Access to Education for Talented African Students

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.

Cherno is an Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Graduate and a UK National Health Service (NHS) lab assistant. Reflecting on his AAI experience, he emphasizes, "Joining the AAI was a turning point in my life. It opened doors to knowledge and experiences, shaping my perspective and giving me a more positive outlook on the world."

Cherno joined the AAI in 2016. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Manchester, in the UK, in 2021. "Joining the AAI was truly transformative for me. Without the AAI, I wouldn't have gained the knowledge and experiences that have shaped my perspective and given me a more positive outlook on the world. The connections I've formed are invaluable, helping me refine and pursue my dreams. Being surrounded by brilliant AAI Scholars has been truly inspiring."

Cherno's commitment to community upliftment is deeply personal. Inspired by the leadership training within AAI, he turned his ambitions into action. "The training pushed me to act on my dreams, leading to a life-changing Ashinaga proposal," he shares. His project, aimed at empowering Gambian mothers economically through financial training, is a testament to this commitment. "This project is close to my heart because I witnessed my mother's struggles to send me to school," he reveals. Despite challenges, Cherno remains resolute in his mission to make a difference in The Gambia. 

Cherno is also committed to positively changing The Gambia's biomedical sector by leveraging his role at NHS. He's actively networking with other Gambians to facilitate impactful initiatives and promote biomedical studies among high school students. 

Cherno's future is filled with ambitious plans and aspirations. He is actively engaging with key institutions in The Gambia to foster future collaborations. In January, he will commence an online Advanced Biomedical Studies course at London Metropolitan University, demonstrating his commitment to staying at the forefront of his field. 

Looking ahead, Cherno is determined to give back to his community. His plan to establish an association of Gambian Medical Scientists is a testament to this. "The goal is to promote biomedical studies for more Gambian high school students, closing the gap and lack of local expertise in the field," he affirms.

Links:

• Ashinaga Foundation Official Website