I have spent the last 5 years in soft skills training and one of the modules I've facilitated numerous times, is public speaking.
It is in that regard that I usually delve into the art of speaking and storytelling in order for a business pitch to stand out, and grip the attention of the judges.
Over the years, I have seen young people start the program when they can barely express themselves or even stand in front of a crowd to say something.
After a series of sessions on how to effectively communicate and strategies up their sleeves on how to build their confidence, the results have been a beauty to behold.
And now, let me tell you a story, about how the trainer, took up the stand to make a pitch herself.
Last year in December, I was honoured to be part of the Ugandan delegation with UNDP selected to attend the YouthConnekt Summit 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The YouthConnekt Africa Summit, is a flagship program held annually in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
It is a platform that seeks to empower young people by enhancing their knowledge, experiences and skills while investing in their ideas, innovations and initiatives for Africa's development by 2030.
As a creative writer and storyteller, I was representing the theme of "Reimagining business for Africa's creative economy."
The 5 day summit comprised of policy dialogues, panel discussions, thematic workshops, fireside chats, exhibitions and Tedtalk style presentations.
Two of the focus themes at the summit held hackathons and there were money prizes for the top 3 from each category - Green innovations and Youth in Peace and Security.
The money awarded to each team, was to enhance project implementation, in our respective countries.
With less than 24 hours to prepare, team Uganda that comprised of 5 members, convened to discuss and work on a winning pitch.
As we concluded our powerpoint presentation at about 2am the night before, there was one piece missing to the puzzle - someone to make the pitch.
That friends, is how I took one for the team.
I barely slept that night because I felt like so much was at stake. How could the entire team trust me to win that much money for our project.
They didn't even know me...we had just met at the summit & Uganda was the only uniting factor.
Early morning we did one last run through with the team to make sure I did not exceed 5 minutes according to the hackathon rules.
With 13 teams across the continent, each presenting with eloquence about their award winning projects, I anxiously waited for team Uganda to be called upon.
The day was here and I had to do it. The room was filled with UNDP dignitaries across the continent and fellow delegates across Africa. It was new. It was unfamiliar territory and it was nerve-racking.
After listening to 8 amazing ideas, it was my turn to pitch team Uganda's project. These words from a friend seemed to echo through the walls as I walked up the stage, "Lindzy, you were made for things like this..."
5 minutes is all it took to tell a story. 5 minutes is what it took to impress the judges, 5 minutes is where I needed to close out my fears and do what I had to do.
And the rest is history.
Mali 🇲🇱 came in 1st place, Kenya 🇰🇪 in 2nd place and Uganda 🇺🇬 in 3rd place for the Youth in Peace and Security hackathon.
