Book club discussions with inspiring characters and culturally relevant contexts like A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Parks
Bany Akolda Seminar Workshops
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Many students in South Sudan graduate from high school and college with little knowledge beyond core academic competencies. Even though these foundational academic skills are important, they lack leadership and even basic life-skills to express themselves to the world, innovatively solve community needs, or push their goals forward on their own.
Our Goal
The Bany Akolda Seminar workshops, a part of HFA’s Scholars Empowerment Program, develop the capacity and skills of South Sudanese youth in order to be leaders and agents-of-change in their communities. With youth making up about 70% of the population, it is crucial that they engage in both rigorous academic and leadership programs to equip them to play a central role in the development of their communities and country.
Our Approach
The Bany Akolda Seminar workshops develop scholars’ leadership capacity by nurturing important 21st-century skills like creative problem solving, peacebuilding, perseverance/grit, communication, and collaboration. “Bany Akolda” means leaders for tomorrow in Dinka, what we hope each student will become. These interactive workshop-style classes are taught by local leaders during school breaks throughout their four years in high school.
Here is a quick glance at some of the Bany Akolda Seminars students will participate in during SEP Leadership seminars:
The Impact
Through this holistic model, students complete our SEP program with more than just a high school certificate. Scholars will also be equipped to take a global stage in ethical leadership, critical thinking and life-long learning to effectively address local challenges. They will become the “bany akolda” and agents-of-change in their community!