Hear from Past GSU MWF-YALI Fellows
Aisha Blegbo, Cote d’Ivoire
“The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a unique key that opens multiple locks. It’s up to you to find all the doors you need to enrich people’s lives, build better organizations and contribute to a more just and caring society. A wonderful experience with amazing and talented people, under a flag of excellence and hope, for a united and strong Africa: the Africa of my dreams.”
Benedict Makara, Lesotho
“We live in a time where Africa is faced with serious challenges. No matter how hard we work, we cannot solve those challenges in our lifetime. However, if each of us contribute a little solution to the entire problem, collectively we will make a significant change in our lifetime.”
Silindile Buthelezi, South Africa
“The YALI Fellowship experience has been invaluable in broadening my knowledge of contexts and cultures of other African countries outside my own and I have developed networks which will lead to possible future collaboration opportunities among my fellow African brothers and sisters.”
Joe Mpango, Malawi
“The MWF program at GSU is quite an insightful experience. I like that it challenges us as leaders to embrace service as the heart of leadership. It’s truly humbling to know that when you put your heart to lead a life of service to others, leadership finds its place in its highest form.”
Maureen Changawa, Kenya
“I came to this fellowship wanting to change a small community on the coast of Kenya, and I leave with a strong appreciation and love for my continent. I believe this spirit that fanned the Pan-African movements in the late 1950s leading to the liberation of many African states…and I can only imagine the magnificent wave of change about to hit Africa…”
Shey Lontum, Cameroon
“True leaders must be ready to give up what they want for the society we all need.”
Hayley Anne Reynolds, South Africa
“Inspired and humbled to be among like-minded young servant leaders…Overwhelmed by the lessons and opportunities the MWF program has provided us with… Grateful to the incredible AYSPS team who has put so much effort into developing us as leaders. I am excited and hopeful that if we all shine our lights brightly in our communities by leading with servant hearts, others may just follow and, together, we can achieve our hopes and dreams for the people of our beautiful continent.”
Kheri Tungaraza, Tanzania
“As a young African leader, I am very optimistic about Africa’s future. The continent is the next world leader and hope of the world. However, to reclaim that role in the world, its leaders must choose to service its people and learn from the mistakes of the Western world. “
Fatma Makame, Tanzania
“True leadership is being comfortable with being in the backstage.”
Izuchukwu Michael Offiaeli, Nigeria
“An entire nation including her private sector, could be held back if the public institutions are not inclusive, and delivering effectively. I’m deeply committed to leading a movement with positive change agents in Nigeria’s public-sector institutions, and GSU is doing excellently in delivering the fundamentals; I won’t be the same again.”
Kebonye Motseosi, Botswana
“The fellowship is an opportunity to get a different perspective of life as a whole. I’m looking forward to collaborating with other fellows to come up with African tailored solutions for some of Africa’s challenges.”
Edwin Mathies Jr., Liberia
“Surround yourself with people who will build you up. Life may kick you left, right, up and down; never quit! Never ever give up! Always believe in your unflinching potential and the power and beauty of your dreams.”
Moyombuya Ngubula, Botswana
“I feel in this generation, in order to be an effective leader, you need to be in touch with issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective such that you are able to not only address immediate problems but come up with solutions that are inclusive of all the problems around you.”
Esmael Ali, Ethiopia
“I have a plan to establish a comprehensive eye care program in my country which can provide service, research and training for my eye care professionals and the population… for my long- term plan, I feel I need more leadership training… and in the first week I have learned a lot.”
Chaikhwa Lobaste, Botswana
“The Mandela Washington Fellowship-Young African Leaders Initiative will open my eyes and cause me to dream bigger, go back and do more for my community.”
Emmanuel Fai Yengo, Camaroon
“I have the greatest admiration for Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Their actions have taught me that being a leader is all about looking out for the people you lead and ensuring that the actions and decisions you make will make their lives better.”
Fatoumata Bangaly Barry, Guinea
“My experience in Atlanta, cosmopolitan city of Martin Luther King, is teaching me that the best leaders are those who give the most to others by making extraordinary sacrifices. Leaders must serve others, but not use others.”
Lompo Martin, Burkina Faso
“This immersion in U.S. culture is showing me the transformative power of inclusion and equality on a society. It has strengthen my commitment to promote equality and inclusion in my country.”
Amadou Boukar, Niger
“I’ve always known that if I want to help develop Niger, I must be able to conduct economic forecasts. The forecasting tools that I have learned at the Mandela Washington Fellowship will absolutely be put into practice upon my return to my country!”
Alemseged Woretaw, Ethiopia
“MWF-YALI 2016 has taught me how to use their principles of situational and servant leadership in my current role as a team leader and to use logic models to capture major issues for my strategic plans for my projects and programs.”