Globethics network, the One Young World Ambassador community, the Commonwealth Queens Trust for Young Leaders, and the Refugees International Fellowship.
• Collaborated with organizations like Ludenso in Norway and Open Dreams in Cameroon to expand educational access, impacting more than 1,000 young people and learners in Cameroon.
• Raised over $25,000 USD in funding, enabling not only quantitative growth but also qualitative change — from improved STEM proficiency and greater digital literacy among displaced learners, to increased confidence, creativity, and hope for a brighter future.

Beyond the accolades, the most powerful impact has been deeply personal: watching a displaced child light up as they put on a VR headset for the first time, hearing a teacher share how our training revolutionized their classroom, or seeing a shy student grow into a confident problem-solver. These are the moments that remind me why I began — to ensure that no child’s education is ever cut short by conflict, crisis, or circumstance.

OFY has been far more than a source of information; it has been a bridge and a catalyst — connecting my local innovation to the global stage, linking my vision with the resources, mentorship, and visibility to make it real. Through OFY, I’ve been able to leverage funding, form partnerships across continents, and inspire other young Africans to transform their ideas into action.

Looking ahead, my vision is to scale e-Mentor to reach 1 million learners across West and Central Africa by 2030, integrating climate education, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship into our VR curriculum. OFY’s role will continue to be central in this journey, providing the opportunities, exposure, and networks needed to make that vision a reality.

Today, I not only lead e-Mentor but also mentor and coach emerging changemakers across Africa and beyond, sharing OFY’s platform and opportunities with them so they too can dream bigger, act boldly, and create lasting impact. My journey from a displaced student in Cameroon to a globally recognized social innovator is living proof of what happens when resilience meets opportunity, and when opportunity is met with relentless action.

To every young person reading this: your story is still being written. With the right opportunity — like the ones you’ll find through OFY — your challenges can become the foundation for a legacy of global impact.

 

From a Small Town in Oyo State to Impacting Lives Across Nigeria

When I stood in Iseyin, Ibadan, speaking to young women about their worth, their rights, and their future, I saw more than just faces — I saw dreams waiting to be ignited.

Through Make Her Smile Africa, we have walked into underserved communities, armed with nothing but hope, truth, and practical tools to help girls break cycles of poverty, abuse, and limitation. But none of this would have been possible without the doors and connections opened through Opportunities For Youth (OFY).

• OFY helped me take action in my community — turning passion into programs that change lives.
• It connected me to global opportunities, partnerships, and a wider platform to advocate for
  gender equality.
• It helped me grow into a bolder leader, ready to fight for a future where every girl can thrive.

Today, the voices from Iseyin remind me why we keep showing up: because one conversation, one resource, one opportunity can transform a generation.

Before joining Opportunities For Youth (OFY), I had ideas for helping my community, but I didn’t know how to take the first step.

Through OFY’s online training and mentorship programs, I learned practical skills in project planning and leadership. This inspired me to organize a clean-up and tree-planting campaign in my neighborhood, bringing together over 100 young people to take action for the environment.

Because of OFY, I also connected with an international youth climate network, through online engagement. Which gave me a platform to share our work and learn from peers across the globe. These experiences have strengthened my confidence, expanded my network, and motivated me to keep leading change. Now, I see myself not just as a participant, but as a leader driving solutions in my community.