Impact Stories from Education Diplomacy/Mentoring Policy Area
Fellow attends speed mentoring event for IWD2020
Fellow(s): Charity Wanjiku
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, 2017 fellow of Kenya Charity Wanjiku attended a speed mentoring event meant to connect and empower women in Kenya. Hosted by the High Commission of Canada in Kenya, the event gathered mentors and mentees in order to share experiences, inspire one another and reaffirm a collective commitment to gender equality in Kenya and beyond.
Charity is the co-founder and COO of Strauss Energy Ltd, a solar energy company that brings innovative energy solutions to off-grid areas in rural Kenya and the greater African continent. “As a mentor, I had the opportunity to chat about the challenges I’ve faced, how I’ve overcome obstacles and shared lessons that I’ve learned along the way,” she said. During the session, she gave advice to the young women on achieving their goals despite obstacles: “Level-up by being intentional in your pursuits,” she told them. “And learn to say no, without having to justify yourself.”
Report Date...: 3/2/20
Delegation shows young students the possibilities in STEM
Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Rwanda
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement
On day two of the delegation trip, mentors and fellows met with girls from 10 secondary schools throughout Kigali for a for a full day of hands-on workshops meant to spark creativity, exploration and learning. Together, mentors and fellows led small-group sessions in electronics, engineering, digital media, motherboards, pitch training, design thinking, creative brainstorming and more. In the digital media session, groups of girls used Adobe Spark to create videos on themes of their choosing; in the engineering and architecture session, students used the basic principles of bridge engineering to create their own straw bridges using scissors, straws and tape; in the electronic circuits room, groups of students created LED flashers with sound and experimented with micro:bit hardware.
In all-group sessions during the afternoon, mentors led students through interactive activities that demonstrated the principles of design thinking and creative brainstorming. “There’s no bad idea in brainstorming,” said mentor Molly Glauberman of One Medical. “And when you involve more people, your ideas will get even better.” As mentor Tina Shakour led a pitch training, she reminded the students to make eye contact, tell a compelling story, and – mostly importantly — have fun. After, students split into groups to create one-minute pitches on solutions that can bring more resources to schools. Although just a few teams were asked to present, the students were so eager that ultimately every team came on stage and presented with clarity and confidence. 2018 fellow of Kenya Salome Gathoni closed out the day, inspiring everyone in the room to pursue their curiosities, follow their talents and work hard for their goals. “While we are strong, together we are stronger,” she said. “And together our voices will change the world. You see a girl — we see the future.”
Report Date...: 2/24/20
Mentoring Rwanda’s brightest young entrepreneurs
Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Rwanda
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement
Day five was all about innovation, group feedback and learning about some of Rwanda’s emerging businesses. The day kicked-off at both Westervelle Startup Haus as well as RBD Innovation Center, two hubs that serve as incubators and coworking spaces for local entrepreneurs. There, groups of mentors and fellows had a chance to meet entrepreneurs, deliver pitch training and give their feedback and expertise in breakout sessions. At Westervelle, mentor Shadi Nayyer of Twitch opened with a keynote on what investors look for, stressing the importance of finding a rockstar team, telling a good story and being open to pivoting: “You have to be in love with the problem, not the solution — because the solution can change,” she said.
Before the entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to the delegates, mentor Elaina Tia of LinkedIn delivered a pitch training, using real-world examples that demonstrated how to tell a story, use persuasive language and gather feedback. It was then time to hear from the entrepreneurs themselves at a pitch feedback session, where delegates listened to business ideas such as turning waste into recyclable materials as well as an online marketplace that sells Rwandan-made products. After hearing the pitches, mentors and fellows asked challenging questions and gave their advice, working alongside the entrepreneurs to fine-tune both their business plan and pitches. In breakout sessions that followed, small groups discussed building strong teams, going global with a business, building your brand and how to optimize social media and marketing to elevate a new business.
Report Date...: 2/24/20
A day with survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi
Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Rwanda
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement
The delegation had the honor and opportunity on day four to be welcomed warmly by Impinganzima Hostel in Bugesera District, a community for elderly survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. The home, primarily occupied by women, has created a community where residents feel safe, supported and connected.
The 2018 fellows of Rwanda coordinated the visit to Impinganzima, introducing us to the community and sharing how they’ve worked to support residents through their TechWomen seed grant-winning initiative, Healing Together. Since the launch of Healing Together, the fellows have worked alongside the coordinators and psychologists at Impinganzima to bring customized training sessions on group therapy and group counseling. “We created Healing Together to support, activate, advocate and help create a network of counselors around the country who would help women widows and survivors,” said fellow Noella Nibakuze. “TechWomen pushed us to think beyond ourselves and think about our communities.”
Despite a language barrier, mentors and fellows spent a morning with the residents playing games, knitting and dancing. Although the women have faced unimaginable hardship, the delegates were uplifted by the true sense of community and home that Impinganzima provides. “When we reached this home, we found rest and happiness,” one resident said to the group. “We are not isolated anymore.”
Report Date...: 2/24/20
Fellow wins 2020 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award
Fellow(s): Chao Mbogo
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, 2017 fellow Chao Mbogo traveled to Seattle, Washington to receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Meeting.
The award, given in partnership by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Elsevier Foundation, recognizes early-career researchers for their diverse accomplishments in engineering, innovation and technology. It also acknowledges the researchers’ commitment to leading and mentoring young scientists, and to improving lives and livelihoods in their communities. Chao, dean of the School of Science and Technology at Kenya Methodist University, was selected for her computer science research that supports students in resource-constrained environments to learn computer programming using mobile devices. Her work addresses barriers to learning, such as small screens and keypads, that make it difficult for students to use mobile phones for programming in areas where computers are not easily accessible.
“This award is a testament that designing technological tools that support learners is important and timely work, especially for students in developing countries who may not have much access to information or opportunities,” says Chao. “This award has acted as a strong reminder to me to never stop holding the ladder up for others.”
Report Date...: 2/17/20
Fellow gives seminar on Women and Girls in Science Day
Fellow(s): Farhat Yasmeen
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
Recently, 2019 fellow Farhat Yasmeen gave a seminar entitled “The Role of Women and Girls in Science and Technology,” speaking with students at the Government College University in Lahore on the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event celebrated women and girls who are leading in STEM, and included discussions that addressed gender inequality in STEM fields.
Farhat, a trained environmental scientist, is a professor of chemistry and an advisor to students on their research. In her seminar with the students, Farhat highlighted the historical gender gap within STEM through the stories of successful female scientists, and how the culture at that time affected each woman’s eventual recognition in the field. She also led interactive exercises she learned during the TechWomen program to help the students evaluate their current position on a “ladder of success” that they defined themselves.
Report Date...: 2/17/20
Fellow attends women in science assembly at UN Headquarters
Fellow(s): Ghada Ameen
Country: Egypt, United States
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, 2018 fellow Ghada Ameen traveled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York to attend the 5th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly held by by The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT).
The event was held on the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day that recognizes women and girls in science and advocates for gender equality and opportunity within the field. The event convened government officials, representatives from international organizations and women in science to discuss gender inequality in science and create collaborative solutions and public policy recommendations. This year, the assembly had a particular focus on the role of women in science in creating green and inclusive economies. Ghada, a researcher and engineer in the field of sustainable development, participated to raise awareness about her work and support other women in joining STEM fields.
During the assembly, Ghada had the opportunity to share best practices from her field, working alongside other women researchers to create tangible solutions to promote STEM and advance women in science. When Ghada returns to Egypt, she plans to start a mentorship program in Cairo with a mission to encourage and empower girls to enter STEM.
Report Date...: 2/10/20
Fellow interviewed about her career in technology
Fellow(s): Chepkemoi Magdaline
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, 2017 fellow Chepkemoi Magdaline was interviewed about her career in computer science by Girl Talks Tech, a website that brings diverse stories and inspiration from women in tech around the world. Chepkemoi is the founder and executive director of Eldohub, an education technology platform that brings digital skills and ICT training to young people, focusing on empowering them to solve community challenges using technology.
In her interview, Chepkemoi spoke about her journey from growing up in a rural village to becoming a computer scientist, company founder and recipient of the Anitab.org Pass it on Award. She also discussed the need for more women mentors and role models: “We need women…to speak up, gain confidence, gain visibility and impact other women and girls,” she said. “I recently participated in the Techwomen program … [TechWomen] enabled me to build a business model for my startup, and I built genuine sustainable professional connections.”
Report Date...: 2/10/20
TechWomen shares upcoming delegation trip to Rwanda
Fellow(s):
Country: Rwanda, Tunisia, United States
Cohort: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, TechWomen published a blog post sharing the announcement of the two delegation trip countries for 2020: Rwanda and Tunisia. Delegations are a cornerstone of the TechWomen program, serving a vital role in growing and sustaining the TechWomen network. The trips strengthen an international network of women in STEM fields, creating partnership and exchange between the United States and TechWomen program countries.
Later this month, 18 TechWomen mentors will kick-off the first delegation of the year in Kigali, Rwanda, joined by 15 traveling fellows from Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and more. There, the group will join forces with nearly 30 Rwandan fellows who are currently hard at work organizing a week of educational and inspirational programming. Since participating in TechWomen, the Rwandan fellows have created initiatives that inspire girls to pursue STEM fields, provided support for survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, brought digital literacy training to youth and more.
Report Date...: 2/3/20
Alumnae launch first TechWomen/TechGirls Club in Kyrgyzstan
Fellow(s): Kyrgyzstan Fellows
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Cohort: 2018, 2019
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
Last month, TechWomen alumnae of multiple cohorts organized and launched Kyrgyzstan’s first TechWomen/TechGirls Club. Hosted by the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, the inaugural event convened 14 TechWomen fellows, six TechGirls alumnae and five representatives of the U.S. Embassy Bishkek for a day of programming and networking.
The day was meant to build connection between TechWomen and TechGirls, celebrate the Kyrgyz community of alumnae and create blueprints for future collaboration. The day began with an introduction from Donald Lu, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, who shared a story about his own mother’s challenges and career journey in tech. After a welcome speech from 2019 fellow Azhar Mambetova, 2018 fellow Elena Chigibaeva and the club coordination committee led a discussion about the TechWomen/TechGirls Club road map and vision, dividing the attendees into small groups to brainstorm opportunities and activities. Groups brainstormed monthly trainings and workshops for the club, as well as a mentoring challenge for teachers in local Bishkek schools.
The day concluded with an “I am Remarkable” masterclass delivered by Azhar meant to motivate, empower and inspire attendees. It was emotional,” said the fellows. “It helped all of us once again remind ourselves why we are remarkable.”
Report Date...: 2/3/20
