We will be featuring each of the Queen's Young Leaders of the OECS, their stories in youth development, their experience in being a Queen's Young Leader and their plans for their country. In this interview we speak to Ali Dowden of Grenada.
OY: For people across the OECS, who may not be familiar with your work, what youth programs/initiatives are you involved with in your country/across the region?
AD: For the past 6 years of my life I have being actively involved with several local charities here in Grenada namely the Grenada National Patient Kidney Foundation where I gave 5 full years of voluntary service and was also the President for 3 of those years. Also I am a volunteer with the Grenada Cancer Society and the Friends of the Mentally Ill Organization for the past 6 years. Most recently back in January 10th 2015 I co-founded the HEON Project with a group of like minded young adults with the motto, “Youth Empowerment Through Education”. Through this project we assist students coming out of the Secondary School system that will like to go onto a tertiary level institution namely our College T.A.Marryshow Community College
or a Skills Training Center namely the NEW Life Organization but cannot afford to attend, and our Project will step in and pay for their tuition along with transportation and also enroll them into our mentorship program. Finally I am also a young politician and ran in my country’s last General Election back in 2013 as the youngest candidate to ever contest a General Election.
OY: What sparked your involvement in youth development and affairs?
AD: As a young man growing up I had many struggles to overcome with the passing of my dad at the age of 6 and the passing of mom at the age of 13. With little or no help to take care of me financially, many persons reached out and offered me help. Today, I am eternally grateful for all of the help and so I decided deep within my heart that I must give back to help others who may be struggling like myself along the way.
My mom suffered from mental illness and was unable to care for me from birth so one of my aunts nurtured and cared for me ensuring that my basic needs was taken care of. It is because of these struggles that I had to overcome and with the love and passion I have for helping others that I decided long ago to use my life in service to God and Humanity. I am grateful for the struggles which came my way and continue to come my way because it keeps me grounded and serves as a reminder that I ought to be the change in this world that I want to see.
OY: Undoubtedly the Queen’s Young Leaders week was an unforgettable experience. What activity/event/experience had the greatest impact on you?
AD: Meeting Her Majesty The Queen and receiving my award from her directly was undoubtedly the best experience of my life. In that moment it was the most humbling experience and out of the world feeling. It reminded me that the sky is not the limit and that one must never be afraid to dream big because the power to achieve greatness lies within us.
Finally the networks that I've built and the connections that i’ve made along with the many lessons that i’ve being able to take back with me will help to propel me as I continue to shine as a Queen’s Young Leader here in my country.
OY: What are specific tools/ideas/concepts from the experience were the most important/useful to you?
AD: The concept that I found most important and useful to me is the concept of ‘Why’ rather than ‘What’. At BBC in one of our sessions we were thought about storytelling and the importance of having 3 key messages to always leave with our audience. Also when telling our story and speaking about our work we must always focus on the ‘Why’. ‘Why’ are we doing what we do’ instead of ‘What are we doing’. People are always more interested in the ‘Why’ rather than the ‘What’.
OY: How do you plan on taking the knowledge & experience you gained and applying it to your country/region?
AD: I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and this award and trip was less of Ali Dowden but more of my country Grenada. Therefore it is my intention to pass this knowledge gained unto my other project member each time that we meet, with a short slot named Education in our meeting agenda. Finally I am in the process of hosting a Youth Summit called Grenada Youth Summit 2016 (GYS2016) in October from the 28th-29th where I will also use this opportunity to pass on the knowledge gained from my trip.
OY: What’s the next step for you? What can we expect to see from Ali Dowden?
AD: You can expect to see more initiatives coming from Ali Dowden in the upcoming months. Currently I am in the planning process for the Grenada Youth Summit that is upcoming in October. Also I am taking my work to a whole new level as I seek to become the next Member of Parliament for my area, St. George’s North West. I am preparing for the next General election where I will be contesting for that seat once again as I go up against the current sitting MP and Prime Minister. On my return from London I most recently opened my constituency office which I intend to use to offer a different type of representation, one that is more people centered with the involvement of the people.
OY: What advice/encouragement/message do you have to share with young people in the OECS?
AD: First things first, always put God first and foremost in everything that you do. Always be willing to listen to his still small voice and be ever willing to go wherever he leads you. Secondly, find your passion and use it to propel you to great things. Always understand that you can be your biggest enemy and by this I mean never limit yourself, rather think big always remember that the ‘sky’ is not the limit. Thirdly, always know that in life there will be struggles but it is in those moments of struggle that we are put to the test in order to see what we are truly made of and once we successfully pass that test then there is no stopping us now. Always remember that there is “No Reward Without Labour”. Finally, focus more on ‘doing’ rather than ‘becoming’ and know that by ‘doing’ you will ‘become’. Greatness lies within us!!!!
