As a young boy growing up in Madaripur, Bangladesh, I was always curious about the world around me. I wanted to understand what was happening in my community and country, but I didn't know how to share my thoughts and observations with others. That's when I learned about the Children's Express News Agency (CENA) Bangladesh.

I was excited to learn that CENA was a platform designed for children and young like me to become effective journalists. I attended my first CENA workshop with a mixture of nervousness and eagerness. I was quickly put at ease by the friendly and supportive environment and the knowledgeable CENA staff who warmly welcomed us.

Over the next few weeks, I learned about the media industry, journalistic ethics, and codes of conduct. I was impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the CENA staff in teaching us about journalism in such a fun and interactive way. The workshops were always exciting, and there was always something new to learn.

The most exciting part of CENA for me was conducting research, interviewing people, and writing articles on various topics. I interviewed local business owners, educators, and activists and heard their stories and struggles. I wrote articles on topics such as education, health, environment, and gender equality.

Through CENA, I developed my journalism skills and expressed myself freely on issues that mattered most to me. I felt empowered to take ownership of my stories and make a difference in my community. 

I was thrilled to see my articles published on CENA's website and social media channels. It was gratifying to know that my voice was being heard and that I was helping to create a more inclusive and participatory media landscape in Bangladesh.

Overall, my experience with CENA was a transformative one. I came away with a deep appreciation for the power of journalism in shaping public discourse and creating social change. I also gained the skills and confidence to become an agent of change in my own community. 

Under the program, I learned about child rights and content writing and attended training on different journalism topics. At the time, I didn't appreciate the scope of what I was learning, but as I grew older, I realized just how much this early start helped me.

Thanks to my experience with UNICEF's Children’s Express program, I was able to develop some of the core skills that have made me a successful head of marketing today. The crucial communication skills I acquired made a real difference in my professional life.

Networking with other children from different districts was one of the most significant advantages of the program. It allowed me to connect with people I would never have met otherwise and gain perspectives that would shape my worldview.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my Children’s Express experience was the chance to work on advocacy initiatives at both the local government and national levels. Through this, I gained a real sense of purpose and understood the significant impact one person could have in driving positive change.

Today, I look back on my time with Children’s Express as a formative experience that instilled a lifelong passion for advocacy and communication. I am grateful for the skills I developed and the connections I made.

I recommend this type of program to any child interested in making a real difference in their community and beyond because it will equip them with the skills they need to succeed and empower them to make the world a better place. 

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