At Community Health Boosters (CHB), we believe in the power of young people to drive change. With the support of UNICEF Rwanda, we have successfully trained 81 young advocates through four cohorts of Youth Advocacy Guide (YAG) Cascade Training from December 2022 to January 2023.

This initiative builds on UNICEF ESAR’s commitment to equipping young people with the skills and strategies needed to influence change at local, national, and global levels. The training covered key advocacy areas, including gender equality, mental health, climate change, child protection, disability inclusion, and more.

Through interactive and inclusive training, participants gained advocacy skills, leadership insights, and networking opportunities. Their shared commitment led to the creation of the Youth Advocates Network (YAN)—a platform for ongoing collaboration and peer support.

We call on stakeholders to support this movement by engaging with YAN, expanding YAG training opportunities, and making youth advocacy an ongoing effort. Together, we can empower the next generation of changemakers. 

Advocacy in action
Samuel, a trained youth advocate, credits the Youth Advocacy Guide (YAG) Cascade Training for transforming his approach to advocacy. Initially, his understanding of malnutrition was limited to poverty-related causes until his clinical experience revealed a broader reality—nutrition is also about awareness and education.

Motivated to drive change, he co-founded the HEZA Initiative, a youth-led organization promoting nutrition education, balanced diets, and sustainable agriculture. However, like many young advocates, he faced challenges in networking, engaging stakeholders, and effectively communicating his cause. The YAG training provided him with advocacy strategies, public speaking, and communication skills, helping him connect with like-minded peers and establish the Youth Advocates Network (YAN)—a platform for collaboration and support.With the confidence and expertise gained, Samuel successfully pitched and launched the “One Egg Per Child Per Day” campaign, securing UNICEF Rwanda’s support. This initiative provided hens to 50 teen mothers and ensured children received essential nutrition. Building on this success, he organized World Nutrition Day 2023 in Rwanda, where 2,500 eggs were distributed, and families received additional nutritional support.