New Dawn for CorpsAfrica: Empowering Young Africans Across the Continent
African development organizations CorpsAfrica and Mastercard Foundation extend collaboration in 11 nations across the continent.
Championing change, CorpsAfrica has elevated its collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, paving the way for an enlarged undertaking to empower young Africans, particularly women, in their pursuit of prosperous, sustainable communities.
This renewed partnership spans five years and empowers beneficiaries in combating poverty while catalyzing projects led by local communities, focusing on health, food security, education, gender equality, digital economy, environmental conservation, and economic development. Concurrently, the initiative offers employment opportunities for young Africans across the continent.
The dynamic duo recruits, educates, and deploys driven, college-educated young Africans to high-poverty areas within their home countries, adopting the Peace Corps model as a guiding principle. By living among the communities, volunteers immerse themselves in the challenges faced by their fellow citizens, collaborating with local residents to endeavor sustainable solutions and improve lives.
Volunteers apply community-centered problem-solving to identify project needs and establish initiatives such as schools, water infrastructure, and micro-enterprises. In harmony with community members, they establish schools, dig wells, and install irrigation systems, launch small enterprises, and provide educational support in institutions, learning centers, and wherever a need arises.
Under the US$59.4 million expanded partnership, over 1,600 young African volunteers will serve over 800,000 community members across 11 African nations.
Innovative initiatives spearheaded by CorpsAfrica's dedicated advocates have borne fruit. Christian, a CorpsAfrica volunteer in Rwanda, ventured to build Africa's first sewing and handcrafts skills training center amidst the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. The center has provided education and skills training to numerous women in Kinigi IDP model village, contributing to reduced unemployment and fostering sales opportunities for community members.
Meanwhile, Oumaima, a CorpsAfrica volunteer in Morocco, partnered with the Amalou Ikkiss Cooperative, the lone women's cooperative in the Inman Valley, to expand their ability to market their wares collectively. This alliance helped female artisans earn decent livelihoods, setting an inspiring example for young women across the continent.
As agents for positive change, volunteers and their cohorts in rural communities work tirelessly to effect meaningful change, bolstering local resilience and supporting the development of enduring livelihoods. By combining resources and expertise, the long-term support from organizations like the OCP Group of Morocco, the Mastercard Foundation, and other generous donors, will enable CorpsAfrica to host almost 500 African volunteers in six countries, expanding its reach to Nigeria, Uganda, and Ethiopia this year, and two additional African nations in 2024.
Mastercard Foundation's Chief Programmes Officer, Peter Materu, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, highlighting CorpsAfrica's significant impact in rural communities and alignment with the Foundation's Young Africa Works strategy. The partnership aims to offer dignified, fulfilling employment to 30 million young Africans, with the majority being women, ensuring prosperous and sustainable communities across the continent.
- The Mastercard Foundation's renewed partnership with CorpsAfrica extends over five years, focusing on combating poverty and promoting sustainable communities.
- The collaboration between the two organizations will empower beneficiaries in various sectors, including health, food security, education, gender equality, digital economy, environmental conservation, and economic development.
- CorpsAfrica aims to employ young Africans across the continent, offering employment opportunities as part of this initiative.
- Volunteers recruited by CorpsAfrica are college-educated and work in high-poverty areas within their home countries.
- Volunteers live among communities and collaborate with local residents to address challenges and create sustainable solutions.
- Through community-centered problem-solving, volunteers identify project needs and implement initiatives such as schools, water infrastructure, and micro-enterprises.
- CorpsAfrica's initiatives also include establishing schools, digging wells, and installing irrigation systems, as well as providing educational support in institutions, learning centers, and wherever needed.
- Under the expanded partnership, over 1,600 young African volunteers will serve more than 800,000 community members across 11 African nations.
- Christian, a CorpsAfrica volunteer in Rwanda, constructed Africa's first sewing and handcrafts skills training center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The training center provides education and skills training to women in Kinigi IDP model village, reducing unemployment and fostering sales opportunities.
- Oumaima, a CorpsAfrica volunteer in Morocco, partnered with the Amalou Ikkiss Cooperative to help female artisans market their wares collectively.
- This alliance helped women earn decent livelihoods, setting an inspiring example for young women across the continent.
- CorpsAfrica's volunteers work tirelessly to bring about meaningful change in rural communities, bolstering local resilience and promoting enduring livelihoods.
- The long-term support from organizations like the OCP Group of Morocco, the Mastercard Foundation, and other donors will expand CorpsAfrica's reach to Nigeria, Uganda, and Ethiopia this year.
- In addition, two more African nations will join CorpsAfrica's scope in 2024.
- The Mastercard Foundation's Chief Programmes Officer, Peter Materu, praised CorpsAfrica's impact in rural communities and the alignment with the Foundation's Young Africa Works strategy.
- The partnership aims to provide dignified and fulfilling employment to 30 million young Africans, with the majority being women.
- Ultimately, the goal is to ensure prosperous and sustainable communities across the continent.
- Alongside these efforts, the agricultural sector plays a significant role in the economic development of many African nations.
- The growth of the agriculture sector can lead to job creation and improve food security.
- Innovation in agriculture is crucial for improving farming practices and increasing productivity.
- Education and skills training are essential for empowering youth in agriculture and ensuring a sustainable food supply.
- Business opportunities in agriculture also extend to food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and outdoor-living sectors, fostering a thriving lifestyle market.
- Investment in renewable energy and sustainable farming practices can help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.
- The housing market in many African countries is a growing sector, offering opportunities for real-estate development and investment.
- Data-and-cloud-computing plays a vital role in the digital transformation of businesses, including finance, agriculture, and education.
- Sustainable living, involving practices that minimize the impact on the environment, is gaining popularity, particularly among the youth.
- Technology has revolutionized various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and education, making them more accessible and efficient.
- Healthy cooking and adopting a balanced lifestyle are key components of a healthy population, leading to economic growth.
- Travel offers opportunities for adventure, cultural exploration, and personal growth, as well as business opportunities in tourism and hospitality.
- Skills training, such as cooking and sports, can contribute to personal development, career growth, and community engagement.
