Meet the 2022 BSU Fellows
Eliana de Freitas
Angola
Eliana de Freitas has more than 11 years of experience in teaching in Angola. She volunteers at Ekuafelo, a non-profit organization where she mentors young people on sexual education and reproductive health. She also helps orphans, children with albinism, and children with disabilities in her community with their reading and writing skills. Eliana holds a bachelor's degree in English Language Teaching and is currently writing a thesis on major causes of speaking anxiety for her master's degree. Eliana is passionate about giving girls and boys from her community social and emotional support and helping shape the future of young girls and children who live in rural areas. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Eliana plans to open a local training center to provide leadership skills and training for young entrepreneurs interested in sewing clothes. She hopes to create job opportunities for youth and adult students in her community.
Tshepiso Larona Mokgetse
Botswana
Tshepiso Larona Mokgetse has more than six years' experience in the computer science field. Currently, Tshepiso is pursuing her doctorate in Information Systems and working as a teaching assistant at the Botswana University of Science and Technology, where she focuses on research in the fields of Ontologies and Animal Traceability. Tshepiso has two paper publications and a chapter in the book Ontology-Based Information Retrieval for Healthcare Systems. She also is a territory ambassador and mentor for Thriving Elements, a non-profit organization operating in the United States, Switzerland, and Botswana. Tshepiso holds a master's degree in Computer Applications from Gujarat Technological University, India. She is passionate about helping young girls who are interested in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing access and opportunities to them through a STEM mentoring program. Being one of the few females in the male-dominated STEM field motivates her to influence diversity in her community. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Tshepiso plans to work toward improving her research work to bring practical solutions to society. She also intends to reach out to her community to share the knowledge and skills acquired.
Gaone Madingwane
Botswana
Gaone Madingwane has more than eight years of experience volunteering and advocating for the provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services to girls and women in remote villages in Botswana. Currently, Gaone is a volunteer doctor and board member for the Botswana Family Welfare Association, a non-governmental organization that provides SRHR services to vulnerable populations in Botswana. She is also a medical officer at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Botswana. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Gaone hopes to build lifelong connections with other Fellows with similar interests and to learn new strategies for outreach and education in resource-limited settings.
Gerson Moreira Delgado
Cabo Verde
Gerson Moreira Delgado is the manager of an elementary public school and a teacher and pedagogical coordinator at the Ministry of Education in Cabo Verde. He has helped found and manage Rede Local de Emprego e Empregabilidade da Boavista (Local Network of Employment and Employability of Boa Vista). In addition, Gerson is a volunteer member of the Cape Verde Red Cross and Help for Boa Vista, a non-profit organization. He also leads the Brava Geração B-Bright team, a national youth platform that promotes youth empowerment through information, training, leadership, and youth participation. He is passionate about education and believes that education is the key tool for the changes he wants to see in his country and in Africa. Gerson has a master's degree in Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation and a degree in Education Sciences, Education Management, and Planning. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Gerson plans to further his work in developing his community and encouraging local institutions in favor of environmental education and citizenship on Brava Island.
Esther Njinembo Nayeu
Cameroon
Esther Njinembo Nayeu has more than five years of experience in the health field. Currently, Esther is public health specialist at the World Health Organization and focuses on reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases and improving the health of people in Africa through the development and implementation of multisectoral approaches and policies. She has extensive experience in medical practice in her community, where she has consulted and treated children, pregnant women, and adults. She is a social media influencer and produces daily informative and engaging posts on health through LinkedIn. Esther holds a Doctor of Medicine and is pursuing a master's degree in Public Health. Esther is passionate about disease prevention and health promotion and is committed to helping people live healthy lives. Her vision is to have a world where everybody is equipped with accurate information to make healthy and informed choices supported by an enabling environment. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, she plans to begin a YouTube channel aimed at raising awareness of noncommunicable diseases and to lead an organization that provides context-relevant solutions to health challenges caused by noncommunicable diseases.
Noëlla-Rosine Amang-Amayene
Central African Republic
Noëlla-Rosine Amang-Amayene has more than six years of experience in the prison service. Currently, Noëlla-Rosine is an assistant in the security information coordination office at the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. In this role, she collects security information to establish statistics on the rate of insecurity in the Central African Republic, allowing the government to improve its peacebuilding strategies. She is also the founding president of the Association of Penitentiaries for Reintegration and Citizen Inclusion. Noëlla-Rosine holds a second cycle diploma in Penitentiary Administration and a Superior Technician diploma in computer management, and is currently pursuing a master's degree. She is also working on a project that will help reduce the rate of recidivism in prisons in the Central African Republic and will allow people in conflict with the law to build a new life after their release. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Noëlla-Rosine plans to advocate to operationalize the Probation Service for the assistance of released persons, and to create a digital platform called "Echo des Barreaux" (Echo of the Bars), which will invite ex-convicts to promote their actions, skills, and civic contributions to their country's development.
Gebrezgabiher Tesfabrhan Tesfatsion
Eritrea
Gebrezgabiher Tesfabrhan Tesfatsion has more than seven years of experience in the law and legal practice. Currently, Tesfabrhan is judge at Adi Tekelezan Regional Court in Eritrea, where he adjudicates court cases. He also provides pro bono legal assistance to community court judges and rights advocacy organizations and lectures on the law to students. Tesfabrhan holds a bachelor's degree in Law. He is committed to overcoming the criminal justice deficits that exist in his community. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Tesfabrhan plans to introduce a national rights advocacy organization that will legally challenge criminal rights violations.
Siham Seid Ali
Ethiopia
Siham Seid Ali has more than three years of experience in healthcare quality improvement. Currently, Siham is head of the quality improvement unit at Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency, and Trauma Hospital, where she focuses on system-based improvements in resource-challenged settings. Siham is also project lead at the Global Shapers Addis Ababa Hub and founder of HEY (Healthy Ethiopian Youth), a social media platform that allows young Ethiopians to develop health awareness and get health and medical advice. Siham has a medical degree and an ISQua (International Society for Quality in healthcare) Fellowship. She is pursuing a master's degree in Public Health. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Siham plans to create a learning platform for healthcare professionals to build capacity on healthcare quality improvement and work toward integrating healthcare quality into medical education.
Korinan Fanta
Ethiopia
Korinan Fanta has more than five years of experience in higher education and clinical research. Currently, Korinan is lecturer of clinical pharmacy at Jimma University, where he focuses on the implementation of digital health technology. In particular, he has been working on implementing mobile health to provide patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic and initiating digital antimicrobial stewardship. In addition, Korinan has published nine articles in peer-reviewed journals. He also gives back to the community by engaging in health promotion activities in rural areas and mentoring youth about life skills and reproductive health rights. Korinan holds a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and a master's degree in Clinical Pharmacy. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Korinan plans to scale up his current projects and integrate digital health technology into the Ethiopian healthcare system at different levels to improve access to basic health services, particularly in rural communities.
Fatoumata Binta Jallow
The Gambia
Fatoumata Binta Jallow has more than six years of experience in access to justice and justice delivery in The Gambia. Currently, Fatoumata is senior magistrate at the Judiciary of The Gambia, where her main roles include adjudicating criminal and civil cases; ensuring a fair trial for all parties; and writing and delivering rulings and judgments. Fatoumata is committed to supporting human rights and justice for everyone. Since 2007, she has advocated for women's and children's rights in her community (Fula), especially regarding child marriage. She holds a bachelor's degree in Law (with honors) from the University of The Gambia and a Barrister at Law from The Gambia Law School. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Fatoumata plans to continue working for the Judiciary of The Gambia and advocating for women's and children's rights.
Ismael Kibiro
Kenya
Ismael Kibiro has more than seven years of experience in psychology. Currently, Ismael works with the local government of Mombasa County, Kenya, focusing on mainstreaming psychosocial services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Ismael also partners as a consultant with local non-governmental organizations that deal with key populations and special needs children. He helps them develop policies and conduct training and research into sustainable solutions to problems that affect key populations and vulnerable communities. Among those problems are substance abuse, discrimination in service delivery, lack of access to education, and a need for economic empowerment. Ismael holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently in the final year of a master's degree program in Clinical Psychology. Ismael is committed to improving community mental health and well-being by educating the community and raising awareness and to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community, and special needs individuals. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Ismael plans to apply the newly acquired knowledge and skills to the community and to increase outreach activities to benefit more individuals.
Vianna Tarus
Kenya
Vianna Tarus has more than six years of experience in human rights and is currently a prison constable with the Kenya Prisons Service. She is passionate about enhancing human rights in correctional facilities and exploring social entrepreneurship for women and girls in custody, and wants to help those released from custody gain economic responsibility and find affirming social identities. Vianna holds a certificate in Community Development and Social Work from Eldoret Polytechnic and is pursuing a diploma in Mindset Education at Mahanaim College. She has also been trained in gender-responsive treatment of women offenders, dynamic security, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, gender-based violence, and other topics so she can help inmates in the rehabilitation and reintegration process. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Vianna plans to be a true leader in this sector and to use her new public management knowledge and skills to help more people. She is excited about the opportunity to build her network and skills around economic structures, education, and gender-based violence.
Elizabeth M. Horton
Liberia
Elizabeth M. Horton is program assistant to the chief medical officer for the Liberian Ministry of Health, where she prepares and analyzes communications, progress reports, and financial documents for the Department of Health Services. Elizabeth is also co-founder of Urmonae Health Liberia, a non-profit organization that provides awareness and training on sexual and reproductive health and rights. In 2019, Elizabeth launched the Pads in Bathrooms Campaign, a program to ensure that sanitary products are accessible in schools and public places. Through the campaign, more than 2,000 school-age girls now have access to sanitary products at school and at home. Elizabeth loves to write and self-published a novel titled When Dawn Is Delayed. She has a bachelor's degree in Public Administration and is pursuing her master's degree in International Development. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Elizabeth hopes to use her new knowledge and skills to educate more women and girls about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Sophie Raharinoely
Madagascar
Sophie Raharinoely has more than six years of experience in the Ministry of Public Security of Madagascar. Currently, Sophie is chief cabinet of the Directorate of Public Security in Antsirabe, with responsibility for all administrative chief of staff functions. She also heads a special unit composed of female police officers below the age of 40, which works to prevent gender-based violence and protect persons with disabilities. She mentors youth in Malagasy who are interested in pursuing a career in law. Sophie provides English translation services for Operation Smile, which works to improve the lives of patients with cleft conditions. Sophie holds a master's degree in Law and a master's degree in International Law. She believes that justice and development for women are important and that the key to women's development lies in providing a secure environment. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Sophie would like to become a commissary. She wants to advance beyond typical female assignments in the police services so she can better implement public security strategies to help children and women. She plans to promote a new curriculum in the national police academies on prevention of crimes against women and children.
Lanto Robivelo
Madagascar
Lanto Robivelo has been an activist and leader in children's rights in Madagascar since 2012, when he graduated as a qualified social worker. His role as national director of Famille d'Accueil de Madagascar involves overseeing the organization's various projects, including supporting the government in creating policy foundations for the national foster care system, managing the creation of the National Handbook for Foster Care, participating in the advisory committee for foster care law, and starting Antananarivo's first pilot foster care project. Lanto is a board director for the International Foster Care Organisation and is a passionate global advocate for the rights of children to grow up in families rather than in institutional care. As founder and president of GTSM, Madagascar's professional association for social workers, he promotes the necessity and value of social work across all sectors of Malagasy society, speaking at conferences and promotional media events. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Lanto plans to create a center of excellence for the alternative care of children, which will bring together government, universities, and charities to spearhead research and provide support and training for countrywide social policy change regarding alternative care for children.
Lozindaba Mbvundula
Malawi
Lozindaba Mbvundula is a legal practitioner in her fourth year of practice at the Malawi bar. She is an associate at Ritz Attorneys at Law, focusing on international trade and competition. She is president of the Women Lawyers Association's Blantyre chapter and a member of the Malawi Law Society's Constitutional, Human Rights, and Public Interest Litigation Subcommittee. Lozindaba holds a master's degree in International Trade Law and a Bachelor of Laws (with honors). She is a Canon Collins Scholar pursuing a master's degree in Law and Development. Lozindaba is committed to using the legal profession to promote sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and the enjoyment of human rights for all. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Lozindaba plans to support the international civil service in the pursuit of global developmental goals.
Fadimata Walet Aghatam
Mali
Fadimata Walet Aghatam has more than nine years of experience in the legal and educational fields. Presently, Fadimata Walet is working on an educational project she plans to launch for high schools and universities on public speaking and eloquence by March 2023. Fadimata Walet holds a master's degree in Public Law. She is passionate about anything related to helping develop her country's educational field. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Fadimata Walet plans to help reduce the level of illiteracy in Mali to 10 percent by 2040.
Marchell Hoeb
Namibia
Marchell Hoeb has more than five years of experience in the legal field. Currently, Marchell is senior legal officer at the Ministry of Justice in the Office of the Prosecutor General, focusing on criminal litigation. In this role, he works to ensure effective prosecution of criminal cases, especially those involving environmental crimes and gender-based violence. Marchell holds two law degrees from the University of Namibia and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws in Commerce. He is motivated by serving others, and hopes his continuing education will enhance his skills in working with different stakeholders. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Marchell plans to continue serving the public and to network with other Fellows on different platforms. He also plans to enroll in a course on Leadership in Public Management at the University of Namibia.
Oritoke Modupe Aluko
Nigeria
Oritoke Modupe Aluko has approximately seven years of teaching and research experience in academic institutions in Nigeria. Currently, Oritoke is a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Nigeria. Her research interest broadly covers neuroscience, focusing on stress-induced behavioral modifications and psychopharmacology. Oritoke holds a doctorate in Basic Medical Sciences (Pharmacology and Therapeutics). She is a passionate educator, neuroscientist, life and wellness coach, and a female-in-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) advocate. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Oritoke plans to use her new skills and experience to influence positive changes in young females through boot camps, mentorship, and study tours to female-led organizations. Oritoke also plans to partner with other Fellows and organizations to create gender-sensitive policies aimed at bridging the gender gap in STEM careers.
Samuel Okerinde
Nigeria
Samuel Okerinde is a medical doctor and certified public health physician with more than 15 years of leadership experience in both professional and volunteer roles. Currently, he serves as president of the Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, which is a professional health group of specialist doctors in training. Samuel also is founder and coordinator of Sound Alliance Foundation, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that focuses on raising awareness of public health issues and on the execution of free health interventions, particularly for underserved populations. He holds a master's degree in Public Health from the University of Lagos and is a member of the West Africa College of Physicians. Samuel is committed to ensuring improved access to basic essential healthcare for everyone, particularly those in the slum and rural communities. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Samuel plans to use the knowledge and skills gained to expand his advocacy for health policies that promote inclusive healthcare for all.
Aliou Badara Camara
Senegal
Aliou Badara Camara speaks five languages and has a professional background in civil engineering. He spent eight years in France, where he received his engineering training and obtained his doctorate. Currently, Aliou Badara is lecturer-researcher at École Polytechnique de Thiès in Senegal, where he studies the calculation of structures and metallic construction. Previously, he was communication officer at the Association Sénégalaise de Clermont Ferrand. He also worked as a civil engineer consultant in nuclear power and a team manager at Energie de France. Aliou Badara holds a doctorate in Material Sciences and Engineering and an engineering degree in Civil Engineering. He is committed to training African youth, who are Africa's future, and lives by the motto 'I rise by uplifting others.' After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Aliou Badara plans to fulfill his vision of ensuring that Senegal and other African countries have an abundance of qualified engineers. Education, he feels, is the key to the development of the continent.
Sechaba Tsubella
South Africa
Sechaba Tsubella is an engineer who currently serves as director for emerging and converging technologies at the National Department of Science and Innovation of South Africa, where he is responsible for the development of new and emerging technologies that support the evolution of South Africa's national system of innovation toward a mature and inclusive ecosystem of science, technology, and innovation. He also serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, a scientific and technology research organization that researches, develops, localizes, and diffuses technologies to accelerate socioeconomic prosperity in South Africa. And Sechaba is a passionate community developer who provides oversight on strategic and governance matters as vice chair of the Outlook Foundation, which promotes science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation in vulnerable and underserved communities. Sechaba holds bachelor's degrees in Chemical Technology, Engineering and Technology Management, and Economics, a master's degree in Chemical Engineering, and he is pursuing a Master of Engineering in Technology and Innovation Management. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Sechaba plans to use the exposure and experience gained to develop networks and engage in deep learning with like-minded individuals from across South Africa.
Tumaini Mosha
Tanzania
Tumaini Mosha has more than nine years of experience in probation and community services. Currently, Tumaini is a probation and community officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tanzania, focusing on supervising noncustodial offenders. He plans and executes community-engagement initiatives, mobilizes resources, and lobbies for policy initiatives with different stakeholders, including the government for better probation services in Tanzania. Tumaini volunteers as a korfball development coordinator in Tanzania by introducing the sport of korfball for gender equality and employment to youth. He is also an entrepreneur in agricultural (cashew nuts plantations) and poultry, thereby enhancing environmental protection and poverty reduction in the community. Tumaini holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology. Tumaini is committed to bringing change to communities by reducing poverty as the source of crime. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Tumaini plans to continue working with the government and his community to reduce poverty and end crime so that he can contribute to making life peaceful within Tanzanian society and the world.
Comboni Oyet
Uganda
Comboni Oyet has more than nine years of experience in fraud and corruption investigations. Currently, Comboni is a senior inspectorate officer at the Inspectorate of Government of Uganda, where he focuses on corruption and fraud investigations. Comboni holds a Master of Business Administration, a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration and Management, and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Comboni is also an anticorruption activist who is committed to seeing Uganda and Africa free of corruption — be it petty, political, or grand corruption. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Comboni plans to rally young people in Uganda and across Africa to combat corruption as community integrity ambassadors and community monitors.
Buumba Siamalube
Zambia
Buumba Siamalube is an economist working for the British Council in Zambia as a projects officer. Buumba also leads the British Council country team to promote child protection, staff well-being, and inclusion in his roles as the child protection deputy focal point, local staff association president, and equality, diversity, and inclusion coordinator. Buumba has more than five years of experience in advocacy and project management. He holds a Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He also has qualifications in project management, marketing (with a focus on integrated communication and digital marketing), and team leadership. Buumba is passionate about inclusion of all people in society, which he supports through education, the arts, cultural relations, gender inclusion, entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovations. After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Buumba plans to use his networks and experience to advocate and support the inclusion of women and girls in all sectors of his community.