By Lekodi Magombo | Students with Dreams Programme Officer
The 2017-18 Dreamer cohort made a huge impact The 2017-18 Students with Dreams cohort was an interesting year. Here are some of the exciting projects that came from the latest cohort, as well as some partners and activities that made it all possible.
The latest group of 35 Dreamers conducted 12 different projects, impacting 1020 people from across the Zomba district, including 427 men and 593 women.
The Dreamers said they gained a strong sense of responsibility because this unique programme put them in charge and allowed them to focus on what would best impact those in need. The also said that because they are able to lead and implement projects in the community, they feel valued and trusted. Other feedback shows the trainings and mentorship really work hand-in-hand to equip the Dreamers with confidence, knowing they can overcome barriers they might face. As one Dreamer also put it, the programme also allows for more practical experience that is helpful in building a resume for applying for jobs since most employers would rather have someone who has worked in a more practical nature before.
We were excited to host volunteers from Georgia State University, World University Canada, and Seattle University this summer, who have been helping strengthen the Students with Dreams programme. We're so grateful for all of the help Patricia, Danielle, Kaleb, Sam, and Emi have provided through monitoring and evaluation, fundraising and curriculum development.
Through the Segal Family Foundation grantee network, we met with an organisation called Ashoka. They, in collaboration with British Council, hosted the Impact Africa Summit. The Summit aimed to create a platform for discussion on the state and nature of leadership and the ecosystem in Africa around social entrepreneurship.
One of our Dreamers, Tawonga from Pamthunzi, was selected as a change maker and presented Pamthunzi at the Summit. Pamthunzi means “under the shade” and refers to the traditional place where communities gather to discuss and resolve issues. Taking cue from this traditional practice, the project gathers youth from schools in rural parts of Zomba to discuss various social issues that are affecting them and create solutions together. Tawonga has also been selected for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) training. The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is an initiative of the United States Department of State and was begun in 2010. YALI aims at educating and networking young African leaders with activities including a fellowship to study in the United States for six weeks, follow-up resources, and student exchange programs. We’re very excited about the direction that Pamthunziis going to take.
Our next cohort of Dreamers will start soon and all of their projects will fall under the theme Creative Freedom of Expression, as part of a partnership with HIVOS. We’ll be working with the Dreamers using interactive activities, such as creating posters and performing skits. We’re very excited to use creative arts activities to connect to the theme of Creative Freedom of Expression. We’ve already begun training the mentors for this cohort and are excited to see what projects the newest Dreamers create.
Interested in the full impact of our work in 2017? Check out our annual report.
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By Lekodi Magombo | Students With Dreams Programme Officer
By Lekodi Magombo | Programme Officer
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