Inspiring Tanzanian duo to be hounoured by Queen Elizabeth

 Two Tanzanians, Alice Ahadi Magaka and Isaya Yunge, will receive awards under the Queen’s Young Leaders programme.

According to a statement, which has been released today, the two will be honoured in recognition of the lead they are taking in their communities to change lives.

The prestigious awards programme, now in its fourth and final year, celebrates exceptional young people aged between 18 and 29 from across the Commonwealth counties and the work they are undertaking to improve lives across a diverse range of issues, from supporting people living with mental health problems, helping children to receive quality education to promoting gender equality.

Ms Magaka and Mr Yunge will now join the Queen’s Young Leaders network of 240 award winners, a unique community of influential change-makers, who represent all 52 Commonwealth nations.

The winners announced today will receive their award from Her Majesty The Queen at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, UK, next year.

Mr Magaka (21) has been chosen in recognition of her efforts to educate girls about their menstrual hygiene and providing sanitary care for students who cannot afford to buy their own.

Mr Yunge (27) has been chosen in recognition of his endeavor to improve access to scholarships for young people living in African communities.

Speaking about the award, Ms Magaka said: “I thank God for the opportunity to be selected to receive the Queen's Young Leaders Award 2018. It's such a privilege to become part of a unique network of other young leaders from across the Commonwealth countries who are catalysts of positive change in their communities.

“I can’t wait to see the year 2018 and meet other Award winners where I will learn a lot about their outstanding works.”

For his part, Mr Yunge said: “I’m grateful and delighted to have been chosen to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award; I receive this honour with gratitude and great humility. It’s such an honour to become part of this amazing group of young people from across the Commonwealth nations who are doing incredible work in their communities and beyond.

“I’m excitedly looking forward to meeting the best of the best and Her Majesty The Queen, and using this award as an inspiration to go out and achieve even greater things in the future.”

Dr Astrid Bonfield CBE, Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, said: “In this, the final year of The Queen’s Young Leaders programme, once again we have outstanding award winners, leading the way in transforming people’s lives for the better in every part of the Commonwealth. We congratulate them all for their remarkable achievements.

“Over the coming year, the programme will nurture and develop their talents, and equip them to go further in making a lasting change in their communities. I hope they find the experience to be truly life-changing and I’m delighted to welcome today’s winners to the now complete network of Queen’s Young Leaders.”

The Queen’s Young Leaders programme was established in 2014 by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in partnership with Comic Relief, The Royal Commonwealth Society and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, in recognition of The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.