FAQs

 

What Is Kectil Program?

“KECTIL” is an acronym that refers to the Knowles Educational and Charitable Trust for International Leadership. The Program connects talented youth leaders born for greatness in developing countries worldwide for deep discussion and networking about issues that matter, as well as proposed actions to improve the quality of life locally and globally. The Program is offered for free from the Malmar Knowles Family Foundation. Youth in the Kectil Program are referred to as Kectil Colleagues.

 

Who Can Apply to The Kectil Program?

The Kectil Program accepts youth aged 17-26 in a developing country. We believe that this is a critical time as youth mature, in which they start to decide what they will do for the rest of their lives. The Kectil Program wants to promote positive advancement for personal and community success through mentoring and encouragement, as well as by joining a networked group of like-minded peers.

Applicants must also be proficient in English and have access to a computer and the internet.

However, for the 2025 Kectil cohort, we are also accepting youth who are proficient in Spanish. This is the first year that Kectil will be running the online assignment modules in both English and Spanish. This is a big advancement for the Kectil Program as it begins to serve youth who do not speak English.

 

How does The Kectil Program achieve its goals?

The Kectil Program accomplishes its goals through a one-year intensive study program that includes assignment-based modules on key subjects. The Kectil Colleagues share their answers with all of the youth in the program in a passcode protected safe-space, that can only be accessed by the Kectil Colleagues. In addition, the Program includes Webinars with key leaders, Zoom meetings, regional interaction and Campaigns. In addition, the full public is invited to enjoy Kectil Podcasts, the Kectil YouTube Channel and our active social media on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The Web-Based Kectil Modules focus on multiple-week subjects affecting youth in developing countries with deep dive challenging Assignments. The subjects include: Authentic Leadership, Good Government; Personal Finance; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Environment; Gender Balance; Mental Health; Unemployment and Corruption.

 

What are the benefits of The Kectil Program?

The Kectil Program allows you to:

• Join community engagements to implement social advancements
• Meet and network with talented passionate youth around the world
• Make life-long global friends who share your commitment to advance society
• Interact in a non-political, non-religious platform that transcends every form of bias
• Have authentic, honest, candid dialogue about critical issues
• Obtain a merit-based certificate awarded at the end of the program based on performance

What are your responsibilities as a Kectil Colleague?

Kectil Colleagues are expected to:

• Reach out to other Kectil Colleagues around the world for friendship and understanding
• Do your Assignments and submit them in a timely way
• Comment on the Assignments of your peers with positive, proactive thoughts
• Volunteer to take on tasks to help the Program
• Get active in your regional group
• Advise the Kectil leaders when you are in a situation of danger or risk so we can help
• Understand that nothing comes easy and there is “no free lunch.” The results will not be achieved without hard work, dedication and an open mindedness to cultural understanding and compassion.

 

Who is the Kectil Founder and Executive Director?

Sherry M. Knowles Esq

Founder & Executive Director

Ms. Sherry Knowles founded The Malmar Knowles Family Foundation in 2016 and initiated the Kectil Program in 2017. Ms. Knowles is a global Intellectual Property Lawyer with a keen love for youth throughout the world, and notably in developing countries. Many youth in the program refer to her as the Kectil Mom! She earns this name because she wants the best for each Kectil Colleague and also demands the best from them. She is a very hard worker and is a role model for youth who are also hard workers and want to make a change in the world.

She is an intellectual property attorney with 35 years of experience in global corporate and private practice. She was the Global Chief Patent Counsel for GlaxoSmithKline with a department of over 200 people in 12 offices across the world. She was named one of the top 10 most influential people in Intellectual Property by Managing IP Magazine. Ms. Knowles founded the law firm of Knowles IP Strategies, LLC (Atlanta, GA) in 2011.  She has a B.S., cum laude, with distinction in Chemistry from Duke University; an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Clemson University; and a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia. She has been asked to speak before U.S. Congress on intellectual Property issues. She is a frequent national level speaker and author on innovation and entropreneurship, as well as subjects pertaining to youth development.

In 2018, she authored the first Kectil book “Youth in Developing Countries Speak Out” on Females in Society.

 

Who are the Kectil Directors?

Brooke Malmar Shafer
Vice President

• Chief Executive Officer, CMI, a Marketing Consulting firm (Atlanta, GA)
• Associate Vice President, AT&T Wireless Subscribers (youngest ever AVP at AT&T)
• Chief of Staff to President of AT&T and DirectTV
• National Small Business Association Leadership Counsel
• Masters of Marketing Research (“MMR”) from the Terry School of Business of the University of Georgia
• S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The University of Georgia
• Worked with top digital publishers, social platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter) at AT&T
• Worked with “Girls in STEM”, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing girls who have an affinity for science, technology, engineering, or math
• Mentored at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School
• Alumni Board of Wesleyan School, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Christopher Zalesky

Vice President

• Fellow, Critical Care Anesthesiology, Emory University Hospital (Atlanta, GA)
• Attended Emory University Medical School (Atlanta, GA)
• Resident Doctor at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• Master of Science in Clinical Research from Emory University
• Emergency Medicine Foundation EMF/SAEMF Medical Student Grant Winner Emergency Medicine Foundation
• Established the first chapter of the “END IT” movement on Wake Forest University against human slavery
• Founder of Our City Service Program at Emory School of Medicine
• Research Assistant at the Emory Department of Emergency Neuroscience
• S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Wake Forest University (Wake Forest, NC)

 

What is Kectil’s Mission?

The Kectil Program was created to identify and nurture highly talented youth in developing countries who have the potential to make a positive difference in their communities and countries. We accomplish our Mission Statement by facilitating innovative leadership training
and  providing a means to allow these highly talented youth to become part of a guided network with other similarly talented and passionate youth in developing countries who will support, nurture, teach and learn from each other as they mature.

 

How can you advance your skills in the Kectil Program?

• Pushing your mind outside of its comfort zone
• Expanding how you think
• Identifying creative ways to progress yourself and community
• Practicing communicating as a leader in a way that others want to listen
• Practicing transformative behaviors
• Learning to walk the talk
• Becoming a role model for others

The Kectil Framework embodies the goal of the famous African proverb:

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

 

What is the Kectil Code?

The Kectil Code is the framework of the Kectil Program. Each participant is required to comply with the Kectil Code.

• Each participant shall be referred to as a Kectil Colleague and shall treat others as Colleagues.
• Each Kectil Colleague will give equal respect to every other Kectil Colleague regardless of nationality, religion, culture or gender.
• Each Kectil Colleague will discuss ideas and contributions of other Kectil Colleagues with positive, collaborative and respectful comments.
• Each Kectil Colleague will honor the Developing Country Youth Leadership Network by creating positive, lasting bonds with other Kectil Colleagues with the intent to stay connected and positively support each other toward future leadership that adds value to the local and national community.
• Each Kectil Colleague will carry out all the Assignments of the program.
• Each Kectil Colleague will use their best effort to attend each webcast of the program.
• Kectil Colleagues uphold the honor of the Kectil Program by treating others in his/her community with respect and compassion.
• Kectil Colleagues will not take non-prescribed drugs or misuse alcohol.
• If selected to attend the Developing Country Youth Leadership Conference in Atlanta, the Kectil Colleague will conduct himself/herself in a manner that is a role model for others and will be an excellent representative of his/her community.

What are the Kectil Regional Groups?

The Kectil Program creates discussion groups for the Kectil Colleagues in all of our global regions to facilitate discussions, meet each other, discuss topics of interest and perhaps even meet in person. We create discussion groups on the Colleague Connect website. The groups are led by selected Regional Leaders from Superior Performance Awardees previous year. The Regional Leaders facilitate the group discussions. The Kectil Regional Groups allow Kectil to be both global and local.

 

What Is the Kectil Global Youth Network?

What are the Kectil Podcasts?

The Kectil Podcasts are provided on the Kectil Global Youth Network, which can be accessed on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Boomplay, and other podcast platforms.

The Kectil Global Youth Network and the Kectil Podcasts exemplify the goal of The Kectil Program to have youth speak directly to youth about critical issues facing them without the intervention of the press, internet or governments. It is the position of Kectil that all news coming from traditional sources is biased based on the speaker and the network. We want to deliver the raw truth from youth to youth about issues they are facing. It is only when youth speak directly to youth that the truth is known about key situations. Where necessary, we protect the name of the speaker.

The Kectil Global Youth Network provides superior content that cannot be accessed on other forums. The podcasts deliver superior and unparalleled quality discussions with youth in the forefront of youth issues, including civil and international unrest, or simply telling what life is like in their countries.

The Kectil Global Youth Network has provided sensational first-hand information from Armenia, Myanmar, Iraq, Nigeria, Haiti, Palestine, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Kenya, Brazil, Guyana, Pakistan, South Africa, and even from our Founder Sherry Knowles. The podcasts share a wide range of experiences, including going through political or social turmoil, war or oppression.

 

What is the Kectil YouTube Channel?

The Kectil YouTube Channel features a wide range of content that is useful to youth leaders in developing countries. It also covers Kectil live events that you can tune into from around the world.  We’re passionate about supporting young leaders from all corners of the globe and celebrating their incredible achievements. On our channel, you’ll find interviews with inspiring youth leaders talking about their journeys, sharing valuable insights, and telling their success stories. We’re also creating content that helps young people to grow and to develop their leadership skills. Our discussions dive into the big issues affecting our world today and explore how young people can drive positive change. We also love showcasing the rich and varied experiences of our participants from different countries. And don’t miss live sessions from Kectil international conferences and our recordings of webinars that focus on leadership and personal growth.

 

Does Kectil have a social media presence?

You can follow The Kectil Program on the Kectil Facebook page, the Kectil Instagram page, and our Kectil LinkedIn page. Please follow up and share with your friends!

 

What are Kectil Webinars?

The Kectil Webinar series is another important part of our program, where we bring in notable guest speakers to discuss some of the biggest challenges that youth and developing countries are facing today. So far, we’ve had the privilege of hosting a variety of inspiring figures who have shared their insights on crucial topics like unbiased and independent judiciary, youth mental health, succeeding as a young entrepreneur, a Lakota perspective on the environment and climate change, good governance, and etc.

 

What are Kectil Blogs?

Kectil Colleagues are provided with a platform to write Blog articles about Kectil subjects, matters affecting your country or region or current perspectives on topical issues. We post well written articles that are thought provoking. Their blogs encourage and inspire other Colleagues who read and leave comments.

 

What is Kectil News?

Kectil Colleagues are also given the platform to share news on the current happenings in their personal lives, communities, and countries. We like to celebrate and feature Colleagues’ academic awards, community services, scholarships, etc. This also serves as a motivation to their peers to aspire higher in their fields of endeavor.

What are Kectil Certificates?

 

How do I get certificates in the Kectil Program?

 

How many Assignments do I need to complete to get the Kectil Superior Performance certificate?

 

How many Assignments do I need to complete to get the Kectil Excellent Performance certificate?

 

How many Assignments do I need to complete to get the Kectil Participation Certificate?

 

Are there any other types of Kectil certificates that will be awarded to Colleagues?

 

The Kectil Program awards three kinds of Certificates: Certificate of Superior Performance, Certificate of Excellent Performance, and Certificate of Participation. The Kectil team reviews the engagement of each Colleague over the entire year based on the number of Assignments completed and other contributions and determines which certificate they earn.

The highest level of Certificate issued by Kectil is the Certificates of Superior Performance. It is only earned by Colleagues who submit responses to every Assignment during the year. This demonstrates the highest level of hard work and commitment.

The next level of Certificate issued by Kectil is the Certificate of Excellent Performance. Colleagues who earn this certificate have submitted most, but not all, of their Assignments.

The last level of Certificate issued by Kectil is the Certificate of Particpation. These Certificates are given out to Colleagues who have submitted some, but not most of the Assignments.

Colleagues who earn either the Superior Performance or the Excellent Performance can apply to become Regional Coordinator for the next cohort.

 

What is the Kectil Generation?

The Malmar Knowles Family Foundation and The Kectil Program are creating a Kectil Tidal Wave of Youth Born for Greatness who can help shape the world of the future. It is the position of Kectil that youth are not defined by the year they were born (looking back) but what they intend to do for the future to live a healthy life and contribute to a better world.

WHAT YOU ARE TOLD:

Millennial or Gen Y born between 1980 and 1994

Gen Z born between 1995-2015.
BUT WHAT GENERATION DO YOU WANT TO BE?

Imagine the KECTIL Generation….

We are youth not defined by the year we were born. We are defined by our focus on a future that demands our attention. We are the youth leaders of Developing Countries. Together as a global team we are called to change our communities for the better. And we have the strength to do it.

We say “Positive. Change.” Read as Positive. Period. Change. Period.

What does The Kectil Program mean by Positive.Change.?

How does the Kectil Program seek Positive Change?

Positive. (Read as Positive. Period.)

1. Positivity begins with ourselves. Self-confidence starts by finding our inner strength. This inner strength makes us ready to change the world around us.
2. We train our minds by learning as much as possible about the world we live in. We read and study purposefully. We look at all angles and consider all views with respect. We absorb information and then check it for accuracy or bias.
3. We are honest and reliable.
4. We treat everyone with kindness and compassion, especially when we disagree.
5. We are positive role models for both the old and the young.
6. We each contribute our own special skills to the goal and look for others who can contribute as well. It is together that we form the necessary whole.
7. We abide by the Kectil Code to equally respect everyone regardless of nationality, religion, culture, ethnicity or gender.
8. We know we will be successful because we have to be. We will not settle for less.

 Change. (Read as Change. Period.)

1. We demand good honest government.
2. We reject and expose corruption. Corruption has devastating effects on Youth and it has to stop.
3. We, as Males being Promise Leaders and Females also doing their part, will support and encourage each other’s well-being through respect and encouragement.
4. We fight for the improvement of our environment, from small tasks such as picking up garbage, to living a sustainable lifestyle to tackling large waste projects.
5. We acknowledge the problem of overpopulation and disproportionate growth in developing countries, and we study its projected effects on our future.
6. We innovate and create using the best of our talents to improve the quality of life.
7. We strongly reject prejudices and hatred based on nationality, religion, culture, ethnicities, social position and gender, which have been imposed on us. We accept everyone and expect the same from them.
8. We reach out to youth in other countries to create a global network for change. We commit to forming life-long unbreakable bonds. And we commit our support.

 

Has Kectil published a book? 

Our first book from the Youth in Developing Countries Speak Out Series is available!

“A genuine account from the youth on the roles of females in their society from a grass-roots level.” – quote from MKFF Founder, Ms. Sherry M. Knowles

The book is a compendium of essays written by 60 youth leaders aged 17-26 from 30 developing countries about the status of females in their countries. The youth discuss a wide range of topics from discrimination, child marriages, unwed pregnancies, abuse, government programs, education and religion, and provide suggestions for advancement. The candid perspectives span from positive reports to problematic situations. This book provides extraordinary accounts directly from the youth themselves about the daily conditions they live in.

This book is the first in a series to be published by The Kectil Program as a platform for youth in developing countries to speak directly to the world about their issues. Our first book provides an unprecedented forum for youth in developing countries to give first-hand accounts. These rising youth leaders want their observations and suggestions heard. These essays are must-reads for anyone who wants to take the pulse of the next generation in the fastest growing areas of the world, and those who want to understand the physical and psychological challenges females face in less fortunate countries.

We invite you to listen as the rising youth leaders in developing countries speak out! We urge you to buy this book and encourage your family, friends, Colleagues and associates to buy it also. The book is  on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Baker & Taylor, Copia, Gardners, eSentral, Scribd, Goodreads, Ciando, Vearsa.

 

Does Kectil keep up with its Alumni?

Does Kectil have an Alumni Program?

What is the Kectil Alumni Network?

The Kectil Program considers it a priority to maintain its alumni in its network as a means to build the Kectil Tidal Wave. To date, The Kectil Program has 6,000-8,000 alumni throughout the world.

An important aspect of The Kectil Program is the Kectil Alumni Network. The Program does not stop after the one year-web-based curriculum is completed. The Program understands that the best way to ensure the value of the Program is to continue to support the Kectil participants as they progress to realize their potential as community, civic and scholarly leaders.

The Alumni Kectil Network of high potential youth from developing countries grows bigger every year as the Kectil web-based Program graduates its annual class and integrates them into the Alumni Kectil Network. In this way, youth who are already Alumni will have the opportunity to mentor and support each class of Program graduates. The understanding and appreciation for the cultures of youth from various countries is invaluable and is an essential component of any youth leader’s perspective. The knowledge that you are “bigger than yourself” because you are embraced and supported by your peers in your country and other countries is central to your confidence to develop into the best leader you can be to make a positive difference in your community, country and world.

From which countries do the 2024 Kectil Colleagues come from?

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Indigenous Tribes of U.S., Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria NG, Pakistan, Palestine State, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

 

What is the history of The Kectil Program?

2016

Sherr M. Knowles founded The Malmar Knowles Family Foundation (MKFF).

The Kectil Program was initiated as the flagship program of MKFF

2017

Trained over 280 Kectil Colleagues from 32 Countries

Top 23 youth from 13 countries joined Atlanta Youth Leadership Conference

2018

Trained over 700 Kectil Colleagues from 52 Countries

Regional Conferences in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and India

2019

Trained over 700 Kectil Colleagues from 63 Countries

Regional Conferences in Vietnam, Saint Lucia and Taiwan

Top 30 Youth from 23 developing countries join Atlanta Youth Leadership Conference

2021 and 2022

Trained over 2000 Kectil Colleagues from 104 Countries

Established Kectil Local Centers in Kenya, Zambia and Uganda

2023

Trained over 2000 Kectil Colleagues from 105 Countries

Top 40 Youth from 20 developing countries join Atlanta Youth Leadership Conference

2024

Trained over 2000 Kectil Colleagues from over 80 Countries

Hosted Youth Conferences in India, Zambia and Papua New Guinea

Introduced Kectil Artificial Intelligence Avatar KAI and Prepared for launch of program in Spanish

Expanded Kectil Global Youth Network (Kectil Podcasts) and Kectil YouTube Channel

 

 

What are the Kectil Ten Points Leadership?

 

• Mission
• Passion
• Vision
• Ethics
• Compassion
• Equality and Respect
• Good Government
• Personal Presentation
• Team Building
• Measurable accomplishments

 

Why is the Kectil Colleagues Private Portal Passcode Protected?

Once a talented youth born for greatness is accepted into the Kectil Program, he/she is migrated into a passcode protected website for the one year on-line program

• We provide a safe space for authentic conversations
• Some countries do not have freedom of speech or freedom of press
• Some country representatives monitor social media
• Some countries have a patriarchal society in which youth are supposed to listen and not speak. We think youth need to be trained to speak as well as listen.
• We practice discussing sensitive issues, especially when we disagree
• We encourage respectful, positive conversations
• We refrain from religious conversations. Each person in entitled to choose his or her own religion in peace and harmony.

 

Which are the Kectil Regional Groups?

• KECTIL AFRICA 1
• KECTIL AFRICA 2
• KECTIL AFRICA 3
• KECTIL AFRICA 4
• KECTIL ASIA 1
• KECTIL ASIA 2
• KECTIL EUROPE
• KECTIL AMERICAS
• KECTIL OCEANIA

Apart from Assignments, what else can I do as part of the regional groups?
In addition to the Assignments, what else does Kectil offer for its Colleagues?
What are the main advantages of the Kectil program?

 

• Discussion groups for the Kectil Colleagues in the various regions
• Meet other Kectil Colleagues, discuss topics of interest and perhaps even meet in person
• Coordinate, support and participate in relevant regional events if one is happening in your country
• Connected by WhatsApp Groups led by selected Regional Leaders from Superior Performance Awardees
• The Regional Coordinators facilitate the group discussions
• Engage with brilliant minds in your region and worldwide for transformational experiences
• Meet other young minds from diverse culture
• Make new friends from all over the world.
• Write articles for Kectil website
• Listen to Kectil Podcasts and watch Kectil YouTube videos
• Engage on Kectil social media posts
• Contribute to community by speaking at the Kectil podcast on the ground realities or achievements of your country
• Participate in webinars and other meetings

 

Who are the Kectil International Board Members?

Nabila Abbas (Pakistan)
KectilColleagues.com Engagement, Webinars, Podcasts
With Kectil since 2022
Professional specialty : Prime Minister’s Pakistan national youth council, Commonwealth youth forum, international congress of youth voices, working on rural women/girls’ inclusivity and leading projects like digital inclusion, educational and skills programs for rural girls in her community, the DIANA AWARD 2020 for her social and humanitarian causes in underprivileged communities

Oleksandra Fomin (Ukraine)
Social Media YouTube Channel, Webinars
With Kectil since 2022
Professional specialty : Created Sustainable Agency, a start-up to assess the sustainability of Ukrainian companies; masterminds and training in partnership with the UN where she led initiatives that contributed to the increase of youth business projects, attracting international and domestic investments

Goharik Grigoryan (Armenia)
Assignments, Campaigns, Webinars
With Kectil since 2022
Professional specialty : Founder and President at Professional orientation center in Armenia, Young European Ambassador at EU neighbors east

John Jawara (Sierra Leone)
KectilColleagues.com Engagement
Regional Coordination
With Kectil since 2023
Assists Kectil with West African Issues
Professional specialty : Healthcare Master in Health Administration from Grand Valley State University Michigan BSc Community Health from Kenya Methodist University

Rodrick Mutale (Zambia)
Kectil Zambia Local Center
Kectil Website Updates Webinars and Assignments
With Kectil since 2017 Professional Speciality: Author, Accountant, Entrepreneur, Youth Leader at Kectil Centre for Youth Excellence-Zambia
Was the lead organizer of the 2024 Kectil Local Meeting in Zambia

Ahmad Shah Nawazy (Afghanistan)
Social Media and Regional Coordination Team
With Kectil since 2022
Professional specialty : B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, MS in Project Management, Work Experience at National and International Non-profit Organizations in Afghanistan Assists with Afghan female education and support

Edwin Terwiel Ningal (Papua New Guinea)
With Kectil since 2023
Professional specialty : Final Year student at the University of Papua New Guinea, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Demography Will be the lead organizer of the 2024 Organized Kectil Local Meeting in Papua New Guinea

Lennox Omondi (Kenya)
KectilColleagues.com Engagement, Kectil.com updates, Campaigns
With Kectil since 2023
Professional specialty : Globally recognized Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, $1M Hult Prize Winner, Top 30 under 30 Africa Honoree, Founder and CEO Ecobana Limited, He’s Africa Top Innovator Awardee 2022

Dr Enibokun Theresa Orobator (Nigeria)
With Kectil since 2017
Kectil Subcommittee: Regional Coordination
Professional specialty : Medicine and Surgery, Pharmaceutical Medicine

Ashwathy Venugopal (India)
Kectil.com Updates, Webinars, Podcasts
With Kectil since 2019
Professional Speciality: Social Entrepreneur (Learning & Development Impact Sector), very happy to teach Design Thinking, and eager to learn about Digital Marketing.
Lead organizer of the 2024 Kectil Local Meeting in Bangalore, India

Azeem Yousaf (Pakistan)
With Kectil since 2017
Distribution Sales Manager at Lucky Core Industries Elected Youth Counselor for the Provincial Government of Punjab

 

Who are in the Kectil Alumni Board / Emeritus Board

Wycliffe Guguni (Kenya)
With Kectil since 2017

Professional specialty : Social Innovation and Impact Manager, Emeritus Board Team lead and Country manager at Kectil Youth Community-Kenya, Recipient of the 2019 Young African Entrepreneur Prize by Harambee in Rome, Italy, African coordinator of the Fast Forward 2030 Entrepreneurs community hosted by the Institute of Global Prosperity at the University College of London.

Cruz Collin (Oglala Sioux Native American Tribe USA)
With Kectil since 2020
Professional specialty : Oglala Youth Leader for Taku Škaŋ Škaŋ Wasakliyapi: Global Institute for Traditional Sciences, Co- author, academic article in Science Journal (William Timothy Treal Taylor et al. Early dispersal of domestic horses into the Great Plains and northern Rockies. Science 379,1316- 1323(2023).DOI:10.1126/science.adc9691) in collaboration with the Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse (CAGT) and University of Colorado Boulder, 2023 University Paul Sabatier Medal (Honoring exceptional performance in key scientific research collaboration)

Luiz Bispo (Brazil)
With Kectil since 2017
Professional specialty : Restoration Ecologists, Working heavily for the SDG 15: life on land, UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere advocate

Ajauwa Ifedayo (Nigeria) With Kectil since 2018 Professional specialty : a singer songwriter and a mental health worker with the NHS Scotland , he volunteers for the mentally aware Nigerian initiative and is passionate about mental health advocacy

Sahiba Kaur (India)
With Kectil since 2022
Kectil Subcommittee: Kectil Alumni Board, Social media (YouTube) Podcast Committees Professional specialty: a corporate professional with 7+ years experience, enabling young people gain financial confidence via training, speaking and content, touched the lives of 2500+ individuals and amassed 0.5+ million views

Huong Nguyen (Vietnam)
With Kectil since 2018
Kectil Subcommittee: Kectil Alumni Board Professional specialty : Marketing Professional
Led organizer of the 2019 Kectil Local Meeting in Vietnam

Wanapheya Tolman (Standing Rock Sioux Native American Tribe USA)
With Kectil since 2023
Professional specialty : focuses on education, he currently works as a member for All It Takes, a Southern California-based organization, the work done contributes to leadership development, working to enhance leadership skills for students and educators, which aims to positively impact the future generations

Can you share the KECTIL MEDIA Links

https://www.facebook.com/Kectil

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079902972404

https://www.facebook.com/kectilyck

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083165627012

https://www.instagram.com/thekectilprogram/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-malmar-knowles-family-foundation-the-kectil-program

https://kectilworldyouthnetwork.buzzsprout.com/

https://twitter.com/kectil?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/@TheKectilProgram07

What is Kectil Male as Promise Keepers Campaign?

The Kectil Program runs several campaigns in a year.

One of the most important and successful ones is Kectil Male as Promise Keepers Campaign.

In 2019, we successfully reached the goal of attaining 1000 pledges with the support of 1000 brave males from 72 countries. With more males involved in protecting females, the communities will indefinitely get better for everyone. With that belief, we ask men to stand up and act as “Promise Keepers” to take care of the girls and women in their society, to profess their commitment to the females at large, and to protect females against any forms of violence.

We call for males to take the following pledge:

1. When you see a female you find attractive, you must ask yourself this VERY important question. “If I am with this female and she gets pregnant, would I be willing to take care of her and the baby with a full commitment?” If the answer is no, then put your hands in your pocket and walk away.
2. I agree not to hit or physically attack a female.
3. I agree to keep my eyes open as a protector to identify situations in which a female is at risk and will try to take reasonable steps to help if possible.
4. I will encourage other males to take the Kectil Promise Leaders Pledge.
   If you have already participated in “1000 Males Campaign”, we encourage you to continue the pledge at the website and keep up your mission of protecting females you took up and share the message to other men.
   If you have not, please do now!
   One man can’t make a change, but together we can definitely bring a better world for our females, girls, our future daughters and granddaughters

Why are Assignments important to The Kectil Program?

In the Kectil Program, dedication and effort are important. As highlighted by Founder and Executive Director, Sherry Knowles, Assignments form the framework for your Kectil journey. It is the goal of MKFF and The Kectil Program to expand your mind, and to allow you to think about issues you have not focused on before or in a way that you have considered before. We present thought-provoking and provocative Assignments to break you out of your current thinking and into a leadership role.

Therefore, we urge you to approach Assignments with the utmost seriousness. They’re not merely tasks to complete but opportunities to revolutionize your thinking. Embrace new ideas and perspectives wholeheartedly. By doing so, you’ll not only excel in the program but also embark on a transformative journey of personal growth.

How does Kectil train leaders?

We help youth born for greatness by giving them provocative issues to think about and then having you reach your own conclusions after research. We then we let you practice communicating your thoughts to others in a way that they want to listen. Effective communication is a required skill of a youth leader. It is great to be able to practice it in a safe passcode protected environment where your Colleagues are urged to give positive feedback.

What do I gain by doing the Assignments?

Colleagues gain several valuable benefits from Assignments within the Kectil Program:

Learning progress: Assignments serve as a measure of your learning progress, both for yourself and for your Colleagues who have the opportunity to read your answers. By engaging deeply with the material and sharing your insights, you contribute to a collective learning environment where everyone can grow and learn from each other’s perspectives.

Year-end Certification qualification: Successfully completing Assignments throughout the program contributes to your qualification for year-end certification. This certification not only recognizes your dedication and effort but also signifies your mastery of the program’s content and concepts.

Invaluable honest discussions: Assignments often spark honest discussions among Colleagues. By sharing your thoughts and engaging with the ideas presented in Assignments, you foster an environment of open dialogue and collaboration. These discussions can lead to deeper understanding, new insights, and meaningful connections with your peers.

Who will read my Assignments?

Kectil Colleagues who are accepted into the program in the same year with you will read your Assignments as well as Kectil Board Members, Regional Coordinators and other Kectil key contributors.

The Kectil Program gives awards for the top 10 assignment submissions that got the most number of comments from the other Colleagues, as well as the top 10 Colleagues who gave the most number of comments.

 

Can I read the Assignments of other Colleagues?

Assignments forums are open for all accepted kectil Colleagues and we encourage to engage in the discussions. You can read and contribute to discussions around your Colleagues’ Assignments.

Where can I access the assignment?

Assignments are available in the assignment section of the web portal and we will also send out Assignments to all Colleagues as they get released.

How to upload my assignment?

Assignments can be submitted through kectil web forum and that’s the only way you can submit each of your assignment submissions.

What are the steps to upload the Assignments?

Login to KectilColleagues. com website> forum > Assignment 1 authentic leadership> new topic > subject [ Your full name/country], you can upload a complete file or just paste all the answers in the body. You can do both as well.

What is the deadline for each assignment? 

The deadline for each assignment will be provided when the assignment is released.

What if I miss the deadline for an assignment/
Can I ask for an extension for the assignment/

Whom do I contact for Assignments

According to the Kectil rules, assignment extensions should be requested in advance for good cause from your regional coordinator.  If an assignment is missed and an extension has not been approved in advance, we encourage you to contact your regional coordinator. An extension after the deadline is typically not granted unless there is a serious reason for being late. Make sure to plan ahead and request deadline extensions well in advance.

If you have a valid reason and cannot submit your assignment within the given deadlines, update your regional coordinator and please send an email to regionalcoordination@kectil.com and explain the reason for getting an extension for the assignment.

Please note, updating your regional coordinator alone is not sufficient. Extension is granted by the Kectil team and will only be granted via email on a case to case basis.

Who can answer questions for me within Kectil Program?

Your regional coordinators are your first point of contact. You can stay connected with them over the regional whatsapp groups you would have been added to at the beginning of your cohort. If your regional coordinator advices you to reach out to the Kectil Team, email at regionalcoordination@kectil.com

Can I help a Colleague with their assignment if they ask me for help?

All Colleagues must write their own Assignments. We encourage discussion between Colleagues in the forum after the assignment has been submitted. If required, the regional groups can be used to encourage each other to complete your Assignments successfully. The regional coordinators are also available for assisting Colleagues with Assignments. You can redirect Colleagues who require help to your coordinators.

Can I do an assignment with fellow Colleagues as a group work?

 All Colleagues must write their own Assignments. We encourage discussion between Colleagues in the forum after the assignment has been submitted. If required, the regional groups can be used to encourage each other to complete your Assignments successfully. But assignment completion should not be a group work. Your Assignments should be your own authentic work, done by yourself.

What are comments under the assignment?

They are thoughts and feedback of Colleagues in your cohort after they have read your assignment. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to discussion regarding the Assignments completed and submitted. Comments and discussions are encouraged.

How can I access the comments?

You can click on any assignment by a Colleague. By doing so, you can see the discussions and comments connected to each of the Assignments.

How can I post comments?

Go to the Kectil Colleague website, then click on the forum; select on the desired assignment and the Colleague you want to reply to, then at the top of the Colleague’s assignment, on the right side; there is ‘Reply’ button. Click on it and share your thoughts.

 

How can I respond to comments?

You have the options “Quote” and “Reply”. You can click on any and can respond.

Can I hide some comments I don’t like that appear under my assignment?

What if I receive some unpleasant comments under my assignment? How do I report it

 We encourage discussions that are healthy, positive and those that adheres to Kectil’s Ten Points of Leadership and principles. Everyone is encouraged to follow professionalism while posting comments, following community guidelines. In case you encounter something that goes against community guidelines, please contact your regional coordinators as soon as possible to report the negative comment or behavior with full details. Kectil does not accept bullying, rudeness, or offensiveness. Any Kectil Colleague who shows this conduct will be spoken with and may be removed from the website.

In case you encounter comments that goes against community guidelines, contact your regional coordinators with full details.To contact the Kectil Team, send an email to mail@kectil.com

You can keep the email id ITsupport@kectil.com in CC.

If there are Colleagues who do not follow good behavior within the Kectil forum, what do I do?

In case you encounter Colleagues who go against community guidelines, contact your regional coordinators with full details.To contact the Kectil Team, send an email to mail@kectil.com

You can keep the email id ITsupport@kectil.com in CC. Kectil does not accept bullying, rudeness, or offensiveness. Any Kectil Colleague who shows this conduct will be spoken with and may be removed from the website.

What Is Kectil’s Code of Conduct?

• The Kectil Code is the framework of the Kectil Program. Each participant is required to comply with the Kectil Code.
• Each participant shall be referred to as a Kectil Colleague and shall treat others as Colleagues.
• Each Kectil Colleague will give equal respect to every other Kectil Colleague regardless of nationality, religion, culture or gender.
• Each Kectil Colleague will discuss ideas and contributions of other Kectil Colleagues with positive, collaborative and respectful comments.
• Each Kectil Colleague will honor the Developing Country Youth Leadership Network by creating positive, lasting bonds with other Kectil Colleagues with the intent to stay connected and positively support each other toward future leadership that adds value to the local and national community.
• Each Kectil Colleague will carry out all the Assignments of the program.
• Each Kectil Colleague will use best effort to attend each webcast of the program.
• Kectil Colleagues uphold the honor of the Kectil Program by treating others in his/her community with respect and compassion.
• Kectil Colleagues will not take non-prescribed drugs or misuse alcohol.
• The Kectil Colleague will conduct himself/herself in a manner that is a role model for others and will be an excellent representative of his/her community.

What is the word limit for each assignment?

Is there a word limit I should follow for Assignments?

Word limits are different for each assignment. Follow word limits described in your assignment question. If no word limit is mentioned, you are free to use your discretion. If you have more queries, reach out to your regional coordinator for support.

How do I login to the Kectil website?

If you haven’t received your login credentials, send an email to ITsupport@kectil.com

Please click on this link: Log In ‹ Kectil Colleagues — WordPress

Then enter your username and password.

How do I receive my username and password for the website?

Once you are selected by the Kectil team for the one-year web-based program, you will receive your login credentials along given instructions from the IT team of Kectil. This occurs typically toward the end of January.

If you do not receive your credentials by February 1, then send an email to ITsupport@kectil.com

How do I find and connect with other Colleagues in the Kectil website?
How do I introduce myself to other Colleagues on the Kectil Forum?

How to create my account in the Kectil website?

Once you are given your credentials to enter www.kectilColleagues.com website, you will be directed to your homepage where you can add pictures and information about yourself.

Please complete your profile on the Kectil forum with as many details as you can so others can learn about you. Then you can send friend requests to other Colleagues there and they can send requests to you as well.

 

Do the Kectil team read all the Assignments individually?

Assignments are read by Kectil Colleagues and selected Board Members and Regional Coordinators. The main goal of the Assignments, after their submission, are meant for Colleagues to read and discuss with each other to promote discussion and comments.

Do the Kectil team provide individual feedback/comment on Assignments submitted by Colleagues?

Every Colleague’s submission is reviewed and recorded. Individual feedback/comment on Assignments are not provided by the Kectil Board Members. The comments come from fellow Kectil Colleagues.

Are the Assignments graded?

The Assignments are not graded. The goal of the Assignments is to train the Kectil Colleague to learn how to express himself or herself on critical issues in a way that best communicates his/her views and in a way that others want to listen. This is how leaders are created. The best Assignments are those that receive the most number of comments. The Kectil Colleagues who submit the top 10 Assignments commented on by others are invited to a Zoom meeting with the Kectil Board Members, which is a high honor!

Do I have to add the references/citations for the Assignments?

It is always a good practice to mention reference materials at the end of your work by providing reference/citations. There are multiple referencing/ citation formats available. You can freely follow any referencing format as you prefer.

I tried to login on the Kectil Colleagues website but it gives me an error; what to do?

Directly send an email to mligon@kectil.com and request help.

I changed my internet browser and refreshed the Colleague website page, but still I am facing a problem logging in to it. What to do?

Directly send an email to mligon@kectil.com

My internet connection and browser have no problem, but still I cannot log in to the Kectil Colleague website, what to do?

Directly send an email to mligon@kectil.com and request help.

Does the Kectil also provide scholarships for its Colleagues? /
Does Kectil give fund/s for some individual project/s?

Kectil program is a fully funded online program. There is no additional monetary support provided by Kectil during or after the program. No individual scholarship and no individual project grant are provided. MKFF provide Kectil program free all Kectil Colleagues.

What are the criteria/s for an outstanding assignment?

The top 10 outstanding Assignments are judged by the number of comments and discussion received by the Kectil Colleagues. The authors of the top 10 Assignments are invited to attend a Zoom call with the Kectil Board Members, which is a high honor.

What are the criteria/s to be selected as a Regional Coordinator? /

How can I become a regional coordinator?

Top Kectil Colleagues from past programs serve as regional coordinators for the Kectil Program regional groups in the coming year. Regional Leaders are selected from the past year Colleagues who earned Certificates of Superior Performance or Excellent Performance.

How can I get selected to be a member of the Kectil management team?

What should I do to be selected as a Kectil Board Member? 

Regional Coordinators are selected from the past year Colleagues who earned Certificates of Superior Performance or Excellent Performance. You can know more details from your regional coordinators, or directly send an email to mail@kectil.com. Kectil Board Members are selectee based on extraordinary contribution to The Kectil Program and community service. Ms. Sherry Knowles, Founder of The Kectil Program, selects the Kectil Board Members.

Does Kectil have an in-person conference in Atlanta this year (i.e. 2024)?

No. We are hosting three local conferences this year.

Will Kectil have an in-person conference in Atlanta in 2025?

No. Kectil will be hosting three local conferences in 2025. The countries will be announced in early 2025.

Does Kectil organize an in-person conference at Atlanta annually?

No. Annual conferences are subject to many criteria. Some years, like in 2024 and 2025, we have regional conferences instead of a leadership conference in Atlanta. Through local in-country meetings, Kectil is able to reach out to many more young people than through an Atlanta conference.

Is the Kectil in-person conference at Atlanta fully funded?

Yes.

Can I participate in the Kectil in-person regional conferences even if I am not from the host country for the regional conference?

If you can fund yourself, you can participate. Please contact the organizing team or your regional coordinator for more information.

Does Kectil support its Colleagues financially to participate in the Kectil regional conferences?

No. Travel and accommodation to regional conferences are self-funded. However, there is no registration fee to attend the event.

What are Kectil Local Centers?

The Kectil local centers connect talented youth leaders with other bright minds through local and global networks. Kectil current runs local centers in Kenya, Zambia and Papua New Guinea.

 

I want to step back from the Kectil program for the present year, but I want to apply next year. Am I eligible?

Yes, we encourage you to re-apply. Please make sure you are still within the age group that we specify during the new cohort announcements every year. You can find notifications regarding this on our website and social media pages.

When will the Kectil new Applicationss get open?

The Kectil Applications portal opens in mid-September every year and closes in mid-November. You can find notifications regarding this on our website and social media pages.

When will the Kectil Applications portal close? / Applications deadline

The Kectil Applications portal closes in mid- November. You can find notifications regarding this on our website and social media pages.

Can you give me some information about the Kectil Applications questions?

The questions include your full name, age, education, country, work history, and other general questions that reveal more about your interests and personality. Through the Applications questions we hope to get authentic and original responses to showcase who you truly are.

The mentioned age is 17-26 to be eligible for the Kectil program. If I am 15-16 years old or between 27-29 years old can I apply for it?

You are free to apply if you are outside of the specified age range. However, we will review each out-of-range Applications separately to determine if it is suitable to accept the person.

I have a lot of interest in applying for the Kectil program, but I am 30 years old; can I apply?  

We design the program especially for youth leaders in the ages of 17-26. We typically do not accept people aged 30. You are free to apply, however, it is likely that the Applications will be flagged and not allowed.

I comment on other Colleagues’ Assignments, but it is not showing; why?

Sometimes forum replies and uploads are held for moderation. Your comment should appear shortly after we approve it. This could be a technical problem. Please email at mligon@kectil.com for clarifications.

Some Colleagues copy my assignment.  How can I avoid this?

We have a strong policy against plagiarism and copying original work. At Kectil we want all Assignments to be authentic and original. If you encounter plagiarism, report it to your Regional Coordinator and send an email to mail@kectil.com.

How will the Kectil team differentiate between the original assignment and copied assignment?  

If you notice that someone has copied your assignment report this to your regional coordinator, and send an email to mail@kectil.com. We will investigate it and take appropriate action. Kectil assignment submissions on the portal are marked with their submission dates. This helps the team to differentiate original and copied Assignments.

In case a Colleague copies from other websites or from AI platforms like chatgpt, the Kectil team recognizes plagiarism through automatic checks done through softwares.

Assignment submissions are meant to help you in your Kectil journey. Hence we encourage you not to use AI or other platforms to get answers for your questions. However, we encourage you to use technology for research or for grammar check.

Can I write articles for the Kectil website?

Yes we would love that. You may email your article to mail@kectil.com along with information about you. You may also express your interest to be part of podcasts and youtube channel features.

How can I take part in the Kectil Podcast?

Podcasts feature important issues facing youth in developing countries. If you think you have a story of interest, we encourage you to contact us at mail@kectil.com to suggest the subject. You may also express your interest to write articles for the Kectil website and be part of YouTube channel features.

 

How can I take part in Kectil Youtube Channel?

You may email at mail@kectil.com about the topic you wish to talk about in the youtube video feature. You may also express your interest to be part of podcasts and write articles for the Kectil website.

Some Colleagues from the group send me direct messages that disturb my privacy. What should I do? 

We strongly uphold the Kectil ten points of leadership and Kectil code of conduct on the web forum discussions, whatsapp chats and groups, webinars and comments in social media forums. If a fellow Kectil Colleague is behaving in a manner that is unwelcome, please report this to your Regional Coordinator and email at mail@kectil.com. You should not exit the group. After investigating the Kectil team will take appropriate action. Kectil whatsapp groups and forums are for exchanging thoughts, positive actions and making friends. We hope all Colleagues follow the same mindset when engaging in groups.

I am not in my own country right now but I am from a developing/less developed country, can I apply for the program?

Yes, you can. Please specify the same in your Applications form. If you have queries while applying, please email at mail@kectil.com.

Is Kectil Colleagues’ web-site working fine? The site is responding with a 403 error in my case.

If the errors occur, you may refresh the page, clear your browser cache & cookies. If still facing the issue email a report to mligon@kectil.com

My internet might be too slow for using the Kectil Website to submit the assignment. What should I do?

We encourage you to use a strong internet connection for submitting your assignment to avoid any interruptions during your submission. But we understand if you are connecting from a country that has a weak infrastructure that may be impeding your Kectil experience. For such unavoidable circumstances contact the Kectil team – email mail@kectil.comwith valid reason and explanations. The team will reach out to you with further instructions.

Who is my coordinator? Please give me their email address as I wanted to request an extension of the deadline.

Please write and email to mail@kectil.com to request for deadline extension.

I have lost my phone, can you send me the assignment questions?

The Assignment is available on Kectil Colleague website. It can also be found in your email id that you used to register with Kectil.

Can I submit an Assignment after its deadline?

If you know you will miss an assignment deadline, contact your regional coordinator and send an email to mail@kectil.com in advance giving a reason for good cause, well in advance. Extensions will be granted on a  case to case basis.

I completed my previous assignment, submitted it and got a notification ”passed”.  When I tried logging in again it showed me to start the previous assignment.  I am also denied access to start the new assignment. 

This could be a technical issue. Please report the issue to mligon@kectil.com

I want to know if regional coordinators are responsible to know whether every Colleague in his/her respective region is able to submit all Assignments or not. Or does the Kectil IT has a special way of determining that automatically from the system.

When the Colleagues submit their Assignments, they are shown on the websites and get recorded. All successfully submitted Assignments can be seen on the web platform. It is not just visible to regional coordinators of your region.

Will there be a cultural meeting via Zoom? If so, could you please provide information on the certificates and rewards available for participants?

We have frequent webinars and online meetings where you can engage with other Colleagues in Kectil. Information about such events will reach you via email on the Kectil official email address (i.e. mail@kectil.com) or through notifications on regional whatsapp groups. You may also find such notifications on Kectil social media pages. Information on awards or rewards, if applicable, will be communicated on the email for the respective events.

Could you clarify if Colleagues and/or regional coordinators are eligible to receive recommendation letters?

The Kectil team is often asked to provide recommendations. We evaluate these on a case-by-case basis based on performance and activity in the Program. Requests for recommendations can be sent through your regional coordinators or email at mail@kectil.com.