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Impact Stories from Education Diplomacy/Mentoring Policy Area

"Fellows announces partnership with UpLink at UN Summit"

Fellow(s): Fellows announces partnership with UpLink at UN Summit – Lindiwe Matlali

Country: South Africa

Cohort: 2017

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

This fall at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development Goals in New York, Fellow Lindiwe Matlali (South Africa, 2017) announced a partnership between her initiative Africa Teen Geeks and UpLink, a division of the World Economic Forum (WEF) tasked with supporting innovation. Together they “hope to build a movement of teen innovators and raise awareness of sustainability issues around the globe,” she noted, with a program designed to arm the next generation of students with the hard and soft skills needed to lead creative STEM-based innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.
Lindiwe became a contributing writer, interviewer, speaker and panelist for the WEF after winning their Social Innovator award in 2020.  She also spoke at their Pioneers of Change event in 2020 and interviewed African-American tech-preneur and inventor of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Marian Croak, about whom she is also producing a documentary.
In her involvement with the WEF, Lindiwe is particularly focused on democratizing access to power and influence by bringing in children from disadvantaged communities to participate in the exclusive business network. “How can we take children with skills and talent and put them in front of someone who can make it happen for them?” she asks. “This is really about teaching kids how to innovate for non-consumption and innovate themselves out of poverty. It’s about leveling the playing field and a creating an ecosystem of innovators who can access WEF networkers, the people looking for those innovations,” Lindiwe expanded. “I want every kid to know that they can create global companies by serving the underserved.”

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Report Date...: 11/21/2022


"Fellow leads UX workshop for EdTech platform"

Fellow(s): Fellow leads UX workshop for EdTech platform – Wadzanayi Kimberley Bwanya

Country: Zimbabwe

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow Wadzanayi Kimberley Bwanya (Zimbabwe, Spring 2022) recently led a UX Design workshop for students at Uncommon.org, an EdTech nonprofit. The training session included the topics of soft skills that define great designers, understanding problems before “diving into design” and methods for justifying design decisions.
Wadzanayi, a leader in UX design and development in her community in Bulawayo, is the founder and CEO of Beedesigned Studio, which provides UX services for socially-conscious organizations. She’s also the cofounder of Tea in 60, a platform for women and girls to network, co-mentor and share opportunities and learnings in STEM. Additionally, she recently served on an expert-led panel discussion, “Utilizing Technology for Growth,” an event sponsored by several tech hubs and studios in the Bulawayo region.

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Report Date...: 10/31/2022


Fellow(s): Mentor leads Fulbright Specialist mission in Tajikistan – Erin Keeley

Country: Tajikistan

Cohort: 2015, 2016, 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

TechWomen mentor Erin Keeley recently completed a Fulbright Specialist assignment in Tajikistan. Erin provided workshops and mentored entrepreneurs in the National Association of Business Women Tajikistan Business Accelerator and the United States Alumni Network of Tajikistan. She also met with Access, Flex, and Fulbright students in Khujand and Dushanbe. TechWomen Fellows supported Erin throughout her time in Tajikistan, including Mahina Usmonova (2016), Anzurat Kosimiva (2016), Manzura Khurshed (2022), Matriba Akhmedova (2015), and Sumbulmo Nekqadamova (2015). Erin’s visit culminated in a panel of TechWomen and TechGirls in the American Space in Dushanbe discussing career journeys, TechWomen, and other U.S. State Department programs. The accomplished panelists, including Anzurat, Natalya Tyudina (2018), Zevar Bordachyova Davlatmamadova (2018) and Adolat Shabozova (2022), shared inspiring stories of their time in the United States, critical decisions and career advances following the program. 

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Report Date...: 10/10/2022


Fellow leads project landing acceptance to accelerator

Fellow(s): Safa Buzgeia

Country: Libya

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Non-profit FabLab Libya has recently been selected into Tadamom Accelerator thanks in great part to the contribution of member and fellow Safa Buzgeia (2022). Safa led the proposal of Libyan STEM Hub, which aims to introduce modern, hands-on STEM teaching methods into Libyan elementary schools. FabLab Libya was selected among 50 organizations out of 345 applications from 28 countries. Tadamon Accelerator is a platform of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in 57 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
“Libyan STEM Hub was greatly inspired by my experiences with Techwomen this spring, specifically with Resource Area For Teaching (raft) non-profit organization and a Micro Blocks workshop by Professional Mentor Kathy Giori,” Safa shared. “Furthermore, I directly applied what I learned from the ‘How to Pitch Your Project’ workshop by mentor Eileen Brewer in preparation of the evaluation interview with the UNDP team.”

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Report Date...: 10/3/2022


Fellow solar-training initiative forms U.S. partnership

Fellow(s): Gisele Beatrice Sonfack

Country: Cameroon

Cohort: 2016

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

A fellow-founded initiative, Women in Engineering and Technology (WENTECH), created by Fellow Gisele Beatrice Sonfack (Cameroon, 2016) has recently launched its first solar energy training with a new U.S. based partner, Remote Energy. Since September 12th, 14 young women have started training to become instructors with partner Remote Energy, who has provided training and materials for WENTECH with the objective of developing at least one instructor in each major city in Cameroon to facilitate trainings and impact in local schools. Gisele created WENTECH in 2017 to attract and empower women in Cameroon to STEM fields, following her participation in Techwomen in 2016. Since its founding, WENTECH has trained and empowered over 2,000 girls in Cameroon in solar power with the support of local partners Douala Advanced Vocational Training Center and Limbé Advanced Vocational Training Center. That support system has since expanded to include international partnership with Remote Energy.

Report Date...: 9/26/2022


Fellow leads Technovation teams to world semi-finals

Fellow(s): Maral Khudaibergenova

Country: Turkmenistan

Cohort: 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Under the leadership of regional coordinator and Fellow Maral Khudaibergenova (2018) two teams from Turkmenistan reached the world semi-finals of the international Technovation Girls competition for the first time ever.
Technovation Girls is a volunteer-led social entrepreneurship competition for young women. With the guidance of mentors, participants develop and present mobile applications designed to address a local issue. This summer, 150 girls took part with the help of mentors and volunteers serving from Turkmenistan and abroad.
“The program is unique in that it encourages children to notice existing problems and develop solutions,” Maral explained. “Participation helps girls develop skills such as design thinking, project management, time management, marketing, business planning, and programming.”

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Report Date...: 9/19/2022


Seed grant initiative earns spot with digital accelerator

Fellow(s): “Nezha Larhrissi, Salima Kaissi”

Country:

Cohort: 2013

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

A seed grant-winning Techwomen impact initiative, eSTEM Morocco, was recently selected among seven global organizations for the Aspen Digital Equity Accelerator. Founded in 2014 by Moroccan Fellows Nezha Larhrissi (2013) and Salima Kaissi (2013), eSTEM Morocco provides access and introductions to STEM disciplines for girls and women in Morocco. They host camps, conferences and challenges, and conduct official ambassadorship of Technovation Girls in Morocco. “As part of the grant, we are working on a digital app which will provide 50,000 Moroccan girls with advice, support and effective orientation,” Nezha explained.
The Aspen Digital Accelerator is a four-month mentorship and training program designed to help select international nonprofits scale their efforts. eSTEM Morocco was selected out of 170 applications. In addition to mentorship, winners will receive a cash grant of more than $100,000 USD.

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Report Date...: 9/12/2022


"Fellow speaks at Global Shapers event "

Fellow(s): Asha Panyako

Country: Kenya

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow Asha Panyako (Kenya, 2022) led a talk on “Creating a Powerful Hub Vision” at the Global Shapers Annual Summit 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland held September 2-4, 2022. She has recently assumed the role of curator of Global Shapers in Nairobi, Kenya. She has been working to expand its reach, recently partnering the organization with eMentoring Africa to enroll girls from Samburu Girls Foundation into Technovation, a global education technology nonprofit that teaches teams of mentors, parents and girls to address real-world problems by coding mobile apps.
The Global Shapers Community is a network of young under-30 changemakers developed out of the World Economic Forum to inspire dialogue, action and change surrounding world challenges.
​

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Report Date...: 9/12/2022


Tajik fellows provide light-bearing backpacks for students

Fellow(s): Hamida Rahmikhudoeva, Dilafruz Mamadjonova, Manizha Khayolbekova, Gulnoza Burkhanova and Rukhshona Saratbekova

Country: Tajikistan

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Environmental Sustainability, Youth Engagement

This fall more than 60 primary school children from a rural village in Tajikistan are starting the school year with solar charging backpacks, thanks to TechWomen’s 2020-2021 Team Tajikistan, composed of fellows Hamida Rahmikhudoeva, Dilafruz Mamadjonova, Manizha Khayolbekova, Gulnoza Burkhanova and Rukhshona Saratbekova. “Enhancing Education Through Light” is Team Tajikistan’s seed grant initiative designed to address the need for school children to have a reliable and safe light source for completing homework after sunset. “Despite significant progress in the field of energy, electricity is still lacking in many regions of Tajikistan,” teammate Rukhshona shared, “especially in rural areas where children are forced to do their homework by candlelight or with dangerous, polluting kerosene lamps. [This] negatively affects both their health and academic progress.”
Each pack features a solar-charging panel on the front pocket that banks energy from the sun during the day in order to power a compact lamp on a flexible metal arm for visibility at night. “We hope that through our project,” Rukhshona added, “we can attract the attention of investors to think about providing this remote area with the clean and reliable electricity.”

Report Date...: 8/29/2022


Fellow empowers 120 girls with Green Tech Girls Summer Bootcamp

Fellow(s): Damilola Asaleye

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement

Fellow Damilola Asaleye of Nigeria (2020-2021) recently helped produce the Green Tech Girls Summer Bootcamp, a five-day program for high school girls organized by the Girls and Women Technological Empowerment Organization (GWTEO).
The summer camp takes a holistic approach to activities relevant to girls and women that will enhance their self confidence and abilities to become sustainable technology leaders and change makers. Damilola, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Ashdam Solar Company, helped in the production of learning sessions on the topics of basic solar installation, upcycling, sustainable agriculture, financial literacy, information and communication technologies, leadership skills, teamwork, healthy living and visioning. The Green Tech Girls Summer Bootcamp is not the only stop on Damilola’s summer of women and girls’ empowerment. She is also taking part in the BEMORE Summer Bootcamp in Akure, Nigeria with close to 400 girls over the following weeks.
“My summer of impacting girls started yesterday Monday 15th August with the Green Tech Girls Summer Bootcamp,” Damilola recently shared, “and I’ve got my hyper attitude on with adrenaline pumping.”

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Report Date...: 8/22/2022


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Impact Story Policy Areas

  • Economic Impact
  • Education Diplomacy/Mentoring
  • Empowering Women and Girls
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Professional Development
  • Professional Growth
  • Special Report
  • Youth Engagement
Back To Impact Map

Recent Impact Stories

  • Fellow(s): Fellow inks partnership to train 50,000 in South Punjab – Ayesha Zaman

    Country: Pakistan

    Region: CSA

    Cohort: 2022

    Project/Action: 000 in South Punjab"

    Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

    Skills Todo, Pakistan’s premium skills-based e-learning platform, co-founded by fellow & CEO Ayesha Zaman Hammaad (Pakistan, 2022), has recently announced a partnership with Digital South Punjab aimed at strengthening the tech ecosystem in South Punjab, Pakistan by training 50,000 local students and professionals. Ayesha and her partner, COO Namra Nasyr, inked the agreement with Rizwan Majeed, Founder of Digital South Punjab and Director of Information Technology at Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Together, they believe that the partnership will raise awareness of the benefits of digital skills education in concert with academia and bring fruitful tech industry prospects to the region.
    Ayesha has also recently accepted a role as a Startup Mentor for NewChip, an Austin, Texas-based online accelerator that provides founders with tools and skills to build, scale, and fund their startups.

    Read More »

    Report Date: 12/05/2022

  • Fellow(s): Team recognized by BBC & Ambassador after seed grant win – Amara Dar, Sadaf Gul, Ramla Syeda Hassan, Syeda Sadaf Shah, Anum Sadiq and Shehnaz Zakia

    Country: Pakistan

    Region: CSA

    Cohort: 2022

    Project/Action: "Team recognized by BBC & Ambassador after seed grant win"

    Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

    The fellows of Fall 2022 Team Pakistan, composed of Amara Dar, Sadaf Gul, Ramla Hassan Sadafi Shah, Anum Sadiq and Shehnaz Zakia, were recently featured in BBC News Urdu to acknowledge their having recently been awarded $3000 in seed grant funding for the impact project they developed during their TechWomen program.
    The project, AGAHI, will be a mobile technology campaign aimed at raising climate change awareness in the wake of the devastating floods in Pakistan this summer.
    In addition to being featured in BBC, the team also recently met with the Ambassador of Pakistan to the USA on 26th Oct. 2022 to discuss AGAHI shortly after the close of their TechWomen program in Washington D.C.
    In the meeting, the ambassador expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the U.S. Department of State and ECA for providing opportunities for Pakistani women in STEM to excel through exchange programs. He also encouraged Team Pakistan to complete the project with full dedication, offering assurance of the Embassy of Pakistan’s support in the sustainable execution of the project and the development of future collaborations.

    Read More »

    Report Date: 11/28/2022

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