What is YYAS? I pause a moment and take a thought. To me it has been something more than just a program, its greatness in the making; a life changing experience. 20 August 2016 when I arrived at Arundel Girls High School, for the first YYAS workshop, it was the beginning of ultimate life changing … Continue reading YYAS Mentoring: Grooming World Class Leaders
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YYAS Educators Conference: View From Zambia
Arriving at Harare’s Arundel campus this August brought back memories of being on an all girls school campus years ago. And if the campus brought back memories of high school , the atmosphere was quickly transformed by the refreshingly mellow but energetic Rebekah Bell, Education Matters’ YYAS Coordinator who made sure we were all taken … Continue reading YYAS Educators Conference: View From Zambia
YYAS Alum Camp: Charting Our Futures
When I attended the Yale Young African Scholars Program in Zimbabwe in August 2016, I assumed that at the end of the program, my link with YYAS would end too. It was the shortest week of my life and the goodbyes to new friends from across the Continent were filled with tears and laughter as … Continue reading YYAS Alum Camp: Charting Our Futures
YYAS Educators: Standing With Our Continent’s Hope
On the 18 August, 100 African students burst enthusiastically on to Arundel School’s campus to be engaged, enlightened, and inspired by the passionate Yale Young African Scholars team; undoubtedly these are some of our best young people: the hope of the continent. On the 20th, a smaller, more unassuming group started to arrive quietly by … Continue reading YYAS Educators: Standing With Our Continent’s Hope
USAP Students Win Big at Math/Science Olympiad
Four students in the current USAP cohort proudly took the stage on Friday, September 22 at Bindura University of Science Education’s national Mathematics and Science Olympiad. USAPer Munashe Mhlanga, from John Tallach High School in Matabeleland North Province, won the overall Gold Medal for the Mathematics Olympiad, and was awarded a laptop and $250. Evans … Continue reading USAP Students Win Big at Math/Science Olympiad
Paying It Forward: USAP Students Sleep Well
When USAP students arrived on college campuses across America in August, they were pleasantly surprised to find a post office slip alerting them they had a package awaiting them. That package contained a beautiful set of bedding for each of their new dorm rooms. A USAP alumna, who prefers to remain anonymous, came up with … Continue reading Paying It Forward: USAP Students Sleep Well
USAP Bootcamp: Assaulting One’s Sense of Self
It was on a Monday morning on the 28th of August when I was welcomed by the cheerful faces of my fellow USAP family members whom I had last seen four months ago when we prepared for the SAT. I had mixed emotions. I was very happy to meet again with this second family, but … Continue reading USAP Bootcamp: Assaulting One’s Sense of Self
USAP Bootcamp: Sunset Lessons
“Wow, this is actually very beautiful….” I whispered to myself in disbelief as I sat there staring at the captivating sunset over Lake Chivero. The sun was a soft burnt orange, and looking at it made it hard for me to believe that that was the same sun that had blazed hot at midday, and … Continue reading USAP Bootcamp: Sunset Lessons
ZCC Graduates 25 Interns
In the three years it has existed, the Zimbabwe Career Connect Internship Program has managed over time to become an interactive program that focuses on both talk and action, and this has separated it from most internship programs in the country. Reflecting on the just ended third year cycle, ZCC has grown in size and … Continue reading ZCC Graduates 25 Interns
USAP Forum 2017: Reflection from “The Malawian”
“How do you like Zimbabwe so far?” asked Lincoln Mtemeri, a rising junior at Arizona State University, when I arrived at Education Matters offices in Harare before we headed to Chengeta Lodge where the 2017 USAP Forum was held. In my disoriented state, following a 16-hour bus ride from Blantyre to Harare, I fumbled for … Continue reading USAP Forum 2017: Reflection from “The Malawian”