Sierra Leonean Jeremiah Thoronka has succeeded to be one of the twenty extraordinary young individuals including inventors, activists and entrepreneurs from 18 countries that have been announced as finalists for this year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding Commonwealth young people whose projects are transforming lives in their communities and helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Jeremiah whose focus is on SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy is the founder of ‘Optim Energy’; a company that harnesses solar energy through innovative technology to create affordable, accessible and clear power for communities in Sierra Leone. The project has helped power over 150 households and 15 schools in Sierra Leone at minimal cost, which has benefitted over 10,000 people, and provides best practice training on energy efficiency and conservation to the younger generation.
More than 1,000 entries from 43 Commonwealth countries were received last year. The finalists were selected across each of the award’s regional categories following a rigorous judging process.
This year, the awards have expanded to include five regional categories: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific. The top finalist from each region will be announced as the regional winner at the official awards ceremony on 10th March 2021. The ceremony will be held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of these five regional winners, one outstanding young person will become the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2021.
All 20 finalists will each receive a trophy, certificate and £1,000 to expand the impact of their projects. Each regional winner will receive £3,000 and the overall pan-Commonwealth winner will take home a total of £5,000.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said “Every day, in all parts of the Commonwealth, young people are delivering a vast range of impressive innovations. Much of what they do may go unnoticed or be taken for granted. Yet, often it is what young people do which makes all the difference, especially now at a time of unimaginable human suffering inflicted by the pandemic and economic crisis. The finalists remind us that there is no lack of ideas or talent, but of support mechanisms necessary for young innovators. So, our initiatives such as the Youth Awards put a spotlight on outstanding young people who are bringing innovative ideas and creative solutions to support, lead and deliver a future of peace, prosperity and progress.”
MB/2/2/2021
By mohamed.bah@awokonewspaper.sl