2016 Biographies

Maura Manuel Da Silva, Angola

Maura da Silva is a qualified early childhood educator, with

five years’ experience, she is passionate about contributing

to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical

development of young children. She serves the community

by working with low-income families, delivering high

quality constructive and recreational activities for youth.

Maura is an active member of WIMA, Angola (Women

International Maritime Association) who believes in the

empowerment of women and gender equality. Throughout

her school years, she worked with after-school programs

and shelters. She holds a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Work from the Angolan

Community of Hamilton, a Certificate of Mentoring Project from Mohawk College, and a

Certificate of Cross-cultural Conflict Mediation. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington

Fellowship, Maura plans to continue working toward her mission of giving children the

opportunity to discover their path throughout life, and to encourage them to follow their dreams.

Victor Agognon, Benin

With ten years of experience in local and community development, Victor Agognon is committed to helping rural populations in his area understand their responsibility in local and sustainable development, and especially in enhancing internal resources mobilization. He is currently the Planning and Local Development Officer of the Municipality of Boukombé, working as a technical advisor to the Mayor in the identifying, designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating local development projects. He also works directly with rural communities, dealing with their challenges, and helping them identify and solve their problems. Because Boukombé is a classified ‘red zone’ for

desertification and malnutrition, he also volunteers in sensitizing populations on these phenomena. Victor holds two master’s degrees in Community Development and Project Management. After the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he will continue to sensitize and advise local authorities and women in the north of Benin in the effort to fight child malnutrition and girls’ early marriage.

Tshepo Makete, Botswana

Tshepo Kefilwe Makete holds a bachelor's degree in Dietetics from University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. She has over eight years' experience as a clinical dietitian at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. She works as part of the multidisciplinary team, managing patients in need of medical nutrition therapy. During her years of experience, she has shown a major interest in pediatric nutrition and has worked in both the neonatal unit and pediatric ward providing nutrition support to neonates and older children. Tshepo has also volunteered with various sports organizations in Botswana serving on the Sports Science and Sports Medicine committees.

During the 2014 Botswana Africa Youth Games, she served on the catering advisory committee. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Tshepo plans to continue her work as a clinical dietitian with a focus on advocating for improved infant and early childhood nutrition, including advocacy for children with disabilities.

Evódia Gomes Da Graça, Cape Verde

Evódia Graça worked as the Communications Advisor for the Minister of the Presidency of Council of Ministers during 2014 and 2015. Currently, she works as the National Communication Coordinator of SOS Children’s Villages Cabo Verde. She is a PhD candidate in Linguistics at the NOVA University of Lisbon. During her stay in Portugal, she worked as an elementary school teacher, for more than five years. As a PhD candidate under the sponsorship of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, she was an Erasmus researcher at Paris VIII University. Evódia is a social activist and humanist, ambassador and co-founder of the female community Womenise.it, a movement that aims to

empower and motivate women through networking, mentoring, and non-formal education as tools for emancipation. After completing the Fellowship, Evódia wants to continue developing a mentoring project that has as main purpose to motivate young women to get involved in public life, with an emphasis on young groups who want to access positions of leadership and responsibility.

Likanjo Luma Fritz, Cameroon

Luma Likanjo has over four years’ experience in community development, with a special interest in youth empowerment. He is the pioneer president of the Cameroon National Youth Council in Limbe III Sub-Division, where he focuses on youth employment, sustainable development, human rights, and social and economic inequalities. Currently, he works for Limbe III Council, Bimbia, as the Chief of Service for Hygiene, Sanitation, and Environment, with a focus on financial management, human resources management, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. Luma holds a BSc in Geology with a minor in Environmental Science from the

University of Buea and a professional Certificate in Development Studies. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Luma plans to return home and set up 10 cooperative societies within the 10 regions of Cameroon, train young Cameroonians in the management of these cooperatives in order to ensure sustainability, with the primary objective of eradicating youth unemployment.

Seifu Yilma Woldemariam, Ethiopia

Seifu Yilma is Ethiopian and communicates in Ethiopian sign language. At the age of six he became deaf due to meningitis. He attended regular hearing schools and finished his master’s degree in Special Needs Education. He did his Bachelor of Arts in Ethiopian Sign Language and Deaf Culture. He has been serving voluntarily in several public service activities that benefit deaf communities in Ethiopia. Seifu served as chairman of the Deaf Association at the Addis Ababa branch of the Ethiopian National Association of the Deaf. He’s also been serving as a board member for the Federation of National Association of Persons with Disabilities. In these

commitments, he effectively discharges his responsibilities by advocating for the rights of deaf people to gainful employment, education and social welfare. He was also chairman of a committee at the Addis Ababa University representing deaf students. He is currently a guidance counselor.

Diana Mensah, Ghana

Diana Delali Mensah has over four years’ experience in the social/community development sector ranging from community-based rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, building the capacity of women in rural communities, and providing welfare services. She is currently a social/community development officer and an HIV focal person at the Ketu-North District, as well as a member of the Community-Led Total Sanitation team (CLTS). A graduate of Mawuli School, Diana holds a BA in Psychology and Religion from the

University of Ghana and a Certificate in Local Government Administration from the Institute of Local Government. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Diana intends to continue her work in the community-based rehabilitation of persons with disabilities with a focus on equipping them with skills to encourage economic and financial freedom. She also plans to organize a reading program (ReadNetwork) that offers literacy classes to primary- and high-school students in rural communities.

Abdoul Mazid Diallo, Guinea

Abdoul Mazid is a dedicated development professional who focuses on helping underprivileged children and school drop-outs, especially in rural areas. Abdoul is passionate about using innovative and sustainable projects to empower women and youths with technology. Through his involvement in community and service projects, he aspires to be a role model to youth. Abdoul has over three years of professional experience in the field of economic development. He is currently working as an Economist on a World Bank-funded project, where he focuses on designing, implementing and measuring social programs in Guinea. Abdoul holds a Master's

of Business and Administration (MBA) from the University of Nilai, Malaysia. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program, he plans to put the skills he has gained into practice for the benefit of his country, Guinea.

Margaret Thatcher Awino, Kenya

Thatcher Ng’ong’a has over six years’ experience in various fields in the community development sector, specifically in humanitarian emergencies. Thatcher currently works as a senior programs officer based at World Vision, Kenya’s headquarters in Nairobi. In her current role, she focuses on developing resources to support development work in Kenya. She also volunteers in the YALI East Africa hub as a mentor for young professionals interested in the path she has taken in her career. Thatcher is pursuing a master’s degree from Maseno University. Upon completion of the

Mandela Washington Fellowship, she plans to continue her work in development by focusing on advocacy for children and women’s rights, and equal opportunities.

Abdinasir Mohamed, Kenya

Abdinasir Elmi has over six years of experience in public service management, especially in the field of gender and social development. Currently, Abdinasir is a Gender and Social Development Officer with the Government of Kenya, where he focuses on coordinating and implementing social protection programs for the elderly and for persons living with severe disabilities. He also engages in community mobilization, gender mainstreaming, and women’s economic empowerment initiatives. In addition, he volunteers in his local community as a member of the

locational area advisory committee on child welfare, particularly supporting orphans and vulnerable children. Abdinasir holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Moi University, where he majored in Sociology. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Abdinasir plans to continue with his work in gender and social development, with a focus on empowering the poor, marginalized and underserved population.

Janet David, Liberia

Janet David has over seven years of experience working in the field of child protection. Currently, she serves as a coordinator for the psychosocial-response programs for ebola-affected children, which provides case management and alternative care as well as psychosocial support. The service also extends to other vulnerable children in need of care and protection. Janet is a graduate of the University of Liberia and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She believes the Mandela Washington Fellowship will enhance her capacity and add value to the work she is already doing. Upon completion, she will return and continue her service in

the field of child protection, with more emphasis on case management as well as alternative care services.

Elyan Edwige Barbara Vololonarivelo, Madagascar

Barbara Vololonarivelo is a physician with four years of experience in public health. She holds a diploma in advanced studies in health care and management in tropical countries from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland. Lately, she has worked as a consultant for the National Malaria Control program to draft national strategic plans, and then for the USAID and JSI, Inc community program, ‘Malagasy Healthy Families’. Her main work as a researcher focuses on reproductive health and rights in her country. To further her impact, she is passionate about bridging the gap between research and action. To this end,

Barbara is fully committed to delivering high-impact, evidence-based maternal and newborn survival interventions that address the primary causes of mortality, mainly through prevention. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she plans to manage the projects that flow from her research, advocate, and implement innovative reproductive health care programs.

Jo-Ann Allen Livey Van Wyk, Namibia

Jo-Ann Livey Van Wyk has five years of experience in leadership and public management. A former mayor of Witvlei town, Jo-Ann’s area of focus was to preside over the council and council meetings, and to provide leadership and guidance to the community. Furthermore, she managed council meetings without favoritism or bias, and ensured that they were conducted in a correct and orderly manner. She also carried out civic and ceremonial duties for the Mayor’s Office. Jo-Ann is currently a Public Relations Officer under the German Special Initiative program, where she assists in preparing organizational documents such as annual reports,

corporate profiles, and submissions. Jo-Ann also works with young people in the community through charity organizations, improving their skills and social lives. The main focus is on HIV/Aids prevention, care, and support; income-generating activities; and monthly life-skills workshops where they discuss issues affecting the youth.

Thaddeus Onoja Akpa, Nigeria

Thaddeus Akpa is an inspirational speaker and motivational writer who has 10 years' experience in community development, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, service delivery for orphans and vulnerable children, climate change management, and gender-promotion Issues. He is the Founder of Wayfarer Inspirational Forum for Youths, promoting mentorship programs, awareness creation and sensitization for youths and the young at heart. This is done through the Wayfarer Inspirational mobile application and the publication of a variety of books. Thaddeus holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan and a Theology degree from the

Urbanian University, Rome. Thaddeus has trained in project management, monitoring and evaluation, and psychosocial support for children. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Thaddeus plans to continue his mentorship program for the integral development of young minds, provision of psychosocial services, campaign against gender-based violence, promotion of girl children and climate change management.

Mohammed Ibrahim, Nigeria

Mohammed Ibrahim is a town planning officer and volunteer for the deaf. He has gained considerable experience working with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing as well as associations for disabled persons. In town planning since April 2014, he has been involved in designing layouts for low-cost housing developments and undertaking development-control exercises to ensure that new buildings conform with approved planning standards. For over five years, he has volunteered for the betterment of the deaf community. Mohammed holds a Bachelor of Technology in Urban and Regional Planning from Modibbo

Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria. He plans to set up a think-tank platform for promoting low-income housing advocacy, establishing public-private partnerships for low-income housing delivery, and advocating for the inclusion of disability access in building codes.

Oluwabusola Oluwasubomi Majekodunmi, Nigeria

Oluwabusola has over two years’ experience in working and volunteering as a teacher, life coach, and student counselor. She is passionate about education and its role in economic development. Oluwabusola is currently the convener of Teen Leadership Sessions – a program targeted at bridging the gap in conventional education to develop appropriate leadership and life skills required by young adults. She is a trained tax consultant with Deloitte, and has diverse skills in project management, strategy, research and analysis, communication, presentation, and facilitation. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington

Fellowship, Oluwabusola aims to set up a social enterprise named Steer to Greatness Foundation, that would play a significant role in creating systems that inspire, teach, nurture, and empower teenage capital towards establishing the right leadership, and initiating positive social change in Africa. She also looks forward to partnering with government and international development organizations to achieve this objective.

Jerome Ndayambaje, Rwanda

Jerome Ndayambaje majored in Public Administration at the National University of Rwanda, where he held leadership positions in many student organizations. Jerome worked for the US Peace Corps Rwanda for four years. He currently works as an educator at a leading school in rural Rwanda. After identifying the main problem as poverty in his region, he created a local NGO called Rwandan Family Initiative, which aims to fight malnutrition and promote gender balance in Rwandan society. Its secondary goals are to fight HIV/Aids and teach families financial literacy. Jerome believes that with gender balance and healthy living, poverty can be alleviated

because women and men will have equal rights in decision-making and access to food security. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Jerome plans to guide and support the beneficiaries of his NGO’s activities, to identify the problems, explore creative solutions and then take actions to resolve them.

Clement Basse, Senegal

Clément Diarga Basse is a medical doctor. He worked for three years as a clinician and the deputy chief medical officer of a health district in the southern region of Senegal. He is in the fourth year of specialization in Occupational Medicine. In 2014, he participated in a one-year program with the West African Health Organization in Burkina Faso and Ghana, and was trained in Public Health System Management and Research in West Africa. In 2015, he went to Japan for a training program on Health System Management. He is now working in the research department of the Ministry of Health of Senegal. Clément is the

national focal point of the World Young Doctors’ Organization. Upon his return from the Fellowship, he will work on knowledge translation, moving from evidence to policy and action. His favorite expression is: 'Everything that needs to be done, deserves to be well done.'

Alhaji Barrie, Sierra Leone

Alhaji has five years’ experience in various fields of community and rural development. He’s experienced in adult education, public management, and the engagement of communities to support positive behavior change. He has a proven ability to analyze problems and find creative innovative solutions. His goals are to learn new skills that can strengthen and lead to the public and economic success of his community and country so that he can help maintain democracy and achieve good governance. Alhaji is working with Hafsata Children’s Foundation – an organization that looks after the welfare of orphans.

He designs and delivers language learning activities, including formal and non-formal instructional classes, simulation activities and out of classroom language tasks. Alhaji is presently pursuing his master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations, and upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he plans to share his experience with his fellow staff and students through seminar presentation.

Tessa Dooms, South Africa

Tessa Dooms is the managing director of Youth Lab, a dynamic youth-led policy think tank that mainstreams youth perspectives on policy issues through interaction, knowledge sharing, and capacity development. Tessa's role at Youth Lab includes providing strategic direction, finding funding and consultancy opportunities, and stakeholder relations management. In 2015 Tessa was appointed as the National Planning Commissioner, tasked with guiding the implementation of the National Development Plan in South Africa. Upon returning to South Africa, Tessa will apply what she learns through the Fellowship

to improve the quality of her contributions to policy advocacy and implementation. Tessa has lectured undergraduate and graduate students at three South African universities. She is internationally published and her strengths lie in training, research, communications, and strategic development. Tessa holds a Master of Arts with distinction in Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Asantewaa Eriyani Lo-Liyong, South Sudan

Asantewaa Eriyani lo-Liyong is a youth activist from South Sudan with over five years' experience in youth development and entrepreneurship. She currently works with the United Nations Population Fund as a program associate for the Adolescent and Youth Department. She focuses on designing and implementing policies, and facilitates training programs targeting young people’s sexual reproductive health rights, life skills, and leadership development. Asantewaa is a member of the Global Shapers community, a World Economic Forum initiative that selects

young people who show leadership potential and who are committed to making positive socio-economic impacts in their community. Asantewaa is also the founder of Youth of Today Foundation. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Asantewaa plans to continue her work on connecting, informing, and empowering young people.

Irene Anyango Nyamondo, Tanzania

Irene Anyango has nine years of experience in public health, particularly in maternal health (PMTCT), pediatric health and matters relating to both HIV-infected adolescents, youths and pregnant mothers. Currently, Irene is a maternal child health senior officer for the Management and Development for Health, where she heads a team providing technical assistance to both public and private health facilities in communities across the Dar es Salaam region. She volunteers to give health talks on sexual reproductive health to youths in her community. Irene holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Aga Khan University. Upon completion of

the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Irene plans to continue her work in the Maternal-Pediatric unit, with a focus on advocacy for HIV-infected pregnant mothers and adolescents. Irene intends to support the economic development of these groups, and join champions like Michelle Obama for improvements in girl-child health.

Kossi Akakpo, Togo

Charles Kossi-Mawuko Akakpo is the administrative delegate of Complexe Scolaire La Fraternité, one of the biggest undergraduate schools in Kara, north of Togo. He is also the General Manager of Vision Enterprise English Language Program, which specializes in academic English teaching and international English test preparation. His English language program has worked with Togo Peacekeeping Operations Training Center and US Agencies such as ACOTA, PAE, and GAT, where he is the team trainer and leader. Since the age of 22, Charles has occupied management and leadership positions such as President of American Corner at the University of Lomé, President of Togo with the US Alumni

Association, and now in his current position. Charles is a professional and disciplined communicator, entrepreneur, mentor, and coach. Upon completion of the Fellowship, he envisages creating networks between young leaders and social entrepreneurs, through mentoring and coaching to speed up the development of their region.

Brenda Shenute Namugumya, Uganda

Brenda Shenute Namugumya has seven years' experience in supporting various government sectors to integrate nutrition into service delivery and public management. She currently works as a Senior Technical Officer with the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA), providing technical assistance in strengthening multi-sectoral nutrition leadership, policy, and programming in the ministries of Health, Agriculture, Finance, and Community Development, as well as Local Government and the Office of the Prime Minister. Brenda Shenute is rigorously involved in the technical design and overseeing of the Uganda Nutrition

Fellowship program. She also voluntarily mentors nutrition students in career guidance and soft skills, and manages an e-sharing list for current nutrition information. Benda Shenute holds a Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Makerere University, Uganda. After completing of the Fellowship, Brenda Shenute plans to continue her work in multi-sectoral nutrition, with specific engagement with youth in the field of nutrition.

Musonda Musonda, Zambia

Musonda Musonda has over five years’ experience in the public health sector, primarily in the field of HIV prevention and community mobilization. Currently Musonda is the head of community programs at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), where she oversees community-based programs and promotes community ownership and commitment to enhance sustainability. Musonda holds a master’s degree in International Relations from London Metropolitan University, where she focused on the various efforts made to achieve justice and reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda. Upon completion of the Mandela

Washington Fellowship, Musonda would like to build upon her experience in community engagement and focus on the incorporation of behavioral change into existing and future HIV-prevention programs.