In April 2025, the African Institute for Children Studies (AICS), in partnership with the U.S.-based Human Unity Gateway (H.U.G.) Foundation, founded by Monika Emad and Ben Wamwea of Coach Ben Africa, launched the first-ever THABITI African Youth Leaders Summit (AYLS). This bold, youth-driven initiative brought together more than 150 teenagers from across the African continent for five days of transformative leadership training, mentorship, and personal growth at St. Andrew’s School in Turi, Kenya.  The Summit was designed as more than just an inspirational gathering—it was a launchpad for action. Participants engaged in hands-on workshops, life skills coaching, peer dialogue, and problem-solving challenges that equipped them to become confident, purpose-driven changemakers in their communities. With a focus on servant leadership, mental wellness, and global citizenship, AYLS has already begun to shape a new generation of African leaders grounded in character and compassion.  Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to scale the Summit and deepen U.S.-Africa collaboration by inviting more American youth mentors, leadership coaches, and philanthropic partners to participate.  We invite you to join us in growing this life-changing initiative. Your support will help fund travel scholarships, training materials, facilitation teams, and mental health resources for youth leaders from underserved communities across Africa.  Together, we can cultivate a generation of globally minded, socially responsible young leaders equipped to drive positive change across the continent—and beyond. 

In partnership with UHAI for Health Inc. in Worcester, Massachusetts, the African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) is addressing a growing challenge among young African immigrants in the U.S.—the identity crisis experienced by first- and second-generation citizens, particularly boys and young men.  Through the Youth Innovation Hub, we are creating a safe, supportive, and empowering platform where these youth can explore their roots, build a stronger sense of identity, and connect with purpose. The program enables young African Americans to collaborate with peers from across U.S. states—including Arizona, New Jersey, and Massachusetts—as well as with young changemakers in Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe.  This initiative offers more than just dialogue—it creates action. Participants form community groups, co-create solutions to shared challenges, and engage in mentorship sessions that address mental health, emotional healing, and personal development. These gatherings, held in community centers and supported by digital platforms, foster genuine cross-cultural exchange and solidarity among youth across continents.  By bridging their American experience with their African heritage, this program helps young people reclaim their identity, find meaning, and step into leadership roles within their communities—both locally and globally.  Your support can help expand this vital work. Contributions help fund mentorship programs, community gatherings, digital collaboration tools, and mental health support services—building a movement that empowers the next generation of African youth in the U.S. to lead with confidence and cultural pride. 

Our partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Kenya plays a pivotal role in strengthening the AICS Youth Innovation Hub. Through this collaboration, we are creating powerful connections between young leaders in our Scholar-Leader Program and international experts, including Fulbright Scholars and English language specialists.   A highlight of this partnership is the growing support for Benjamin’s School, a grassroots education initiative in the Maasai region. What began under a tree with just 11 students has now become a five-classroom school serving over 100 children—thanks in part to encouragement from Embassy representatives who joined us in developing a roadmap for collaboration, resource-sharing, and community capacity building.  That vision is now a reality. Through the Fulbright English Teacher Program, an expert is being deployed to Benjamin’s school to help design effective fundraising strategies, enhance local leadership, and guide the next phase of school development.  This collaboration is more than symbolic—it reflects the U.S. Embassy’s deep commitment to youth-driven innovation, education, and sustainable change in underserved communities. With continued support, we are building a future where local ingenuity meets global solidarity, and where every young leader has the tools and networks they need to succeed. 

Each year, graduate students from the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas join the African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) through a 12-week internship that is as transformative for us as it is for them. Hosted through our Youth Innovation Hub in Kenya, this unique exchange blends education, mentorship, and social enterprise, with a shared commitment to empowering young people for employment and leadership.   During their time with us, interns collaborate on projects addressing real-world challenges—ranging from youth unemployment and education access to community-driven development. Their fresh perspectives and analytical skills help us enhance our programs and sharpen our impact, while they, in turn, gain valuable hands-on experience working in grassroots development and cross-cultural leadership.  This internship is not just a placement—it’s a bridge. It has become a cornerstone of the growing relationship between our Kenya office and our U.S. office, strengthening our shared mission across continents. Over the years, interns have played a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the Youth Innovation Hub, contributing to policy research on health, education, and labor, and expanding the impact of our programs.  We believe in partnerships that build lasting change. This program does just that—offering a pathway for American graduate students to co-create solutions with African youth and communities. Together, we are investing in the next generation of global leaders.  Your support enables this transformative experience. Donations help cover intern project costs, community engagement activities, and program coordination—ensuring that this powerful learning exchange continues to thrive. 

The Youth Innovation Hub at the African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) is a vibrant platform where young changemakers from Africa and the United States co-create solutions to the world’s most pressing child and community development challenges. Established as part of AICS’s strategic vision for 2025–2030, the Hub empowers youth through leadership training, peer collaboration, and hands-on project design focused on real-world issues—ranging from education access and gender justice to economic resilience.  At its core, the Hub fosters global connections. Through partnerships with the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas and community organizations in Boston and New Jersey, American students and young professionals are collaborating with their peers in Kenya—and soon, Uganda, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Together, they co-develop grassroots solutions, exchange ideas, and implement community-led innovations that promote sustainable change.  This is more than a learning program; it’s a movement. AICS believes that when youth are empowered with the right tools, mentorship, and networks, they don’t just participate—they lead.  Success Story: Benjamin’s School  At just 16, Benjamin, a young Maasai leader from Olgulului, Kenya, began a school in his village, at first teaching under a tree, to help children who were walking 15 kilometers through wildlife territory just to access education. Today, thanks to support from the Youth Innovation Hub, that one-tree classroom has grown into a five-room community school serving over 110 students. With U.S. youth partners helping develop a $30/month per child fundraising model, the school now seeks to expand meal provision, hire teachers, and enhance learning resources. Click video link below for more information and Benjamin’s appeal for support https://youtu.be/bbMACAAPRhM  Success Story: Anne’s Campaign Against FGM  Anne Lasoi, one of the first women in her Maasai community to attend university through AICS support, is now leading an anti-FGM movement in Narok County. Through the Youth Innovation Hub, Anne trains women in alternative livelihoods, helping reduce early marriages and harmful traditional practices. Her work not only protects girls, but also inspires entire communities to value daughters’ education as much as sons’. Click video link below for more information and Ann’s appeal for support https://youtu.be/3paZYGOdJ5c Success Story: Brian’s Table Banking Innovation Brian, a civil engineering student from Kajiado, saw firsthand how stigma isolated children with disabilities. In response, he created a table banking group for 24 women, enabling them to secure microloans for school fees and businesses. He also helped a 15-year-old girl with a disability secure a full four-year scholarship. His work illustrates how youth-driven innovation can foster inclusive education and economic empowerment. Click video link below for more information and Brian’s appeal for support https://youtu.be/OolKI-qA-yQ Your Impact  Your support can help us scale these life-changing stories. With just $30/month, you can feed a child for an entire month. A gift of $150 supports five children and one volunteer teacher. We aim to raise funds to recruit 10 teachers and support 150 children, transforming this grassroots school into a model of community-driven education.  Join us in empowering youth across the U.S. and Africa to create lasting change—one idea, one leader, and one child at a time. 

Since 2017, the African Institute for Children Studies (AICS) has collaborated with the Global Center for Applied Health Research and the Center for Child Well-Being at Arizona State University (ASU) to implement the evidence-based keepin’ it REAL substance use prevention program. The acronym “REAL” stands for four key resistance strategies: Refuse, Explain, Avoid, and Leave—empowering young people with practical life skills to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. This curriculum-based intervention, already implemented across all 50 U.S. states, Mexico, and Kenya, has proven effective in preventing early drug and alcohol use among children and adolescents. In Kenya, AICS—through its Youth Hub—has introduced keepin’ it REAL in schools, contributing to improved school retention, academic performance, and youth well-being. The Government of Kenya is now considering nationwide adoption of the program.  Our partnership with ASU continues to grow as we plan to scale this model to other African countries. Through this program, we are not only building resilience among youth but also laying the foundation for a healthier, more productive future generation.  We are now seeking donor support to expand this work in the U.S. through community-based centers in Boston (MA), New Jersey, and Arizona. Our goal is to enroll 150 young people in a 10-week structured program that includes mentorship, peer group sessions, and life skills education. Your contribution will directly support:  We are deeply grateful for the continued support of Arizona State University’s Global Center for Applied Health Research and our local partners such as UHAI for Health Inc. in Boston.  Join us in shaping a drug-free future for our youth—your investment today can change lives tomorrow.