Peace First

Maryam Founder of Ecorise, turned a deeply personal experience into a mission that is changing lives.Maryam Founder of Ecorise, turned a deeply personal experience into a mission that is changing lives.

After watching her 3-year-old cousin fall seriously ill from contaminated water, she refused to stay a passive observer. She founded Ecorise, a youth-led initiative delivering clean water access, sanitation kits, and hygiene education to underserved communities.

To date, Ecorise has filtered over 10,000 litres of water, reached 500+ people, and contributed to a 20% reduction in waterborne illnesses in the communities they serve.

Read her full story here: https://bit.ly/4ug6xYH

Emmanuel's work starts at the ground level. From waste management to green livelihoods, he's building circular solutions that uplift communities, protect the environment, and put young people at the center of the action, because the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution.

Read his full story here: https://bit.ly/4tVwRag

Adeleke Precious identified a problem and built a solution.

In communities across Southwest Nigeria, 1 in 2 girls lacked access to safe menstrual products, often missing school or managing in silence as a result.

In March 2024, she founded the Preshh BlossomGirls Initiative. In just over a year, 2,000+ girls reached across Osun and Oyo State, improved school attendance, peer-led education programmes, and community training in reusable pad production.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4tBjPhP

Leadership has no age limit.

After losing two of the most important people in her life to cancer at just 13, Olivia turned grief into purpose by founding Cancer Kids First, now the world’s largest youth-led cancer nonprofit with 43,000+ volunteers across 80 countries.

Built on the idea of “kids helping kids,” CKF has impacted thousands of pediatric cancer patients worldwide through emotional support, advocacy, and community-driven care.

Olivia’s story is a powerful reminder that purpose, compassion, and resilience can create global impact.

Read her full story here: https://bit.ly/4tXZNz8

Andy grew up in a community without clean water, where girls disappeared from classrooms and no one asked why. So he decided to start asking.

At 23, with no money and no office, he founded ClimateWise Organization. Today, his work has reached over 25,000 people across Malawi through clean water, girls' education, and climate-smart farming.

His story is a powerful reminder that the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution.

Read his full story here: https://bit.ly/3Qj0jJ6

Meet Yesua.

A dreamer who fled conflict, rebuilt his hope in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, and refused to let displacement write his final chapter.

Despite the pressures of displacement and shifting humanitarian support, Yesua is pursuing an Academic Scholarship in Business Administration, with a vision to move his community from humanitarian reliance to economic independence.

Read his full story here: https://bit.ly/3Oq3HRN

At just 21, Murshid has transformed his lived experience of displacement into meaningful action, founding the Rohingya Youth Union, which now engages over 1,000 young people in leadership, education, and community empowerment.

What stands out most is his ability to connect grassroots realities with global advocacy, ensuring that the voices, experiences, and aspirations of Rohingya youth are not only heard, but actively shape conversations at higher levels.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4uSoNc2

Founder & CEO of Corants Initiative Development Organization (CIDO), Isaac is leading transformative work in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement empowering youth, supporting education, and building pathways for self-reliance.

A powerful voice for community-driven change and youth empowerment.

Read his full story here:

The Power of an Empty Stomach: How Ndayisaba Isaac Turned Hunger into a Movement - Peace First Born in San Bernardo, Timbiquí (Cauca), I am a young Afro-descendant who, from an early age, has been committed to social justice, quality education, and the defense of human rights, understanding education as a fundamental pillar for social transformation, the dignification of victims of the armed...

Born in Timbiquí, Cauca, Edwin’s journey is driven by a commitment to education, human rights, and social justice.

From student leadership to national advocacy spaces, he continues to work for the dignity of victims of armed conflict and the empowerment of Afro-Colombian youth. Through initiatives like Multiculturalidad Ancestral, his mission is clear: to build a more just and inclusive Colombia.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4brDudj

Only 17, Savera is already working to change how young people experience support in schools.

A 1st Dan Black Belt and former international karate competitor, she founded Bright Start, a youth-led initiative bringing resilience and confidence workshops into schools across New Zealand.

She continues to support young people before they reach a crisis, read her full story here: https://bit.ly/4ufFnSN