07/20/2022
TRASH TALK TOMORROW! July 21st 5 - 7pm at RePour,
This summer Envision Charlotte and Crown Town Compost are hosting 3 Mandela Fellows and we couldn't be more excited! We will hear from each of them; what they have been doing back home and what they hope to learn while they are here...so let's meet them!
Peter Bichok (South Sudan): Peter Bichok is an IT Officer at ACROSS an interdenominational Christian organization based in South Sudan working to transform lives and communities through partnership with the global church, other organizations and co-founder of Eco Solution Ltd, a youth-led company focused on cleaning the environment. His company collects plastics waste from the environment and recycles it into strong, durable roofing, pavement, and floor tiles. His dream is to establish plastic recycling in South Sudan and see a safer and healthier environment. He also hopes to strengthen his IT skills to support youth in his community. This summer, Peter will study Leadership in Business at Rutgers University
Pacy Bukoko (Democratic Republic of the Congo): Pacy Bukoko is founder and director of MarZ compost, a waste management startup. She has designed an innovative metallic recycling bin, trainings on waste sorting, and collected organic waste to make compost. Her long-term goals are to create a strong waste management system in the entire DRC in the next 5 years and operate a commercial mall where only reusable and recycling products are sold. This summer, Pacy spent six weeks studying Leadership in Business at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and is joining Crown Town Compost in Charlotte, NC for 4 weeks of a Professional Development Experience..
Mwiza Muwowo (Zambia): Mwiza Muwowo is founder of Umni Solutions, a mobile aquaponics farm, which grows fish and vegetables simultaneously using 90% less water, land, and labor than conventional farming methods. Starting out less than a year ago with a capital of $150 she was able to produce 360 fish and over 3,000 vegetable packs and gain USD $3,510 in sales. She aims to learn more about how to integrate AI into food processing and production in order to expand her business. This summer, she will study Leadership in Business at Purdue University.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since 2014, nearly 5,100 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries. In 2022, the Fellowship will provide 700 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.
