EMPOWERING RURAL YOUTH IN EDUCATION: A ROYAL VISIT AND MY EXPERIENCE RECEIVING KING CHARLES III OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Innovation in education is a powerful catalyst for change, especially in rural communities where access to quality education can be limited through poor infrastructure, long distances to access education, teachers lacking the necessary training, lack of access to digital tools, literacy and skills, teacher student ratio is high among others.

Last week I had the opportunity to present to King Charles III to witness first hand the impact of innovative education initiatives on rural youth when I had the honour of receiving and presenting our youth Asante Africa Foundation in partnership with The King's Trust International to the King during his Royal State visit of Kenya. The visit not only highlighted the importance of education but also showcased the remarkable achievements of rural youth who are breaking the barriers and transforming their lives through innovations in education.

Despite the scarce critical resources our rural communities work tirelessly to provide better educational opportunities for youth. With limited resources, opportunities and infrastructure, Asante Africa Foundation with partners as The King's Trust International consistently work together to bridge the gap between rural and Urban school going youths by equipping the hard to reach forgotten communities to access digital infrastructure, trainings through the different programs and interventions targeting youth to acquire the 21st C on demand skills that enhance Critical thinking, leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. Through collaborative efforts with local communities and government we established innovative programs that aimed to bridge the education skills gap and empower East Africa’s youth.

The arrival of the King Charles III was a momentous occasion for us and our young people in our programs and communities where we work. His visit was not just a symbolic gesture but a genuine interest in witnessing the transformative power of innovative education in rural areas. As a host, Our youth had the privilege of showcasing the innovative initiatives they had implemented and I having the historic opportunity of introducing His Majesty King Charles III to the young individuals who were making a difference and representing the 1.1 million lives who have been impacted by our programs over the last 17 years across East Africa.?Brenda says "we have been watching all the "big people" on TV now they will be watching us"

During the visit, the King had the opportunity to interact with several rural youth who had excelled with their innovations. From a group on culture and diversity to promote peace and co-existence to a group recycling waste material on their poultry project that raises them an income to go about their education to a group tackling climate through a Kenya government initiative of planting 15 billion trees in a decade and interesting doing this in the desert where they have invented a solar powered system with local available resources to support with irrigation, the King was amazed by the creativity and determination of the young people and the role of indigenous knowledge in tackling global challenges. These young individuals had not only overcome the challenges of limited resources and lack of opportunities to quality education but had also become role models for their peers through our Learn – Do – Teach and Pay – it – Forward models. Beauty told the king that "participating in the program and acquiring skills was not the only achievement as they have had the opportunity to Travel, Network and meet high profile people just like the King himself" as majority of the participants saw Nairobi for the first time as I equally met, shook hands and welcomed the King for the first time and I hope it wont be the last.

The King’s visit highlighted the transformative impact innovative education initiatives on rural youth and education. It showcased how access to quality education, coupled with the right support, intervention and encouragement can unleash the potential of young minds. By providing them with the tools and resources they need, we are empowering these youth to become change agents in their communities and beyond for transformed worlds.

As a host, I was immensely proud to be a part of this historic visit. It was a humbling experience to witness the genuine interest and support shown by the King towards the young people efforts. He had great conversations with the young people, discussing the opportunities, challenges and the progress they had made. His appreciation and encouragement for our work in partnership with The King's Trust International served as a validation of our efforts and motivated us to continue our journey towards empowering rural youth through innovative education.

The visit of the King of the United Kingdom to our program participants was a testament to the power of education and innovation. It highlighted the incredible achievements of rural youth who are defying expectations, transforming their lives through education and why we should continue investing in education and the young people. The visit served as a catalyst for further collaboration and support, inspiring us to deepen impact in areas that need us and we are not afraid of to deepen impact regardless of their geographical location. Through innovative education initiatives, we can empower rural youth, unlock their potential, create a brighter future for generations to come and transform worlds.