His name is Sahr Yillia; the Executive Director of an NGO called Child rescue based in India. He is a partially blind 26 year old male Sierra Leonian. Doubled as an activist who has worked in Sierra Leone and Liberia on various advocacy issues ranging from poverty reduction, conflict resolution, HIV/AIDS, human right, environmental protection, policy reform/formulation for disadvantaged children, youths and women. In this online interview with Adenike Ashogbon, he takes us into his world of advocacy, his challenges and his aspirations

Describe your identity as an advocate of change in your country?
In view of the above, I have committed my entire life, energy and every thing as an activist to the above as I am of the strongest conviction that together with other colleague activists, we will bring positive changes to the above categories of persons. As activism is my greatest pleasure on Planet earth, I am therefore, inviting colleague activist/advocates to join me in the recent initiative to combat discrimination, social exclusion and marginalization, as well as extreme poverty and illiteracy in the world especially the African Continent for the above mentioned persons through the charitable and not for profit organization; CHILD RESCUE MISSION CRM, as we are on planet earth for a season with a reason of under taking such mission;; because serving more people means, meeting more needs.

What are the main objectives of your non governmental organization that makes you feel its stands out amongst all others?
Well, the overall objective of CRM is to rescue underprivileged children from extreme poverty in West Africa starting with post war Sierra Leone and Liberia. My NGO is involved in advocacy against extreme poverty as well as the welfare of street children and other underprivileged children.

Challenges so far?
My challenges are enough funding for CRM.

What are the future aspirations you have in respect to your NGO?
My future aspirations are to establish a RESCUE VILLAGE in Sierra Leone that could rescue street children and other category whereby they will be provided with free of cost learning opportunities of different interest to them for sustainable development.
All these, I hope to achieve this through support from kind and interested partners national and international together with my personal efforts and commitment.

Considering your present situation as a partially blind fellow, don’t you think it will slow down the pace at which you would advocate for change?
Firstly, I am sorry to say that somebody does not need sight in other to be a visionary as my motivation and passion for my vision comes from the heart. Therefore, I am in no way affected nor do I see limitations in the execution of what I strongly believe in because the DYNAMIC OF LIFE IS WHAT YOU WISH TO BELIEVE IN AND NOT NECESSARILY WHAT OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVE IN.

So how have you been able to balance these challenges with your dreams?
My balance between these 2 is my articulations on issues of national or international concerns. Additionally, I am strongly using my remaining 4 senses which make me equal on most cases with those with their 5 senses.

What was growing up like for someone like you?
Growing up I must say that it was something I will always remember as I tasted the effect of extreme poverty because my parents were just backyard farmers whereby our daily living came from the sales of products from this backyard.

So far what is your perception about advocacy?
My perception about advocacy is a perfect one as it is something I cherish very much. Infact, even my being today in India on studies is as a result of my vibrant advocacy whereby a scholarship was granted to me by a German foundation to build my capacity in project planning, management, fundraising, communication and leadership skills including computer.

Your advice to youths who are also aspiring to stand out as advocate of change in their various spheres in life
In my opinion, we will only experience positive changes when young Africans are considered as partners in the developments of Africa and not just listeners to some of our failed leaders.
Equally so, it is high time for us young Africans stand up and show this to them strongly in constructive and objective ways.
We should start looking ourselves beyond tribal, national, political, religious or regional lines as what matters is that we are all African youths which is been demonstrated in other parts of the world.
This is why I always refuse accepting the cheap saying that "WE ARE FUTURE LEADERS" because I have the same thinking capacity with these so called elders/leaders and sometimes even more than then as all human beings were created in the same image. Therefore, I strongly believe in collective efforts amongst us African youths.