There are people in people in this world who are born to be an inspiration to others and to show them the path to a better life. These people are usually selfless,and put others' welfare before their own.
One of such people is Achaleke Christian.
ACHALEKE CRISTIAN LEKE
Born on the 12th of April 1990 in the town of Kumba in the South West region of Cameroon,Christian's community was characterized by youths dropping out of school, unemployment, violence and insecurity . In the midst of these social and economic challenges, driven by his desire to stand out as a leader and make a difference, today, Christian has developed into an outstanding youth leader and role model not only amongst his peers but to youths all over Africa and the world at large. Raised from a typical African family,Christian had the opportunity to leave the challenges and realities of most African youths in local communities. Driven by his consciousness and self motivation, Christian as a “Sunday School pupil”, capitalized on his talent, which was acting in theatre troupes to sensitise his peers on some of the challenges facing the community.This pulled public attention to him from the age of five.
Even though caught in between poor educational facilities, limited resources and peer pressure, he was driven by a strong determination to work hard and succeed.Achaleke Succeeded in obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in History of International Relation with specialisation on International Conflict Analysis from the citadel of University education in Cameroon; University of Yaounde I in 2014, a Bachelors Degree in History; researching on Inter-ethnic Conflict from the First Anglo-Saxon University in Cameroon; University of Buea. He is currently studying for a Post Graduate Degree. He has equally acquired professional education from short certified courses such as: Youth Radicalisation and Human Security from the Institute of Security Studies in Ethiopia, Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development from the Leadership Academy and Project Management from the YALI online network.
With over 8 years of volunteering for Local Youth Corner Cameroon, Achaleke Christian has evolved into an expert and consultant in youth development initiatives. He has worked in collaboration with several government institutions, international institutions and organizations, and several youth civil societies in Cameroon and abroad. He has a remarkable record of executing and co-organising over 50 youth development projects between 2014-2015.His most recent engagement in the fight against violent extremism and the promotion of youth participation in the peace building process is breaking grounds in the country. He has acquired a huge experience in participating and representing young Cameroonians at national and international youth development initiatives.
Christian is the Cameroon Youth Ambassador to the Commonwealth. He is also National Coordinator of Local Youth Corner Cameroon: an association involved in youth civic action whose vision is to bring Young people together in a common forum where they can always work together for their common good. Help youths to be able to positively affect the society in which they live starting from effecting an inner change of values and perception.
Among other things, he is also Ex-officio member, National Bureau of Cameroon National Youth Council, and ACPST /Institute of Security Studies Cameroon Chapter Alumni.
During the Youth Forum of the African Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in Cameroon, he was chosen as head of commission to work with the youth leaders and the Commonwealth Secretariat team to draft the Youth Statement of the Forum.
Among his achievements in youth civil society include; a track record of organizing and coordinating over 50 youth development projects between April 2014 and 2015 with local, national and international organizations with an impact on over 2000 young people. These activities included: initiatives to promote youth capacity building and skills in peace building and conflict prevention, entrepreneurship development, democracy and good governance, HIV/AIDS, Human rights and freedom, gender equality and gender based violence, Civic Education, climate change and personality development. He is currently coaching over 20 youth led organizations including the Commonwealth Students Unions on organizational management and project management.
He has worked as a youth expert and consultant with the Cameroon Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education and the Commonwealth Department of the Ministry of External Relations in organizing Youth Events. This included his participation as part of the planning and organizing committee of the 1st ever Africa Region Commonwealth Ministers Meeting in Cameroon. He equally was part of the strategic task team for organizing African Region, Commonwealth Youth Forum with the Commonwealth Youth Council, Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Division and Cameroon National Youth Council. Also, he was a panel moderator on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship at the African Region Commonwealth Youth Forum in Yaoundé. To add, he was one of the main organizers of the 2015 Commonwealth Day celebration in Cameroon. Notwithstanding, Achaleke has also worked with International organizations and institutions like United Nations Populations Fund and United Nations Development Agency through the Cameroon National Youth Council in organizing youth dialogues on Post 2015 Development Agenda. Most recently, he organized two youth dialogues on Governance and Accountability in the Post 2015 development agenda, sponsored by a joint fund from Restless Development, Plan UK, Action aid and the British Youth Council. He is currently the South West Regional Coordinator of a youth conflict prevention and peace building project; “Engage for Peace” under the Association Rayon De Soleil, sponsored by the US Embassy in Cameroon. He has equally consulted with International NGOs such as the Centre for Migrant and Refugee Solidarity, a Belgian based NGO, Citizen Outreach Coalition, a UK based charity NGO, just to name a few.
With the most recent increase in terrorist activities and youth inclusion and participation in violence and extremist activities, Achaleke has striven hard to engage in innovative ideas to promote youth participation in the peace building process with considerable achievements. He recently produced a short video documentary to sensitise youths and African government on the impacts and solutions to the challenge of youth radicalization and child soldiers. This video has recorded over 200 views on YouTube. In this vein, he has equally designed a National Training Manual on Youth Action in Non-violence, Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in Cameroon. So far this manual has been used in training 100 youth leaders in entrepreneurship in peace building, conflict prevention and peace building processes. He hosted the first ever Institute of Security Studies, Ethiopia training on Youth Radicalism and Human security in Cameroon. He has been invited by the organisers of the upcoming Global Summit on Youth Peace and Security in Jordan to represent Cameroon thanks to remarkable work in the field of youth peace and security.
He is a Co-founder and Administrative Director of Bring it On Cameroon; a social enterprise created in 2014. His enterprise produces bio-degradable paper bags in response to the recent band of plastic no bio-degradable plastics in his community. He has recently been nominated for the Princess Award under the category of Youth Leadership.
Apart from all these positions, Achaleke is a very humble person who believes that the only real key to success is determination and hard work. He takes every single duty he is involved in very seriously ans says no task should be taken lightly. He believes that it is the little things we do that lead to great achievements. Christian has a way with people that is extraordinary. When you meet him, it is obvious that it doesn't take long to get along with him as if you have known each other for a long time. His humour, good nature and warmth are appreciated by those who have encounters with him.
Christian's cheerfulness draws people to him
He uses his skills as a motivational speaker and youth coach, to rally youths to his cause mainly by sharing with them his own personal experiences.
Giving students life lessons
Achaleke Christian has taken part in many workshops and attended seminars both at home and abroad, to continue to build his capacities. His enthusiasm puts him on the pedestal as one of the young leaders to watch in Cameroon.
Achaleke at international forum
Here is how to contact Achaleke Christian Leke:
>P.O Box: 31528, Yaounde
>TEL: +237) 73513129
>Email: achaleke1@gmail.com
>Facebook/Twitter/Skype : christian leke
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