We recently hosted an Eclipse-sponsored hackathon. 21 young developers, organized into 7 teams of 3, used HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create innovative solutions aligned with the theme of "Youth Empowerment.
Youth empowerment is the key to a better future. By equipping young people with skills and confidence, we inspire them to become leaders and problem-solvers. Empowered youth break the cycle of crime, foster stronger communities, and shape a brighter tomorrow.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Eclipse Foundation and Girls Coding Academy for their dedication to youth empowerment through technology and education. Their support in making this event possible is invaluable.
Lesotho's youth face significant educational barriers due to economic and geographic limitations. Many lack access to quality resources and opportunities, hindering their skill development and future prospects. To address this, an affordable, accessible solution is crucial to empower these young people and unlock their potential.
We propose a digital platform to empower Lesotho’s youth with free online education using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It will offer a localized curriculum on STEM, language skills, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, along with interactive quizzes and multimedia content. The platform will also include career and life skills modules focused on job readiness, leadership, and problem-solving.
Youth involvement in crime is a global issue. Many young people are victims or witnesses, but fear and lack of support prevent them from reporting crimes. Social events can sometimes exacerbate the problem. Creating safe environments is crucial to address this issue.
To tackle youth crime, we propose a web application featuring AI-powered chat assistance for real-time guidance, optional location tracking for emergency response, law enforcement alerts for timely information, and anonymous crime reporting to encourage community engagement. This integrated approach aims to create a safer environment and foster trust between youth and law enforcement.
Many communities lack structured resources for learning extracurricular skills outside formal education. While platforms like YouTube provide content, it's often disorganized, making it hard for youth to find clear, step-by-step guidance. Without mentorship or community support, young people struggle to stay motivated, track progress, and develop skills, limiting their personal growth and future success.
Our website offers a structured, youth-centered approach to extracurricular learning in areas like sports, music, arts, and cooking. Unlike general platforms, it provides clear learning paths with progressively challenging tutorials, combining videos, quizzes, and challenges to help users test their knowledge, track progress, and set goals.
Many young people lack clear career guidance, which leaves them uncertain about potential job paths, necessary skills and educational requirements. Without proper direction, they may miss out on opportunities, struggle to make informed career choices and feel demotivated. This gap can lead to limited job prospects and in so cases even contribute to involvement in criminal activities.
We propose a digital platform to empower Lesotho’s youth with free online education using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It will offer a localized curriculum on STEM, language skills, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, along with interactive quizzes and multimedia content. The platform will also include career and life skills modules focused on job readiness, leadership, and problem-solving.
Many young people lack proper career guidance, leaving them uncertain about potential job paths, required skills, and educational needs. This uncertainty can lead to missed opportunities, difficulty making informed career choices, and demotivation, ultimately limiting job prospects and, in some cases, contributing to criminal activity.
We propose a career guidance platform to help youth navigate career paths. It would feature tools for career exploration, mentorship connections, skill-building resources, job preparation tips, and step-by-step career roadmaps, guiding progression from entry-level to advanced roles.
Lesotho leads globally in suicide rates, with 87.5 per 100,000 people, and women most affected due to widespread gender-based violence (86% experiencing abuse). Youths face mental health challenges with limited access to timely, empathetic support, hindered by stigma, cost, and lack of services. Traditional systems, like therapy and helplines, often fail to provide the instant private support.
Overview of the Youth Suicide Prevention System is to describe the envisioned system as a comprehensive support platform aimed at addressing youth mental health through an AI-powered chatbot and supportive resources. This system will serve as an accessible, non-judgmental, and empathetic space where youths can safely engage.
