The founders of Baobab Leadership Initiative all realized several things.

A: There is a need for youth leadership development programs in the Greater New Orleans area.

B: Spending time in a foreign culture and country is life-changing perspective-altering event in a person's life.

C: This new perspective allows a person to view their community in a new light and identify areas where they can be a leader of positive change.

D: Being a leader in a community provides a voice for that community.

E: Not all schools offer opportunites for youth leadership development or exposure to foreign cultures.

The program we have developed encompasses all of our realizations.  Students must first show initiative and courage to even apply to the program.  They must write an essay and get two recommendations from people other then relatives on how they would excel in the program. Each student, also know as a Baobab Leader, works throughout the school year with a mentor.  Baobab Leaders practice their gained leadership skills by planning and implementing service-learning and fundraising activities.  Baobab Leaders fundraise throughout the year to support their trip to a developing country.  Baobab Leaders complete the program with the capacity and a sense of their capacity to lead in their community.