HUSSEIN’S STORY

A 28-year-old Hussein Abdillah Hussein is rewriting the narrative for young men. Unlike many of his peers who dropped out of school at an early age to join harmful social circles or take up informal labor, Hussein chose a different path—one of resilience, education, and empowerment. “I Refused to Follow the Path of Many” Growing …

Lhakpa Sherpa, proud Restless Development Alumni

Lhakpa’s Story

Lhakpa Sherpa grew up in a small village in Solukhumbu, a remote Himalayan district far from Kathmandu and the wider world of opportunity. There were no roads back then, when Lhakpa was just a teenager. Long before he knew the language of NGOs or community service, he was volunteering by lifting sick villagers onto his …

Umu’s Story

Who would have ever thought a day would come when I would think of pursuing a science related discipline ? -Umu Moyamba Town, the capital of Moyamba District in Southern Sierra Leone, has over 11,000 residents. Adolescent girls in the area face socio-economic barriers like poverty, limited quality education, harmful gender norms, and restricted access …

Ankit Chaudhary, a positive masculinity champion from Nepal

Ankit’s Story

Across Nepal and the UK, Restless Development is working with young men to question what they have been told about masculinity and to build something better in its place. Through the project “What it Means to Be a Young Man Today,” young leaders are creating conversations in their communities, using media, dialogue, and collective action to promote equality, respect, and accountability. This is the journey of Ankit Chaudhary, a Positive Masculinity Champion from Sarlahi, Madhesh Province in Nepal.

From Broken Dreams to Blossoming Hope: Mariam’s Path to Empowerment

At just 19 years old, Mariam Dickson from Chamwino Ikulu Ward, Chamwino District in Dodoma Region, embodies courage, determination, and the power of second chances. Her story is a reflection of how hope, when nurtured with opportunity and support, can turn pain into purpose.  Raised by her grandmother, Mariam grew up in a humble home …

BEATRICE’S STORY

Beatrice Belaphonte Mlai, 23, grew up in Mabawa Ward, Mkanjuni Street, in Tanga City. Like many young people in coastal Tanzania, her life has always been closely connected to the ocean, farming, and the everyday realities of communities that depend on natural resources to survive.She holds a degree in Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, and while …

KADIATU’S STORY 

Kadiatu Bakarr, is a 19-year-old girl from Gbangbatoke Junction in Moyamba District, whose desire for education was unquenched despite the numerous challenges she faced in her early teen years.  In 2021, at the age of 16 and in school, she became pregnant. Her family, deeply disappointed, rejected her, and she was forced to drop out …

Lindsay’s Journey: Tackling GBV & HIV

Meet Lindsay Garanewako, a young leader from Harare whose journey with Restless Development transformed her life and the lives of other young people at Butler Farm. Through the Peak Youth Thrive Project, Lindsay stepped into a Young Leader role, a role that deepened her passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and strengthened …