IYCS Africa Proposed Leadership Centre

Project Overview

The Youth today are increasingly becoming an important part of finding solutions to a number of issues in Africa ranging from development, social, environmental and humanitarian action. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60% of Africa’s population is below the age of 35 years. Of these, over 3.2 million of these young people are members of the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) in 34 African countries.

It is therefore pertinent that we prepare, equip and empower Africa’s next generation of leaders with principles and values of leadership, social justice and mercy, encouraging them to look at the world from the perspective of the poor, with a commitment to global solidarity.

To realize this ambition, IYCS Africa proposes to establish a Leadership and Spiritual Formation Centre to annually offer over 10,000 young people, transformational learning, mentorship, and coaching to enhance their leadership skills, develop a healthy body, mind and spirit and facilitate the spiritual formation of these young people to bring an awareness of God’s unconditional love for humanity and provide a sacred space for those who desire to renew their faith and further their growth in spirit, mind and body.

The IYCS Africa Leadership Centre will provide exciting programmes for young people on Leadership Development, Spiritual Formation, Sports, Health and Fitness, Protecting our Common Home (Environmental Protection), Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation and Humanitarian Action, with an emphasis on interactive and experiential learning, which fosters each participant’s ability to contribute both individually and in teams.

Expanding over 0.2-acre land in a tranquil surrounding with ease of access and panoramic views, the IYCS Africa Leadership Centre will also provide affordable accommodation, meeting rooms, garden, sports, health and fitness facilities and will operate along much the same lines as most Youth Hostels, with an emphasis on international friendship, community life, cooperation, eco adventure and sustainability.

The IYCS Africa Leadership Centre will be housed on a 4-floor building with a mixture of contemporary and fashionable facilities for Conferences, Meetings and Events (Weddings and Parties), affordable sociable Accommodation, Restaurant and Shops, Sports, Health and Fitness and a Spiritual Centre (Chapel). The Centre facilities, amenities and operations will pay special focus to Protecting Our Common Home with emphasis on eco-conservation, energy saving, recycling and sustainable development.

The business of meetings, trainings, conferences and events (weddings and parties) is booming in Kenya and will be a core business for the IYCS Leadership Centre. The income generated will be used to operate, maintain and develop the Centre as well as to support the budget of the IYCS Africa Regional Coordination Office and for the growth and expansion of the YCS Movement in all African countries.

The Centre requires Investment/Capital Financing of USD 301,350 (Three Hundred One Thousand Three Hundred Fifty United States Dollars) for construction, environmental and local approvals, furnishing, professional fees and administrative costs. The Centre will also require an initial operations cost of USD 50,000 (Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) that will be raised by IYCS Africa through our ongoing $10 t-shirt campaign.

The IYCS Africa Leadership Centre is a legacy project for all the former, current and future members of Young Catholics Students Movement in Africa. Therefore, IYCS Africa is calling upon YCS Members, National YCS Movements, former YCS Members, YCS Partners, Foundations, Corporate Sponsors and Individual Donors (well-wishers) to support and contribute financial and non-financial resources for the establishment of the IYCS Africa Leadership Centre that will benefit millions of young people in Africa. Top contributors will be given a special recognition and legacy at the Centre.

IYCS Africa T shirts

The proposed Center will be:

  • essential in offering stronger and more integrated support services to the youth;
  • charged to build the capacity of youth and youth led organizations to integrate learning, experience sharing within a multicultural environment and with engagement through service and related training initiatives;
  • provide curricular support in addressing all type of mutation
  • position the IYCS Africa as a leader in efforts to offer young people a space of their integral development.

The Center will have the capacity to:

  • establish and maintain long term, sustainable, mutually transformative partnerships across youth and youth organization;
  • expand into new, relevant programming areas;
  • garner external funding in support of the training with curricular engagement

You can find a detailed architectural design by clicking here:

Contribution towards this sustainability project will be greatly appreciated.

 The account details below;

ACCOUNT NAME: IYCS AFRICA TRUST

ACCOUNT NUMBER (USD): 1006662893

SWIFT ADDRESS/CODE: NINCKENA

SWIFT CODE: SCBLUS33