This podcast interview with Sheher, the second-place winner of the 2025 Blessed Girls Essay Competition. Hosted by Dr. Anana Phifer, the episode highlights Sheher, a young woman from Bangladesh, who wrote an essay titled "The Power of One: How a Girl's Voice Can Change the World," focusing on woman empowerment. The discussion covers her motivations for writing, challenges faced by girls in her country such as child marriage and the practice of dowry, and the importance of platforms like Blessed Girls for empowering youth voices. Sheher shares her personal aspirations, including pursuing journalism or becoming a professor, and offers advice to other young girls about the value of their voices and not fearing to speak up.

In this inspiring episode of the M.A.D. Youth Civility Podcast, Dr. Anana sits down with Favor Ngugi, a passionate young creative entrepreneur and founder of Youth Tech Studio in Burundi.

Favor shares his powerful journey of starting a media company that trains youth in photography, videography, and digital storytelling—all with limited resources but an abundance of purpose. He opens up about the challenges of youth unemployment in Burundi, his mission to equip the next generation with marketable skills, and his belief that media is a vital tool for youth empowerment, advocacy, and social change.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• How storytelling gives youth a voice and builds community impact
• Why Favor believes small beginnings should inspire, not discourage
• Lessons learned about patience, consistency, and leadership
• The realities of starting a business as a young person in Burundi
• His vision to expand globally and inspire youth worldwide
• The importance of digital responsibility and ethical media training

Key Quote:
“Start with what you have... be consistent and be creative.” – Favor Ngugi

Whether you're an aspiring creative, youth advocate, or leader looking to make a difference, this episode will challenge and encourage you to lead with purpose, tell your story, and make a difference where you are—with what you have.

#MADYouthPodcast #YouthTechStudio #BurundiYouth #CreativeLeadership #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalStorytelling #DrAnana #YouthCivility #MakeADifference #MediaForChange #GlobalYouthVoices

This episode of the MAD Youth Podcast, hosted by Dr. Anana. The featured guest is Ikelyn Kotey, a young woman from Ghana recognized for amplifying the voices of young leaders. Ikelyn shares her journey, her passion for empowering young people, particularly girls, and discusses challenges like lack of experience and limited resources, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and social support. She also highlights her commitment to her faith, her aspirations to be a clinical health psychologist and a woman of valor, and her creative projects aimed at bringing joy and hope to others, such as her upcoming book "The 20s Unleashed" and a project to provide sewing skills and uniforms to deprived students.