By Ashraf Amin Maisikeli, Founder of InspireChange Foundation

Hello everyone, my name is Ashraf Amin Maisikeli, and I am passionate about creating positive change and advocating for children’s rights and development. I founded the InspireChange Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and young people in our communities. Today, I’d like to share my story and how my journey as a changemaker began, as well as my vision for the future.The beginning of my journey as a changemaker started at the age of 14. Growing up in northern Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by children and young people in my community—issues such as lack of access to quality education, child abuse, and youth disempowerment. These experiences ignited a fire within me to make a difference.

I co-founded the Young Developer Foundation, an organization that provides underprivileged children with access to vocational skills. This initiative was my first step towards creating a positive impact and addressing some of the critical issues in our community.

Driven by a deeper commitment to serving humanity, I founded the InspireChange Foundation. Our mission is to empower children and young people to create enduring positive change in their communities through education, skills development programs, and social justice advocacy. We believe in a bottom-up and participatory approach, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and their actions are impactful.

One of our key initiatives is the “EmpowerED: Changemaker Clubs for Quality Education and Youth Empowerment.” These clubs provide a space for young people to collaborate, learn, and lead. By equipping them with the necessary tools and resources, we aim to tackle issues such as out-of-school children and youth hopelessness.

To date, we have directly impacted over 200 young individuals, helping them realize their potential and contribute positively to society. My dedication to empowering the next generation has been recognized on a global scale. I was honored to be selected as an Ashoka Young Changemaker, one of only two from the entire northern part of Nigeria. This recognition has connected me with a global network of young leaders and provided opportunities for collaboration and growth. Engaging with other changemakers and learning from their experiences has been incredibly inspiring and has further fueled my commitment to our mission.

One of our ongoing projects at the InspireChange Foundation is the “Voices Unheard; Transforming Stories” campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness and inspire action by leveraging creative mediums such as spoken word poetry, animation, and documentaries. We believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for change, and through this campaign, we aim to amplify the voices of marginalized youth. Additionally, we are working on establishing Changemaker Clubs in more schools and communities. These clubs will serve as platforms for children and young people to develop their skills, engage in community projects, and drive social change. Our goal is to create a network of empowered young changemakers who can lead the way in addressing the challenges faced by their communities.

To my fellow changemakers, I want to say this: Empowerment begins when we believe in the potential of every young person to ignite positive change. Each of us has the power to make a difference, no matter how small our actions may seem. Let’s continue to inspire, support, and uplift each other in our shared mission to create a better world.

My journey as a changemaker has been a deeply fulfilling and transformative experience. I am grateful for the opportunities and support I have received along the way. As I continue to work towards empowering children and young people, I remain committed to our vision of creating enduring positive change in our communities. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Together, we can make a difference.