In January, I had the opportunity to visit 18 schools across Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, alongside Ajay Sood, the founder of Beacon Changemakers. The schools we visited included current Beacon partners, who are already supporting talented young scholars, as well as potential new partners eager to expand leadership development to a broader group of students.
ARLLS is designed to enhance the leadership and employability skills of young people. Originally developed as a leadership programme to help Beacon scholars rise to positions from which they can drive positive and ethical change in their communities, the programme has proven so impactful that it has now been launched as a standalone offering in an effort to widen participation and drive leadership development in young people.
During the trip, we spoke to school leaders about how ARLLS could benefit a wider range of students, such as those demonstrating leadership potential through roles in school councils, sports teams, and prefectships, and gathered valuable feedback on what would make the programme work best for them. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with a strong shared interest in providing leadership development opportunities as a crucial part of the holistic development of students.
8 key findings from our trip
- Demand for leadership development: There’s a significant appetite among schools to widen participation in leadership development opportunities. Schools increasingly see leadership, employability and soft skills as essential for young people to thrive in both academic and real-world environments.
- Shared goals to drive change: From government schools with classes of over 100 students to private institutions offering international curricula, there’s a wide variety of educational models across East Africa. However, all schools told us they share a common goal: to nurture ethical, capable leaders who will drive positive change in their communities.
- Beacon scholars as role models: We were inspired by the achievements of current and alumni Beacon scholars. These individuals are excelling and contributing positively to their communities. The scholars we met lit up the room with their enthusiasm and drive; while alumni are securing roles in top global organisations and others are applying their skills to local and regional development. Those we met spoke of how the ARLLS leadership programme was central to their personal growth.
- The power of networks: One of the most valuable aspects of ARLLS is the collaborative learning design and the strong network this creates among young leaders. Students and alumni we met told us how the opportunity to engage with their peers has expanded their horizons and provides a platform for ongoing learning, collaboration, and professional development.
- Impact of ARLLS on leadership development: Students, alumni and school leaders all told us that ARLLS has already made a meaningful impact in shaping young leaders. Through online modules and practical applications, it’s helping students develop the skills, confidence, and ethical grounding needed to succeed in both local and global contexts.
- Stories of personal transformation: We were moved by the powerful personal stories of students who have benefitted from leadership development. One such story is Lawrence, a Beacon alumnus who overcame immense challenges growing up in a Nairobi slum to attend one of Kenya’s top schools. His graduation speech is incredibly moving and demonstrates why the ARLLS team are so passionate about widening participation in this programme.
- Growing interest in ARLLS: The desire to bring ARLLS to more schools and educational institutions is evident. Leaders are eager to introduce the programme to students who may not have access to similar opportunities but show potential in areas like school leadership, sports, and community involvement.
- What’s the magic dust we sprinkle on students? The most common question from school leaders was: What makes Beacon scholars so amazing? Is it the rigorous selection process, the ARLLS leadership programme, the mentoring, or the focus on citizenship? While there isn’t a single answer, it’s clear that ARLLS plays a significant role in equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and ethical grounding needed to make an impact on the world. The collaborative nature of the online leadership programme fosters deep bonds and a shared sense of purpose, which strengthens the next generation of leaders.
Expanding access to leadership development
You only have to look around the world stage to see that the demand for strong, ethical leadership has never been greater. ARLLS is committed to widening access to its leadership development programme, ensuring that it’s available to more young people at an affordable cost. ARLLS is a social enterprise and all profits are reinvested into the Beacon Changemakers scholarship fund, investing in the next generation of African changemakers.
Our journey across East Africa reinforced just how vital this mission is. By partnering with more schools, colleges and employers globally, ARLLS can continue playing a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders that every community, organisation and country needs. This mission is more important than ever – and together, we can help shape the next generation of changemakers.