Access to Education for Talented African Students

Angelique, a graduate of the first Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) cohort from Rwanda, embodies the transformative power of education. Despite the challenges of post-war Rwanda, generous donations supported her through her AAI journey, enabling her to attend preparation camps in Uganda, complete an internship, and earn a degree in the United States—equipping her with the skills to become an agent of positive change in her community.

As a high school graduate, Angelique came across the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) scholarship by chance. “I’d gone to the Rwanda Education Board to apply for something else entirely, and there was an announcement for the Ashinaga scholarship. I thought, ‘Why not apply? I’m already here,’” she recalls. That decision launched her on a path that would transform her life and community.

Angelique accessed world-class education through AAI and an invaluable network of mentors and peers. While completing her undergraduate degree in international relations in the United States, she discovered her passion for public health. Her studies and reflections on the intersection of poverty, health, and education in her community motivated her to pursue holistic solutions to these challenges.

During an internship with Partners in Health in Rwanda, Angelique found her passion for public health and resource mobilization. “Clinical interventions are not enough. People need water, housing, and necessities to lead healthy lives,” she explains. Today, she works as the Development and Communications Manager at Gardens for Health International, where she leads efforts in grant writing and resource mobilization to combat child malnutrition in Rwanda.

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Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Scholar, Apollo, exemplifies the impact of education in shaping the future of talented African leaders. As the founder and CEO of Signals from the Grassroots, Apollo is deeply committed to empowering young people in Uganda and beyond, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to lead positive change in their communities.

Apollo witnessed firsthand the struggles of young girls suffering from period poverty, an experience that would shape his future work. "Many girls had sponsors for tuition, but issues like menstruation were overlooked," he recalls. The widespread nature of this problem—where 5 million girls drop out of school in Uganda due to period poverty—motivated Apollo to take action. This led to the founding of Signals from the Grassroots, which now drives development through youth-led projects, mentorship, and advocacy.

With the support of Ashinaga, Apollo’s vision grew into a global initiative. Through Ashinaga’s preparation camp in Uganda and continuous mentorship, Apollo developed the leadership and entrepreneurial skills necessary to bring his ideas to life. Ashinaga’s mission to provide professional development and post-graduation guidance equipped Apollo with the tools to lead a community-based movement for change.

One of the Apollo’s flagship initiatives, Keep Her in School, directly tackles period poverty in Uganda. Supported by a $10,000 grant from Projects for Peace, Apollo and his team distributed sanitary pads and hygiene kits to 1,000 girls across three rural districts, including Chibuga. They also conducted education sessions to ensure proper hygiene practices, underscoring the importance of health alongside education.

The success of Keep Her in School was bolstered by collaboration with fellow AAI Scholars and the Ashinaga network. "The majority of the team were AAI Scholars eager to drive positive change," Apollo notes. This sense of community, cultivated by Ashinaga’s training programs, has empowered Apollo and others to extend their impact beyond Uganda.

In addition to his work with Signals from the Grassroots, Apollo has forged partnerships to further expand his mission. He interned with Junior Achievement Uganda through the Social Equity Program, impacting 2,000 Ugandan youth by equipping them with essential skills in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness.

Apollo’s ambition extends far beyond Uganda. While balancing his academic pursuits in Japan, he envisions scaling Signals from the Grassroots globally, impacting even more communities.

Through Ashinaga’s support, Apollo has become a shining example of how access to education and leadership development can empower the next generation of African leaders. His work continues to provide thousands of young Ugandans with the opportunities and skills they need to shape their futures and lead their communities to a brighter tomorrow. Thanks to your donations, Ashinaga will be able to support more students with their leadership development and equip them to become agents of positive change.