African Youth Integrated For Socio-Economic Development

09/03/2025

🌟 Happy International Women’s Day! 🌟

Today, we celebrate the incredible impact of our female members and their invaluable contributions to African Youth Integrated For Socio-Economic Development (AYISD) formerly KBTN ’s growth. Did you know that companies with more women in leadership positions are 21% more likely to outperform their counterparts? 🚀

Their dedication to promoting sustainable communities, ending gender inequality, and enhancing local livelihoods is truly inspiring. Together, we’re proving that when women lead, we all succeed!

Let’s continue to embrace female emancipation and empower each other—because what men can do, women can do even better! Diana Doheny Dr. Mara Huber Hanna Linden Hemanta Adhikari Sara Bramlage EcoRestoration Alliance Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH) Ampli5E Agroforestry Impact and Regeneration (AIR) University at Buffalo Sokoine University of Agriculture

01/03/2025

🌟 Exciting News for AYISD! 🌟

We are proud to announce that , a distinguished business coach, accomplished entrepreneur, and former Mildura City Manager, has joined the advisory board of African Youth Integrated For Socio-Economic Development (AYISD) formerly KBTN

Richard's wealth of experience in business strategy and community leadership positions him perfectly to guide our initiatives aimed at empowering the youth of Africa. His passion for fostering socio-economic growth aligns seamlessly with our mission to create sustainable opportunities for young leaders.

is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in microenterprise development, vocational education management, and public administration. His career is characterized by a commitment to community development, entrepreneurship support, and strategic leadership across diverse sectors.

As a Microenterprise Development Manager, Richard provides expert business coaching to 40 aspiring entrepreneurs annually, facilitating the launch and growth of new ventures. His approach combines personalized guidance with practical business acumen, fostering economic development at the grassroots level.

Prior to his current position, Richard served as CEO for one of three vocational training colleges owned by him and his team of investors in Australia. Under his leadership, one of the institution specialized in business management, the other in Agriculture and horticulture and the third in building and construction. This role showcased his ability to manage educational institutions and align curricula with industry needs.

's tenure as City Manager of Mildura for seven years demonstrated his proficiency in public administration and stakeholder management. He successfully led initiatives to enhance the city's appeal as a tourist destination, investment hub, and residential community, balancing diverse interests to drive urban development and quality of life improvements.

his professional achievements is a Master's degree study program in International and Community Development from Deakin University ongoing. This advanced program has informed his approach to both urban management and microenterprise development, providing a solid theoretical foundation for his practical work.

Diana Doheny Dr. Mara Huber Francis Bosah Prof. Rasel Madaha Hanna Linden MBILIZI KALOMBO BENEDICT BARAKA Samuel Ombeni

28/02/2025

🌟 Exciting news! 🌟

We are happy to announce the addition of Francis Bosah to our advisory board! As a trusted advisor to numerous international NGOs,he is dedicated to creating sustainable practices that not only benefit the environment but also enhance food security.His work in developing innovative carbon sink strategies aligns perfectly with our vision for a greener future.

He is a renowned soil health & regen ag advocate & solutionary, driving systemic change through his innovative approaches to resource-recovery & future-ready agriculture.

With a strong academic background in Sociology & Anthropology, Francis brings a unique perspective to his work, leveraging his deep understanding of African cultures, social structures & indigenous knowledge systems to inform his approach to regen ag. This expertise enables him to develop ambitious, innovative, culturally-sensitive solutions that address the complex, systemic challenges & ensuing polycrisis facing African ag.

As co-founder & CEO of Health of the Soil Education, Advocacy & Leadership (HotSEAL) Outreach, Francis has dedicated his career to promoting soil health regeneration, regen ag practices & soil-based climate solutions in Africa.

A recognized expert in leveraging soil health & regen ag as a system of nature-based solutions to combat climate change & mitigate the ensuing polycrisis, Francis' work illuminates the intricate interconnections between soil health, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, climate regulation & human well-being.

Francis has elevated his professional profile & solidified his position as a thought leader in regen ag through high-impact training initiatives with leading global organizations, including Kiss the Ground, UNDP, the Convention on Biological Diversity, Regeneration International, RegenIntel, etc. These expert-led trainings have significantly enhanced his knowledge, skills & influence in regen ag & soil health regeneration.

Recently, driven by his conviction about the actual systemic agricultural needs & change required in Africa, Francis developed two groundbreaking courses:

- Systemic Afro-regenerative agricultural change initiatives focused on decolonizing African soil & promoting indigenous agricultural practices.
- The Fastlead Personalized Mentorship Program, specifically designed to address the imbalances created by colonial curricula & empower African University Agricultural Science students & farmers with the knowledge, skills & attitudes needed to drive leadership in regen ag.

In his role as a trusted board advisor & knowledge partner, Francis collaborates with several international organizations, including CA4SH, Soil4Climate, AxessImpact, AIMforClimate & others. He is also a professional member of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).Dr. Mara Huber Diana Doheny Hanna Linden Prof. Rasel Madaha BENEDICT BARAKA MBILIZI KALOMBO Ampli5E Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH) Jurian Stevens Kashyap Bhatt Paula Rebelo Warren Brush

21/02/2025

🌟 Meet Diana Doheny our Chairperson Advisory Board 🌟

We are thrilled to announce our advisory board Chairperson 🎉 With an impressive background in real estate management and project development. She brings a wealth of expertise and strategic insight to our team.

💼 Diana Doheny is a US-based businesswoman with extensive experience in project management, real estate development, finance, manufacturing, and sales.

She is a founder and chairperson of Ampli5E , a non-profit serving the Northeast US and Africa dedicated to empowering women and girls, promoting education, employment, and protecting the environment.

She is a principal of Kingfisher-US, a consulting firm focused on the design and development of natural-based solutions.

She is also the founder and principal of Agroforestry Impact and Regeneration (AIR), a US-based social enterprise dedicated to regenerative agroforestry and value-added industry development for Africa and the Global South.

As a member of the Advisory Board of the Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurial Development (SIBRED), the first university-based institute in Africa dedicated solely to bamboo research and economic development, she is responsible for the strategic direction of the institute.

She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Journal for Bamboo and Rattan (JBAR), which promotes research on bamboo and rattan in the Global South.

Over the past several years;

Diana has worked in Ghana and Nigeria with local communities designing regenerative agroforestry solutions that empower women and youth and offer long-term value-added solutions for food security and economic development in rural agricultural communities.
Diana holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in project management from Louisiana State University and an undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics. She is also certified as a Prosci Change Management and Lean Practices consultant.

Her guidance will be instrumental as we continue to vision of African Youth Integrated For Socio-Economic Development (AYISD) formerly KBTN

We are excited for the future and all that we will accomplish with Diana's leadership and vision. 🚀

Welcome aboard, Diana Doheny
We look forward to an exciting journey together! 🌟

16/02/2025

🚀 Collaboration is Key! 🌍

Our recent inception meeting for the Regenerative Ecosystem Development (RED) Program was a true powerhouse of ideas, igniting our journey towards sustainability. Engaging diverse stakeholders—from government officials and UN agencies to international NGOs and community leaders—has proven essential for our program’s success!

Here’s how each entity plays a vital role:

✅ Government Officials: Policy support and regulatory frameworks to facilitate our initiatives.
✅ UN Agencies: Global expertise and resources that enhance our outreach and impact.
✅ International NGOs: Best practices and innovative solutions from around the world.
✅ National NGOs: Deep understanding of local needs and challenges, ensuring relevance.
✅ Community-Based Organizations: Grassroots engagement that empowers and mobilizes local voices.
✅ Community Leaders: Trust and connection that foster collaboration among residents.

By bringing together these diverse perspectives, we not only amplify our program’s effectiveness but also mitigate risks. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a resilient future!

Thank you to all who joined us on this journey. Let’s continue to build a sustainable ecosystem together! 🌱✨

The collaboration and shared vision demonstrated at this meeting have set a solid foundation for our program's future success. Together, we're not just talking about change; we're creating it!

Thank you to everyone who contributed their insights and energy. 💡 Let's keep building towards a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for generations to come!

MBILIZI KALOMBO Diana Doheny Francis Bosah Prof. Rasel Madaha Dr. Mara Huber Hanna Linden BENEDICT BARAKA EcoBricks Ltd UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Alight Now and Tomorrow Uganda Samuel Ombeni Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH) EcoRestoration Alliance Ampli5E Agroforestry Impact and Regeneration (AIR) sokoine universityofagriculture

14/02/2025

🌊🚨 Lake Nakivale at a Crossroads: The Ripple Effect of Increased Refugee Populations 🚨🌊

As the refugee population around Lake Nakivale grows, so do the pressing environmental challenges facing this precious ecosystem. 💔 While we extend a helping hand to those in need, we must also acknowledge the unintended consequences of this growth on our shared environment.

Lake Nakivale, a vital ecosystem, is not just a natural beauty; it’s a lifeline for nearby refugee communities. But this precious resource is under threat from pollution, which has dire impacts on health, livelihoods, and local biodiversity.

🏞️ The Impact:
1. Pollution Crisis: Increased waste from surrounding communities leads to alarming pollution levels in the lake.
2. Flooding: Overwhelmed natural drainage systems have resulted in frequent flooding, threatening livelihoods and infrastructure.
3. Aquatic Habitat Exhaustion: Essential habitats for fish and wildlife are being depleted at alarming rates, endangering biodiversity.
4. Decreased Water Levels: Unsustainable water use and pollution contribute to lowered water levels, affecting both human and aquatic life.
5. Increased Salinity & pH Levels: These changes disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem, posing serious risks to the aquatic flora and fauna.

✨ Let’s collaborate on:
- Improved waste management systems for refugee communities.
- Education on sustainability practices to minimize environmental impact.
- Community-led initiatives for restoring and preserving the lake's natural habitat.

🦠 Effects of pollution of lake Nakivale to the Refugees and host communities:
1. Health Hazards: Contaminated water can lead to waterborne diseases, jeopardizing the well-being of families.
2. Economic Impact: Fishermen and local businesses suffer losses due to declining fish populations and unhygienic conditions.
3. Ecosystem Decline: Pollution disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic life, threatening native species.

🛠️ African Youth Integrated For Socio-Economic Development (AYISD) formerly KBTN Conservation Strategies:
- Community Clean-Up Initiatives: Engaging local residents in regular clean-up efforts to promote ownership.
- Education & Awareness: Workshops highlighting the importance of keeping the lake clean and sustainable practices.
- Waste Management Solutions: Transformation of organic wastes into compochar.

🤝 The Role of Stakeholders:
- Local Governments: Enforcing regulations and policies to protect the lake.
- NGOs & Environmental Groups: Partnering with communities to provide resources and training for effective conservation.
-Corporate Sponsors: Funding clean-up projects and sustainability education programs.

✨ Together, we can protect Lake Nakivale for current and future generations! Join the movement, spread the word, and let’s make a difference!! MBILIZI KALOMBO Samuel Ombeni BENEDICT BARAKA Hanna Linden Diana Doheny

28/12/2024

🚀 Exciting Announcement!🚀

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mara Huber to our advisory board! 🎉

Dr. Mara Huber is a seasoned expert in experiential learning, bringing over a decade of experience to our team. With a remarkable background in leading community engagement and project sustainability through experiential learning. She is poised to help guide our strategy and vision as we continue to push the boundaries of creating a sustainable, resilient and Independent communities.

Below is Dr. Mara Huber 's Bios

"Dr. Mara Huber is an educator, innovator, and global advocate for experiential learning, sustainability, and capacity building. Her work bridges academic leadership and international partnerships, creating transformative opportunities that align education with real-world challenges and global development goals. As Senior Director for Instructional Innovation and Transformation at the University at Buffalo, Dr. Huber leads efforts to support exploration, integration, and scaling of generative AI, active learning, and PEARL projects within courses and programs of study.

Globally, she serves as Senior Special Advisor to the Governor of Enugu State, Nigeria, where she is advancing the Smart Green School initiative and experiential learning curriculum to address pressing environmental and educational challenges. Dr. Mara Huber collaborates with educators, policymakers, and organizations across Africa, including in Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria, to design and implement scalable models for education and innovation. Her passion lies in building communities of practice where educators and leaders can share, innovate, and seed transformative change."

28/12/2024

🌟 As we close out another remarkable year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders especially UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency EcoRestoration Alliance University at Buffalo and the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH)

Your financial, technical, and moral support has made a significant impact on the vulnerable communities we serve. Together, we've created positive change and fostered resilience in many lives.

✨ We are excited to share our Annual Report highlighting our achievements and the difference we've all made. Dive in to see how your contributions have helped us take meaningful strides forward!

🔗[https://lnkd.in/gYDvHmty]

Here's to continuing this journey together in the coming year, making an even greater impact!

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24/12/2024

Exciting News Alert! 🌟

I’m officially thrilled to share that our Organization has undergone a significant transformation with a new legal name and Registration status from (KBTN) as a Community Based Organization to - (AYISD) formerly KBTN as a Federally recognized non profit.

This change reflects our commitment to innovation and growth, aligning our identity with our vision for the future.

The decision, driven by our management team, symbolizes our dedication to evolving and enhancing our services for our people and partners. We believe this fresh identity will better represent our mission and the value we aim to deliver.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to evolve and embrace new opportunities! Thank you for your continued support. 🙌

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