Helwise Boya, Wendpanga Nicolas Djiguemde, and Ahmadou Youssoufou Abdoul-Razak are UN Volunteers in Benin and Burkina Faso. They serve with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In this story, we look at the support they provide to the development efforts in West and Central Africa.
“Empowering young people with digital skills can transform their future and lead to gender equality,” says Helwise Boya, UN Volunteer Innovation and Technology Officer with UNFPA in Benin. She is passionate about making a positive change through volunteering. Helwise supports the #Tech4Girls project, which has imparted digital and entrepreneurial skills to over 200 girls, opening new career paths and boosting their confidence.
#Tech4Girls is about more than just learning technology; it’s about building confidence and giving young girls the skills to contribute to their future. Volunteering with UNFPA lets me support causes I care about while learning and growing personally.” Helwise Boya, UN Volunteer Innovation and Technology Officer with UNFPA, Benin.
Another UN Volunteer, Wendpanga Nicolas Djiguemde is a Project Officer with UNICEF in Burkina Faso working with the U-Report. He engages young people in surveys and discussions to ensure their voices are considered in policymaking. The U-Report is an important tool for UNICEF's programmes, government and civil society partners and young people themselves. With his support, the number of U-Reporters in Burkina Faso has grown from 150,000 to over 730,000 in just a year.
The strength of U-Report is connecting young people with decision-makers — it’s about making sure their voices are heard. Seeing how our work helps young people is rewarding." Wendpanga Nicolas Djiguemde, UN Volunteer Project Officer with UNICEF.
From Burkina Faso, we go to Benin where Ahmadou Youssoufou Abdoul-Razak with UNDP centers his volunteer service on preventing violent extremism. Ahmadou is from Niger and is a UN Volunteer Specialist in the Prevention of Violent Extremism. He designs and implements community projects that prevent violent extremism in northern Benin — aligning with UNDP’s goals of democratic governance, peacebuilding, and climate resilience. One of the projects he supported reached 270 beneficiaries, including 156 women. Ahmadou feels it's important to bring communities into the fold of any dialogue that talks about their socio-economic development.
Being a UN Volunteer allows me to use my skills for my host entity's benefit and serve in projects that directly impact the local communities.” Ahmadou Youssoufou Abdoul-Razak, UN Volunteer Specialist in the Prevention of Violent Extremism with UNDP Benin.
