On International Youth Day, 12 August 2021, The Story Book Africa launched the #WorkOfMyHands campaign to recognise and celebrate the exceptional work of young people across Africa.

With young people accounting for nearly 60% of Africa’s population, African youth remain the backbone and driving force of the continent’s socio-economic progress and transformation. Through creativity, skill, and resilience, they are building livelihoods, strengthening communities, and shaping new futures through the work of their hands.

The Work of My Hands campaign was created to identify and profile young people whose work reflects dignity, purpose, and impact across diverse sectors. At its core, the initiative honours labour not only as a means of income, but as an expression of identity, creativity, and contribution to society.

This Feature Booklet brings together the story behind the campaign and highlights from its launch edition. In 2021, we celebrated two outstanding young entrepreneurs: Curl Love from Ethiopia (IG: @curl.love.et) and Her Rinda Designs from Kenya (IG: @her_rinda). Through their enterprises, these young East African women are transforming lives within their communities, demonstrating the power of youth-led work to inspire change and create opportunity.

Work of My Hands is a tribute to African youth who continue to build, create, and lead with purpose — reminding us that dignity in work is essential to meaningful development.