Project Inspire Africa

Driven by the desire to engineer better communities, Ogene Jude is initiating real conversations around menstrual health, inclusivity for people with special needs and the improvement of rural living. In this conversation with Project_Inspire, Jude tells his story.  PROJECT_INSPIRE : Can we meet you?    Jude : My name is Ogene Ogbodo Jude, 3rd born from a family of four, I hail from Neke in Isi Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.   PROJECT_INSPIRE : Tell us briefly your childhood experience.   Jude : Growing up was never easy. I didn’t grow up in my state of origin and there were lots of discriminations in that area with about 95% of the population were subsistent farming. In the midst of these unfavorable circumstances, my parents kept inspiring me and my siblings to dream big.    PROJECT_INSPIRE : What’s your educational background?    Jude : I am a graduate of Political Science from University of Jos. I hold a Diploma in Law from the...

For many, living with a disability spells doom. However, this is different for Cameroonian Disability Advocate and Public Speaker, Cynthia Atemkeng. At 23, Cynthia is at the forefront of community development and inspiring persons living with disability to rise to the challenge of being the best version of themselves. In this interview with Project Inspire Africa, Cynthia tells her story. Can we meet you? I am Atemkeng Cynthia, a 23-years-old Cameroonian. Singing and acting are my favorite hobbies.   Tell us briefly your childhood experience. Growing up was not easy for me because I had a physical condition that made it difficult for me to move about and play like other children in the neighborhood. What’s your educational background? I began my educational journey at Government Primary School, Nguti. I then moved to Diligent Bilingual High School, Kumba for my secondary education. I hold a degree in Special Education from University of Buea, the pioneer Anglo-Saxon university in C...

The essence of communication is never to prove a point. Although a lot is achieved through communication, its primary purpose is to positively impact those who hear us. In the Holy Bible, it is clearly spelt out that we should be gracious in our speech because the goal of every conversation is to bring out the best in others, not to put them down nor cut them out. In relating with children and young people, parents, guardians, mentors and teachers must bear in mind this goal. Without being intentional about communicating to build, you will tear down the lives God has put under your custody to nurture. I know of a 16-years-old teenager who committed suicide as a birthday gift to her mother. One may wonder what formed that child’s orientation and brought her to such a dangerous conclusion. Her suicide note revealed the underlying factor. The mother had always blamed her for her dad leaving them. In fact, the mother described the day she was born as the day happiness left her. It is not d...

In 2020, I had the privilege of moderating an SDGs Decent Jobs Summit where I met the Executive Director of RED Foundation,Ozor Ugonna. During our conversation,I shared with him my non-profit organization's vision of providing textbooks for secondary school students in rural communities in 2021in Enugu State. I know from my experience in the nonprofit sector that until we get interventions to those who truly need them,we will waste both time and resources. In the days ahead after our meeting,I kept the communication lines open with Mr.Ugonna and later went to officially meet with his team at one of their staffs meeting in another Local Government Area different from my operation base to finalize plans.  Busaosowo Foundation didn't have to go about looking for which school was best for our intervention,RED Foundation as an already existing organization in that community knew better.  Two schools were identified and we implemented the first phase of the GIFT A CHILD A TEXTBOOK C...

Recipient of the celebrated Noble Citizen Award,New Delhi and the Outstanding Senior Secondary Teacher Award,Bangkok; Angolan civic leadership enthusiast Arlindon Caiomba has remained a voice to reckon with in Angola. Through StandBright Foundation and the Bright Talks event,he brings together more than 1000 participants yearly, promoting and stimulating the practice and use of all knowledge produced regionally and nationally for development. In this interview with Project Inspire Africa,Arlindo talks about his journey. Can we meet you? My name is Arlindo Caiombe. I am 28-years-old and I come from Angola. My hobbies are reading, listening to motivational speeches, surfing the internet and cooking. Tell us briefly your childhood experience. I had a difficult childhood due to the civil war in my country as at the time I was born. I didn’t have the luxury of time and security to play around or visit friends and relatives. The war was really a bad experience for a child of my age. What’s y...

For over a decade, award-winning serial social enterprenueur Christine Vihishima has continued to create sustainable interventions for underprivileged communities in Northern Nigeria. In this interview with Project-Inspire, Christine talks about her motivation and the joy she derives from serving others. PROJECT_INSPIRE : Can we meet you? Christine :My name is Christine Vihishima. I am a Nigerian from Benue State. I am 26-years-old and currently a final year law student at the American University of Nigeria, Yola. I am deeply committed to community service, youth coaching/mentoring, quality and equitable access to education and entrepreneurship.   PROJECT_INSPIRE : Tell us about your childhood?   Christine :I am an only child but grew up in the company of many other children due to my parents’ love for others. Both of my parents raised me to be assertive, independent, hardworking and ever ready to serve others and this has shaped my life as an adult. My parents also...

There are thousands of low-income families living in rural areas and slums in the midst of our nation’s economic realities; one can only wonder how such families manage to survive, care for basic needs before thinking about education and pursuing dreams. An active Nigerian youth,Mary Essien, envisioned these difficulties and is taking action to solve them through interventions. In this interview with Project-Inspire, she shares about her work and the progress made so far. PROJECT_INSPIRE : Can we meet you? Mary : My name is Mary Fidelis Essien, an indigene of Akwa-Ibom State.I am 26-years-old, a Private Home Tutor, NGO Leader and entrepreneur.I am the Creative Director at Pearls Perfumerie, a brand that deals with perfume oils and body mist. I also head Mayree's Nuts a brand supplying freshly roasted groundnuts. To cap it all, I am the Executive Director of The Heartmenders Foundation; a non-profit organization that caters for the need of the less privileged, youths, nursing mother...

From the East of Africa,Erick Mukiza is revolutionizing access to justice by creating opportunities for Tanzanians to seek redress in court through legal assurance. In this interview with Project Inspire Africa,Erick talks about his innovation and the future it holds. Can we meet you? My name is Erick Elizeus Mukiza, a 35-year- old citizen of the Republic of Tanzania. I love networking and acquiring new skills. I am a Lawyer, Justice Innovator, and Social Entrepreneur.   Tell us briefly about your childhood experie nce? I grew up in a middle - class family. My father is a medical doctor and my mother a primary school teacher. I am the second of seven children. I remember that I was a very open minded. I didn’t know how to hide my feelings so I said my mind all the time. Thankfully, my parents taught me how to express those feeling in an appropriate manner. What is your educational background?  I attended Buguruni Primary School, Tanzania, Old Moshi School, Kilimanjaro, Ta...

With academic activities halted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, innovation became the new normal. Nigerian youths like Julius Ilori rose up to challenge of creating new solutions. In this interview with Project-Inspire,Julius Ilori provides insights into the work he is doing to improve access to quality education in Africa and the impact it has yielded. PROJECT_INSPIRE : Can we meet you?   Julius : My name is Julius Ilori.   PROJECT_INSPIRE : Tell us about your childhood?   Julius : I grew up in Ajegunle in Lagos State. Ajegunle is a place where most people will refer to as a ghetto but growing up under such circumstances ignited in me the passion for problem solving. I grew up as a church boy. My dad was a pastor during his time on earth and we lived in a mission house. I am the second of six children.   PROJECT_INSPIRE : What is your educational background like?   Julius : I had my primary school education at Joy of Knowledge Private School,Apapa Lag...