Interviewed by Uzoamaka Mbara
This week, our Changemaker Spotlight is Yetunde Adeseluka, the founder of Africa Health Savers Initiative.
Yetunde is a Reproductive and Public Health Nutritionist who is passionate about making impacts. She holds a B.Tech in Medical Biochemistry and an MPH in Reproductive and Public Health Nutrition.
Can you tell us more about your organization Africa Health Savers and the SDGs you work?
Africa Health Savers Initiative provide innovative solutions to ensure quality health and wellbeing for women, girls, orphans and vulnerable children’s health in our society. We are working to end hunger, put an end to poverty, women empowerment.
We train our women and girls on different skill acquisition programs. We educate them on health education and personal care. We provide them with resources that help them to explore opportunities and have a better standard of living.
We believe empowering women and girls for the nation’s benefit. Educate a girl, educate a nation. Our Goal, therefore, is to have a network of empowered women, girls, orphans, and vulnerable children who can stand independent, have access to equal opportunities and would not lack basic quality healthcare and quality education. We want to build a network of successful women and girls who will raise a better nation.
Some of our programs include; Sexual and Reproductive Health Education, Financial Management Education, Menstrual Hygiene amongst others.
What inspired the work you do?
We realize that for a nation to grow and grow well, women, girls, orphans and vulnerable children in the society must be given adequate care, love, and opportunities to thrive, utilize their innate talent and abilities in order to have a sustainable livelihood.
Once one girl or a woman is empowered, the family thrives.
What are some of the challenges you have faced so far
To implement sustainable projects successfully requires lots of planning and funds. Fund is a major challenge.
Can you suggest ways African leaders can ensure that we achieve the Global Goals?
Africa leaders need to wake up from their deep sleep. They have slept so much; they do not understand the importance of the impacts of the Global Goals. They need to be more selfless, value-driven so that the Africa continent can align with other continents.
What do you think young people can do differently for us to advocate for the Global Goals?
Volunteering is an excellent platform for young people to advocate for the Global Goals so young people need to understand this and cultivate the habit of selfless volunteering for the good of Africa and the global space.
Can you share a time in your leadership journey when you felt overwhelmed? How were you able to come out stronger?
Every time in my leadership journey has been overwhelming; when I see adolescent girls and boys studying unfavourable conditions, this stirs my emotions, when I see children living in poverty.
What’s your biggest motivation?
My passion for the humanitarian works I do. My joy is that one day when I leave this world, many people would have benefited from my humanitarian actions and still benefit from all I will leave behind.
What are your plans for the future as an individual and for your Initiative?
As an individual; To Continue to develop myself and many others positively, to continue to explore and be at peace with myself. To rise while lifting others up.
For Africa Health Savers Initiative; To increase our network on volunteers who will selflessly and passionately drive the vision of the initiatives.
What’s your philosophy of life?
Love God, obey God’s words by applying it to my everyday life, help people every time, everywhere and at all times and don’t stop moving.
If your life was a book what will the title be?
Every Life Counts!
What advice can you give to young people who are still trying to find themselves?
What you will be is right there within you. Sit, think, explore, get a mentor, move in the direction of your dream daily and never quit. It’s very easy to quit but never quit.
