Scholars Aspire to Create Social Change

Mastercard Foundation Scholars are leading projects that share the Foundation’s mission to serve economically disadvantaged communities in Africa. They aspire to have a positive impact and influence change in their communities. “We need people who truly care about the continent to be at the forefront of decision making and I aim to be one of those people,” says Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Adetutu Sadiq, studying at the University of California, Berkeley.

Adetetu and nine fellow Scholars traveled to New York City to represent the Foundation and participate in a boot camp to support their leadership development. The weekend focused on self-reflection and understanding how their unique talents can be put to work for the world they envision.

Jeanbat Busisi, another boot camp participant and a Scholar at Arizona State University, is alleviating economic barriers for communities in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

“I grew up in a refugee camp where there were limited resources. People were not trusted to manage finances, and families do not own anything – they just work around the camp to try to get money,” Jeanbat says. “My mom had to borrow money to pay my school fees, and it has been a challenge to pay them back. I came up with a microfinance idea because of my experience with my mom.”

Jeanbat Busisi, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Arizona State University

Jeanbat decided to start Ubuntu Starter Investments to provide access to low-interest loans and financial advice to his community.

“Poverty is passed down from generation to generation when families cannot afford basic needs such as shelter, food, and education. I want to empower rural communities to break the cycle of poverty and give them the resources to do this,” he says.

Faith Causey Kipkemboi, a Scholar at McGill University plans to setup a mental health program that will raise mental illness awareness in Kenya.

“Mental health is a great concern. While it still stands as an under-explored medical concern in Kenya, there are patients who turn-up in the hospital depressed and non-verbal yet they require care that is sadly limited to medication and some counselling.” Faith Causey says. “I plan to setup a mental health program that will raise mental illness awareness since some people in Kenya still associate it with superstitious beliefs such as witchcraft.”

Faith Causey Kipkemboi, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at McGill University

Lucas Manhice, a Scholar studying at Michigan State University, would like to create affordable housing for residents of Alexandra, South Africa. Growing up, he saw people in his community living in “improvised housing,” he says. “Conditions are difficult. The homes overheat, leak, and flood. One fire can take down 200 houses. Living in a shack has psychological effects and leaves you to believe that life is leading nowhere.”

Lucas aims to “uplift the dignity of the people and increase living standards,” by applying cost-effective and innovative building techniques, and enabling families to finance the costs associated with the construction process.

“I am planning to use recycled plastics to make bricks that fit together. I want to tap into the creativity of the people. That creativity already exists when they use scrap materials to build houses, so this approach uses the skills they already have.”

Adetetu, Jeanbat, Faith Causey, and Lucas demonstrate the deep personal commitment to giving back that all Mastercard Foundation Scholars have. That commitment will make a difference to their families, their communities, and their countries.