Good Deeds Day Africa Leaders Conference – Harare, Zimbabwe

In the heart of Harare, different leaders, visionaries and changemakers from across Africa gathered for the Africa Leaders Conference, a transformative event held in celebration of Good Deeds Day. This conference united all the participants under a shared goal: To elevate the culture of doing good. It was a space of knowledge exchange, learning and collective commitment to positive change. This is a global movement dedicated to promoting acts of kindness and community service. The atmosphere was charged with purpose, unity and a shared commitment to building resilient, compassionate societies. 

Raising Teenagers Uganda was represented by our Executive Director Hope Nankunda and our Communications Manager Dorah Kamwine who shared the powerful story of RTU, a grassroots organization that has championed different causes ranging from ending child marriage and teenage pregnancy to promoting menstrual health, positive parenting, mental wellness among others. Their presence at the conference was a testament to how local initiatives, when anchored in community needs and driven by passion can create ripple effects far beyond borders.

One of the most symbolic and touching moments of the conference was the tree planting session. Delegates from different countries came together to plant trees as a representation of growth, resilience and the legacies we leave behind through acts of goodness. Team Uganda, represented by RTU named their tree “Champion”, a reflection of their journey of standing up for children, especially girls and empowering them to become confident, informed and resilient individuals. This act of naming was not just ceremonial; it was deeply personal and speaks to our continued commitment to championing the rights and voices of young people in Uganda and across Africa. A young boy at the event named Junior stepped forward and volunteered to take care of the tree moved by his sense of responsibility and as a way of giving back, RTU enrolled him into our mentorship program. This was a perfect illustration of how doing good creates opportunities for connection and empowerment in the most unexpected ways.

During a powerful panel discussion, our team leader Hope Nankunda passionately addressed the need to center youth and volunteerism in all community development efforts. She challenged fellow leaders to be intentional about involving young people not just as beneficiaries, but as active agents of change. “In Uganda, 75% of the population is made up of youth,” she emphasized. “This means we have an incredible opportunity to tap into their energy, creativity and innovation. If we meaningfully involve them in our day-to-day work, especially in the design and implementation of programs, we not only help them grow, we grow as a society.” She further encouraged organizations to adopt a culture of recognizing and appreciating volunteers, even through simple but impactful gestures like awarding certificates because appreciation fuels passion.  “When volunteers feel seen and valued, they are more motivated to continue serving and become ambassadors of goodness in their own communities.” Her remarks resonated deeply with the audience, sparking conversations around youth inclusion, intergenerational leadership and sustainability in community-led initiatives.

The celebration of Good Deeds Day was not just about big gestures, it was a reaffirmation of the power of simple, consistent actions done with heart and purpose. The message was clear: Doing good is not a one-day event, it is a lifelong commitment, a mindset and a legacy. Holding a placard with the message “Think Good. Speak Good. Do Good.”, Dorah Kamwine echoed the values RTU lives by every day through the work we do across Uganda. From organizing mentorship camps for teenagers, rescuing girls from child marriage, to facilitating dialogues with parents and community leaders, RTU’s work embodies the true essence of Good Deeds Day. In breakout sessions and side discussions, our participants engaged with other leaders from across the continent, exploring collaboration opportunities and sharing success stories from Uganda’s grassroots. Their presence was not only a representation for the organization but of every young girl, every teenage mother and every volunteer back home whose life has been touched by acts of compassion.

The Africa Leaders Conference served as a reminder that no one is alone in the mission to create change. With participants from over 32 African countries, the event amplified the power of solidarity, partnership and shared vision. Delegates exchanged innovative ideas and learned best practices from each other proving that Africa’s future lies in collective action rooted in empathy. For Raising Teenagers Uganda, the conference was both an affirmation and a recharge. It affirmed that our work is part of a larger continental movement for dignity, equity and empowerment. It also offered a space to recharge, to draw strength and inspiration from other leaders who are pushing against similar challenges.

The tree Champion will continue to grow in Zimbabwe, nurtured by Junior, but its roots are firmly grounded in the values of what we stand for. It is a living legacy just like the thousands of teenagers that we have mentored, empowered and walked alongside. We are honored that the ripples of our work are felt far beyond Uganda’s borders.