#INSPIRED: CAMER'S MONIQUE KWACHOU NAMED AMONG AFRICA'S MOST OUTSTANDING EMERGING WOMEN LEADERS

Hello people...One of ours was recently named as one of the 2015 MILEAD...Why is this a big deal?  First of... It is about Women so I'll shout it loud 'cause the more women leaders we have the better off our darling country & continent will be..And this young lady who is an aspiring educator, a  blogger, social entrepreneur, Chevening scholar and prolific writer among many other things finally got her chance to participate in this program among Africa's finest & outstanding emerging young women leaders this July. 

Here's the 411..

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa proudly announces the 2015 MILEAD (Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development) Fellows. This new cohort of MILEAD Fellows represent Africa’s most promising young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of Africa. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process and criteria based on their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa.

She loves head gear..Enough said ;) 

Ms. Monique Kwachou’s selection to the MILEAD Fellowship is a testament to her remarkable track record as an influential young woman leader.  A Writer and Youth Advocate, she has also developed a career in Gender and Education.  Monique founded Better Breed Cameroon (BBCam) which has developed into a notable agency for Cameroonian youth philanthropy. BBCam supports investments in youth development and empowerment through mentoring programs and bursaries for university students.   As a Writer and Blogger, she has  published a poetry  collection and  several  short  stories  in  international  anthologies,  including  the Caine Prize for African Writing Anthology (2011) and the FEMRITE Uganda collection of African Women’s Writing. Follow her work at moniquemusings.blogspot.com and betterbreedcameroon.wordpress.com. She is an alumnus of Chimamanda Adichie’s Farafina Writers’ Workshop (2012) and presently serves as the national Public Relations Officer for the Anglophone Cameroon Writers Association. Monique  is  pursuing  an MA  in  Education,  Gender  and  International  Development  at  the  Institute  of  Education, London  as   a  Chevening Scholar.

THE 2015 MILEAD FELLOWS                                                                                                                            

The 2015 MILEAD Fellows represent a truly Pan-African diversity. Representing twenty-four African countries and the Diaspora, the 2015 Fellows bring highly diverse socio-political backgrounds combined with multi-disciplinary academic and professional experiences and aspirations. The Fellows are between the ages of 19 and 25, but are already actively leading change on pertinent issues at all levels- from entrepreneurship, economic justice and women’s health, to political participation, environmental innovations and gender justice. They are a new generation of African women leaders ready to provide the bold and inspirational leadership needed to lift Africa to its rightful place on the global stage. Here are the honoured 2015 Fellows:

Ms. Yasmine Bouguerche [Algeria/ Egypt]

Ms. Refilwe Kerekang [Botswana]

Ms. Véronique A. Tonoukouen [Benin]

Ms. Erica Matasi Gateka [Burundi]

Ms. Monique Tangah Kwachou [Cameroon]

Ms. Betel Bekele Birhanu [Ethiopia]

Ms. Haddy Jonga [Gambia]

Ms. Baaba Gyakyewa Jackson [Ghana]

Ms. Edem Doreen Asimadu [Ghana]

Ms. Stephanie Musho Agengo [Kenya]

Ms. Sianeh Farwenee [Liberia/ Mozambique]

Ms. Marriam Lally [Malawi]

Ms. Chilera Chifundo [Malawi]

Ms. Agaichatou Dicko [Mali]

Ms. Mary Temiloluwa Ajayi [Nigeria]

Ms. Zeinabou Moussa  Kaka [Niger]

Ms. Davephine Tholley [Sierra Leone]

Ms. Elizabeth Achu Jervase [South Sudan]

Ms. Canthar May Ntuli [South Africa]

Ms. Rowan Faisal [Sudan]

Ms. Dorothy Mrema [Tanzania]

Ms. Winnie Nansumba  [Uganda]

Ms. Bumba Malambo [Zambia]

Ms. Florence Takaedesa [USA/Zimbabwe]

Ms. Mary C. Namagambe [Denmark/ Uganda]

Ms. Monica Habia- [Ghana/USA]

@ Africa Writes in London

From over 3,020 applications from 44 countries, the newly selected Fellows will become part of the growing MILEAD community of a powerful Pan-African network of change makers- a new generation of young African leaders. We acknowledge all the unsuccessful applicants for their transformational work and sacrifices, often under extremely difficult circumstances. Although only 26 candidates could be selected, we truly admire the courage and commitment of all of these leaders. We look forward to collaborating with all applicants through other platforms and future programs as we strive to create opportunities and attain dignity and justice for women on our great continent.

THE 2015 MILEAD FELLOWS INSTITUTE

The MILEAD Fellows will converge in Accra, Ghana to kick-start the 2015 MILEAD Leadership Institute- a three-week intensive training program- which will be hosted by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. The Institute will serve as a platform for Fellows to cross-examine concepts of leadership in a broad African context, cultivate the skills and experiences necessary to occupy and excel in leadership positions, and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities. In addition to knowledge building lectures, skills-training workshops, teambuilding activities, role plays and other interactive activities, Fellows will be mentored by experienced and accomplished women leaders who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African women leaders.

ABOUT THE MILEAD FELLOWS PROGRAM

The MILEAD Fellows Program is a uniquely designed initiative committed to the long-term leadership development and promotion of Africa’s most promising young women leaders. Fellows go through a yearlong training and mentoring program, designed to build skills, strengthen networks, and support women’s leadership on critical issues. Over the course of the year, the selected Fellows progress through three phases.  The first identifies and prepares Fellows through leadership development, networking, mentoring, and training.  The second promotes the visibility and accomplishments of Fellows through media coverage and networking.  The third phase supports Fellows through career planning, management, and access to opportunities and resources. Each Fellow will initiate and lead a community change (MiCHANGE) project on a critical issue of importance to their community or African women as a whole. Moreover, Fellows will benefit from a lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network.

Chevening Scholar Reppin' 237

Yayy...I got the scholarship..lol

ABOUT MOREMI INITIATIVE

Founded in 2004, The Moremi Initiative for Women's Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire, and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs, and change agents- leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate injustices and discrimination against women. We firmly believe that the full and active participation of women in leadership is a pre-requisite for positive change and development in Africa, and addresses the current problem of leadership imbalances. With offices in Ghana and the United States and operating across Africa, Moremi engages, inspires and equips a new generation of African women leaders.

For more information about the Moremi Initiative, please visit their website here

Camer MILEAD Fellows. Check #Moremi237 for tweets from this chat

2015 MILEAD Fellow with Lily Haritu-Chi, 2013 MILEAD Fellow & Chevening Scholar

Thumbs up to Monique. I can't wait to feature updates from this year's Ghana session. Keep flying the 237 flag very high. To follow Monique's activities check her blog here, Better Breed site here & Facebook page.