Leading From Where We Stand

By Inares Kenne Tsangue  

“Don’t let your background put your back on the ground.” 

That’s a phrase I often return to, a reminder that no matter where we come from, we are capable of rising, leading, and inspiring change. Growing up, I didn’t see many young people like me in positions of influence, but I believed that leadership is not about age or titles; it is about courage, purpose, and service. 

In a world facing complex challenges, from climate change to inequality, leadership isn’t optional; it’s essential. And not just any leadership, but youth leadership. 

 My path was shaped early on through Open Dreams, a nonprofit that empowers high-achieving, low-income students in Cameroon. As a participant in their Summer Academy in 2021, I spent four transformative weeks immersed in community service, civic leadership, and public policy debates. I facilitated Aviva Day, an outreach program under Open Dreams’ Aviva Women in Science initiative, which honors the legacy of Aviva Kullberg by supporting maternal and child health in Cameroon. Aviva Kullberg was the infant daughter of Open Dreams’ co-founders, Cristina and Hans Kullberg, who tragically passed away at just 10 months and 13 days old from a rare and undiagnosed condition on November 18, 2020. On this day, we bring joy and hope to children affected by neonatal diseases, while also using design thinking to explore innovative solutions to public finance challenges. Facilitating Aviva Day taught me that leadership is not just about speaking up but about showing up. 

From there, my passion expanded, and I embarked on a journey of giving back to my community through various initiatives. I went from supporting orphans and organizing skill workshops for underprivileged youth at Brightworld where I started as a volunteer and was later promoted to Regional Coordinator, to contributing to the World Cleanup Day in 2021 and 2022. In addition, I also volunteered at the Tech Innovation Club Summit and participated in the National Youth Camp for Peace, helping to build dialogue in conflict-prone regions. Since enrolling at Ashesi University in 2023 as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, I have found a platform for meaningful growth. I have actively engaged in student organizations, led impactful projects, and collaborated with diverse peers who continually challenge me to lead with empathy and integrity.  

The real turning point came in 2024 when I founded Youths4Change (Y4C), a youth-led movement dedicated to empowering girls through EmpowerHer (menstrual hygiene education) and driving climate action through GreenFuture (tree planting and climate education). From coordinating pad distributions in underserved communities to organizing tree-planting campaigns with students and local leaders, I learned that leadership is less about giving instructions and more about creating room for others to shine. I remember during one pad distribution, a young girl approached me afterwards and said, “Thank you. Now I won’t have to miss school anymore when I’m on my period.” Her words reminded me that beyond the numbers and logistics, these initiatives directly restore dignity and opportunities to those we serve. Under my leadership, we have educated over 500 students, distributed more than 200 sanitary pads, held six menstrual hygiene workshops, planted trees in 6 different campaigns, and formed environmental clubs in schools across six countries. Most importantly, I have trained over 36 youth leaders across Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Eswatini, and Sierra Leone to drive this impact in their local communities. 

I have made tough calls, faced setbacks, and dealt with the pressure of leading when resources are limited, but each experience taught me to stay grounded, make thoughtful decisions, and lead from a place of purpose, not ego. For example, during our tree-planting project, heavy rains destroyed most seedlings a day after planting. It was disheartening, but instead of giving up, I mobilized the team to replant and reached out to local farmers for advice on soil preparation.  

Leadership, I have come to realize, is a commitment to growth: not just mine, but the collective growth of the people I serve.