Story by Hannah Silas (28), Youth Researcher. Zimbabwe
After graduating from the University of Jos in late 2024, I was looking for opportunities that matched my passion for research and creating positive change. In early 2025, I came across a Facebook post advertising Community Researcher positions across 14 African countries. After I had submitted my application, I almost lost hope after waiting months to hear back, an email in January changed everything and it marked the beginning of my journey with Restless Development.
From the moment I joined, I became part of a diverse team of young researchers working across Africa. What stood out most was Restless Development’s commitment to youth-led development. Rather than treating young people as participants, the organisation trusted us as partners and co-creators. We were involved in shaping strategies, conducting research, and contributing to decisions that influenced our work. This gave me a genuine sense of ownership and confidence in my ability to lead.
Hannah sharing research findings in Addis Ababa.
One of the defining moments of my journey was representing our team at the AU–EU Partnership and Accountability Face-to-Face Meeting in Addis Ababa. Presenting research that reflected the experiences and perspectives of young people from 14 countries reinforced the importance of ensuring young people’s voices inform decision-making. Along the way, I strengthened my research skills, learned to use NVivo, and developed the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures and perspectives.
Looking back, Restless Development has been more than a professional opportunity, it has been a journey of growth, leadership, and belonging. It showed me that when young people are trusted with responsibility, they can lead meaningful change. As I continue my career, I hope to build on this experience by championing youth-led approaches that empower more young people to shape the decisions and solutions that affect their lives.
