At 17, Anthurium Lewis is not only coaching archers older than herself on her home island of Tobago but also leveraging the confidence and skills honed through sport for advocacy and diplomacy. She aims to amplify youth voices, particularly those of girls, in spaces where they often struggle to be heard.
Lewis identifies her age as a significant hurdle, challenging the Caribbean cultural norm of deferring to elders. “The biggest challenge has to be my age,” she stated, referencing the tradition to “speak only when you’re spoken to” and to “leave the older heads to have the big discussions.” She credits archery with helping her overcome these barriers, noting, “Archery gives you that discipline to keep pushing forward.”
Now, as a Young Leader for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Lewis is dedicated to demonstrating that young people can drive change. She believes that when the world provides opportunities and equips youth with the necessary skills, their potential is limitless. Sport, in her view, is a powerful catalyst for developing these essential skills.
‘Children can do it’
Lewis emphasizes the profound, often overlooked, transformation sport brings, which begins internally. She views archery as an 80% mental discipline, building self-esteem and resilience that extends into all facets of a young person’s life. Recognizing that many young people with innovative ideas lack avenues for expression, Lewis encourages her peers to trust their voices.
“Children can do it. We have a say. We have the intellect. We have the passion behind it as well. You don’t have to wait until you’re 25 to want to fight for a cause…We can start right now,” she asserted.
Sustainability Mission
Through her foundation, Lewis is actively working to promote sustainable practices and enhance food security in Tobago by planting native fruit trees. She engages with schools, communities, and faith-based organizations to inspire young people to plant and care for fruit trees, including sapodilla, soursop, custard apple, breadfruit, and starfruit.
“You won’t just find me planting,” she said, “You’ll actually find other young people, very young children as well, going out there and planting their own fruit trees that they will look after.”
Efforts Pay Off
Lewis shared an inspiring anecdote from her first visit to a rural primary school in Tobago. Initially finding the school’s gardening area abandoned and overgrown, she returned two months later to a transformed space, actively maintained by children during school hours. “I was quite pleased by that change,” she remarked, highlighting how such activities allow children to step away from classroom pressures, connect with peers, and collaboratively create something tangible. For Lewis, this sense of ownership, coupled with the discipline and self-confidence it fosters, is the ultimate goal.
Anthurium Lewis’s advocacy comes ahead of the ECOSOC Youth Forum (April 14-16, 2026), an event that convenes young leaders with policymakers to advance the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
