Podcasts about mandela washington fellowship

Africa has the youngest population in the world, 70% are under the age of 30. For this episode of Limitless Africa, we're talking to Generation Z - that's young people born between 1997 and 2012 - and we're asking them what they want for Africa.Elisa Jamal is 25 and from Mozambique. She campaigns against violence against women. Hadidjatou Nene Sandou Yaya is a 25-year-old climate activist from Togo.23-year-old Jeremiah Thoronka from Sierra Leone founded a clean energy startup. They are all Young African Leaders in the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) brings together an annual cohort of established African youth leaders for an immersive six-week leadership program at U.S. colleges and universities. The fellowship culminates in a summit where participants network and engage in high-level workshops.  MWF is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, designed to empower and connect the continent's mst promising leaders. The Mandela Washington Fellows bring their leadership, expertise, and passion to this highly selective fellowship with interests ranging from environmentalism to gender equity to sustainable development and the creative arts.   In this episode of Into Africa, Mvemba is joined by three distinguished MWF alumni who share their experiences and insights from the fellowship, as well as their professional journeys. Sarah Funmilayo Kuponiyi, founder and CEO of Alora Reusable Pads in Nigeria, advocates for menstrual hygiene and gender empowerment. Tefetso Nicolus Kele, a lawyer from Lesotho, focuses on sustainable finance, international trade, and investment law. Pape Mamadou Camara, a communications specialist from Senegal, is passionate about the arts and the transformative power of hip hop as well as fighting desertification in Africa through the “Green Wall”.

In this episode, we introduce Passmore Ndlovu a multimedia journalist currently working with the Voice of America (Zimbabwe Service). In 2019, he was awarded the Mandela Washington Fellowship by the U.S Department of State and was a visiting fellow at Indiana University-Bloomington under Civic Leadership. Post his fellowship experience he was able to launch his career in radio and podcasts when he was still a media student at the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe. He became the founder of Lowveld Media Trust, a media development organisation working to promote access to information, freedom of expression and digital participation & rights in underrepresented and marginalized communities in Zimbabwe.  Meet Passmore Ndlovu:✅ Multimedia Journalist ✅ Founder of Lowveld Media trust ✅ Radio Host ✅ Podcaster  

Last month, many of Africa's leaders arrived in Idaho to take part in the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Send us a Text Message.Join us on AXSChat as we sit down with the inspiring Praise Akobo, a Programme Associate and Disability Advocate from Abuja, Nigeria. Praise's personal journey as a person with a disability who overcame immense odds to pursue education is nothing short of remarkable. She shares her impactful work with Yield Up Development Initiative, where innovative educational programs are combating bullying and discrimination in Benue State. Praise also talks about Dougalove Women's Support Initiative, which employs animal-assisted services to aid children with disabilities. This episode is a testament to how creative activities and local resources can foster a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.We also explore the power of community-driven solutions and the significance of understanding local contexts in fostering disability inclusion. Praise recounts a touching story of assisting a young girl facing challenges similar to those she encountered in her youth, highlighting the transformative potential of localized efforts. Her experiences with international opportunities, such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship, underscore the value of adapting global insights to local challenges. Finally, Praise discusses the contributions of social networks in raising disability awareness, blending local insights with international practices, and the ongoing battle against cultural stigmas. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating inclusive, resilient communities.Support the Show.Follow axschat on social mediaTwitter:https://twitter.com/axschathttps://twitter.com/AkwyZhttps://twitter.com/neilmillikenhttps://twitter.com/debraruhLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniovieirasantos/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/axschat/Vimeohttps://vimeo.com/akwyz

Sandile Mnikati, Lindah Mbaisi Chavuya, Eunice Ndeyapo Shapange, and Matshidiso Lencoasa are experts on public policy, planning, and governance from across the continent. We spoke with them about their visions for just governance while they were at Cornell University this summer completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI). Find the books, links, and articles we mentioned in this episode on our website, ufahamuafrica.com.

Introducing our Guest Host for Season 4! Annah is an accomplished Inclusive Communications and Culture Expert, currently serving as a manager at a world-leading logistics company.  In 2019, Annah was selected for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship program, a testament to her dedication to civic leadership and positive change. She continues to contribute to the program as a Fellowship Applications Reader, ensuring the selection of deserving candidates for future cohorts. In addition to her professional achievements, Annah is an active member of Lions Clubs International. Through her involvement, Annah passionately volunteers with Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for individuals with disabilities. Her dedication to this cause has taken her to various countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Japan, Austria, the US, and Germany. Annah's educational background includes a Master of Science degree in Marketing from Edinburgh Business School (Heriot-Watt University) and an Honors in Business Management from the University of Free State.Connect with Annah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annah-ruwanika-mashonganyika-21193042/Stay updated with Jonathan & Shaneil, our dedicated hosts:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-ruwanika-ca-sa-b1b6b155LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneil-moodley-6973b5a9/For more inspiring content and resources tailored for young professionals in Africa, connect with Young Professional Africa:Linktr.ee/YoungProfessionalTune in and empower yourself with the knowledge that will shape our future!"Support the show

Aisha Namugga, Bashiru Koroma, and Louise Tekapso are climate experts from across the continent—Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon, respectively. We spoke with them about their expertise in climate change and sustainable environments while they were at Cornell University this summer completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI). The fellows discussed their vision for sustainable future with environmental justice.Find the books, links, and articles we mentioned in this episode on our website, ufahamuafrica.com.

Dede Barpeen, Gibson Mainaon, and Ruth Sulaimon are health professionals from across the continent—Liberia, Kenya, and Guinea-Bissau, respectively. We spoke with them about their expertise in public administration and health while they were at Cornell University this summer completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI). The fellows speak to their vision for a just healthcare future, the constraints to this goal, and how effective healthcare policies are good for everyone.Find the books, links, and articles we mentioned in this episode on our website, ufahamuafrica.com.

Seydina Ndiaye is a social entrepreneur and socio-political actor working mainly in inclusion, youth development, and democracy in Dakar, Senegal. He also works as a senior consultant focusing on politics and development strategies for digital growth, where he has had several collaborations with those in the Senegalese public sector.Seydina is an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and completed his program at Kansas State University. He is a civic leadership practitioner and is prototyping a contextualized civic leadership and engagement framework based on African local community organizing activities and spreading local narratives to increase citizen awareness to promote civic engagement, and participatory democracy, especially through digital technology and cyberspace.A Quote From this Episode"And now, our challenge is to prepare...by investing in the young generation by giving them a different way of practicing, learning, and teaching leadership."Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeBook: Systems thinking for social changeBook: African Leadership: Powerful Paradigms For The 21st CenturyBook: Navigating Complexities in LeadershipSeydina's Music SuggestionsJ. Cole: Love YoursChronixx: Skanking SweetChronixx: Same prayerChronixx: Jah is ThereSonia Jobarteh: JarabiAshs The Best: Ayway SambaCesaria Evora: SodadeCesaria ft Salif Keita: YamoreYoussou Ndour: Picc MeDidier Awadi: The RootsTabanka Djazz: Silencio Sara Tavares: balance About The International Leadership Association (ILA)The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for ILA's 25th Global Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, October 12-15, 2023.About The Boler College of Business at John Carroll UniversityBoler offers four MBA programs – 1 Year Flexible, Hybrid, Online, and Professional. Each MBA track offers flexible timelines and various class structure options (online, in-person, hybrid, asynchronous). Boler's tech core and international study tour opportunities set these MBA programs apart. Rankings highlighted in the intro are taken from CEO Magazine.About  Scott J. AllenWebsiteMy Approach to HostingThe views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.

This past month, an incredible group of emerging professionals from countries across Africa visited Minnesota as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. On this episode, hear from two of these Fellows, Marcellin Tsihoboto and Sylvia Phaphali Adzitey about their professional careers, their time in Minnesota, and the insights they will take back to their home countries.

Wizara ya mambo ya nje ya Marekani imeandaa Mkutano wa Mandela Washington Fellowship kuanzia Julai 31 hadi Agosti 2 katika Hoteli ya Omni Shoreham Washington, D.C. Mkutano huu unakutanisha viongozi vijana takriban 700 kutoka bara la Afrika

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 5,800 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training.The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries..For more information about the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, visit icfrc.org.

Jedidah Lemaron is an accomplished psychologist and specialist in AYSRH and Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. As a training consultant, FGM advocate, and the Founder and Executive Director of The Malkia Initiative, she works tirelessly to ensure that every girl and woman in pastoral communities can participate in development meaningfully and effectively through quality education, advocacy, and gender justice mainstreaming.With over nine years of experience in Gender, Community Sexual Reproductive Health, and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), Jedidah is committed to empowering women and girls through education, addressing gender equality and sexual reproductive health and rights, policy, and advocacy. She earned her degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nairobi and completed a Leadership in Civic Engagement program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jedidah's efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was honored with the Head of State Award for her contribution to ending Female Genital Mutilation in Kajiado County. She was also a finalist for the Diversity and Inclusion Award and recognition for UNLEASH SDG 5talent in 2022 and a recipient of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in 2016.Links:https://malkiainitiative.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedidah-lemaron/https://allafrica.com/stories/201712130690.htmlSupport the showPlease support us at daysforgirls.org

Meet Rado Rakotosamimanana, a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumnus, who recently completed a Reciprocal Exchange to benefit Women Lead Movement's work in Madagascar. In this conversation, Rado reflects on the Exchange with Jillian Randolph of Chaski Global. Established in 2015, the Reciprocal Exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship provides U.S. professionals with the opportunity to engage in collaborative projects with Fellowship Alumni in Sub-Saharan Africa, building upon strategic partnerships and professional connections developed during the Fellowship. Learn more on the Fellowship website. Introductory music titled “Supernova” by Presidential Precinct Alumnus David Hofisi Listen to more episodes of the Global Founders Podcast here.

This summer, 24 recipients from the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program joined K-State faculty in learning about leadership in civic engagement. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome one of those participants, Saykwayee Harmony Henry from the Republic of Liberia. Saykwayee is a mother, public speaker, entrepreneur, advocate for the rights of women and children and is the executive director at Kids Development Initiative. Children in Liberia go to school hungry while companies from other countries use Liberian land to grow and export crops around the world. The heart of Saykwayee's work focuses on agriculture development and her country's need to produce food for themselves through practical education and prioritizing healthy food production as a lifestyle and profession from a very young age.

Na'ima Idris Usman, cikakkiyar Likita ce da ke jihar Kanon Najeriya, ta yi karatun a tsakanin Najeriys da China. Ta bamu labarin rayuwarta daga kuruciya zuwa girmanta, da ma yadda aka yi ta fara ilimantar da mata ta kafafen sada zumunta game da lafiyar jikinsu duk da cewa furta kalmomin da ke da alaka da al'aura abu ne mai cike da kalubalen a kasar Hausa. Da kuma yadda karshe ta buge da zuwa shirin horar da shugabanci ga matasan Afirka a Amurka da a turance ake kira da Mandela Washington Fellowship da aka fi sani da Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) na shekarar 2022. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/usmankabarahausa/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/usmankabarahausa/support

Purdue University has been hosting the 4th cohort of The Mandela Washington Fellowship with agbioscience innovators from Africa spending time on campus this summer to hone and develop their professional and leadership skills. This week, we are joined by Boaz Berhanu and Molly Abende to talk about their experience with the program this summer.  They talk about the critical issues facing their respective communities, what they've learned from the program and how they plan to enact change at home once they return. 

The Staley School of Leadership Studies bid farewell Friday to visitors from the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship class. The flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, Kansas State University's Staley School has hosted cohorts for the 6-week leadership institute since 2016. This year saw 24 fellows from across the African continent come to Manhattan to study civic engagement through volunteering, meeting with state and local elected leaders, as well as visiting with officials from non-profits and businesses throughout the region. The Fellows were seen off with a graduation ceremony as the cohort prepares to depart for home -- with a couple heading to Texas and California to spend a month gaining professional development experience in their areas of work or study.

Greeting Glocal Citizens! In our conversation this week, I am inspired by the work of this high growth serial entrepreneur with experience building businesses in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. As a strong believer in constant learning, building and improving on existing solutions Nana Opoku Agyeman-Prempeh is excited about the church, aviation, technology and agriculture. Born and raised in Ghana, he has an academic background in Technology and Entrepreneurship from Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) and an MPhiL. Agricultural Engineering (Machine Systems) from the University of Ghana, Legon. He has been afforded the opportunity to lead teams in building the following: Asoriba a Church CRM and donation platform, MybusinessPay a Fintech that processes millions of payments across the world into Ghana for local businesses. Fusion Point, a Technology Consulting Company and CCTVCam Live a security business building an AI solution to identify criminals via regular CCTV Cameras. Nana is currently CEO of tech startup Grow For Me (GFM) which is a web and mobile based crowdfunding and crowd farming platform that sponsors farmers in growing more crops to solve hunger and poverty problems in Africa. Using drone and satellite imagery, they are able to update sponsors on the progress of the farms they've invested in, while providing the best Agronomic advice to optimize farm production. They are solving for global sustainable development goals (SDG) 1 and 2 by creating wealth and producing more food at the same time. GFM aims to contribute to the food production in Africa by helping feed 2.2 billion young Africans by 2050. The ultimate goal is to keep people out of poverty by bringing back young Africans into the aging Agricultural industry. Where to find Nana? www.growforme.com (https://www.growforme.com/en/home/) On LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingnanaprempeh/) On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kingnanaprempeh/) On Twitter (https://twitter.com/kingnanaprempeh) On YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmHAe8YCb0rv5nGRjduQ4TA) Other topics of interest: On Nana's bamboo bike ride (https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/4-friends-ride-bamboo-bicycles-to-Nigeria-to-raise-funds-to-fight-malaria-679943) Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative (http://ghanabamboobikes.org/) Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/) Check out Episode 10 (https://glocalcitizens.fireside.fm/10) with Mandela Fellow Valerie Labi Special Guest: Nana Opuku Agyeman-Prempeh.

Episode Notes Racheal Inegbedion and Sarah Cohen are reducing the barriers to employment for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Listen in to hear more about their recent Reciprocal Exchange - a component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship that provides funds for U.S. professionals to travel to sub-Saharan African countries or implement hybrid or virtual projects. This collaboration resulted in a disability employment manual for Nigerian Employers of Labour and a 7-minute documentary film that shares the experiences of three young adults with barriers that hinder their participation in inclusive workplaces. Racheal & Sarah hope that the film will shift attitudes from a "culture of compliance" to an increase in truly inclusive workspaces. Watch the documentary here: https://youtu.be/Ct1RzX8v5LQ

Episode Notes Lala Touray is a 2021 Alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship's Civic Engagement Institute at the Presidential Precinct. She is an award-winning poet, activist, and mentor to young girls and women in the Gambia. Lala is also the recipient of the 2022 Youth Excellence Award by She Awards Gambia. In this episode, Lala shares her vision for increasing women's participation in Gambian politics and a call to #BreakTheBias for the benefit of all people.

Episode Notes Melene Rossouw, 2019 Alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the Presidential Precinct, is the External Leader of Siyabuya, a national advocacy campaign and movement to #makeSAbetter in the wake lives and livelihoods that have been destroyed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In conversation with Presidential Precinct Board member Francois Baird, a South African himself, learn about Melene's work to encourage South Africans to get vaccinated and give back to the benefit of their communities and country.

Social entrepreneur and ExchangeAlumni Ian Tarimo likes to call himself an Ambassador for Exchange. That's how strongly Ian, winner of the 2021 Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership Impact Award and co-founder of Tai Tanzania, believes in the power of exchange programs. Ian also believes in democracy and fighting corruption, but it was his visit to the U.S. for the Mandela Washington Fellowship program that gave him a deeper understanding of the global issues we all face and more.

Producer/Host: Alyne Cistone Downeast Diversity: Stories of People and Culture Indigenous 2021 -A special episode to commemorate and celebrate Indigenous People Day -Musical feature by Firefly, a member of the Penobscot Nation -Jason(Firefly) and Donna lead the community in celebrating IPD. Guest: Firefly, Musician and keeper of Penobscot traditions. About the host: Alyne has two decades experience working in law, government, and the nonprofit sector. As Founder and CEO of Global Tides, she manages the day-to-day operations including Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction and Leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy. Given her ability to bridge cultures, she is a sought-after adviser and for almost a decade, has served and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees at College of the Atlantic where she Co-Chairs the Board DEI Taskforce amongst other key roles. She is currently an Advisor for Greenlight Maine and has previously served as an advisor for the Maine Community Foundation Hancock Committee, and the MDI Hospital Women's Health Center. Alyne has also served as a mentor for the Maine New Leadership and the Mandela-Washington Fellowship programs. Alyne has experience and a background in building strategic partnerships for businesses both nationally and internationally and as reflected in her recent appointment to the MITC Board. She also serves on the Maine Conservation Voters Board, and volunteers for other numerous organizations across Maine. Alyne's work has been featured by TEDx Dirigo, Mainebiz, Maine Women Magazine, Maine Public Broadcasting and others. She resides on Mount Desert Island with her family. The post Downeast Diversity 10/19/21- Stories of People and Culture in Maine: Indigenous 2021 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Alyne Cistone -Challenges of growing up as a brown girl in Maine -How youth can engage and lead their communities in impacting meaningful change -Sirohi's personal journey and her many contributions to Racial and Climate Justice Guest: Sirohi Kumar, A local high school student at Mount Desert Island High School and a Student and Community leader as well. About the host: Alyne has two decades experience working in law, government, and the nonprofit sector. As Founder and CEO of Global Tides, she manages the day-to-day operations including Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction and Leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy. Given her ability to bridge cultures, she is a sought-after adviser and for almost a decade, has served and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees at College of the Atlantic where she Co-Chairs the Board DEI Taskforce amongst other key roles. She is currently an Advisor for Greenlight Maine and has previously served as an advisor for the Maine Community Foundation Hancock Committee, and the MDI Hospital Women's Health Center. Alyne has also served as a mentor for the Maine New Leadership and the Mandela-Washington Fellowship programs. Alyne has experience and a background in building strategic partnerships for businesses both nationally and internationally and as reflected in her recent appointment to the MITC Board. She also serves on the Maine Conservation Voters Board, and volunteers for other numerous organizations across Maine. Alyne's work has been featured by TEDx Dirigo, Mainebiz, Maine Women Magazine, Maine Public Broadcasting and others. She resides on Mount Desert Island with her family. The post Downeast Diversity 9/21/2: Stories of People and Culture in Maine- From the Mouth of Babes first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Alyne Cistone Technical assistance and editing: Khiva Cheleigh and Amy Browne Introducing Downeast Diversity! A Maine Podcast that seeks to collect, document and tell stories of people and culture in Maine!, produced by Alyne Cistone, in collaboration with Healthy Acadia Today’s topic: Dawnland -Celebrating diversity -Sharing Maine's BIPOC community contributions to Maine culture -Jason Brown's personal journey and stories about his upbringing on Indian Island and the inspiration for his work. Guest: Jason Brown, Fashion Designer/Musician and a member of the Penobscot Nation About the host: Alyne has two decades experience working in law, government, and the nonprofit sector. As Founder and CEO of Global Tides, she manages the day-to-day operations including Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction and Leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy. Given her ability to bridge cultures, she is a sought-after adviser and for almost a decade, has served and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees at College of the Atlantic where she Co-Chairs the Board DEI Taskforce amongst other key roles. She is currently an Advisor for Greenlight Maine and has previously served as an advisor for the Maine Community Foundation Hancock Committee, and the MDI Hospital Women's Health Center. Alyne has also served as a mentor for the Maine New Leadership and the Mandela-Washington Fellowship programs. Alyne has experience and a background in building strategic partnerships for businesses both nationally and internationally and as reflected in her recent appointment to the MITC Board. She also serves on the Maine Conservation Voters Board, and volunteers for other numerous organizations across Maine. Alyne's work has been featured by TEDx Dirigo, Mainebiz, Maine Women Magazine, Maine Public Broadcasting and others. She resides on Mount Desert Island with her family. The post Downeast Diversity DEBUT! 8/17/21 Stories of People and Culture in Maine: Dawnland first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Jamila Mayanja is a gender equity champion and the founder of Smart Girls Uganda: a nonprofit that empowers young girls and women with the educational, vocational and practical tools they need to thrive – including access to safe, effective, reusable menstrual pads. To date, Smart Girls has reached 500,000 girls with their signature menstrual kits (including 10,000 who have consequently stayed in school), 300 women with skills-based trainings and 50 women with career placement opportunities. The organization's efforts have also had a ripple effect impact on the families and communities of women and girls across Uganda.In this episode, Jamila talks to us about the inspiration behind Smart Girls; how it evolved from a self-esteem mentorship program to a “360 degree empowerment” system serving thousands of women and girls across Uganda; the menstrual/gender equity challenges it seeks to address; and incredible stories of women who rose from the ashes through the Smart Girls program to become successful “power queens.”Highlights:Why Jamila's experience with childhood bullying inspired her to create Smart Girls as a safe space for young girls suffering from low self-esteemHow widespread period poverty keeps Ugandan girls from staying in school All about Smart Girls' three core programs:Smart Bags 4 Girls, which helps girls stay in school with reusable menstrual kits and solar-powered study lightsGirls With Tools, which trains women in traditionally male-dominated skillsets like carpentry, welding and mechanics Business Girl Magic, which incubates Girls with Tools graduates and connects them with career opportunitiesHow the Smart Bags 4 Girls program is keeping girls in school - while also giving second-chance education and income-generating opportunities to those who never had the opportunity to graduate in their youthStories and numbers that illustrate Smart Girls' incredible impact Connect:Website: www.smartgirlsfoundation.orgInstagram/Twitter: @smartgirlsugFacebook: @SmartGirlsUgandaBio:Jamila Mayanja has eight years of experience working with for-profit companies and social ventures. While completing her bachelor's degree at Makeire University Business School in Kampala, she was hired to join the marketing team of one of the top SMS companies in Uganda. She also volunteered with a number of nonprofits including IRI's Green Light Movement, and became a member of the Generation Change US Chapter. In 2012, Jamila started a social venture called Smart Girls Uganda: a nonprofit company that empowers young girls and women through trainings that build self-esteem. In 2017, she innovated The Smart Bags 4 Girls product: a comprehensive menstrual hygiene bag with kits and educational programming designed to help girls in Uganda to stay in school during their menses. Because of her work, she was chosen to be part of the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative where President Obama recognized her for curbing youth unemployment. Jamila's Smart Bags 4 Girls idea has also been selected as a winner of the Openideo UNFPA Young People's Sexual and Reproductive Health Challenge.Support the show (http://bit.ly/donatetodfg)

Notre invité du jour nous vient tout droit de #Madagascar. Un plaisir pour moi de recevoir dans mon univers, Précieux Rajaofera. Il est un jeune malgache qui œuvre pour le leadership des jeunes. En 2019, Il a été sélectionné par le Département d'État Américain pour participer au programme de leadership, Mandela Washington Fellowship. Rajaofera aurait aimé savoir que la patience est une vertu qu'il faut cultiver. Comme il se plaît à le dire, "il faut attendre 9 mois pour avoir un enfant au lieu de mettre enceinte 9 femmes". Raj aurait aimé également savoir que la planification du départ peut ne pas se passer comme on l'aurait voulu. Nous avons également pris plaisir à parler développement, recherche en Afrique et vaccin contre la Covid19. Et vous, que pensez-vous de la polémique autour de la vaccination contre la Covid19 en Afrique? Je vous invite à écouter cet épisode édifiant sur toutes les plateformes. https://linktr.ee/Gbetedem J'en profite pour vous laisser par ici le lien de notre cagnotte. Vos contributions nous seront utiles pour les épisodes à venir. Merci pour le soutien...https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8yW3LxaDxk Et pour ceux qui veulent s'abonner afin de recevoir directement la publication des épisodes par mail ou via whatsapp, telegram etc, je vous laisse ce lien http://eepurl.com/hBMosD Bonne écoute mes gens. Et n'oubliez pas : "la vie a un début et une fin, l'important c'est ce que vous en faites. Faites-en donc quelque chose d'utile". Par ailleurs, RDV le 17 juillet 2021 au Centre National de Transfusion sanguine à Lomé (Togo_ de 8h à 12h pour le don de sang. Sauvons des vies! Tout est dit là-dessus dans l'épisode 18. Production : Edem Gbetoglo Montage : Edem Gbetoglo Réalisation : Edem Gbetoglo Création musicale du début de l'épisode par Kodjo Evenya alias ©The iRick.

Her dad taught her gender equality. Now, entrepreneur and alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program Olive Michele Dol-Somse is training and empowering women in the Central African Republic to help them move past gender as an obstacle.

Bienvenue á l’épisode 3 de la deuxième saison du podcast, aujourd’hui je reçois Victorine Sarr, fondatrice de la marque de cosmétiques Lyvv Cosmetics.Victorine a fondé Lyvv Cosmetics en 2015. Elle est diplômée d’ISG PARIS et possède plus de 8 ans d’expérience au sein d’entreprises comme Apple & L’Oréal.En 2015, elle a été sélectionnée pour faire partie de la Mandela Washington Fellowship et cette opportunité lui a donné le coup de pouce dont elle avait besoin pour faire fonctionner l’entreprise.Nous avons parlé :De son parcoursDu passage du monde corporatif à l’entrepreneuriatetc.Joignez-nous sur notre compte Instagram pour discuter et nous poser des questions. Cliquez sur ce lien pour avoir accès á toutes nos infos. Inscrivez-vous á notre bulletin d’information pour être les premiers á être au courant de nos news. 

Chipo Chikomo is an award-winning DfG Social Entrepreneur, businesswoman and innovator whose work is revolutionizing the menstrual health space in Zimbabwe. She is passionate aboutproviding truly sustainable, locally-led solutions to period poverty - and empowering women and girls with the menstrual products, education and technical skills they need to thrive. She is the brilliant mind behind Nhanga Trust (meaning “girl’s bedroom” in the local Shona language): an Enterprise that trains women in underserved communities to sew and distribute DFG pads, tackling period poverty while earning an income for their families. Chipo’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and forging your own path forward, no matter what obstacles stand in your way. In this episode, she shares what inspired her to partner with Days for Girls, the challenges faced by Zimbabwean menstruators, the ins and outs of running a trailblazing social enterprise and her vision for the future. Tune in for your weekly dose of inspiration – just in time for International Women’s Day!Highlights:How winning the Obama Administration’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in 2016 led Chipo to Days for GirlsWhat first inspired her to tackle period poverty in Zimbabwe: her experience working in a rural, underserved community after collegeThe importance of sustainable menstrual health solutions that include comprehensive education and skills training – not just product distributionsThe challenges of being an innovator in this space: how she has stayed focused and grounded throughout challenges and doubt from friends/familyAll about the Nhanga Trust Enterprise, including key partnershipsHer vision for the next 10 years: reaching every menstruator in Zimbabwe, becoming a household name, developing capacity for humanitarian relief in other countries, and more! Connect:·  Email: Chipo@DaysforGirls.org·  LinkedIn: Chipo Chikomo·  Facebook: @NhangaTrust·  Twitter: @nhangatrust BioChipo Chikomo is a leading social entrepreneur whose vision is to revolutionize the feminine hygiene industry. Chipo not only wants to ensure that women and girls have access to sustainable menstrual health products, but are empowered with the technical expertise to manufacture them locally. Her quest to empower women and girls drove her to start an organization/Enterprise called Nhanga Trust, which in the Shona language means the ‘girls bedroom’. Her passion for empowering women and girls to be the drivers of their destiny led her to partner with Days for Girls International in training underserved women to make reusable sanitary kits for rural school girls.Chipo received a full scholarship in Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (2013) from the Kanthari Institute in India, an institute founded by the world renowned Sabriye Tenberken (a 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee). In 2015, she was the only female amongst five USADF grant competition winners in Zimbabwe. Most notably, Chipo was part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2016: a flagship program started by the former President Barack Obama. She has also participated in the Business and Entrepreneurship track at the University of Iowa in the United States.Chipo holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology and Sociology from Africa University and is featured on the university website along with other platforms like the 25th Silver Jubilee Anniversary Newsletter (2017). In 2018, she was one of the Green Innovation Youth winners in Zimbabwe, and won Best Eco-Innovation in Zimbabwe by Support the show (http://bit.ly/donatetodfg)

On this edition of C-Sessions with your host, Randall Broad, Randy interviews Andy Peet, Telehealth Program Manager along with Dr. Jennie Crews, M.D., Medical Director, both with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. C-Session will air Wednesday, November 18th at 4 p.m. Telehealth has accelerated heavily since the COVID 19 Pandemic. And SCCA has expanded Telehealth services significantly in the past year. Please join in and learn about the latest breakthrough and benefits of communication via phone and Zoom with treatment providers. Dr. Crews is Medical Director for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Network, Administrative and Medical Director for SCCA Community Sites and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington. Her clinical focus is Survivorship. She received her B.S. in Biology with highest honors from UNC- Chapel Hill and completed her MD and oncology fellowship at Duke University. She earned a Master in Medical Management from the University of Southern California. Dr. Crews was President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers from 2016-2017 and is Editor-in-Chief of ACCC’s Oncology Issues. She is a reviewer for the ASCO-SEP and has Co-Chaired the ASCO Practice Guidelines Implementation Network. She is the current President of the Washington State Medical Oncology Society. Andy Peet is excited to be working at the intersection of technology and healthcare as the Telehealth Program Manager at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Prior to joining the telehealth team, he was the Manager of Medical Staff Services and Access in the Medical Director’s Office of SCCA. A seasoned healthcare operations, project, and people manager, Mr. Peet has served in various operational and technical roles at SightLife, the largest global health NGO focused on eliminating corneal blindness, and as a Project Manager in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Mr. Peet serves on the board of Cancer Lifeline, an outstanding nonprofit providing supportive care services to cancer patients and caregivers, and is a member of the Advisory Committee of Seattle Repertory Theater. He has served as a reviewer for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, the Jessica L Peet Scholarship, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. He has also served terms on the board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Seattle, Seattle Musical Theater, and Team Up for Nonprofits. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Pacific Lutheran University.

On this edition of C-Sessions with your host, Randall Broad, Randy interviews Andy Peet, Telehealth Program Manager along with Dr. Jennie Crews, M.D., Medical Director, both with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. C-Session will air Wednesday, November 18th at 4 p.m. Telehealth has accelerated heavily since the COVID 19 Pandemic. And SCCA has expanded Telehealth services significantly in the past year. Please join in and learn about the latest breakthrough and benefits of communication via phone and Zoom with treatment providers. Dr. Crews is Medical Director for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Network, Administrative and Medical Director for SCCA Community Sites and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington. Her clinical focus is Survivorship. She received her B.S. in Biology with highest honors from UNC- Chapel Hill and completed her MD and oncology fellowship at Duke University. She earned a Master in Medical Management from the University of Southern California. Dr. Crews was President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers from 2016-2017 and is Editor-in-Chief of ACCC’s Oncology Issues. She is a reviewer for the ASCO-SEP and has Co-Chaired the ASCO Practice Guidelines Implementation Network. She is the current President of the Washington State Medical Oncology Society. Andy Peet is excited to be working at the intersection of technology and healthcare as the Telehealth Program Manager at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Prior to joining the telehealth team, he was the Manager of Medical Staff Services and Access in the Medical Director’s Office of SCCA. A seasoned healthcare operations, project, and people manager, Mr. Peet has served in various operational and technical roles at SightLife, the largest global health NGO focused on eliminating corneal blindness, and as a Project Manager in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Mr. Peet serves on the board of Cancer Lifeline, an outstanding nonprofit providing supportive care services to cancer patients and caregivers, and is a member of the Advisory Committee of Seattle Repertory Theater. He has served as a reviewer for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, the Jessica L Peet Scholarship, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. He has also served terms on the board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Seattle, Seattle Musical Theater, and Team Up for Nonprofits. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Pacific Lutheran University.

In this Episode I talk with Edouard Claude Oussou who is based in Gabon Africa He is Founder and CEO for Scientia Africa based in Gabon Africa, where they assembles digital services dedicated to education. They use Technology and software to provide access to online digital services for educational communities which included colleges and high schools, as well as for students and their families Edouard has received several distinctions across Africa such as the Top 40 Education Innovators in Africa by the African Union Commission in 2019 and the distinction for Technological Innovation in Education at the Gabonese's Awards 2018 Edouard will share how Scientia is Educating Africa through digital transformation and how he is expanding his service across the Continent in the the countries of the Ivory Coast and Comoros. We will also learn about his experience in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program which Invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are shaping the continent’s future in Business, Tech and Civic engagement. The program also helps deepen partnerships and connections between the United States and Africa.

Emeka recently partnered with the US department of state to run Nigeria's first Disability Hackathon - which featured 31 student-led teams in a 5-day marathon series of App innovation, prototyping, and testing, aimed at creating market viable technology solutions for persons with disability. Three Participating teams won the sum of 1 million Naira to develop their solution. Emeka is a recipient of numerous awards and prizes for his contribution to the development of the entrepreneurship eco-system in Nigeria including the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship, an initiative of the US State Department for emerging young African leaders.In 2019, Emeka worked with Coca Cola on the Global Project  " Youth Empowered " which impacted over 5000 young people across 6 Universities. Currently, he is working with several university partners to help set up entrepreneurship labs and entrepreneurial spaces on campuses for innovative students to access practical entrepreneurship & employability education, business mentoring, funding opportunities, and various forms of support.--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What is Pan-Africanism? Pan-Africanism is a worldwide movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all indigenous and diaspora ethnic groups of African descent. We discuss how having a Pan-African mindset and being an activist can affect change as African's have their own reality that differs from that of Europeans, Asians, or Americans therefor good governance by Africans for Africans will lead to the development of Africa. In this episode of Umoja Sessions, I am joined by Espoir Ngalukiye a non-violent activist from Congo DRC, and member of the LUCHA a non-violent and non-partisan movement. In 2018, he became national coordinator of the “Chemin de la Paix”, the vision of Dr Denis Mukwege (Nobel Peace Prize 2018). He is one of the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship program scholarship recipients funded by the US State Department dedicated to young African leaders. The BBC, then the Belgian Television RTBF made a documentary on the fight within LUCHA they fought against the dictatorship by demanding the elections from 2016 to 2018, you can follow the entire documentary in French via this link https: // www.youtube.com/watch?v=SilFp92z_5k&t=11s The English version via this link https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-46264081/la-lucha-fighting-for-a-better-dr-congo http://www.espoir-ngalukiye.com/biographie/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/umojasessions/support

Alfred Adjabeng is the founding executive director of Reach Out to Future Leaders Movement (ROFLM), a community-development-based organisation that is responsible for ensuring that young people are educated, empowered and engaged for local development in Ghana.  School Farms is ROFLM's flagship programme. School Farms supports rural schools in Ghana to be food sufficient by creating community-driven farms to grow what they eat.  Alfred is also passionate about social innovation, development practice, public policy and environmental sustainability. He is a Chevening scholar at the Institute of Development Studies, the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. He also has several impressive accolades: Awarded African Youth SDG Achiever of the year by Africa Youth SDGs Summit and the UNDP in 2018 Selected to be one of 40 Young African Innovators to Attend Africa4Tech Conference in Morocco in 2016 Was among 40 young people in Ghana awarded the 2016 MBC Fellowship for contribution to local agriculture development in 2016 Came second place in the 2016 West Africa Regional Mandela Washington Fellows Regional Conference's pitch competition (pitch was on ‘Achieving Zero Hunger in Schools-The school farms programme approach') Youth keynote speaker at the second Global Youth Summit on Youth Agribusiness, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship Summit on Innovation in Dakar-Senegal. Awarded the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders by President Obama in 2015 Was among 23 young Africans awarded SETAfrica 2014 Fellowship by Makerere University Business School in Uganda for contribution in advancing Social Entrepreneurship in Africa.   ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Find the show notes here ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ *** SOCIALIZE WITH US *** Website Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube

Koketso Mookodi of Wild Bird Trust Botswana discusses celebrating Indigenous knowledge through their work in the region. We look at her current project, the Educators expeditions, for which she has received a National Geographic grant. The Ngashi Classic and what to expect from it in 2020 and celebrating the unique cultures of this region. Koki shares some unique tips on safari'ing locally and her insights from her Mandela Washington Fellowship in New York in 2017. This is an episode about being proud of what we have in region, celebrating what makes it unique and benefiting the people living alongside tourism through education, adventure and exploration.For more info on the work she is doing visit www.wildbirdtrust.com.

Passionate youth development professional Juanitill Pettus, our very first guest on the podcast, shares her resilient and exciting journey to becoming the consultant she is now. She tells us about her experience being chosen for The Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2016, shares some thoughts around young professionals during this lockdown period and has her something to say!

This week we meet social innovator, Valarie Labi at the iDE-International Development Enterprises offices in the heart of Accra's innovation hub in Osu. Valarie is the iDE Country Director and founder of Sama Sama, a social enterprise catalysing sanitation and hygiene markets by integrating the entire sanitation value chain and with the aim of providing toilets to more than 300,000 people by the end of this year. Among her other hats is rather a crown, she is the Queen Mother of Sanitation, and she was also among the inaugural class of young African Leaders taking part in the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Links of Interest Val's work at iDE (http://www.ideglobal.org/people/valerie-labi) About Sama Sama (http://www.samasamaghana.com) Mandela Washington Fellowship (http://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org) Val on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-labi-27217936/) Special Guest: Valerie Labi.

Seyi is a Digital Marketer and Content Developer. He led digital teams in the prominent agencies in Africa and also was the social media team for the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign in 2015. Although, he frequently creates digital skills training programs for 'the undubbed' and creates video content on food, culture, and lifestyle of Africans. 'Seyi is also currently a mentor on the Tony Elumelu Foundation and a fellow of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.He recently took a break from work to experience different cultures on a road trip through West African countries.In conversation with Tomi Wale, he shared his experiences with languages, cultural orientation and world view of citizens of West African countries. He also talked about the possibilities of a united Africa in economic and social growth--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

A group of young African leaders is at Boise State for more than a month of intensive training. This is the Mandela Washington Fellowship, where they take college courses and leadership training while networking at colleges around the country. We talk to a pair of fellows in the program about what they are learning.

We had a conversation over lunch here in Pennsylvania with other Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Tulimelila Shityuwete, was selected to be one of the Young African Leaders who attended the Mandela Washington Fellowship in America, she works in Human Rights and Development, and is well known as a remarkable Namibian dancer. This dynamic woman joins us for this episode of the MYD Show to talk empathy as the key in tolerance and acceptance.

Dominique Uwase Alonga is a Rwandan entrepreneur who in 2015 founded Imagine We Rwanda, a social enterprise on a mission to develop a vibrant reading culture in Rwanda and across Africa through advocacy and publication of books written about Africans by Africans. Dominique was only 22 when she quit her first post-university job and set out to establish Imagine We. Since then, she has won a $25,000 grant from Tigo, Rwanda’s second largest mobile service provider, published four children’s books, and was recognised by multiple awards, including the Imbuto Foundation’s Celebrating Young Rwandan Achievers award, the World Bank’s #Blog4Dev contest, and the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. In this episode we talk about: Illiteracy and its negative impact on African communities; Why representation matters; Finding the courage to quit your job; What makes a successful entrepreneur; and Finding your life’s purpose. Discover more about Dominique and her work in the show notes to this episode.

In this episode, we had the opportunity to interview Victoria Yeboah, a young African leader with the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. It started in 2014 and this year, the Fellowship has provided 1,000 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home. The Fellows range in age from 25 to 35 and have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive impact in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. The Fellows represent a diverse group of leaders from 48 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and 50 percent of Fellows are women. Each fellow is connected with a local leader or organization for mentorship during the program. We had the privilege of being paired with Victoria Yeboah, a midwife and NGO leader who provides sexual and reproductive health education in Wenchi, a rural town in Ghana. In our "Ask Mabel" segment, Terry Marley-DeRosier, WHNP answers a very common question about bodies after childbirth.

Bukky Shonibare describes the longstanding personal impact of the Presidential Precinct on her daily work, promoting girls' education in Nigeria. Bukky is a Presidential Precinct alumna, having attended the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Bukky Shonibare, a Strategic Team Leader for the Bring Back Our Girls movement, discusses the recent freeing of 82 Chibok school girls from Boko Haram in Nigeria, along with underlying challenges regarding access to education for young girls. Bukky is a Presidential Precinct alumna, having attended the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Chipokosa Tepula, the co-founder of the Kaychi Aquaponics, talks building the first aquaponics farm in Zambia, how is is going to become a distributor to major retailers, and training farmers in his region. He also discusses how the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative is helping him build his business.

Emeka Ossai, the founder of the Nigerian Campus Enterprise Challenge, talks about his goal of training 1 million Nigerian entrepreneurs by 2020. He also discusses how the networks that he his building during his time as a Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative is helping him build his business.

I had an interview with Adekunbi Adeoye, the founder of Sesewa, the FIRST internship placement company in Nigeria. She is known as the First Lady of Internships because she created the internship placement industry in Nigeria.   TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Adekunbi’s story of how she got to where she is today How an internship in a law firm changed her career Her first paying customer Becoming the solution to a serious problem in Nigeria Why internships are important in Nigeria Why networking offline is incredibly important in Nigeria Starting from where you are Importance of mentorship Lessons learned during The Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2015 (YALI)   * Heads up, during small parts of the interview our voices overlap, it was a bug in the Ringr Mobile software. :( *

Fombah Lasana Kanneh is an entrepreneur and has been working with impoverished youths in slum communities on waste recycling for sustainable livelihood for more than three years. He is the chief executive officer of Youth Empowerment Training, a social enterprise that focuses on educating impoverished kids in slum communities with skills and materials in order to reduce poverty. Currently, he has an ongoing campaign called Leave No Child Behind, helping children with needy school materials and scholarships. Fombah is a member of the US Ambassador's Council of Youth Advisors in Liberia, and a candidate for BBA degree in Marketing Management from the University of Liberia, with a diploma in Entrepreneurship and youth development from Casimiro Global Foundation in the United States. As a fellow emerging from the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he plans to use the knowledge and skills acquired to mentor youths in slum communities on entrepreneurship and career development.

She has over four years' experience in the community empowerment sector, focused on women and youth development. She is deputy coordinator for Collectif Des Association Pour La Citoyennetè Et La Sauvegarde Des Acquis Democratique Au Tchad, where she focuses on the association's training, management, and leadership. She is a contact person for IAVE in Chad, and the founder and president of a regional initiative for women and youth advancement, the goal of which is to strengthen the collaboration between African women and youth for sustainable development. Mami holds a Master’s degree in Project Management from Iscam Tchad, which enables her to help associations with writing and monitoring projects, and upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she plans to continue working hard in gender equality, women’s rights and protection, and youth involvement in every development sector of the country.

For Peter Mumo, escaping a childhood of hunger and poverty in Kenya began with an empty bowl, a nervous excitement, and the delivery of his very first school meal. These simple meals and the encouragement of his parents would change the trajectory of his life. M.J. talks to Peter about what it was like sharing a scarce amount of food with five brothers growing up, how he’s helping transform the way his homeland feeds its people and being selected for President Obama’s prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship.

  Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa, founder of the organization Shine on Africa, grew up in an orphanage since the age of one. He attained primary and secondary education in Harare, Zimbabwe, and went to study in South Africa towards a Diploma in Sports Management in 2006. Tafadzwa, at the age of 25, became totally blind in 2009 due to a retinal detachment that resulted from cataracts. Consequently, he found life tough and felt his window to the world had been shattered. As a Christian, he never gave up on the Lord and he received grace and strength. He went for rehabilitation in unaided mobility and brail in 2010 and proceeded to obtain a Certificate in Counselling from Connect Zimbabwe. Later that year, he featured in a local national television drama series that ran from September 15, 2010 to March, 2011. In the same year, he received a one-year scholarship to study at the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs in Trivandrum, Kerala, India (Southern India) in 2011. Through such opportunities availed to him, he embarked on a path to change the lives of blind people in Zimbabwe. He was a delegate at the UN African Youth Conference in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2012. In 2014, Tafadzwa was amongst the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. He was at Northwestern University, Illinois, Chicago, USA, where he was studying Business and Entrepreneurship. His highlight was when he attended a 3 day presidential summit were he shook hands with President of the United States of America Barak Obama and first lady Michele Obama in Washington DC. The Junior Chamber International (JCI) awarded Tafadzwa in the 2015 Top 10 outstanding young Zimbabweans for his Humanitarian and voluntary work he has done with people with disabilities.