Capstone Fellowship Program
The Capstone Fellowship Program is a key initiative of Education Matters, stemming from the USAP Community School's Capstone Projects class. This program empowers the USAP Community School graduating students (U6 students) to turn their well researched project solutions into real-world solutions and actually implement them thus positively impacting their communities in Zimbabwe.
How the Program Works
In their final year at USAP Community School, upper six students engage in a year-long Capstone project, where they research significant challenges affecting their communities and develop solutions. Each student writes an intensive, college-level research paper that forms the foundation of their Capstone project which they defend to various stakeholders during a Capstone Showcase usually held in November.
In October, a month before Capstone Showcase and graduation, the Capstone Fellowship Program invites USAP Community School seniors to apply to the Capstone Fellowship program. Successful applicants are selected to receive mentorship, training, access to a network of industry experts, and seed funding to implement their project solutions in their communities.
Expectations for Fellows
The fellowship spans six months from January to June, with fellows dedicating 40 hours per week to their projects. During this period, fellows are expected to:
- Participate in weekly virtual meetings to share progress, challenges, and plans.
- Attend speaker sessions by industry experts and alumni to enhance skills and broaden perspectives.
- Drive projects towards sustainability with the goal of long-term impact.
- Participate in an in-person mid-program retreat, collaborating with other fellows and refining their projects.
- Onboard the next generation of leaders, ensuring the continued impact of their work beyond the fellowship.
To ensure projects are on track, the program team conducts on-site visits to assess progress and provide feedback.
Impact on Fellows and Communities
The Capstone Fellowship Program has a transformative impact on both the fellows and the communities they serve. Our students come from all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe, with many from rural and high-density areas where resources are limited. The fellowship places fellows at the heart of these communities, where their projects can address the most pressing issues.
For fellows, the program is a powerful stepping stone to a career of impact, offering a chance to build a professional network while still in school. It also fosters a sense of fulfilment as they begin to see the tangible results of their efforts to address real-world problems.
Neka's Capstone focuses on teaching people with disabilities how to make soap for income, while also offering a fitness club to keep them active
Due to Idirashe's Capstone, several homesteads in Murambinda, Zimbabwe has started using the tippy tap, “chigubhu gear” to provide handwashing water for use after visiting the toilet, to combat cholera
Application Process
Applications to the Capstone Fellowship Program open every October, with fellows selected by the Education Matters Programs Team based on project quality, feedback from Capstone project Showcase presentations, and available funding. Fellowship decisions are communicated by late November.
Are you a USAPCS student and are interested in applying? Applications open in October, 2025.
Testimonials & Success Stories
TWEENS Program:
Was launched during the COVID lockdowns of 2020-21 as a peer tutoring program by refugee Advanced Level students attending Education Matters’ USAP Community School as their service learning and Capstone projects. Close to 5 years later now, TWEENS is a vibrant centre for after school programmes, education outreach, a girls’ book club, homework assistance, service learning, and the 2023 new addition, an A level programme.
Albert Tsododo :
His Capstone project was focused on addressing educational inequality in low-income communities in Zaka. His research focused on the correlations between illiteracy and poor health, poverty, and criminal activity specifically in Paradzai Village in Zaka District where he built and started a free school which since 22 is up and running, providing free education to children in Zaka District.
Contact Us
For more information or inquiries about the program, please feel free to contact us at programs@edmattersafrica.org or Call/Text/WhatsApp on +263 78 464 2786.