Community-based organisation Young Achievement Sports for Development (YASD) managed to send a group of young leaders to France where they got a rare opportunity to be part of Paris Olympics opening ceremony back in July.
It is part of YASD's endeavour to develop young leaders who can make a difference in their communities mainly though sport.
The seven-member team led by Tafadzwa Beauty Mangava was part of the Festival 24 which was held under the auspices of France-based organisation Sport Dan la Ville.
Also part of the group of young leaders was Tinotenda Mweta, Junior Chabata, Mitchell Wande, Trump Makore, Ronald Marumba and Paul Phiri.
Festival 24's goal is to enable children with social difficulties from across the globe enjoy a unique personal and personal experience in France.
And this year's event coincided with Paris Olympics.
Mangava, who was the head of the delegation, believes the trip to France was a life-changing experience for her as a young leader.
"Leading a group of young people to Festival 24 in France was a life-changing experience. Seeing the excitement and growth in my team members as they engaged with peers from 36 countries was incredible. We shared our stories, learned from each other, and we made friends and possible future partnerships," the 23-year-old recent Women's University in Africa graduate said.
- Zimbabwe eyes Homeless World Cup return
- YASD project attracts Japanese interest
- Chatiza: From homelessness to transforming lives through sport
- YASD kick start 2024 Homeless World Cup preps
Keep Reading
"As a young leader from a marginalised community, this trip was a game-changer. The biggest lesson I took away was the power of unity and collaboration in driving social change. I realised that even in our diversity, we share common goals and aspirations.
"Being part of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony was surreal to me. Witnessing the global celebration of sports and unity was a dream come true. My team and I felt proud to represent Zimbabwe and our community on such a grand stage.
"I'm grateful to YASD for this opportunity, which shows their commitment to empowering young leaders from marginalised communities. It demonstrates their belief in our potential to create positive change and their willingness to invest in our growth.
"I intend to use the lessons and networks gained from Festival 24 to establish sports programmes for girls in my community, promoting education, empowerment, and social inclusion. I aim to create a ripple effect, inspiring others to become change-makers and leaders," Mangava said.
The trip took the young leaders to Lyon and Paris where they had training for the purpose of equipping them with the right knowledge and skills to facilitate the upcoming activities for the young people.
They later took part in different sporting activities like badminton, wheelchair basketball and soccer while they also attended a dancing show at Theatre Gallo Romain and visited the amusement park Jardin D’Acclimatation near the foundation Louis Vuitton.
But the toast of the visit was being part of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics and meeting the Zimbabwean delegation including athletics at the global Games.
"YASD as one of the leading sports for development organisations in Zimbabwe were thrilled to receive an invitation from Sports Da Ville and the International Olympic Committee to participate in Festival 24. To us this invitation was a unique opportunity for our young leaders to engage with global peers, share experiences, and learn from each other. Our primary motivation was to empower these young people with new skills, knowledge, and networks to amplify their impact in their communities," YASD programmes director Petros Chatiza said.
"Participating in Festival 24 was a life-changing experience for our young leaders and participants as it exposed them to diverse perspectives, cultures, and innovative approaches to sports development.
"For some of the participants the opportunity to be part of Festival 24 meant being assisted to acquire travel documents. We believe the experience can enhance their leadership skills, confidence, and creativity, enabling them to drive positive change in their communities.
"We believe that by investing in these young leaders, we can create a ripple effect of positive impact in Zimbabwe's marginalised communities," he said.
