A Journey of Change

Many development organisations have the money and capability to create change in Africa but they are governed by the West and apply a western lens to African problems. We need African leaders at the forefront of these institutions. I strive to be such a leader and that is why I have decided to pursue a master’s degree.

 My name is Mabala Nyalugwe and I am asking for your collaboration to pursue a master’s degree in Development Studies at the University of London SOAS.

I am Ugandan Zambian and live in Kenya, where I work with a strategic design firm, solving complex social problems mainly within the public health space.

I am frustrated with the state of Africa and believe that we need a new social contract. There is already a lot that is happening on the continent; Kenya is a booming tech hub, Uganda has a young entrepreneurial population, but still, we are not reaching our full potential. That is what I want to fight for.

My academic, professional journey began in Canada where I finished an undergraduate degree in Public Affairs and Human Rights. I stayed in the country for 2 years after my degree trying to find a job in my field. I was not able to do so and after years of doing part time and volunteer jobs in malls and for local charities, I returned to Uganda.

I worked in Uganda for 4 years with a local human rights firm, a human rights defender’s organization and an environment consultancy firm that does work in renewable energy. I worked as a research assistant in all these roles, and although I found the work interesting and I am happy I had these experiences, I was not able to afford a place of my own or advance and get more of what I wanted in my career.

After 4 years of living with my grandparents in Uganda, I got a job at a Human Centered strategic design firm in Nairobi. I have learned a lot and I fiercely believe in Human Centered Design as a way of empowering people and can see that when people are truly consulted sustainable change happens.

Unfortunately, I am not eligible to apply for student loans from the UK government and will have to pay tuition fees as an international student.

The total cost of my degree is 25,000 Euros. I can manage to cover half of the tuition costs and living expenses in London. My family and I are planning to apply for a number of loans and I plan on working in the UK to be able to cover my living expenses. I am fundraising to be able to pay half of my tuition fees by September. That is 12,500 Euros.

This campaign is broken down into the following items:

-       12500 Euros tuition fees

-       500 Euros GoFundMe fees

If there is anything that you would like to know more about before donating, please feel free to reach out to me :) I’ll be happy to connect with you!

 

So please donate and become part of the vision of a more equitable Africa!