2023 `

Impact Report

Mandela Washington
Fellows Cameroon

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

 The Alumni President’s end of Year Message

 About Mandela Washington Fellowship Association Cameroon

 Our Vision

 Our Mission

 Championed the Organization of the National US Alumni Sym-

posium

 Organization of the Mandela Washington Fellows

 2023 Pre-departure orientation.

 Pre-departure orientation

 Activity 1: Lodging of fellows in a single facility

 Activity 2: A Pre-Departure Ceremony and Session with Em-

bassy Staff

 Activity 3: Panel Discussions with Mandela Washington Fel-

lows Cameroon Alumni

 Activity 3: Networking cocktail with MWF Alumni, Youth

Leaders, Embassy Staff and Officials

 Development of Strategic Action Plan

 Alumni Actions and Impact across Cameroon

 Ngankak Toko Virginie, Kansas State University, Civic leader-

ship

 Ndofor Nwana Davidson Sama, 2023 Fellow, Drake University

Business Leadership

 Nkembeteck Henry Nkwa, 2016 Fellow, Arizona State Univer-

sity
 Alumi Professional Development update

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 2

The Alumni President’s end of roon, showcased our commitment to driving youth
Year Message actions for Cameroon’s economic development.

This symposium, sponsored by the Public Affairs

Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy Yaoundé-
Cameroon, aimed at developing strategic and sus-
tainable alumni actions across civic, business, cul-
tural, and public management, fostering collabora-
tion and shared vision among our alumni. Another
noteworthy project was the organization of the
Mandela Washington Fellows 2023 Pre-departure
orientation to the U.S., ensuring that our fellows
were well-prepared for their transformative fellow-
ship experiences

The association's commitment extended to a Post-

Fellowship Debriefing Session at the U.S. Embassy
and a working session with People Living with Dis-
Dear Mandela Washington Fellows Cameroon, abilities from the National Rehabilitation Center for
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I ex- Persons with Disabilities-Etoug-ébé (CNRPH). This
tend my heartfelt wishes to each one of you for a initiative, carried out in collaboration with the cen-
year filled with boundless success, joy, and fulfill- ter's staff, included a community service, coaching
ment. The year 2023 has been a testament to the session, and experience-sharing with the 2023 Man-
incredible impact our association has had, thanks dela Washington Fellowship finalists who returned
to your dedication and passion. from their fellowship.
As the president of the association, currently im- As we embark on this last year of our mandate, my
mersed in acquiring skills in Artificial Intelligence aspirations for The Mandela Washington Fellow-
and Data Science at Hull's Center of Excellence ship Association of Cameroon reach new heights. I
for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Mod- envision our association scaling another level of
eling, my heart and thoughts are with you. Despite leadership and empowerment, becoming a beacon
the physical distance, my commitment to the goals of inspiration for young professionals across the
and aspirations of our association remains unwa- nation. May we grow in unity, impact, and effec-
vering. I am immensely proud of the strides we tiveness, amplifying our collective voice for posi-
have made together in 2023, and the positive tra- tive leadership and community development.
jectory we are on.
Together, let us embrace the opportunities that 2024
In the spirit of optimism and unity, I wish all fel- brings, fostering an environment of collaboration,
lows immense success in their personal projects. innovation, and shared vision. May the coming year
Your endeavors, such as the National Symposium witness the blossoming of our association into a
organized in collaboration with the U.S. Exchange force for lasting change, empowering not only the
Programs Alumni Network (USE-PAN) Came- Fellows but also the broader community.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 1

Thank you for your dedication, and may the new year be a canvas for us to paint a vibrant tapestry of lead-
ership, empowerment, and shared success.
Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Dr. DALIWA Joseph BAINAMNDI

President,
Mandela Washington Fellows Cameroon Alumni Association

1.0 About Mandela Washington Fellowship Association Cameroon

The Mandela Washington Fellowship Association Cameroon is the Alumni Association of Mandela
Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young
African Leaders was initiated by former US President Barack Obama in 2014 and seeks to identify, cel-
ebrate and empower African youths with leadership potential through a six-week fellowship, offering
academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. It is the flagship program of the Young Af-
rican Leaders Initiative (YALI).

Take the Lead, make a change we all want

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 2

Over 200 Cameroonian youth leaders have participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for
Young African Leaders. The Fellowship provides selected outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan
Africa with the opportunity to hone their leadership skills at U.S. colleges or universities with support for
professional development after they return home. Upon return to their various countries, fellows are ex-
pected to utilize their skills and practical experience gained to add value to communal development
across civic, business or public management spheres

Learn about our work at www.mwfcameroon.org and on all social media platforms.

1.1 Our Vision

“To build an association of selfless young professionals committed to promoting positive leadership ide-
als and committed to their communities and nation.”

1.2 Our Mission

“To harness the collective strengths of Mandela Washington Fellows in furtherance of national develop-
ment”

Working for a better Cameroon

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 3

2.0 Championed the Organiza-
tion of the National US Alum-
ni Symposium

There is a strong need to leverage the potential of

alumni and creating safe spaces to amplify their
The U.S. Government-sponsored Exchange Pro-
actions across diverse sectors.
grams are a public diplomacy tool that the U.S.
The U.S. Embassy had made significant effort to
government uses to foster mutual exchanges of
enhance collaboration among alumni of U.S. Ex-
knowledge on issues of common concern in the
change Programs to translate the skills and best
U.S. and the respective beneficiary countries. It
practices acquired into improving national pro-
offers professional capacity building that fosters
grams boost networking and elevate impact.
expertise, influence in creating positive impacts
on the economic, social, cultural, and political
well-being of the concerned beneficiary nations.

Proposed one: The U.S. Government-sponsored

Exchange Programs serve as a public diplomacy
tool, facilitating mutual knowledge exchanges on
common concerns between the U.S. and benefi-
ciary countries. These programs offer professional
capacity building, aimed at enhancing expertise

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 4

 The 2023 edition of the Cameroon National
Alumni Symposium, held under the theme,
“Driving Youth Actions for Cameroon’s Eco-
nomic Development”, aimed to develop strate-
gic and sustainable alumni initiatives in civic,
business, cultural, and public management sec-
tor to bolster U.S.-Cameroon nation-building
efforts. It provided an opportunity to evaluate
the achievements since establishing the Board
of Directors of the U.S. Exchange Program
Alumni Network (USE-PAN) in the inaugural
2022 symposium, themed 'Building Synergies
Much still needs to be done to achieve the desired between U.S. Exchange Programs Alumni and
impact. The Mandela Washington Fellows Alumni Leveraging Youth Potential through U.S.-
Association Cameroon is championing the move- Cameroon Cultural Exchange.' The event aimed
ment to bring the U.S Government sponsored Pro- to foster synergy and enhance collaboration
grams Alumni under one massive umbrella for among alumni of U.S. Government Exchange
greater impact. Programs, contributing to their personal and
Within this framework, the Mandela Washington professional growth in a bid to forge stronger
Fellowship Alumni Association Cameroon, in col- partnerships for nation-building. The symposi-
laboration with the U.S. Exchange Programs um convened over 300 participants, including
Alumni Network (USE-PAN) Cameroon, orga- U.S. Exchange Programs alumni, government
nized the National Symposium, sponsored by the officials, and youth and civic leaders from
Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy across the nation. Notably, at least 126 alumni
Yaoundé. from 14 different U.S. Exchange Programs at-
tended the symposium.

Connect, inspire, collaborate and impact

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 5

 SN Description Number Number Remark(s)
planned attained
1. Total applicants 400 1,433 An overwhelming number of applicants were received.
2 Exchange Programs 15 14 93.33% realization.
3. Alumni participants 150 126 84% realization. That is:

126 alumni were present on Day 1;

114 alumni participants on Day 2; and
89 on Day 3.
4. Non-alumni participants 150 110 73.3% realization.
5. Opening ceremony 1 1 100% realization.
6. Plenary sessions 5 5 100% realization.
7. Breakout panel sessions 6 6 100% realization.
8. Cultural gala 1 1 100% realization.
9. General Assembly 1 1 100% realization.
10. Closing ceremony 1 1 100% realization.
11 Number of days 3 3 100% realization.

Thanks to the symposium, U.S. Exchange Programs and their impact in Cameroon have gained in-
creased visibility. The event served as a platform for networking, fostering connections among Alum-
ni, and offered an opportunity to strategize on the sustainability of the Alumni Network. This includes
coordinating efforts across Exchange Programs to enhance their collective impact.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 6

3.0 Organization of the Mandela Washington Fellows 2023 Pre-
departure orientation.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders will host 700 selected fellows from 48
Sub-Saharan African countries, grouping them into cohorts of approximately 25 to be placed in various
top universities in the United States. Each fellow will encounter peers and Americans from diverse cultur-
al, educational, racial, and professional backgrounds, necessitating integration and adaptation. Exposure to
American lifestyle and feeding habits is crucial for a successful fellowship, as failure to adapt to the new
environment could significantly detract from the experience. Some fellows face challenges upon arriving
in the United States, a markedly different environment, with a few even being expelled and sent back
home for failing to adhere to basic rules, negatively impacting other stakeholders.

Therefore, there is a pressing need for a pre-departure orientation guide to help fellows embrace cultural
differences and maximize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Equally essential is preparing fellows for
their travel, including experiences of expected travel vessels and the necessary travel documentation, en-
suring they journey safely and arrive on time. Hence, orientation on visa acquisition, travel documenta-
tion, and airport and flight directives is crucial for reaching the designated university and state effectively.
The fellowship's ultimate goal is for fellows to enhance or develop new professional skills, fostering ca-
reer growth and augmenting innovation and impact in their respective communities upon return. It offers a
platform to network and exchange best practices with peers and eminent individuals from various parts of
Africa and the U.S.
2023 Impact Report - January 2024 7
It is therefore essential to provide fellows with the opportunity to learn strategies for maximizing their
fellowship, through sharing best practices with Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) Alumni and
U.S Embassy Staff. The transition after returning to Cameroon is often challenging. Committing person-
ally to give back to one’s nation and volunteer in Alumni activities to leverage acquired skills is an en-
deavor undertaken by only a few.
A pre-departure orientation offers the chance to mentor the fellows selected from Cameroon, effectively
preparing them for a successful and memorable fellowship experience in the USA. This preparation aims
to enable them to return and fulfill their two-year commitment to contributing to their local communities
and to Cameroon at large.

Pre-departure orientation

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 8

 3.1 Activity 1: Lodging of fellows in a single facility
This gave room for a cross-cultural exchange experience among fellows and help them connect and cre-
ate strong bonds among themselves as they were to represent Cameroon during the fellowship in USA.
The creation of these bonds cannot be over emphasized especially for future activities and collaborations
beyond the fellowship.

3.2 Activity 2: A Pre-Departure Ceremony and Session with Embassy Staff

The embassy delegation was well mobilized and educated fellows on the purpose of the fellowship,
American culture, expectations, obligations, travelling directives and documentation.

3.3 Activity 3: Panel Discussions with Mandela Washington Fellows Came-

roon Alumni
It served as an opportunity for fellows to learn from shared experiences by MWF Alumni. Fellows from
previous cohort guided the new fellows through the before, during and after fellowship experiences.
New Fellows raise concerns and ask questions about the fellowship, communicate possible challenges,
and get answers from MWF Alumni. Panel discussions were also held on the post fellows’ experiences
and interactions as Alumni. Old fellows will also school the new fellows on pitching, networking, com-
munication, and discipline, which are very crucial for a successful fellowship.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 9

3.4 Activity 4: Networking cocktail
with MWF Alumni, Youth Leaders,
Embassy Staff and Officials

The new executive is committed to creating a

Fellows driven action plan that will gives our
Association clear guide to success.
One of the greatest opportunities that come with We first issued a survey to capture to interest
the fellowship is networking. This activity and aspiration of fellows and factored their rec-
served as a practical session for fellows to test ommendation in the development of the strate-
their networking abilities and how to foster col- gic plan.
laboration and partnerships in a first meet up or It will help the new executive prioritize goals,
in an event. maximize resources, make better decisions, in-
creased efficiency/effectiveness and above all
tackle fellow’s engagement.

4.0 DEVELOPMENT OF STRA-

TEGIC ACTION PLAN

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 10

5.0 ORGANIZATION OF THE
MANDELA WASHINGTON FEL-
LOWS 2023 POST-FELLOWSHIP
DEBRIEFING EVENTS.

Upon their return from the United States, the

2023 cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows
engaged in a series of impactful activities de-
signed to share their experiences and insights
gained during the fellowship. These activities not The agenda included the following activities:
only served to debrief the fellows but also to ex- 5.2 Activities 2: Community Service and
tend the fellowship's benefits to the broader com- Coaching
munity, particularly focusing on engagement The fellows participated in a community service
with People Living with Disabilities at the Na- activity, which involved cleaning the halls of
tional Rehabilitation Center for Persons with the CNRPH, demonstrating their commitment
Disabilities-Etoug-ébé (CNRPH). to giving back to the community and fostering
an inclusive environment.

5.1 Activities 1: Debriefing session and work-

ing session with CNRPH
The post-fellowship period commenced with a
debriefing and working session at the CNRPH,
marking a collaborative effort between the re-
turning fellows and the center's staff.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 11

5.3 Activities 3: Ceremonial and Experi-
ence Sharing

An in-person session was organized where the

2023 MWFC alumni shared the impacts and
experiences of their fellowship journey. This
session aimed to convey the transformative na-
ture of the fellowship and its potential to cata-
lyze personal and professional development.
The event featured opening remarks by the Dep-
uty Chief of Mission of the US Embassy and the
head of the CNRPH, Etoug-ébé. Their speeches
welcomed and acknowledged the participants,
setting a tone of appreciation and collaboration.
The ceremony, lasting 30 minutes, concluded
with an exchange of gifts, symbolizing mutual
respect and gratitude.

5.4 Activity 4: Information Sharing

and Inspiration
The latter part of the session focused on dis-
seminating information about opportunities of-
fered by the US Embassy. This was followed by
a question-and-answer session, allowing the fel-
lows to engage directly with the CNRPH staff
and residents. The interaction aimed to inspire
and encourage them to explore and apply for
similar fellowships, highlighting the opportuni-
ties for growth and development such initiatives
provide.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 12

6.0 MANDELA DAY CELEBRATION
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honor the life and legacy of
Nelson Mandela. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organizations to take time
to reflect on Mandela's values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.

Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni in Cameroon takes pride in celebrating Nelson Mandela Day.
On July 22, 2023, the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni in Cameroon the association led by Ms.
Virginie Minda dedicated over an hour of servant leadership to plant trees at the Garoua Regional Hospi-
tal Center at the aim to commemoration the 67 years of Nelson Mandela's fight for peace, humanity and
service.
Celebrated under the theme “Climate, Food & Solidarity”, the participants engaged in the planting of
trees around the Regional hospital. Dr. Ina Rakya, Director of the center, invited her staff to become
more engaged and animated by a spirit of servant leadership, which health professionals are called upon
to uphold.
MWF Cameroon led by one of its Alumnus Ms. Virginie Minda, YALI-RLCs Alimuni, YALI network
members and Mister YALI Peace Cameroon 2022, shared about YALI Program and the opportunities.
The 2023 Mandela Day also provided a networking opportunity to learn and share new leadership val-
ues. Members of associations who supported the reforestation action of this hospital were the Associa-
tion of Medical Professionals of the North (APRAMES) headed by Dr. TAÏMOU, the Association of
Health Executives of the North (ACSEN), the Mandela Washington Fellowship Cameroon Association,

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 13

 7.0 ALUMNI ACTIONS AND IM-
PACT ACROSS CAMEROON

Mandela Washington Fellowship Fellows in

Cameroon remain dedicated to giving back in
their communities from tacking climate action
to empowering person with disabilities and pro-
moting education. We are pleased to feature
some of their work

7.1 Ngankak Toko Virginie, Kansas

The day took place around 3 main areas: the visit
State University, Civic leadership
to the CHR-G, the planting of tree plants
(decorative, shade, etc.) around the hospital area
and a football match. Over 60 people actively
participated in Mandela Day at the Garoua Re-
gional Hospital Center, MWF-C planted 19 orna-
mental trees and a dozen shade trees.

Women with Disabilities, indigenous women

and adolescent Young Women face barriers in
participating in Cameroon's national action
plan on UNSCR 1325. This has limited their
involvement, participation and contribution to
meaningful peace processes, leadership and
decision making at the grassroots up to the na-
tional level. Our project is to enhance participa-
tion of vulnerable women in peace processes
and contribute for achievement
UNSCR 1325 pillars on participation and pro-
tection in Meme subdivision
I have carrying out for training working in 4
communities kumba l ll lll and konye in Meme
kumba, number of beneficiary 271 women with
Disabilities and indigenous women.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 14

 (manpower) guided by their teachers to realize the
giant project of a one floor story building of 2
classroom halls and 100 benches.
By actively volunteering in this project, the stu-
dents gained skills in project management, public
relations and communication, procurement and
stock management, team work and conflict man-
agement, building construction, carpentry and join-
7.2 Ndofor Nwana Davidson Sama, 2023 ery and finally project reporting.
Fellow, Drake University Business Lead-
BUILDING MY SCHOOL, MYSELF was real-
ership
ized at the cost of 8,750,000 FCFA (16,000 USD),
thanks to the following support;
1) Valuation of Volunteers (students, teachers and
MWF 2023 cohort) skills, labour and ideas:
(3,500,000 FCFA)
2) Financial Support from friends and people of
goodwill: (1,450,000 FCFA)
3) Contribution from Tuition Fee (3,800,000
FCA)
This project was successfully realized and received
by the North West Regional Delegate of Employ-
ment and Vocational Training on Friday the 24th of
November 2023 in the presence of parents, stu-
dents,
After his return from the Mandela Washington teachers and members of the local community in
Fellowship, 2023 in August 2023, he witnessed an Bamenda (https://shorturl.at/tBCYZ).
enrolment increase of over 200% in his college:
VOTECH (S7) ACADEMY, which surpassed the
available infrastructural accommodation capacity
of 250 students. Without external funding, he ap-
plied the knowledge he had learned in a small Ger-
man Community in the United States of America
called MANNING in the State of Iowa, where
community members gain hands on skills by ac-
tively volunteering in projects that address issues
within their communities.

BUILDING MY SCHOOL, MYSELF was

rd
launched on the 3 of October, 2023 as classroom
construction and bench construction project. The
project was executed in 6 weeks by the students
2023 Impact Report - January 2024 15
7.3 DALIWA Joseph Bainamndi, In response, Daliwa Joseph pioneered the estab-
lishment of the first solar-powered center dedicat-
2017 fellows, Business and en-
ed to training unemployed women and girls in hy-
trepreneurship, Purdue Universi-
droponic and aquaponic systems, benefiting 350
ty. individuals from three rural communities in North-
ern Cameroon. This initiative, aimed at empower-
ing women through sustainable innovations and
technologies, seeks to spur community economic
development, striving for zero carbon emissions
and mitigating food insecurity. It navigates the in-
tersection of gender and climate justice, promoting
gender equality, addressing climate change, and
advancing sustainable development.

In 2021, between 720 to 811 million individuals

globally faced hunger, exacerbated by escalating
poverty and the scarcity of affordable nutritious
diets. In Cameroon, reports from the coordinator of
humanitarian affairs and the World Bank in 2019
estimated that 3.9 million people were food inse-
cure, with 211,000 facing severe food insecurity,
predominantly in Northern Cameroon. This region,
plagued by conflicts with terrorist groups and vul-
nerable to climate hazards like heat waves,
droughts, and flooding, sees women as primary ag-
ricultural producers yet disproportionately affected
by extreme poverty. They lack the resources to
adapt their agricultural practices to sustainable cli-
mate solutions, compounded by gender inequality
fueled by traditional views relegating women to
domestic and agricultural roles.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 16

7.4 Nkembeteck Henry Nkwa, infrastructure which will enable them better pre-
pare, mitigate and adapt to climate change while
2016 Fellow, Arizona State Uni-
protecting biodiversity and supporting economic
versity
vitality of the local people.

Major Activities of the project included

Training over 6 communities in community

Based Ecological Mangroves Restoration
(CBEMR)
Training Mangrove harvesters in sustainable
Mangroves exploitation
Introducing communities in alternative/fuel effi-
cient ways to smoke fish (using Nipa palms, a
mangroves forest invasive species)
Strengthening local laws/practices and practices
which foster mangrove protection`
Conduct massive education to raised critical con-
sciousness about critical importance of
mangroves forest in the face of climate change.
According to the Notre Dame Adaptation Index, We used Video content, Creative Calendars, TV
Cameroon is among the countries most vulnerable to and Radio.
climate change. The report also reveals that Came-
roon is equally among countries least prepared to
deal with the devastation of Climate change. With
rising sea level, frequent violent storm surges,
coastal erosion and floods, Communities along the
west coast of Cameroon are more vulnerable to cli-
mate change related hazards. Mangroves forests are
natural infrastructure, offering natural protection and
enables coastal communities to adapt and build resil-
ience to climate change hazards. Unfortunately,
Cameroon’s mangroves forest is facing severed deg-
radation from over exploitation, agriculture, urban
expansion and other illegal activities.
With Funding from our honorable partner, the Earth
Rising Foundation, Nkwa4change Solutions is dedi-
cated to accompany communities along the west
coast of Cameroon and strengthen the capacity of

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 17

 8.2 Dr. DALIWA Joseph received the Cheven-
8.0 Alumni Professional Devel-
ing Scholarship Award and currently studying
opment update a Master in Artificial intelligence and Data Sci-
ence at the University of Hull.
Three MWF Cameroon Alumni received the pres-
tigious Chevening scholarship to study in the UK
Chevening is the UK government’s international
scholarships and fellowships programme. Funded
by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office (FCDO) and partner organizations, Cheven-
ing scholarship offer individuals who show poten-
tial to inspire, inform, and influence positive change
the opportunity to study at a UK university to gain a
UK educational qualification. Similarly, another
MWF Cameroon alumni, who earned a Master's in
Sustainable Development from the University of
Dublin, has been selected for the esteemed Oxford
School of Climate Change at the University of Ox-
ford. This program, organized by the Oxford Cli-
mate Society (OCS), is renowned for its compre-
hensive education on climate change fundamentals,
preparing participants to effectively address this
global challenge.
8.1 Tchaptcheut Yonga Nelly Shella received the
Chevening Scholarship Award and currently 8.3 Juveline Ngum Ngwa, has been selected for
studying a Master in Crisis and disaster manage- the esteemed Oxford School of Climate Change
ment University of Portsmouth at the University of Oxford.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 18

9.0 FINANCES SUMARY

PDO, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND DEBRIEFING OF MWF 2023

Total expenses $8 494

Lodging, beverage and Accommodation for 03 nights of 17 fellows and 03 alumni = total of
$2700
Round trip Transportation from the region of each fellow = total of $957
Perdiem for the fellow = total of $962
II-Budget for the debriefing and community service
Lodging, beverage for 01 night for 14 fellows= $1325
Round trip for 14 fellows= $=852
Community service materials and donations of cleaning materials = $640
Logistics =$590
Lumpsum = $468

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 19

10. CHALLENGES

Limited financial resources remain one of the major challenges our Association is facing. We had to short
down one of our major spaces in Buea due to lack of fiancé to sustain
The new executive also faces serious lack of collaboration/support from Fellows. The executive issues
simple survey to fellows to response to but experience very slow response rate. The executive on its own
can be successful unless with the commitment of fellows.

11. CONCLUSION
Despite monstrous challenges, the new executive is doing it all it best to lead the MWF Cameroon Asso-
ciation and elevate our impact in Cameroon and beyond. We call on all fellows to collaborate and support
the new executive for a more engaged and impactful Alumni Association.

Lead with passion, empathy and dedication regardless of challenges

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 20

12. ANNOUNCEMENT

1-Pre-departure Orientation for MWF 2024

Scheduled for 15 May 2024 in Yaoundé, this session is essential for all upcoming Mandela Washington
Fellows.

2-Mandela Washington BootCamp

We are excited to announce the organization of the inaugural Mandela Washington BootCamp in Came-
roon, generously funded by the US Embassy. Details regarding the launch date and how fellows can par-
ticipate in the implementation phase will be shared soon.

3-Mandela Washington Fellows Award Ceremony

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the MWF fellowship, we are planning the first-ever Mandela
Washington Fellows award ceremony. The event's timing will be coordinated with all fellows to ensure
maximum participation.

4-Membership Invitation
We are calling for alumni to renew or initiate their membership to stay connected and benefit from the
network's resources and opportunities.

5-Virtual Meeting for MWF Alumni

An online meeting is being organized to discuss and decide on the date for the Annual General Meeting
(AGM) and the election of the new executive bureau. All MWF alumni are encouraged to participate to
contribute to these important decisions.
6- Social Media Showcase
Starting this month, we will regularly highlight on our social media platforms the impactful activities and
initiatives undertaken by Mandela Washington Fellows across all 10 regions of Cameroon, showcasing
the widespread influence and diverse engagements of our alumni network.

2023 Impact Report - January 2024 21