This International Youth Day — Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — reminds us that while young men and women across the globe live in vastly different realities, their dreams and aspirations remain the same. Today’s youth are seeking meaningful opportunities: access to education, dignified work, community involvement, and, above all, a voice in shaping their own futures.
For many young people at our sponsor sites, pursuing higher education or finding decent work can often feel overshadowed by the overwhelming daily challenges they face. Yet, thanks to Chalice’s generous sponsors and donors, thousands of young people now have the opportunity to dream big, regardless of their circumstances.
This International Youth Day, as we reflect on the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” we invite you to celebrate through the story of an extraordinary young woman named Seidu.
Daring to Dream
Seidu is a very determined and resilient young girl from Nyoli, a small village in Ghana with limited opportunities, especially for a young girl with a prominent physical disability from a very poor family. Despite her circumstances, Seidu dared to dream of a different future for herself.
From a young age, Seidu loved learning. She studied late into the night, knowing education was her key to a brighter tomorrow. Although she excelled academically, there came a time when her parents could no longer afford her school fees. Devastated but undeterred, Seidu refused to give up — and after learning of her circumstances, Chalice supporters refused to give up on her.
A Brighter Tomorrow
Seidu’s determination paid off when she earned admission to a university, where she pursued a degree in Secretaryship and Management Studies. Her success was a historic milestone as she became the first young woman with a disability from her village to attend higher education, inspiring her entire community.
Today, degree in hand, Seidu lives by the powerful reminder that “disability is not inability.” She remains deeply grateful to her sponsors and everyone who believed in her.
Thanks to the Chalice Sponsorship Program, Seidu has stepped into her brighter tomorrow — and is lighting the way for others to follow.