The Mawazo Connects Fund exists to support Mawazo Alumni pursuing post-Fellowship and post-Doctoral research projects and initiatives. For this first half of 2024, seven alumni have collectively received a total of USD11,142 in funding for various purposes. While an initial cohort of 5 was chosen by the selection committee, an additional two were added to the list after the alumni made appeals and amended their applications. This funding has been primarily allocated towards supporting the continued research, training, and commercialization projects of these individuals. 

One alumna will utilise the funds to renew and subscribe to an Online GPU service, which is essential for completing their research project as the final step before graduation. Another beneficiary will use the funding to cover travel expenses for a care-giver, infant, and toddler, enabling them to attend the Vector Base Training Workshop and Arthropod Genomics Symposium (AGS) 2024 in Nairobi. A third alumna intends to use the funds to travel from her home country in the DRC to Nairobi for thesis discussions and submission intentions to the Bureau of Postgraduate Studies at her  university. Additionally, one recipient plans to disseminate their research findings by submitting two manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals using the funds. Yet another alumna aims to develop a sign language avatar that can be integrated into an existing HIV chatbot for  her groundbreaking project that seeks to make HIV/AIDS education accessible to youth in Kenya, using the allocated resources to support youth with hearing impairments. Another alumna will attend the World Congress on Parasitic Plants in Nara, Japan. The penultimate alumna will attend a leadership accelerator programme in Lagos, while the final one in this funding cycle, will disseminate their research findings on the prevalence of sweet potato viral disease (SPVD) and farmer practices contributing to prevalence of SPVD in farmer fields in the major sweet potato growing regions in Uganda.

The Mawazo Institute has now been supporting Fellows since 2018, and the network of African women researchers we have created just crossed the 90 mark. Through our Connects Network, we continue to engage and support all the women who have gone through our Fellowship Programme. To illustrate the impactful work of our researchers, we will be spotlighting two women among our Alumni in every newsletter. This month, we highlight Dr. Teresiah Njihia and Dorcas Benard.

In May, two of our alumni achieved remarkable success. Dr. Elizabeth Wafula, a 2021 Mawazo Fellow, shared insights into her entrepreneurial journey, particularly focusing on establishing a business that processes legume-based products. She delved into the challenges she faced, including policy and financial hurdles, as well as the gender-specific obstacles that women often encounter in entrepreneurship. On the other hand, Dr. Trizah Milugo, also a 2021 Mawazo Fellow, contributed her expertise by discussing the implications of recent flooding events in the country. Dr. Trizah’s research shed light on the heightened risk of malaria transmission to women and girls within the Kenyan community. These articles underscored the significant role that women researchers play in addressing critical societal issues and their influence as thought leaders in the research ecosystem. Read more here.

During the International Coaching Week in May 2023, the Mawazo Institute had the opportunity to collaborate with the International Coaching Federation Kenya Charter Chapter. The week commenced with a demo coaching session on May 16th for Mawazo staff. This session aimed to familiarise them with professional coaching and its advantages.

Subsequently, on May 23rd, an Ideas Exchange was held for Mawazo Fellows and Alumni. The event was facilitated by a team of professional coaches from the ICF- Kenya Charter Chapter. This interactive session debunked common myths and misconceptions surrounding coaching, providing valuable insights to attendees.

In the session, a participant asked if coaching could help someone in need of therapy. Jeremy Solomons, an ICF facilitator, clarified that coaching is not therapy but can guide individuals to seek appropriate help.

The ideas exchange showcased various applications of coaching within the community. It served as an enlightening experience for those seeking career guidance as well as individuals considering a career in coaching themselves. Participants interested in coaching were directed to ICF Chapters or resources on the ICF website for further information and guidance. 

Call for Applications INTERACT- Africa PhD and MSc Scholarships 2024/2025 (Deadline 17th June) 

INTERACT- Africa is accepting applications from students focusing on Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology, with emphasis on the conversion of organic waste to valuable bioproducts for transitioning into environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economies.

Call for Applications Aspen - Impact West Africa Fellowship Program 2024 for Young Changemakers (Deadline 30th June) 

Impact West Africa Fellowship Program is accepting applications from changemakers in West Africa to equip them with the skills and support needed to address common challenges affecting close to half a billion people across the region’s 17 countries.

You can help us shape the future of women researchers on the continent by making a donation. No amount is too small – or too big. Make a donation today via debit/credit card, Paypal, or MPESA.