REAL LEADERS. REAL IMPACT.

I am Claudia Bella Mukamana, the third child among seven siblings, and I hail from the Bugabira community in Kirundo Province, Burundi. Currently residing in Mahama Camp as a refugee, I have witnessed the positive impact of effective land management and consolidation systems near the Mahama refugee community. Fueled by my passion for raising awareness and improving agriculture, I took the initiative to establish rubbish dumps in Mahama, efficiently collecting agricultural waste and organic materials. Through this endeavor, I transformed these materials into valuable resources such as organic fertilizer and sustainable energy sources. This initiative has not only addressed food insecurity but also created employment opportunities for seven individuals within our community. Looking forward, my mission is to raise awareness in refugee communities by enhancing agriculture through good land management and consolidation systems. My dream is to promote agricultural productivity in Mahama refugee camp, considering agricultural waste as valuable assets that can transform the food system to eradicate hunger. I plan to achieve this by expanding the rubbish dump initiative to all parts of the camp.

I am Jesse Maikarfi, originally from Kaduna, Nigeria. Witnessing the detrimental impact of deforestation and climate change on my community has been a powerful motivator in my life. My focus revolves around environmental science and sustainable agriculture, with a strong belief in the transformative power of technology. Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to implementing sustainable farming practices in various Kaduna communities, working towards food security and environmental preservation. Recognitions such as the Certificate of Outstanding Volunteer/Community Service from the U.S. Department of State in 2016 validate my commitment to making a positive impact. As the founder and CEO of Vitaseal, I lead an innovative solution to address food waste and maintain the nutritional value of fresh produce using nanotechnology and specialized polymers. My mission is to utilize technology for the protection of Earth’s biodiversity, fostering sustainable agriculture and contributing to a future where our planet thrives.

I’m Christalene MUKARUGAMBA, from Kirundo District in Burundi. Born in 1997 and raised in a family of six, we fled to Rwanda in 2015 and currently live in Mahama camp. Witnessing the impact of unemployment on youth in my community, I am committed to creating jobs and improving lives. My mission is to reduce unemployment among youth in Burundi by creating jobs and promoting self-employment. I aim to enhance community health and contribute to its development. Inspired by this mission, I founded Twiteze Imbere, a project focused on reducing unemployment and hunger through vegetable farming and related initiatives. One significant achievement was receiving the Materials award at Maison Chalom in June 2022 for my contribution to agricultural sustainability. This recognition allowed me to expand Twiteze Imbere and form a cooperative with young people, creating valuable job opportunities. I plan to continue growing Twiteze Imbere, fostering more partnerships, and furthering my education in entrepreneurial leadership. My journey is driven by a dedication to positive change and community development.

My name is Denyse UWERA, a second-year student studying Entrepreneurial Leadership at ALU Rwanda. I come from Ruhango in southern Rwanda, an area known for its reliance on cassava production. Witnessing the challenges faced by farmers, including child stunting and persistent poverty despite their hard work, has fueled my passion for empowering them through Improved Conservation Agriculture. My mission is clear: to help farmers achieve their full potential while conserving the environment. I initiated a mushroom cultivation project in Gahanga, Kigali, aimed at combating infant malnutrition in Rwanda while generating profits. This project exemplifies my commitment to conservation agriculture that enhances both environmental sustainability and farmers’ livelihoods. At ALU, I’ve focused on impactful agricultural projects. Notably, my mushroom project has already created job opportunities for three individuals, with plans for expansion. I am dedicated to leveraging sustainable agricultural practices to uplift farmers and contribute to improved living standards in Rwanda.

My name is Elyse Nkurunziza, a third-year student from Kirundo, Burundi. Growing up in the Ntega society, which is known for its agricultural prowess, I developed a deep passion for farming to combat malnutrition in my community. My mission is to provide affordable fruits and vegetables to the Mahama refugee camp through sustainable agricultural practices. Driven by this passion, I created a hydroponic system for growing fruits and vegetables, which requires minimal land and helps protect the environment. In 2018, I won a competition for my innovative cylindrical agriculture technique aimed at environmental conservation. My project, currently in its prototype phase, demonstrates my commitment to ending malnutrition in my community by ensuring access to nutritious produce. Looking ahead, I plan to expand my hydroponic agriculture project, providing sustainable solutions to improve food security and health outcomes in my community.

My name is Ghea Sandrine Mawen, and I grew up in Bamenda, Cameroon, surrounded by lush greenery and agricultural farms. Witnessing the challenges farmers face, such as unpredictable weather and crop diseases, inspired me to use data analytics to create solutions for the agricultural sector. My mission is to harness the power of data analytics to empower farmers with valuable insights on crop diseases and pests. Through my research, I have leveraged data analytics to identify patterns of crop diseases and pests, developing targeted interventions. I discovered common factors such as weather patterns and soil conditions contributing to these issues. I plan to develop a mobile app allowing farmers to input data about their crops, providing personalized recommendations for pest control and disease prevention. I am committed to making a significant impact in the agricultural sector and contributing to sustainable farming practices.

My name is James Mwathi, a third-year Electrical Power Systems Engineering student from the slopes of the Aberdare Ranges in Kenya. Growing up in a community reliant on tea farming, I experienced firsthand the challenges of poor monetary yield from this vital economic activity. My mission is to improve the livelihoods of agricultural primary producers by developing and providing cheap, clean, and sustainable energy solutions for cultivation, storage, and processing. At ALU, I run an electronic waste management ecosystem, harvesting healthy electronic components from damaged appliances to enhance access to usable parts for prototype development. This initiative reduces costs and encourages innovation. I aim to replicate this model in my home community to maximize useful resources and provide affordable solutions to existing challenges. My goal is to transform the agricultural sector through energy solutions, creating a sustainable and prosperous future for my community.

My name is Jean Marie Nihoreho, a student from the Mahama refugee community. I come from a family of three siblings and grew up in the Bugabira community in Kirundo province, Burundi. My passion for agri-innovation led me to establish Twizamure, an agricultural cooperative that collects waste products like crop residue and animal manure to transform them into organic fertilizers and animal feed. This initiative aims to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Twizamure has successfully reduced malnutrition in my community while creating job opportunities for eight individuals. I am planning to expand the cooperative to other parts of the Mahama refugee camp and beyond. My mission is to enhance lives in Mahama Camp by promoting agribusiness and sustainable farming, fostering collaboration among community members, and implementing transformative practices to eradicate food insecurity. I dream of creating a future where organic materials are valuable resources and plan to expand my cooperative to achieve this.