Goodwall: Building Walls of Opportunity for Young Minds

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Imagine a platform designed by young people, for young people, with a mission to break down barriers and empower a generation. That’s Goodwall, (www.goodwall.io), founded by two brothers Omar and Taha Bawa, who were inspired by their upbringing in a humanitarian family. Motivated by their experiences witnessing the challenges faced by children in refugee camps during their summers, they embarked on a mission to make a difference by creating Goodwall—a platform dedicated to helping young people connect and break down barriers.

Goodwall began as a blog called ‘End Ignorance’ in 2012. Now, it’s a platform that supports over 2 million young people in 150 countries. They work with big companies, the UN, and governments to help young people learn and find opportunities in things like sustainability and education.

Goodwall isn’t just about numbers; it changes lives. For example, Dana, from the Middle East, found support on Goodwall and went on to win awards for her work in STEM. Then there’s Rayyanatu, from Nigeria, who started a business recycling plastic bags into shoes after joining a Goodwall challenge.

These are just a glimpse of the remarkable young people who are using Goodwall to unlock their potential and create positive change. As you read their experiences, you will be amazed by their passion, dedication, and the incredible opportunities Goodwall unlocks.

Dr Prabhisba Sampreeth from India

Here’s my story: I’m a dentist from India. After graduating, I worked for a year at a nearby clinic, where I honed my skills. Soon after, I got married and had to move to a different state in North India, where job opportunities were scarce. Adjusting to the new environment was tough, and I found myself spending most of my time at home. But I’m not someone who likes to stay idle. I wanted more—I wanted to inspire people and take my artwork to the next level by pursuing my hobbies.

However, with limited chances to find a good job, I turned to online platforms. That’s when I found the Goodwall app, and it changed my life. While it wasn’t a conventional job, it gave me the opportunity to grow, meet new people, and stay motivated. So, I started sharing pictures of my artwork, and I realised that people around the world loved it. My talents were appreciated more on Goodwall than anywhere else, and I’m grateful for that.

Goodwall soon became a part of my daily life. There isn’t a day that goes by without me logging into the app to see people, get motivated, and have fun. It’s a fantastic platform for personal growth and improvement. Now, I’m pursuing my master’s degree, and the constant motivation I receive here—whether it’s about academics, hobbies, or routines—keeps me going. I’m proud to be a part of this amazing community. I have over 1,000 followers now and have been consistently winning prizes. Goodwall has not only provided me with money for expenses at times but also helped me become a better version of myself.

Cynthia Nijimbere from Burundi

Hello, my name is Cynthia Nijimbere from Burundi. I am very honored to share my experience with Goodwall, an incredible platform that has changed my life personally, professionally, and financially. I joined Goodwall at the end of 2021, where I began developing communication, problem-solving, and research skills through the application.

Goodwall has helped me gain confidence, develop skills, improve my English, connect with other youth, and share ideas with young people from around the world. My courage, motivation, determination, and patience have helped me win many challenges and access numerous opportunities:

In December 2021, I won the Goodwall Creator Challenge.

In January 2022, I won the Achievement Challenge.

In March 2022, I won the Gender Equality Pitch Challenge.

In July 2022, I won the Protect Wildlife Challenge.

In August 2022, I won the Open17ClimateJustice Challenge.

In August 2022, I won the Transforming Education Challenge, which led to my selection as a youth ambassador for UNICEF and a $5,000 scholarship to Younga as a Youth Delegate.

In December 2022, I won the #OpenHeart Challenge.

In February 2023, I won the #GigLife Challenge.

In May 2023, I won the #Zenzone Challenge.

In June 2023, I won the #CheckYourSources Challenge.

In July 2023, I won the #BeingMe Challenge.

I sincerely encourage other youth from around the world to join this amazing platform, Goodwall. Thank you!Top of Form

Beauty Benedict from Nigeria

Goodwall is a dynamic platform that empowers individuals like myself to connect with a global community, participate in meaningful challenges, and unlock numerous opportunities. I am Beauty Benedict, a blogger from Nigeria. I own the blog Bb-library.blogspot.com I have a diverse skill set in web development, domaining, graphic design, and more, which I’ve been able to expand and showcase through my engagement on Goodwall.

Here are a few standout experiences and achievements from my time on the platform:

1. Volunteer Challenge:

2. Data Unlocked Challenge

3. Women Ruling Tech Challenge: Not only did I win this challenge, but I also earned a scholarship to study free courses on Coursera, including Meta Marketing Analytics and Google Digital Marketing and E-commerce.

4. Creator Challenge:

5. Food4Thought 3rd Grand Winner: My third-place victory in this challenge led to my participation in the 2022 prestigious Snack the System event in Rome, showcasing my innovative ideas on sustainable food systems.

In 2022, my active participation and the network I built on Goodwall led to a recommendation to join the prestigious Wyss Academy Symposium in Switzerland. Although I could not attend due to my commitment to the Snack the System event in Rome, where I proudly represented the third grand place, it highlights the kind of doors Goodwall can open.

Why I Recommend Goodwall:

- Global Opportunities: From networking with professionals across various industries to engaging in global challenges, Goodwall offers a unique platform to grow personally and professionally.

- Diverse Learning Opportunities: The platform offers challenges and resources across multiple fields, allowing users to acquire new skills or deepen existing ones.

- Recognition and Rewards: Achievements on Goodwall are not just badges; they lead to real-world opportunities like scholarships, event invitations, and more.

- Community and Support: The supportive community and the responsive team behind Goodwall make it an enriching experience where everyone is encouraged to thrive.

Goodwall is not just a platform; it’s a launchpad for anyone looking to expand their horizons and impact the world positively. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone eager to explore, learn, and grow.

Elizabeth Djulume from Angola

Hi, I’m Elizabeth Djulume from Angola, currently residing in Namibia. I joined the Goodwall platform with the objective of enhancing my communication skills and networking with like-minded individuals. However, I’ve gained much more than that. Through Goodwall, I embarked on my climate advocacy journey by participating in the #Open17ClimateGender challenge and the #ClimateMobility challenge.

On Goodwall, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship for Digital Marketing, significantly contributing to the growth of my career. In 2022, I achieved success by winning the #Youth4Climate challenge, earning a fully funded opportunity to attend the #Youth4Climate event in Rome, Italy. This experience allowed me to connect with global leaders and fellow youth engaged in inspiring and impactful projects within their communities.

These are just a few highlights, but I am truly grateful to the platform for its substantial impact, particularly for my fellow African youth seeking valuable experiences and opportunities.

Obiechina Omeje from Nigeria

My name is Obiechina Omeje, a Nigerian and a member of Goodwall since 2020.

Goodwall is a buzzing community of young minds from around the world, united in a common purpose of improving living conditions in their localities and beyond through various actions, big and small, and collaboration, while also gaining access to several rewards.

Being a Goodwaller has brought many good things my way.

Firstly, I was one of the winners of the ₦18,750 prize during the #Myhero challenge in 2020, where I shared about my female hero: my mother.

Next, in February 2021, I received a scholarship to learn entry-level IT Support on Coursera free of charge, sponsored by the African Coding Network - Umuzi.

Afterwards, through winning the #TransformingEducation challenge in 2022, I was selected as one of twenty UNICEF Africa ambassadors, granting me a scholarship to be a YOUNGA Delegate.

Lastly, I also received another scholarship from Umuzi to partake in a Financial Wellness Course created by Worth.

So the benefits have been numerous: the cash rewards – which are great, but more importantly, the access to many other opportunities and a network of like-minded individuals who are creating the change they want to see in the world.

Anas Hamza Lanko from Nigeria

My name is Anas Hamza Lanko from Taraba State, Nigeria. I’m currently an undergraduate student at Taraba State University, Jalingo, studying Science Education with a focus on Chemistry.

I joined the Goodwall Community in 2020, although I didn’t actively participate in their activities until 2022 during an ASUU strike. It was during this time that I engaged myself in participating in Goodwall challenges.

Goodwall is a thriving online community designed to connect and empower young talents. Indeed, Goodwall transformed me by unleashing my hidden potentials.

Beyond the tangible benefits, Goodwall helped me grow as an individual. I developed essential soft skills such as communication, content creation, mobile videography, teamwork, and time management, which are crucial in my profession as a teacher.

In addition to the skills, I won many challenges in the community, which helped me expand my business as an online vendor. The tokens I received also helped me cover some activities in my academic engagement.

Indeed, Goodwall is a community full of networking, mentorship, opportunities, and a supportive community. Thank you.

Omar and Taha Bawa, Co-founders of Goodwall

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Join Goodwall today! (www.goodwall.io) Be part of a global community where you can learn, connect, and create positive change. Together, let's build walls of opportunity for young minds!