I remember standing just a few steps away from the stage, my heart beating faster than usual, my hands slightly shaking as I held my notes. At that moment, it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about my community, the young people I work with, and the hope we had built together. As my name was called, I took a deep breath and walked forward, knowing that what I was about to say carried the voices of many.
I am currently serving in a community where opportunities for young people are limited. Every day, I see young men and women with energy and potential, but without access to sustainable income sources. What stayed with me the most was how unemployment was quietly affecting their confidence, their independence, and their future. Many of them depend on small, inconsistent piecework, and it is not enough to build a stable life. I knew something had to change.
The idea of combining goat farming, shoe making, and a small butchery did not come from me alone. It came from conversations, observations, and listening. During meetings with the youth group, we talked openly about what resources we already had and what skills we could build on. Some members had experience handling livestock, while others were interested in learning practical skills like shoe making. That is how the idea started to take shape. We also realized that opening a butchery would not only provide meat for sale but would allow us to use goat skin for shoe production, making the project more sustainable and reducing waste.
Working closely with my community counterpart and the youth group, we refined the idea into something realistic and meaningful. They were not just participants, they were co creators. Their input shaped everything, from identifying the need for income generating activities to deciding how the project would run. My role was to guide, support, and help structure the idea, but the vision truly belonged to the community.
The journey to Pitch Day was not easy. There were moments of confusion, especially when trying to put all our ideas into a clear proposal. At times, I questioned whether I was doing enough or if the idea was strong enough to stand in front of donors and stakeholders. Preparing for the pitch itself was another challenge. Standing in front of people and clearly explaining a community driven idea requires confidence, and honestly, I didn’t always feel ready.
But through the process, I grew. I learned how to communicate more clearly, how to simplify complex ideas, and how to believe in the work we were doing. I also learned that it is okay to feel nervous as long as you do not let it stop you.
On Pitch Day, the room was filled with energy. There were different teams, stakeholders, and people who genuinely wanted to listen. As I stood on the stage, I could feel the weight of the moment but also the excitement. What stood out the most was realizing that people were paying attention, that our story mattered. Speaking in front of donors and stakeholders was intimidating, but it was also empowering. For once, our community’s ideas were being heard on a bigger platform.
One of the most powerful parts of this experience was hearing my community counterpart speak. In their own words, they said, “This project is important to us because it gives us a chance to stand on our own. We want to work, we want to grow, and we believe this idea can change our future.”
That moment reminded me that this was never just a project. It was a shared dream.
My favourite moment of the entire experience was right after the presentation, when I stepped off the stage. There was a sense of relief, but also pride. Not just in myself, but in the entire team. We had taken an idea from our community and presented it with confidence. That moment stayed with me because it showed how far we had come.
This experience taught me so much about myself. I learned that I am capable of more than I thought. I gained confidence in public speaking, improved my communication skills, and strengthened my ability to work with a community in a meaningful way. If I were to do it again, I would trust the process more and believe in myself from the beginning.
Looking ahead, I see this project creating real impact. Goat farming will provide a sustainable source of income, the butchery will create a local market for meat while ensuring nothing goes to waste, and shoe making will equip young people with practical and marketable skills using the goat skin. Together, these activities can help reduce unemployment and give young people a sense of purpose and independence.
What we need now is support, resources, mentorship, and belief in youth led solutions. When young people are given the opportunity to lead and create, they come up with solutions that are practical, relevant, and sustainable.
I stood on that stage not just as an individual, but as a representative of a community full of potential. And I believe, with the right support, this is only the beginning.
