2018 Mentees
Adam Nyang – The Gambia- 21 years old
“As a young woman who is passionate about equal rights, I am intrigued of being mentored in Y-PHEM from a feminist point of view.
I am at a stage in my life where the most important to me is the development of my writing career and hopefully being able to be published. I would like my writings to be infused with feminist ideas”
Adam Nyang is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Moulaye Ismail, Morocco. Her main passion is writing which drives her commitment to use it as a vehicle to effect positive change and as a career path.
When she was in high school, she published a short novel called Agonies and Fortunes. She is the Secretary General of a youth organization called The Balance, aiming at harnessing the talents of youth for development.
Adam reads a lot of books that serve as her source of inspiration. She wants to spread love, peace, tolerance, diversity, and gender justice.
Agi Oka Grace – Nigeria- 23 years old
“I am in a stage of life where there is a need to make decisions that will determine how the rest of my life would be and I don’t want to do it without proper directions and guidance.
I strongly believe that Y-PHEM is a platform where I can gain the skills and experiences required to be the change I want to see”
Agi Oka Grace identifies as a young social entrepreneur who holds a degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics with a cum laude from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
She is a founding member of Zinoja Foundation where she contributes to providing strategic and operational direction for the organization during community service projects.
She also partners with a wide array of NGOs that focus on emergency response in the face of natural disasters, civil unrest and communal clashes. Besides being passionate about the situation of malnutrition in Africa, Grace has developed interest in policy formulation and effective leadership.
She is not just a pretty face, she’s a strong, assertive and determined young woman, striving to make positive impact in her society and serve humanity.
Amina Soulimani – Morocco – 21 years old
“I have recently experienced a tragic loss, and it has been a quite challenging to find a person who could genuinely encourage me, for the path I want to take. I’d like to get mentorship from individuals who believe in the power of movements of peacekeeping and human rights.
I am passionate about programs that have a pan-African approach and have been inspired by Aya’s courage and perseverance”
Amina Soulimani identifies as Arab-African, raised in Morocco. She is an aspiring social scientist, currently enrolled at the African Leadership University in Mauritius.
In 2014, Amina co-founded the BRICC Association, which aimed to tackle youth challenges in the rural areas of Morocco through Summer Leadership camps and start-up projects. Amina managed to corral her existence into a precious prose narrative entitled “Beyond America” which can be read, lived and experienced.
Very curious about the intersectionality of language, identity, and race within the postcolonial realities of the Afro-Arab world, Amina uses her poetry and visual storytelling to contribute in changing the politics of representation in the region.
She is also a Mandolinist, a professional Gharnati singer, and a hiker. She is fond of academia, the Arabic language, literature, decoloniality, adventures, and of exploring the human condition by engaging in conversations about vulnerability, being and wisdom.
Asmaa Ahmed- Egypt – 25 years old
“I feel this is the exact right time for Y-PHEM in my life; first to find out my passion in life and decide on my career path, and second to grow in my new place as I am moving to a new country and new life experience”
Asmaa Ahmed was born and raised in Bahrain for 7 years, lived in the UAE for another 7 years before moving to Egypt. She obtained her bachelor’s in Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University.
She then worked at a youth organization called, Think Tank – Development Solutions, as a program coordinator and a facilitator for Active Citizens Program. Asmaa loves reading; especially on self-development, writing and photography. She is currently moving back to the UAE.
Enaam Ahmed – Libya – 25 years old
“I need Y-PHEM at this stage of my life because 1) I am at a crossroad in my career. I am dedicated to my business and love growing it, but I also miss the impact that I believe I could potentially create if I would switch careers 2) I need to learn to be mindful and relax. I am under continuous stress in a ‘go go go’ mindset. While I have always been a high achiever, I feel off balance. I want to regain that balance.”
Enaam Ahmed has obtained her Economics and Finance Bsc at the University of Amsterdam. She is a serial entrepreneur and business strategy consultant.
She has started venturing in e-commerce and the world of start-up incubation. Her e-commerce modest fashion company, Nesci, has given her a platform to empower women and advocate for Muslim women in Europe as speaker and frequent guest on TV programs.
Enaam also consults companies in matters of strategy especially with regards to the Muslim target group and how to attract this group as a customer within Europe without pushing away other target groups.
In August 2017, she joined the US startup Mark Labs as Chief Strategy Officer. Mark Labs specializes in collecting and quantifying social impact data and using blockchain and AI, to automate this to the fullest extent possible.
Kamanda Bosco – Uganda- 23 years old
“Everyone needs some inspiration in their lives and the motivation to fulfill a purpose in this world. Y-PHEM is a program that will focus on the individual and introspective potential that’s why I need it. My restless desire for personal enrichment and development as a youth compels me to search for ways to be a better person than I can be”
Kamanda Bosco identifies as a youth activist and human rights defender advocating for LGBTI rights, sexual and reproductive health rights. She reaches out to grassroot communities including young key populations through the African Queer Youth Initiative (AQYI).
Kamanda has worked with the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR) and the UN women informal reference group on LGBTI issues.
Kamanda is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business administration from ISBAT university and also working part-time at Transgender Equality Uganda as an advocacy officer.
Kristina Kostadinova - Bulgaria
Kristina Kostadinova – Bulgaria – 25 years old
“I recently finished my Master´s Degree and I found myself a little lost. I want to contribute to a better and more equal world, and have a job where my efforts are transformed into a positive impact.
I believe that this program will give me the tools to find myself in a position where I can be more beneficial to the society. I would love to learn from someone that is driven and optimistic.”
Kristina Kostadinova holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Diplomatic School of Spain, specializing in Geostrategy and International Relations.
In July, she will become a fellow of the Hansen Foundation, participating in a program on Leadership at San Diego University. Her main interests include human rights, especially gender equality and youth.
She engages in different activities and organizations, such as ALL Ladies League (in the role of Madrid Vice Chairperson) and BETA Europe.
Lilian Sospeter- Tanzania- 24 years old
“I need Y-PHEM because I’m passionate about women empowerment especially single mothers and young girls, I want to empower women to realize their value and challenge their thinking from “I’m weak” to “I’m strong”, from “I can’t” to “I can”. That’s why I feel like I need a mentor to guide me and help me achieve my dreams”
Lilian Sospeter holds a Bachelor Degree of Commerce in Banking and Financial Services from the University of Dar Es Salaam. She was recognized as the best student in business studies in 2011 and as an Assistant Human Resource Manager (HRM) by Dar es Salaam University Finance Association (DUFA) in 2016/17.
In 2017, she won the Debate Challenge at the Uni on the topic “ In order to Accelerate Economic Growth the Government should Invest more in Education than infrastructure Development”. Lilian is passionate about sustainable development, humanitarian work, women empowerment, photography, social activism, community development and advocacy.
She previously volunteered with VSO Tanzania International Program in EEVT Mtwara and with Read International in Lindi as as Finance Officer on the project called library refurbishment which dealt with the renovation of school libraries and providing educational materials at Mchinga – Lindi, Tanzania.
Currently, she is a member of United Nations Association of Tanzania (UNA Tanzania) and Youth of United Nations Association of Tanzania (YUNA Tanzania).
Mohamed Brahem - Tunisia Mohamed Brahem – Tunisia – 20 years old “I made a decision to engage in civil society where I was very busy doing things but I do not know where to start exactly, I feel like I’m away from my personal goals and a little lost, I have not found the solutions to clarify my path, which this program can help me clarify” Mohamed Brahem is an athlete and student in nursing. Passionate about sport, in 2008, he completed his training at VN-Ausbildungszentrum der Bundeswehr in Hammelburg and received a diploma in swimming and scuba diving. In 2009, he did another training in football with Diez Team where he represented Tunisia. He also won the 3rd place in Table Tennis during the 2018 Olympics. Mohamed is also active in civil society and engaged in different projects including « Summer Robot », « Winter Camp», Najahni project and JCI Menzel Temime. He recently started a project in Youtube called Fit-Nurse.
Nidhal Lamraoui – Algeria- 24 years old
“I am somehow professionally jump-starting my career as a policy maker. I am reaching out constantly to seek mentorship, like this one.
I am particularly inspired by Aya as a young Northern African woman who makes me want to challenge myself to give and achieve more”
Nidhal Lamraoui is a young professional currently doing a master’s degree in Public Policy at Hertie School of Governance in Berlin.
Besides taking huge interest in effective policy-making and smart governance, Nidhal is very passionate about humans rights. She is a staunch feminist and an Algerian fierce women’s rights advocate.
She is the director of Bureau of Management and the Assistant Secretary-General in charge of the women’s empowerment intervention at the International Youth Federation (IYF).
She is an aspiring blogger at Nidhal.net where she writes about a variety of topics ranging from women’s rights and public policy to social and economic development in Algeria.
She strives for making positive change in her society. Traits she describes herself with: patriotic, culturally sensitive, fiery, opinionated, outspoken and a free woman.
Omar Gharbi – Tunisia- 18-year-old
“As a teenager, in this particular stage of life, I live between the ups and downs. I need to boost my self confidence and enhance my self esteem, to navigate inside my soul and build solid principles.
My father is dead and my mother got married again and left us. My childhood has affected my personality but I am successful in my education and I want to make a change”
Omar Gharbi is a high school student studying mathematics. He is fond of discovering about the mysteries of the universe and defeating the global warming so he is active in an Astronomy club and an Agricultural Association.
Books and theatre attract him not only because they enable him to experience more than one life but they also broaden his mind.
Participating in a local Tennis table competition and being ranked “the second best player of the year” was one of his most successful achievements in sport.
Omar has a dream to visit many countries and change the educational system in Tunisia. He also enjoys having deep conversations and listening to Fayrouz and Adele’s songs.
Remita Grewal – Tanzania- 21 years old
“I need Y-PHEM at this particular stage because I want to learn how to use my passion to help the world.
I have learnt that I can help if I try hard enough and this seems like a perfect way to be able to help out.
Aya is one of the few women feminists in Africa who is also a youth and I admire that in her and would love to be under her wing”
Remita Grewal, is from Arusha but currently resides in Dar es Salaam where she works at the consulate of Sierra Leone.
She studied Business Administration and Psychology in Pretoria, South Africa. She has interests in furthering her knowledge in Psychology, particularly in relation to Children and Adolescents.
She has always been passionate about community service and engaged in many groups helping others in both Tanzania and South Africa, i.e. teaching at orphanages and soup kitchens for the homeless.
Remita enjoys hiking and interested in all forms of literary work; she takes much comfort in reading. Her life is greatly guided by the quote “Buy the ticket, take the ride”.