Akoben: Stories of Impact. Tales of Courage.

We are pleased to introduce our new series, Akoben (readiness to be called to action, volunteerism in Twi): Stories of Impact. Tales of Courage. These stories speak about the power of education as a tool for transformative change with the world. They are told through the lens of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni.

Our work within the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team often brings us into contact with many inspiring young people leading transformative change in their schools and communities. We spent the greater part of this year speaking with some of these young people and capturing their stories.

Read the stories from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Akpene Diata Hoggar: Knowing Yourself Is the Beginning of Learning

Akpene was born and raised in Akatsi, in the Volta region of Ghana. When she was 18, she embarked on a transformative adventure journey, moving to Accra to pursue her studies at Ashesi University. This journey would pave the way for a career in creative entrepreneurship, ultimately fueling her passion for Information Technology (IT).

Hadiza Yusuf: Everyone Has Something To Give In Their Own Little Space

Hadiza was born in a remote community in Adamawa state, Nigeria, with people from all over the country. Her parents never had a formal education, but her mother was especially determined to ensure her children went to school. Her mother’s vision, resilience, and sacrifices made to provide an education for her children served as a motivation for Hadiza.

Yamlak Asrat Bogale: Remember To Stay Connected To Your Roots

Yamlak was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Her interest in science led her to pursue a career in Engineering. After school, she would often spend her time on different engineering projects. After finishing her undergraduate studies, she connected with a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alumna who had also pursued the same field of study at CMU-Africa through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Inspired, Yamlak made the decision to apply and was selected into the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa.

Jean Pierre Imanirumva: Happiness for a Lifetime Comes from Helping People

One of Jean Pierre’s greatest challenges was starting a career in engineering. Coming from a management background, he was not familiar with engineering concepts. It was thus challenging for him to join Tap and Go, a Rwandan tech firm providing smart transport solutions for over 5 million users. Undeterred, Jean Pierre worked to improve himself and addressed the knowledge gaps he identified. His efforts paid off, and he became an engineer. Before joining the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa, Jean Pierre had a successful career as an engineer. He worked with several engineering companies, most notably AC Group.