Beauty of what these beauties’ hard work resulted into

Nairobi; Kenya: Michelle and Joy Kalua and their schoolmate and friend Maria Sang’ could as well be your next door teenagers.

As they exchange niceties, knowing glances and the usual banters typical of those in this age group, they hardly betray the fact that they have been rubbing shoulders with some of the brightest minds on the planet, thousands of miles away from home.

The trio was selected to represent Kenya in the Global Young Leaders Conference that took place in the US a few months ago. From August 9 to 18, the girls crisscrossed the busy streets of Washington DC and New York, made new friends and gained lifelong lessons on leadership.

They joined hundreds of other youths from around the world in workshops designed to help them solve emerging global issues and study the art of conflict resolution through a simulation of the UN Security Council negotiations and proposals.

They also made visits to international embassies based in the US and the Smithsonian Institute and listened to officials from the State Department and representatives of some of the most influential institutions such as the World Bank.

But how did the three girls get to the international stage?

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Every year, organisers of the forum ask learning institutions from around the world to nominate students who meet their requirements. Teachers then put their heads together to shortlist those who meet the conditions to the letter. Entry is limited to teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18.

“Selection to represent the country is based on a person’s academic excellence as well as leadership potential. The fact that such qualities were noticed by our tutors in school was quite surprising,” says Michelle, 16. She is a budding interior designer.

The three girls are students at West School Nairobi, an American curriculum-based Christian school located in Miotoni, Karen.

Michelle’s younger sister, Joy, 15, was the first to receive an invitation. Though she wished her well, Michelle wondered why she had not made the cut despite her feelings that she, too, had what it took to be in the forum.

“My sister kept taunting me. It was unnerving at times. I tried to convince my parents that they let me visit our auntie who lives in America so that I, too, could brag that I was there. Little did I know that my invite was on the way,” says Michelle.

In the US, the young girls were divided into working groups. Some of them were assigned ambassadorial roles for countries other than their own. In a few days, they were expected to be acquainted with their “new” countries well to the point of articulating the nations’ agenda at an international forum.

Among the key speakers was Gary Weaver, a professor at the School of International Service at the American University. An old hand in international relations, Weaver was once an advisor and speechwriter for the Iranian Ambassador to the US.

Maria, who yearns for a career in the diplomatic world, says talks from such talented minds made her learn the art of public speaking and how to make decisions on behalf of a large number of people.

“We were taught that if you want something done, and done well, then you may have to do it yourself. It was interesting to learn how to deal with a crisis of international proportions. How I wish our local leaders can learn to make decisions that will outlive them?” says Maria, whose parents are also diplomats.

For her love of Mathematics, Joy has angled her career in the financial services. In fact, her goal is to one day serve as the President of the World Bank. In the US, she was keenly listening to every word uttered by Angelica Silvero, the Brazilian who heads the World Bank’s Speakers Bureau.

“Those in the World Bank make decisions that affect millions of people worldwide by changing their economic status. There can be no better way to serve humanity than to uplift their lives if you are in a position to do so. Being the head of the World Bank gives you such an opportunity,” says Joy.

While they say that excelling at school is a vital step towards achieving their goals, Michelle and Joy say strict discipline at home has been a vital cog in their development. Their father, Isaac, and their mother, Susan, have been their mentors.

They also get inspiration from their 19-year-old elder brother, John, who studies in the UK. “Our parents are our friends. We can easily confide in them since we know they have our best interest at heart,” states Michelle. As young as they are, the three girls have strong counsel for our leaders, who, they say, can do better in articulating the welfare of Kenyans. Michelle wants our leaders to think outside the box rather than trying to solve “age-old problems in the same old way.” “It is not just a matter of saying yes or no to an issue or seeking personal glory. There are many ways of solving a problem. Think outside the box rather than being hemmed in by the same old ways that have not produced meaningful results,” she says.

Joy is more direct though. “We all have 24 hours in a day... from Barrack Obama to everybody else you know. It is what we do with the time that makes the difference between success and failure.”

The future leaders have spoken. Is anybody listening?