Abigail Adumolga, Ghana
Abigail Adumolga is from the Upper East Region of Ghana but did all her education in southern Ghana before moving to work in her home region. She is trained as a social worker from the School of Social Work, University of Ghana and the University of Education. Working and interacting with young people in society is what she is passionate about. Abigail has dedicated her life to educating young people on their sexuality and what it entails, especially during the adolescence, as well as counseling services to those with psycho-social challenges. Abigail's passion for children led her to work with a youth-focused organization in the Upper East region. She is a Youth Center Coordinator of the Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana (YHFG) In this capacity, she has developed and implemented youth-friendly programs such as weekly health lessons on adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the upper primary, junior and senior high schools as well as out-of-school youth, annual Youth Parliaments on topical areas with regards to youth development, annual sports tournament for young people including the disabled, child marriage projects, and the Girls Remedial school. She believes young people should not only be seen, but heard as well and that can only happen when they are given the chance to express their views and are free from all harmful practices including child marriage. Abigail believes in Jesus Christ and worships with the Fountain Gate Chapel, Desert Pastures, Bolgatanga, and is a member of the discipleship department of her church. She also served as an executive member in Desert Parash, the youth wing of the church, in various capacities. Abigail is a member of the Upper East Regional Child Protection Network and Savannah Accelerated Development Authority Zone Coalition of Civil Society Organizations. She has participated in a British Council exchange program to the United Kingdom, project management training in Cairo, Egypt and a child protection training by UNICEF in the Northern Region. She has mentored and continues to mentor many young people.
Valerio Odubayo Thompson Boco, Equatorial Guinea
Valerio O. Thompson Boco is a social entrepreneur and a filmmaker. He has a diploma certificate on Social Development and Administration from the University of Lagos, a diploma in Computer Studies and Human Resources from the National University of Equatorial Guinea, and a diploma in Filmmaking at the Spanish cultural center, Malabo. He is also a 2016 nominee for the Africa Youth Awards under the category of Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Valerio has seven years? leadership experience from being a class governor at the department of SDA, to becoming the current youth leader at the Redeem Christian Church of God parish in Equatorial Guinea. He is the founder of an organization called Girl Child Empowerment Initiative and is the country representative of Global Institute for Women Empowerment. Valerio is currently working on a project to establish a leadership, entrepreneurship, and vocational training institute for young women and youth in his country. This project was selected to be funded for the 2017 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program. He is working on his next film to be used as a tool for social change
Nneamaka Faith Mokwe, Nigeria
Nneamaka Faith Mokwe has over ten years experience integrating children with developmental challenges into society. Nneamaka is the founder/coordinator at Eliakim Global Resources Limited, which focuses on mainstreaming children with developmental challenges into regular schools. Nneamaka also volunteers her services by training and equipping learning support assistants to provide one on one integration techniques and services for the children in Nigeria, Egypt, and Jamaica. Nneamaka holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Lagos state University and a certificate in entrepreneurship development from Pan African University. She also holds various certifications in behavioral management and special needs training. Nneamaka is fully committed to the fact that individuals with developmental challenges have equal rights to education and life skills and in a continent where segregation is king, she pushes for equality by providing individuals with developmental challenges the skills to integrate fully and fearlessly in society. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington fellowship, Nneamaka hopes to push further by setting up a life skills center for individuals with developmental challenges; to get them employment and consult for those bold enough to become entrepreneurs.
Kingdom Uchenna Nwanyanwu, Nigeria
Kingdom U. Nwanyanwu has over 11 years of experience in the community development sector. Currently, Kingdom is the founder and Executive Director at D-Ability Initiative, where he focuses on providing Peer Education Training for teenagers on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS prevention and care. He also teaches Deaf and hard of hearing persons in American Sign Language (ASL) and supports them through the provision of skills acquisition and empowerment programs. Kingdom is currently working on his Master?s dissertation on Management Sciences, focusing on Accounting. Kingdom is driven by his desire to see an end to the stigmatization of Deaf and hard of hearing people and to promote a society that is devoid of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Kingdom plans to continue his mentoring work and to establish a special institute to provide Peer Education Training for teenagers, and ASL education and skills acquisition and empowerment for Deaf and hard of hearing people.
Edson Paulo Santos Silva, Cabo Verde
Edson "Batchart' Silva is an award-winning Cape Verdean rapper and social activist. His music has been an active and powerful voice in defense of social issues, especially in the advocacy of public policies for young people.
Mahamane Fondogoumo Djitteye, Mali
Mahamane Fondogoumo Djitteye is a Malian journalist and peace activist. In 2012, after spending 7 years as a consultant, translator, and storyteller for international visitors, he began his journalism career covering Mali?s civil war. He runs the "Timbuktu: Land of Peace and Culture" website (http://voicesofpeace.wixsite.com/timbuktu) and is communications director for the Timbuktu Renaissance Project. He was born in 1986 in the fabled desert city of Timbuktu, where he was raised. In November 2006, Mahamane participated the regional youth summit on countering violent extremism in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He speaks fluent English, French, Songhai, Bambara, Arabic, and Tamasheq. He has a master?s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Bamako. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington fellowship, Mahamane plans to continue his works in empowering youth of Timbuktu in civic leadership, promoting peace, education, countering the violent extremism narrative online, while focusing on using the cultural heritage of Timbuktu as catalyst for lasting peace and development opportunities on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
Santa Aziz Suleyman Santana, Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC)
Santa Aziz has over 12 years? experience in community work. Currently, Santa is the Executive Director of Maisha Mazuri, which is an NGO focusing on building an efficient social service network between the government and orphanage centers. She also supports LGBT centers in developing legal structures linked to the government social services. Santa holds a master?s degree in Human Resources from Cambridge DALC University in Kenya.Committed to social justice, she is confident that one day the world will see an open-minded society with equal resources and opportunities for everybody, including orphans and other socially excluded individuals and groups. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Santa plans to help orphanages develop a lobby that will influence government policies in a way that gives equal opportunities to all children alike.
Matchisa Zimba, Zambia
Matchisa Zimba is a blind advocate who teaches at the St. Antanazio Secondary School in Zambia. He received his Teacher?s Diploma in Civic Education and Religious Education at David Livingstone college of Education in 2014. He advocates for other blind people in his community by working with various non-governmental organizations.
Siedoh Freeman, Liberia
Dr. Siedoh Freeman is a Co-Founder of a local NGO, the Community Based Initiative for Disease Surveillance and Sustainable Development (CBI-DSSD). She has a BSC in Biology and is a graduate of the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, University of Liberia. Professionally, she has served as a Peer Educator for the Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia (PPAL), as a Monitor for the Election Coordinating Committee (ECC), and as a National UN Volunteer for the UNDP to track and report ebola virus disease (EVD) cases during the ebola outbreak. Currently, she is a part-time Training Officer at the CBI-DSSD; employed with the Liberian Ministry of Health and assigned as a Medical Officer at the Phebe Hospital in Bong County, Liberia. Her volunteerism and professional goal of becoming an obstetrician and public health practitioner links with her desire to contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality with emphasis on community involvement.
Safia Aminami A Mme Isoufou Oumarou, Niger
Safia Aminami has over 10 years of experience as a Musician. She is a singer in Kaidan Gaskia, a hip hop group who uses social issues as an influence. Safia holds a Bachelor's degree in Bank Management. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Safia will continue to reach and inspire more people in the world through her music.
Francisca Afiavi Senami Dossou, Benin
Francisca Afiavi Senami Dossou has seven years of experience in educational and vocational guidance in Benin. Currently, Francisca is a Communication Specialist and owns her advertisement agency which helps companies interact with their public efficiently. With her team, she organizes an education fair to help students chose the best studies and careers in line with their capacities. Francisca holds a master's degree in Companies and International Organization Communication from Paris Sorbonne University in France. She strongly believes that having a good guidance policy is key to reduce youth unemployment in Africa. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Francisca plans on opening a guidance center in each of the 77 municipalities in order to impact more than 1,000,000 youth all over the country.
Habone Mohamed Said, Djibouti
Habon Mohamed Said has worked for the University of Djibouti as a Software Engineer since 2010 and also teaches software as part-time lecturer. From 2011 to 2013, she was Interim Head of the Software Department. In September 2013, she participated an Oracle Campus Solutions project. Implementing the Oracle Campus Solution made the University of Djibouti the first French-speaking African university system to use this campus solution designed for Anglo-Saxon university systems. In her free time, she helps the students of the university to learn software development.Upon returning from the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Habone intends to apply the knowledge and experiences acquired to support the most vulnerable by promoting education. Habone will start a project that is close to her heart, helping children with mental problems. The Fellowship will help her better understand the needs of children with mental illnesses and how her software can answer their needs.
Ludma Keiling, Angola
Ludma Keiling is a English language teacher by profession at an Adventist college in Lobito- Angola. She studied English language teaching Course at Universidade Katyavala Bwila in Angola. She is currently writing her thesis on syllabus design based on the learner's needs. She is passionate about serving her community and working with vulnerable children with the assistance of a local day care center ' Caminho para o Futuro'. She is a member of the Adventist Women Empowerment Association that strives to give voice to the women in her community. Ludma is also a member of the English Language Learning and Teaching Association of Angola (ANELTA) which promotes English language learning and teaching.
Juveline Ngum Ngwa Ep Njimefor, Cameroon
Juveline Ngum Ngwa has over nine years of experience in volunteering in the community development sector, focusing specifically on education. Juveline is currently the Education Development Officer with the NGO, Abundant Grace Foundation. She focuses on educating underprivileged youths on leadership, music, and entrepreneurial skills. She holds a Second Cycle Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Bamenda. Juveline is passionate about providing free education to the underprivileged in her country by volunteering in rural schools. She hopes to contribute to alleviating the problem of poverty through education. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Juveline plans to continue her work in education by transferring practical skills and experience gained from the fellowship to her colleagues, students, and other organizations.
Moussa Kone, Cote d'Ivoire
Moussa Kone is the founder and President of Anglo Net Corporation (ANC). He has 12 years of experience in promoting and teaching the English language in schools and community institutions. Kone studied English at the University Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, before creating ANC Learners? School; an intensive English learning program where he works as General Manager and Coach of bilingual careers. Kane believes in the power of education and equal opportunity for all. After the fellowship, he plans to diversify the training of ANC Learners? School and open three new sections of the program in Abidjan districts with high poverty and economic blight. This foundation will not only provide classes on entrepreneurship, English, computing, and acting but also train in services like hairdressing and cosmetics, plumbing, electricity and house helpers and gardeners.
Ditshego Ditshego, South Africa.
Ditshego Ditshego is a journalist, writer and future philanthropist.When she is not chasing stories or starting crucial law amending conversations, she is a feminist, gender equality activist and LGBTIAQ+ activist with a passion for women and children's rights. She is the founder of GaySA Radio, which is the ONLY LGBTIAQ+ radio station on the African continent, which provides a voice for the gay community. We also offer asylum assistance for displaced gay youth throughout all of Africa. She also runs programs that offer women's health alternatives by providing menstrual kit and support for HIV/Aids orphans and also is involved in PEP and PrEP awareness and distribution. In her spare time, she runs an organization called WADS (Women Against Dream Selling) which teaches young women strategies on how not to fall prey to coercive intentions of the opposite sex.
Boikhutso Queen Molefe, South Africa
Boikhutso Queen Molefe has a National Diploma in Orientation and Mobility Practice, and a certificate from UNISA, in people-centered community development. She is currently employed at Nkosinathi foundation for the blind. Boikhutso previously worked at the Nelson Mandela Metro University as an Orientation and Mobility Practitioner. She has since opened her own private practice.
Dennis Ayoyi Nyanje, Kenya
Ayoyi Dennis has over three years of experience in the education sector, with broader focus on special needs education and community development. Currently, Ayoyi is a Principal at Rifkins College in Mombasa, Kenya, where he is developing and lobbying to adopt educational programs that are enhancing the accessibility of vocational education for persons with special needs. Ayoyi holds a bachelor's degree in Education with specialization in Special Education from Moi University. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Commerce at MT Kenya University. Ayoyi is driven by the quest to provide education for all, including persons with special needs, without discrimination and hopes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal Education 2030 that is "Education for all". Ayoyi envisages an all inclusive society that will liberate all the populace from the shackles of illiteracy regardless of race, gender, tribe, or disability and empower all in discovering their career aspirations. Upon completion of Mandela Washington Fellowship, Ayoyi wishes to advocate for quality inclusive education that will serve as a hotbed of innovation when it comes to the career spectrum for persons with special needs.
Peter Odhiambo Bwire, Kenya
Peter Bwire has over six years? experience working with non-profit organizations in Kenya, specifically focusing on development through art and media. Currently, Peter is the founder and Director of the Dots Village, where he intends to strategically reach the youth through visual and performing arts to promote unity and socio-economic growth. Peter also volunteers with Christian artists, movements and his local church in Nairobi in mentorship, discipleship, event organizing and community building activities and missions. He holds a first-class Bachelor's degree in Theater Arts and Film Technology from Kenyatta University. Peter?s motivation is consistently drawn first from biblical principles, and secondly from a lifetime desire to see a diverse but united society characterized by cultured peace, love, and unity. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Peter will return to Kenya and work on his vision through his organization, Dots Village.
Kelvin Aloyce Lyimo, Tanzania
Kelvin Lyimo is an inspirational young leader and television host of a show called Skonga. He has created an initiative called Kijana Tambua Thamani Yako, which helps youth develop leadership skills and practices. He is a final year student at the University of Dar Es Salaam majoring in sociology under the college of Social Science.
Koketso Seipeleng Mookodi, Botswana
Koketso Seipleleng Mookodi is a 36-year old tourism practitioner, conservation educator, community mentor, dedicated partner, loving daughter and a mother of a bright, beautiful and curious two-year-old girl. Born and Educated in Gaborone, she moved to the Okavango Delta to pursue her passion for wildlife and people. Koketso has been in the tourism industry for 16 years, beginning as a Lodge Manager, determined to learn how Botswana could most benefit the tourism industry. After receiving her degree in Tourism Management, she became involved in the community side of tourism, educating and empowering the young and old in the Okavango Delta's communities. She has been able to establish a successful conservation education program as well as facilitate a growing women?s craft group within the communities that are close to the areas in which many safari camps operate. She is invested in bringing knowledge and self-esteem to the people of the Okavango Delta, and her intent is to equip them with enough knowledge to make conscious decisions regarding wildlife and the environment that they share. Her aim is to bring skills to these communities and the as well as help nurture rural enterprise as a means of generating an income from Botswana's tourism industry.
John Mokwetsi, Zimbabwe
John Mokwetsi is an award-winning journalist who has over ten years in the media industry, mainly focusing on digital media and training. Currently, John is the Online Editor of the biggest privately owned media house in Zimbabwe, having three titles under its belt. Here, he is in charge of strategy, online editorial, and newsroom skill enhancement for more than 60 journalists. John is a holder of a Master in Digital Media from the University of Sussex in the UK. John is motivated by reaching the marginalized areas using social media tools to allow a national discourse that is vital to the country's development. He hopes to focus on social media literacy for rural areas and schools after the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Obert Masaraure, Zimbabwe
Obert Masaraure has eight years of experience in the field of education. Obert is a teacher in a rural community in Zimbabwe. He holds a Bachelor's of Science degree with Honors in Chemical Technology. Currently, Obert is the National President of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ). He provides leadership and direction for the organization and leads networking and communication on behalf of the Union. Upon completion of the MWF, Masaraure will push for policy transformation in the education sector hoping to achieve a pro-poor education system.
Charlene Chekenya, Zimbabwe
Charlene Chekenya is a student at Chinhoyi University Of Technology studying for a Bachelor Of Science degree in Creative Art and Design. This path of study gave birth to a successful business in the production of fashion accessories from recycled and java materials. She is an advocate for the economic and educational opportunities of young women and girls in rural and marginalized communities through an organization she founded, STAND Foundation. Charlene has been recognized for her work in empowering young women and girls through dialogue sessions on women's and girls' rights, sanitary distributions, self defense lessons, and mentorship. She draws inspiration from a gender-based violence ordeal she has openly spoken about as a way of building up confidence of other young women and girls. She launched an initiative called Orange Cup in 10 communities as a socialization strategy, appealing to men to participate in the "End Violence Against Women and Girls" campaign. Charlene is also a Rotarian and a facilitator for the Voices against Violence curriculum under the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts. After the fellowship, she hopes to return home and create sustainable social security systems to support young women and girls in vulnerable and marginalized communities.