Vanessa Metou-Mouini Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo Vanessa Metou has over seven years’experience in activism and civic engagement in various fields, including education, socio-culture, and youth rights. Currently, she serves as the National Youth Council’s secretary in charge of legal affairs, where she is committed to defending the rights of the Congolese youth. Passionate about youth issues, she shows her leadership by reaching out and engaging with students and underprivileged youth in her community on a daily basis. She volunteers at the International University of Brazzaville, a private local university where she is chairperson of the students, and mentors younger students in the subject of law. Vanessa holds a master’s degree in International Criminal Law and is a member of the Technical Council of University. Once back in the Congo, she plans to create a nongovernmental youth organization with a focus on the rights of young people.
Dominic Boima Freetown, Sierra Leone Dominic Boima has over eight years of experience in working with women, children, and the youth. Currently, Dominic is the national child rights governance coordinator for Save the Children Sierra Leone, where he ensures the strategic development of the program, providing leadership and ensuring program quality and effective capacity of his team, and influencing national policies on children’s rights in Sierra Leone. He previously worked with the International Rescue Committee Sierra Leone as the women’s protection and empowerment program manager, supporting women’s networks and providing training on Sierra Leone’s gender laws. He also worked with the youth on reproductive health and life skills. Dominic holds an advanced diploma in Project Planning and Management from Cambridge International College and a certificate in Community Development Studies from the University of Makeni. After the Fellowship he plans to advance his personal charity and continue his work for deprived children.
Theresa Morfaw Bamenda, Cameroon Theresa Morfaw is a youth and gender activist, and radio presenter of ‘Unleashing Youth Voices’. She is co-founder of Ntankah Village Women CIG, and founder of ‘Youth for Change and Empowerment’. Theresa has over 10 years’ experience in developmental projects in economics, empowerment, leadership, gender-based violence, employment, and especially HIV/Aids and sexual and reproductive health. Her skills include effective communication, advocacy, and leadership development. Theresa is doing a master’s in Cultural Anthropology. She is a member of Groots International, Huairou Commission, and Women Land Link Africa. She has won many prestigious awards, like the Moremi Award for outstanding young African women leaders, and was a runnerup for the Queens Young Leaders award and the GAGWEESA Youth of the Year award. Upon her return home she hopes to strengthen her advocacy for young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health, and establish an inclusive youth center to empower diverse youth.
Stephen Ofori Kumasi, Ghana Stephen Ofori is interested in biodiversity and environmental conservation and is keen to see people act responsibly to conserve nature. Stephen has over seven years’ training and working experience in the field of conservation and ecosystem health. As a research and conservation officer for A Rocha Ghana, and co-founder of EcoCycle Ghana, Stephen designs and implements innovative conservation projects at the grassroots, regional, and national levels, all of which underpin Africa’s environmental sustainability. Stephen holds a Natural Resources Management degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and a professional certificate in Environmental Science from the University of British Columbia, where he studied more about the nexus that exists between man and nature. Importantly, Stephen envisions returning from the Fellowship as a refined environmental leader and contributing innovatively via scientific research, environmental advocacy, and sound conservation protocols to the goal of helping Ghana achieve its sustainable development goals.
Situmbeko (Stu) Wambulawae Lusaka, Zambia Situmbeko Wambulawae is a CURE Kids coordinator at Beit Cure Hospital in Zambia, which gives free, life-changing surgeries to children with disabilities. Using a camera, the internet, and social media tools, she acts as a liaison between the hospital, CURE headquarters, and the growing community of CURE friends and supporters. She is also the director of art4art, an organization aimed at children and young adults that uses the visual arts in cool and innovative ways to address the topic of HIV/Aids and other social issues. A journalist by profession, Situmbeko is a writer and poet who uses her words to speak to young people. After the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she plans to continue her work both in the hospital and art4art, where she will create projects that address the problems faced by children with Aids and those with disabilities.
Sam Gibba
Kartong, Gambia
Samuel Gibba has over two years of experience in various fields in community development, in particular designing and facilitating educational programmes and building eco-villages. Currently, he works as a marketing manager at Sandele Eco-Retreat and Learning Center. He also volunteers as assistant coordinator with the Peoples Coast Ecovillage Network, where the main focus is on working with 11 coastal villages ranging from southern Gambia to southern Senegal, building resilient communities with good livelihoods. Samuel holds a diploma in Marketing from the West African Insurance Institute in The Gambia. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he will continue to work with the Peoples Coast Ecovillage Network and strengthen the ongoing projects in his community.
Salif (Zaal) Kanoute Dakar, Senegal Salif Kanoute was born in a region in Senegal affected by a 33-year-old armed conflict. After earning his master’s in English and bachelor’s in Marketing Management, he decided to go back to support the most vulnerable communities of Ziguinchor, Senegal. As the head of 20 professionals and a federation of seven community-based associations, he devoted six years to helping 4,000 deprived children and youth aged from birth to 24. He facilitated their access to health, nutrition, early childhood care, education, leadership, life skills, economic empowerment, and initiatives to reinforce their participation, protection, confidence, and leadership. Salif joined the International Committee of the Red Cross Talent Acquisition team but still voluntarily offers child protection, participatory research, community development, strategic planning, project and program design, and management skills to his former organization. After completing the Fellowship, Salif plans to develop partnerships and projects, and share knowledge for the benefit of the vulnerable.
Ricardo Amunjera Walvisbay, Namibia With a 14-year career in the mining industry, Ricardo Amunjera uses this platform to educate and sensitize mine workers on the struggle towards LGBTI liberation within Namibia. He is a passionate social media advocate who uses his social media presence as a platform to reach out to the youth and their families when coming to terms with a family member’s sexual orientation or gender identification. Ricardo is currently doing a national diploma in Developmental and Industrial Psychology. He holds a certificate in Management Development and attended numerous courses on leadership development. Upon completion of the Fellowship, Ricardo will continue working with MPower to fight against HIV/Aids through mobilization, education and training of MSM and other community members to counter complacency and conformity that is characterizing the fight against HIV/Aids and discrimination in Namibia presently. He also completed two international short films on LGBT awareness and marriage equality.
Patrick Miller Harare, Zimbabwe Content/creative writer, performing artist, and concept developer Patrick Miller is an activist who is passionate about telling stories and creating imaginative content. A critically acclaimed writer and stage performer with close to a decade’s experience in the creative sector, Patrick was awarded the International Theatre Institute certificate of recognition for actively participating in the promotion and development of theatre in Zimbabwe. For the past four years, Patrick has been active in creative social engagement, working primarily with sexual minorities. In 2014, he launched Project iThemba, a youth-based initiative inspired to use media and the arts to create awareness of crucial issues and ignite positive action. He is currently the artistic director of Project iThemba. Patrick holds an honors degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Zimbabwe. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Patrick plans to foster competency in the future of activism: digital activism.
Kyeng (Mercy) Tetuh Bamenda, Cameroon Kyeng Mercy has over three years’ experience in epidemiology and community health research. She is presently the CEO of Value Health Africa, where she focuses on initiating, coordinating, and implementing health projects for the prevention and early detection of noncommunicable diseases, specifically diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and cancer (prostate and cervical). She volunteers with Home of Pearls Foundation and Build Our Women as their programs coordinator, and also gives lectures at the Florence Nightingale Biomedical Institute of Bamenda, where she engages students in volunteering in public health advocacy campaigns. Kyeng holds a master’s degree in Public Health/Epidemiology from the Catholic University of Central Africa. Her research focused on the epidemiology of impaired renal function in Bamenda, Cameroon. Upon her return from the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Kyeng intends to institute sustainable programs in partnership with all community health centers in the fight against noncommunicable diseases in Cameroon.
Kileni Fernando Windhoek, Namibia Kileni Apuki Fernando has two years’ experience advocating and producing advocacy materials for the San people in Namibia. Kileni is a board member of The Namibia San Council and is a co-founder of a San youth organization called //Ana-Jeh San Trust. She also volunteers at the Women’s Leadership Center for a program called ‘Speaking for Ourselves: Voices of the San Young Women’. Kileni is studying towards her Law degree with the Open University of Tanzania. She has completed several short courses sponsored by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Institution for Training and Research, and The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Kileni is planning to continue her advocacy work in promoting the rights of San communities and the rights to education of San children and youth.
Ishaku (Shaxz) Haruna Gombe, Nigeria Ishaku Lemu Haruna has over four years’ experience in the academic sector. As a lecturer in Gombe State University, Ishaku is passionate about education as a tool for driving social changes. Having identified the high rate of illiteracy as one of the causes of Boko Haram insurgency in his community, Ishaku founded a community literacy and vocational training school that engages street youths in basic literacy and skills acquisition. His passion for promoting grassroots education led him to develop a global partnership with the Swinburne/North-eastern Global Leadership Class in Australia, which resulted to the establishment of a community library in his community. Ishaku holds a dual master’s in Global Leadership and Biotechnology from North-eastern University, USA, and Swinburne University, Australia, respectively. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Ishaku intends to continue his work improving grassroots education through the development of teaching aids to assist rural children with career choices.
Grace Ihejiamaizu Calabar, Nigeria Grace Ihejiamaizu is a social entrepreneur, educator, and global changemaker with over seven years of experience working in the nonprofit and youth-development sector. Currently, she is the founder of iKapture Networks, an afterschool organization focused on educating, engaging, and equipping students and out-of-school youth in Nigeria with skills to become leaders and entrepreneurs. She is also the founder and chief editor of Opportunity Desk, one of the largest online platforms that bridges the gap in education by sharing information about relevant learning and growth opportunities for youth around the world. Grace currently combines these efforts with a teaching position at the University of Calabar. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Grace plans to continue her work in promoting quality education with a focus on expanding her activities to reach more young school leavers.
Golden Maunganidze Masvingo, Zimbabwe Golden Maunganidze has over ten years’ experience working in the Zimbabwean media industry. He currently lectures in the department of Media and Cultural Studies at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), where he teaches practical journalism courses. Before joining GZU, Golden worked as a journalist and editor of community newspapers in Masvingo. He won several journalistic awards for using the media to develop his community. Golden is also director of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing regional newspaper, TellZim News, and he is a board member of the Community Tolerance, Reconciliation and Development Trust (COTRAD), a civic organization based in Masvingo province. Golden holds a master’s degree in Media and Society Studies and is currently pursuing his PhD. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Golden aims to strengthen community development using both social media and TellZim News newspaper.
Faty Kane Dakar, Senegal Faty Kane is a campaign leader and social justice activist with over ten years of experience advocating for female leadership and girls’ education. Professionally, she manages Plan International’s global campaign ‘Because I Am A Girl’ across West and Central Africa, aiming at ending child marriage and keeping girls in school. She is the vice-president of West African think tank ‘WATHI’, which aims to connect citizens to policymakers. She is also launching a new project called ‘Footeuses d’espoir’ using girls’ football to promote empowerment and leadership skills. Faty Kane is specialized in the design and implementation of advocacy and campaign strategies, working on a range of development topics related to education, child protection, girls’ and women’s rights. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Faty plans to continue her work in gender equality with a focus on advocacy for girls’ and women’s rights.
Dalziel (Leone) Wafula Nairobi, Kenya Dalziel Leone is an exploratory social justice activist who happens to be a trans man. He has over three years of experience working with the transgender and intersex community in Kenya and across East Africa. He is currently the co-founder and project manager for the East African Trans Health and Advocacy Network (EATHAN), where he is responsible for project development, implementation, media advocacy, and documentation. Dalziel is also the counseling coordinator at Jinsiangu, where he outsources for psychologists and schedules counseling sessions for members. He is a former OSF Fellow, having worked with Iranti-Org and Fahamu focusing on trans individuals across Africa. He has also worked with Family Health International as a research assistant, focusing on transgender health. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Dalziel plans to continue his work in advancing the rights of trans individuals, especially in access to health care and policy change in East Africa.
Bethleham (Betty) Haileselassi Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Bethlehem Haileselassie has four years’ experience coordinating a street-child rehabilitation project in her home city, Addis Ababa. Currently, she works as a freelance writer but she also volunteers in two organizations that work on child care and education. In addition, she is in the process of establishing a social enterprise that produces leather handicrafts to create jobs for impoverished single mothers. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Bethlehem plans to launch the social enterprise and establish its social wing, which will initially comprise a community day care and afterschool program for children of the single mothers who are trained and hired by the business. Eventually, the project will reach out to other children in the community who live in difficult circumstances.
Beth Wanjiku Ndirangu Nairobi, Kenya Beth Wanjiku Ndirangu lives bravely with cerebral palsy. For the last three years, she has been the corporate ambassador of the Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya. In addition, she is the country director of Myles of Great Hopes, a nongovernmental organization headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is involved in the provision of clean water to rural communities in the arid areas of Kenya. Beth holds a Bachelor of Education degree in English and Literature from Kenyatta University, and is well versed in disability and education matters. She is also a secretary in the office of the Senator of Nairobi, a member of the Kenya UNESCO Youth Forum, and a budding author. After attending the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she hopes to continue improving the quality of life of the less privileged.
Benetta Davies Monrovia, Liberia
Benetta, has over four years’ professional experience as a social change leader, promoting democracy and community development in Liberia. As programs officer of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, she designs and facilitates the implementation of programs that increase citizen participation in decision-making, inspire youth leadership and political participation, and strengthen community-based organizations to promote accountability. Benetta manages the Liberia Bus Project and its 6,000 young volunteers; she educates citizens on their rights, roles and responsibilities. She supervises the Young Political Leadership School, which is grooming transformational young political leaders, and three regional offices. Benetta holds a certificate in Civic Leadership from the West African Civil Society Institute. She’s a BSc candidate in Biology from the University of Liberia. Upon return from the Fellowship, Benetta plans to continue advancing democracy and good governance, emphasizing on youth and women participation in elections and local governance. She’d also like to advance her studies.
Anne Eboso Shivachi Nairobi, Kenya Anne Eboso Shivachi has over seven years of experience working with communities in the areas of culture and literacy promotion. Anne is the founder of Chula Cultural Foundation, an organization that promotes and aims to preserve the Suba culture, which is listed as endangered by UNESCO. She focuses on designing programs, resource mobilization, and the production of an annual cultural festival in Rusinga Island, integrating this pursuit with literacy promotion through initiatives such as the boat library. Anne is also the CEO of All For Cars Ltd, a company that deals in genuine automobile spare parts from world’s leading original equipment manufacturer brands. A percentage of the profits from this company is dedicated towards the promotion of literacy, health, art, and cultural initiatives. After completing the Fellowship, Anne plans to continue her cultural work through empowerment of youth and women, with a focus on the creative economy.
Alaa Muntaser Khartoum, Sudan Alaa is a 23-year-old university student. She’s passionate about sports, peace building and humanity. She believes that sport can be a great platform for people to interact peacefully and find mutual ground. In her programs, she uses sport as a tool to promote peaceful coexistence, respect, acceptance, and resilience. Alaa’s been involved with various peace-building organizations that serve underprivileged communities. She currently works for a National Olympic Committee where she organizes sport for development and peace programs. She especially likes working with children and girls. Alaa represented her country as a young ambassador at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games. She believes in youth empowerment and gender equality. Alaa plans on pursuing a master’s in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. Her dream is to work with an international NGO like the UN so she can better serve her community.
Aklile Solomon Abate Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Aklile Solomon Abate has been working as a women’s rights activist for more than five years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Law from Addis Ababa University. Aklile is a co-founder of a youth-led initiative called The Yellow Movement AAU, which works on women’s rights advocacy and women’s empowerment. She is responsible for managing campaigns, coordinating events, handling partnerships, and raising awareness on gender-based violence. Aklile also volunteers at a public elementary school by tutoring young children and creates awareness on gender inequality in her community. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Aklile plans on continuing her work on women’s rights by focusing on young children in order to reshape the future generation.
Adedayo (Dayo) Adeniyi Osogbo, Nigeria Adedayo Adeniyi has over eight years of experience in various fields in community development advocacy and leadership training. Currently, Adedayo is the executive director of Matadors Leadership Institute, where he is committed to developing and teaching leadership as a service to society. He also volunteers weekly at a local orphanage with members of his team to teach vocational and life survival skills. He is the initiator of Tell Your Naija Story – an online campaign that showcases young Nigerians impacting society positively. Adedayo holds a Bachelor of Art in English Literature from Obafemi Awolowo University. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Adedayo, through his organization, plans to utilize the experience and networks established in order to scale up his efforts in communicating the ideals of true leadership with a view to getting more young people involved actively in their communities and the politics in Nigeria.
Abdoul (Salam) Diallo Conakry, Guinea Abdoul Diallo has over five years of experience in various fields of community development. He is currently a project assistant at IOM Guinea, where he is involved in designing and implementing community ebola and post-ebola related projects as well as development-related projects. He also volunteers at an NGO called OIDRI (Organization of Initiatives for an Integrated Rural Development), and participates in community activities like cleaning public areas, rehabilitating community infrastructures, and teaching English to children, students and others in need. Abdoul holds a master’s degree in Translation/Business from the University of Sonfonia-Conakry, where he focused on the importance of the English language for Guinean students. On completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he plans to continue working towards solutions to recurrent community challenges in education, the environment, training, peacebuilding, gender-equity promotion, and child protection, amongst other issues.