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Celebrating New Beginnings: The Closing Ceremony of the 11th Ashinaga Africa Initiative Study Camp

Uganda 2024.10.11

Today marked a significant milestone for the 11th cohort of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Candidates as they celebrated the closing ceremony of their study camp at the Ashinaga Uganda Kokorojuku. The ceremony reflected both pride in their achievements and excitement for the next phase of their journey. The study camp, an essential component of the AAI’s preparation year, served as rigorous academic, emotional, and social preparation for the Candidates before they embarked on their higher education journeys abroad.

The importance of the preparation year in the Ashinaga Africa Initiative is fundamental. The year helps equip students with the necessary academic skills, leadership training, and personal growth required to succeed at universities worldwide. The program prepares these young leaders to thrive academically and use their education to uplift their communities and transform the African continent. The closing ceremony reflected the success of this preparation, with Candidates expressing gratitude for the knowledge, resilience, and community they have gained.

During the ceremony, Christine, the Director of Ashinaga Uganda, congratulated the students for their hard work and dedication over the past months. In her speech, she emphasized that this is not the end but the beginning of a new phase in their leadership journey. “Take advantage of the opportunities you come across,” she urged them, reminding the Candidates that they are now part of the Ashinaga global family. Drawing inspiration from Nelson Mandela, she said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” encouraging the Candidates to use the knowledge they have acquired to better their communities. Christine highlighted the importance of resilience and maintaining a growth mindset as they navigate future challenges, pointing out that the candidates’ ability to adapt to circumstances will continue to serve them well. “Be led by your courage and curiosity,” she told them, “I believe you have the power to change the world.”

The student association’s president expressed his appreciation for the support from both the staff and his fellow Candidates, emphasizing the sense of community they had built. “We are leaving the Kokorojuku in Uganda, but we are not leaving each other,” said Paul, one of the AAI candidates, underscoring their enduring bonds.
A guest speaker from Stir Education Uganda also addressed the cohort, sharing insights into their partnership with Ashinaga. Stir Education’s mission is to change the narrative about education and make learning a more enjoyable experience for students. They have been working with Ashinaga to train teachers across Uganda, helping to ensure that students across the country can benefit from a more engaging and practical educational experience.

The ceremony also allowed the Candidates to reflect on their journeys during the study camp. They shared heartfelt reflections on their growth, expressing gratitude for the supportive environment provided by the Ashinaga staff and interns. One Candidate from Ethiopia shared his moving story: “Where I’m from, my sole priority was to survive and stay alive when my village was attacked during the war, and education was a distant luxury. But thanks to Ashinaga, I can be safe and pursue my education.”
Throughout the ceremony, the Candidates reaffirmed their commitment to the Ashinaga mission and to positively impacting their communities. “We are committed to pouring back into our communities and helping those around us,” Joseph from Ghana, capturing the collective sense of responsibility instilled in them during their time with Ashinaga.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the room’s sense of optimism and purpose was palpable. The Candidates are now ready to move forward into the next chapter of their lives, carrying the lessons of leadership, resilience, and community that they have learned during their preparation year. While the study camp may have ended, the journey for these young leaders is just beginning, and their potential to impact their communities and beyond is limitless.

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