My journey with the YAFO Institute has shown me how a single opportunity can create a chain of impact far beyond what we initially imagine.
Through YAFO Institute, I was given the opportunity to serve as a Media Relations Manager, a role that exposed me to ideas and conversations around freedom, individual liberty, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of empowering individuals to take responsibility for shaping their own lives and communities.
It was through this experience that I discovered the Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA) and became increasingly interested in its mission and the principles it promotes. What began as an opportunity to contribute through social media gradually developed into a deeper personal commitment to advancing the ideas of liberty and empowering women to become more active participants in creating change. While at it, I had a scholarship to study International Business at Huzhou University in China.
That interest eventually led me to take the initiative to establish a LOLA chapter in China. Building LOLA China gave me the opportunity to connect women from different backgrounds and create a platform where we could engage with ideas around leadership, freedom, entrepreneurship, and individual responsibility. More importantly, it demonstrated to me that when people are given the opportunity to lead, they can transform ideas into real communities and meaningful action.
The establishment of LOLA China ultimately opened another important door: I was invited to participate in the first LOLA Asia Leadership Retreat in Kathmandu, Nepal.
My experience in Nepal was much more than travelling to a new country. It was a continuation of a journey that began with YAFO Institute. Being surrounded by women from across Asia, exchanging ideas, discussing leadership and entrepreneurship, and reflecting on liberty gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of building networks that can carry these ideas across borders.
Nepal also reminded me of the value of stepping outside familiar environments. Experiencing a different culture, meeting people with different perspectives, and seeing the world from another context strengthened my belief that meaningful change begins with openness, courage, and a willingness to learn.
Looking back, what strikes me most is the journey itself: YAFO Institute gave me an opportunity; that opportunity introduced me to LOLA; my growing interest led me to establish LOLA China; and that initiative ultimately took me to the first LOLA Asia Leadership Retreat in Nepal.
This experience has shown me that impact is often built one opportunity at a time.
Going forward, I see an even greater opportunity to leverage the knowledge, networks, and experience I have gained through the Lola Asia Leadership retreat to support the work of YAFO. I want to contribute more intentionally to initiatives that promote individual liberty, free enterprise, leadership, personal responsibility, and greater opportunities for young Africans particularly women to participate in building freer and more prosperous societies.
My experience has taught me that leadership is not simply about holding a position. It is about taking an idea, believing in its potential, and creating something that allows others to participate.
What started with a role behind a media relations manager platform has evolved into building a community, representing a movement in a new country, and becoming part of a growing network of women committed to liberty.
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