Three young Africans talk about their lives, and,
above all, their dreams.

Ghana. Francisca. “Resilience and loyalty”
My name is Francisca Appiah and I am a nurse. I was born in a small village in the Asante region of Ghana called Nkwankwaa, surrounded by vast fields and the sound of crickets at night. The main occupation of the population is agriculture.

Growing up in a close-knit family, I learned the values of hard work and the importance of personal relationships. My parents, despite not being rich, made sure we had everything we needed, often sacrificing their comfort. I have vivid memories of my mother teaching me how to prepare food in our outdoor kitchen, while my father worked long hours as a miner in Tarkwa.

As a child, I often helped my family by selling vegetables, fish and other products from home. I was aware of their difficulties, so I was happy to contribute, especially knowing how hard my parents worked to raise me and my four siblings.

As I entered adolescence, I had to face internal struggles, often torn between the desire to fit in and the desire to maintain my authenticity. My awkwardness and shyness made it difficult for me to make friends, resulting in a lot of loneliness, despite the presence of classmates and family. However, during this time, I learned to persevere and found solace in studying and activities such as reading and drawing.

I remained determined to pursue my dreams. When I finished junior secondary school in 2015, I had the opportunity to live with my teacher in Kumasi. She believed in my potential. Moving from a quiet village to a bustling city was both exciting and overwhelming in terms of navigating the new environment. Soon after, I was transferred to the Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi to study Home Science for three years.

Overcoming the challenges of my new environment, I discovered my passion for helping others, which led me to pursue a diploma in nursing at St Patrick’s School of Nursing and Midwifery Training in
Offinso-Maase.

However, after completing my training and mandatory national service in February 2023, I encountered a stumbling block: the government has yet to approve my promotion. This process can take three to four years. To support myself during this time, I became a mobile money agent (MoMo) and work long hours to cover my basic needs.

Although the business has its challenges, especially in terms of security, my resilience and the knowledge I gained during my training as a nurse have helped me build a successful business. Now, many girls in Nkwankwaa and my neighbourhood in Sunyani look to me
for inspiration and advice.

Reflecting on my journey, I realise that resilience, adaptability and staying true to myself have been my greatest strengths. I look forward to being deployed as a registered nurse and continuing my training to contribute effectively to Ghana’s healthcare system. I also dream of reaching out to young girls, especially in rural areas, to help and motivate them to deal with the complexities of life. In doing so, I will take advantage of what I have learned along the way.

Congo. Glody. “The Passion for Images”.
My name is Glody Molinga and I am a young entrepreneur in the audiovisual content production sector. I was born in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on April 17, 2002. I studied Communication and Information Technology at the Leadership University Academy of Kinshasa.

Since I was a child, I have had a passion for images and storytelling, which led me, after completing my studies, to embark on an adventure that involves transforming ideas and inspirations into audiovisual stories, such as documentaries and cinema. Through my projects, I try to capture authentic stories that reflect the richness and challenges
present in my country.

My goal is to capture emotions, freeze moments and use cinema as a tool for inspiration. My desire is to contribute to the development of the audiovisual sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering opportunities to young people who, like me, dream of telling their own stories. My country is beautiful, but also suffering. The war that has raged for three decades must not silence our voice. That is why I am making short films that denounce this reality and support the cause of young Congolese.

My story in this field began in 2017, when I was only 15 years old. The inspiration of my older brother, Plits, was fundamental. He encouraged me to dedicate myself to the production of short films. I started editing videos, creating content with my mobile phone, until I had the opportunity to enter a photography studio. From there, Collectif Bomoko was born, a project that I founded with a group of friends with the aim of covering major events and consolidating my professional career.

In this process, the support of Kingchrist Film in production activities was fundamental, because it gave me the opportunity, for the first time, to participate in a professional project with Fally Ipupa and Red Voyce. Later, the arrival of a manager, Dieumerci Gada, opened the door to new opportunities, allowing me to work with famous artists and become
well known.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with several companies in my country, such as Village Chez Ntemba, SB Group, Joga and Go-Fashion. I have also worked with great artists such as Werrason, Pastor Moïse Mbiye and Koffi Olomide in various projects and concerts. All these events have enriched my experience in the audiovisual world.

However, the challenges are many: the lack of funding, the difficulty of accessing good equipment and the scarcity of opportunities for young people. Despite the difficulties, I continue to move forward with passion, perseverance and a very committed team that is part of Mol Prod.

To young people who want to follow this path, I would like to say that if you have a passion, you have to fight for it. It will not be easy, but everything is possible with hard work, patience and determination. I know what it means to go against the grain. My father dreamed of seeing me become a doctor, but he understood, after seeing my dedication and my efforts, that my vocation is cinema.

Sudan. Butros. “Words for a wounded people”
My name is Butros Nicola Bazia. I believe in the alchemy of words, in the way stories can transform pain into hope, silence into dialogue, and memory into a compass for the future. This inner voice has guided me since adolescence, when I was already fascinated by the idea of contributing something worthwhile.

I firmly believed that I would get somewhere as long as I tried to find my way. Inspired by the motto of Khartoum Comboni College, “Always More; Always Better,” and the sense of common good that lies behind it, I began my journey as a podcast creator in 2022 in Khartoum, Sudan.

Through one of them, “Young Black Voice,” I gave space to young Afro-African and Afro-Arab Sudanese to express themselves on topics such as freedom, culture, revolutionary art, or telling the stories of black Sudanese women who have suffered from breast cancer. When war stole my headlines, I dedicated myself to writing.

Today, as a columnist and blogger, I write not only to document the struggles, but to reimagine South Sudan, a youth-led story of courage, culture and change, and I actively contribute to the reconstruction of the country by improving digital storytelling and preserving its rich
cultural traditions. I showcase the unique rituals and stories of
Sudanese communities.

Sometimes I found it frustrating that there was not enough information and or stories about the country in the digital world. Therefore, I decided to change the destination of the narratives. By sharing these stories, I promote a sense of pride and belonging, actively changing the discourse about South Sudan.

I believe in the unifying power of storytelling. I believe in the power they have and how they can bring about immense change, because just as the division between Sudan and South Sudan was fuelled by words, unity and positivity can also be fuelled in the same way.

Celebrating cultural diversity is key to building a stronger and more cohesive nation. I use my platform, Autide Me, and my work as a columnist for the BBC’s online magazine 500 Words to raise awareness of the major challenges facing Sudanese society, such as migration, health inequalities and gender inequality. By shining a light on these issues, I aim to spark dialogue and inspire action towards
positive change.

In one of my recent contributions, “The Crisis of Potential”, I highlighted the challenges young people face, especially those that hold them back from realising their potential due to limited access to education, high unemployment and the lasting effects of war, with a particular focus on the specific challenges faced by young women.

Looking to the future, I am passionate about cooperation and innovation. Working with international media outlets such as “The New Humanitarian” has broadened my perspective. My long-term vision is to create a storytelling platform that amplifies cultural narratives and fosters connections between communities.

This platform would serve as a space where South Sudanese voices can be heard, celebrated and preserved, a space where South Sudan is not defined by war, but by the creativity of its people, contributing directly to the building of a rebuilt nation.
(Illustrations: Francis Marin)