Raising Identity Through Art and Integrity
Mary Magdalene Kofi – Zambia

Mary Magdalene Kofi is many things: a poet, a dancer, and a medical student. But at her core, she’s a storyteller and a visionary. Driven by a passion for restoring self-worth, she joined Ubuntu.Lab to deepen her understanding of leadership and connection. “I wanted to learn more about what leadership is,” she reflects. “Apart from that, I wanted to get different viewpoints from different people and to network with others with a like mind.”

What she hoped to gain was not just knowledge, but meaningful connection. “Insight on leadership and [to] create effective bonds with people that can be seen through collaboration,” she says.One transformative moment came in a session when: “We learnt that to know where you’re going, you must know your history.” Another was experiential: “A powerful moment was when I practiced the sensing journey—listening empathetically with no judgement.”

The hub experience played a vital role in her development. “Being a part of the hub community helped me to sense, listen more, and be more enthusiastic about learning my history and creating a better narrative for the future in every sphere I find myself.” Through this process, she gained pride and presence. “As a result, I feel more aware, proud, and excited to belong to Africa.”

Her prototype, Hear Us, See Us, was born from a place of urgency and observation. “Identity is something I have seen people struggle with. In the sense that, people will do anything for money—like sleeping with elderly men—forsaking how they get the money.” She believes this stems from a fractured sense of self. “But I believe that if your self-identity is concrete, the means to the end is just as important as the end.”

She adds, “To raise awareness that it is not only about the quantity of money you can attain but the quality and integrity of how the money was attained.” For Mary Magdalene, this is personal. “I pride myself in seeing people reach greater heights because they worked at something themselves with integrity instead of doing self-degrading things like stealing or prostitution.”

The prototype is more than an idea—it’s a movement in the making. “So far, I’ve been able to have interactions with people that have enlightened me in regards to what bodies or organizations have similar motives and interests.” She’s also “been able to target the kind of community we wish to impact and gotten a hold of the mentors, teachers, and instructors that will be a part of this transformative journey.”

Looking ahead, Mary Magdalene and her team are taking practical steps. “We plan on securing a location where all activities will be done and become more aggressive with advertising the vision to the people that need it most.”

Her closing words are filled with depth and humility. “The Ubuntu.Lab transformative programme has been such a self-awakening journey. And it initiates the first step to sensing and co-creating with many people. I am filled with gratitude.”

Breaking Barriers, One Digital Library at a Time
Divine Mugisha – Nairobi, Kenya

Divine Mugisha’s passion for education is deeply personal. As a student, she has lived the barriers that stand in the way of many African youth—overcrowded classrooms, absent teachers, missing textbooks. But through Ubuntu.Lab, she discovered a way to turn that experience into action. “I wanted to improve my leadership skills,” she says. “Earlier in the year, I participated in three days of transformative leadership training organized by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and I fell in love with the concept of transformative leadership; that’s what inspired me to learn more. I also wanted to be in a space with fellow changemakers.”

What she was seeking went beyond strategy. “When I joined, I was hoping to gain advanced empathy as a leader—the ability to listen, collaborate, and co-create with both society and my team.”

A turning point came when she had to shrink her dream to fit a prototype. “We were coming up with prototypes. I was tasked to break down a million-dollar project that I had been working on for 2 years into a $2000 prototype.” The lesson was humbling—and liberating. “We are always told to dream big, but through the prototyping, I learnt that small actions with big impacts are key. A dream that felt like it wouldn’t be achieved anytime soon, because it was too expensive, feels achievable by doing the small things at a time.”

Another powerful moment reshaped how she approached impact. “We learnt about the co-creation of solutions with society. That it’s not about doing something for them but about doing it with them. It changed my approach as a changemaker.”

Her hub experience offered an added spark. “Being a part of the hub community helped me to be motivated. It was very motivating to see many young people who were passionate about creating change.” As a result, Divine says, “I feel more confident in my leadership, in my interactions, and in my problem solving.”

Her prototype, Library Without Walls, emerged from a clear and pressing challenge. “I work in the education space to give vulnerable youths access to quality education. Lack of access to learning materials is one of the biggest challenges that hinders many young people who go to public schools in rural areas from accessing quality education, and keeps their passing rate really low.” Her vision is to change that by building “a library of resources” students can access anytime, anywhere.

“I believe and I have seen that education can change lives,” she says. “Many young people are living in extreme poverty and go to school with hope for a better future, but most schools are not effective at all. No teachers, no books, not enough space to learn in.”

So far, progress has already begun. “We have a partnership with the manufacturers of the Offline Digital learning devices where we will upload thousands of learning materials, creating a digital library which can give students access to quality learning materials.”

Looking ahead, Divine and her team are building step by step. “We hope to get funds to purchase the devices, collect, create, and upload learning resources. Then we will pilot the project at Dzaleka Community Day Secondary School, monitoring and evaluation and making necessary adjustments.” The goal is scale. “We will fundraise for more funds to buy more devices and establish more libraries in different schools.”

Her reflection is filled with gratitude and conviction. “This was an eye-opening experience. I am now a better leader and more confident in leading change. Co-creation has become one of my core values, and thank you for teaching me what it means to apply the golden rule in reverse.” She explains, “Co-creation is about doing for others what they want you to do for them, rather than doing unto others what you wish could be done for you. Leaders need to lead with more Ubuntu, and that way, even our national leadership would be better. I hope this course not only teaches students but also reaches out to the community and educates our leaders on how to lead with Ubuntu.”

I uploaded my secondary school photo. I took the photo with my friends in my final year when we were sent home and missed our first-term exam because the school had no paper to print the exams. I was a young girl full of dreams to escape poverty through education, but the learning conditions were very tough. We had more than 100 students in a class, and I could barely understand what the teacher was teaching. I tried to study to make up for the content I missed in class, but the library could hold fewer than 10 students at a time. I cannot count how many times we never had teachers for a certain subject, or how many students were unable to pass secondary school, not because they are not intelligent or didn’t work hard enough, but because the reality of most public schools is beyond everyone’s capabilities. With Libraries Without Walls, we hope to provide students access to thousands of learning resources and AI tutors, which will help them pass and achieve their dreams.

Empowering Girls Through Dignity, Hygiene, and Voice
Bathsheba Nerus – Plateau State, Nigeria

Bathsheba Nerus is a passionate community organizer committed to equity, voice, and safe spaces for women and youth. Her work is rooted in her own story and driven by a call to collective accountability. “I am passionate about promoting citizen accountability, pushing for inclusive participation of youths and women through Community Strategic Advocacy, pushing for Community Buy-in and seeking Accountability to create a safe space for all,” she shares.

She joined the Ubuntu.Lab Transformative Programme in search of deeper tools and insights. “To gain more insights and knowledge as regards empowering young women and promoting sustainable community growth.” It was a space that didn’t just affirm her purpose—but strengthened it. One of her most powerful moments came not from a single event, but a pattern: “Whenever we have practical sessions and evaluations.”

Being part of a supportive hub helped crystallize her understanding of collective responsibility. “It helped me understand the struggle is for all and it opened my eyes to the relevance of teamwork.” That shared struggle brought new confidence. “I feel assured that I am not alone, I have people to run to for advice, suggestions and corrections.”

Bathsheba’s prototype, Help Her: Menstrual Hygiene, was born out of a pressing need. “The challenges of the community I reside in has been a bone on my neck since I relocated in 2023,” she says. Having lived those same challenges before, her motivation comes from a place of deep empathy. “It is important to me because I have once lived in such challenging situations, and it is something I have promised myself to help younger girls through with my guidance and best of my ability and capability.”

What began as a promise quickly became a growing initiative. “So far, I’ve been able to:

1. Start a girls club
   
   
2. Maintain biweekly sessions with 15 girls
   
   
3. Identify community stakeholders
   
   
4. Engage and empower the girls with confidence and communication skills.”
   
   

Looking ahead, her vision continues to expand. “I plan to:

1. Make more contact with government stakeholders
   
   
2. Organise a 3-month computer training for the girls
   
   
3. Hold more sessions on topics covering the SDGs.”
   
   

To Bathsheba, this work is the fulfillment of something long held in her heart. “To be there for the young girls is a dream come true. I have delayed it for long because of fear, but this training did not allow the fear to suppress me.” Her final reflection captures the spark of the Ubuntu.Lab Institute Transformative Programme: “I am grateful for the way UbuntuLab Institute ignited in me the energy and skills to go about this journey.”

Bethsheba Nerus

Creating a Platform for the Overlooked: Empowering Youth with Disabilities in Zambia
Maggie Banda Kaunda – Lusaka, Zambia

Maggie Banda Kaunda is the founder of the Unique Abilities Initiative, a movement grounded in the belief that everyone, regardless of ability, has something valuable to offer. Her commitment to this cause runs deep, and when the opportunity arose to contribute as a hub lead in the Ubuntu.Lab Transformative Leadership Programme, she felt compelled to give back. “I was asked to lead a hub or more and I felt that I needed to give back to Ubuntu.Lab Institute what it had invested in me over the years and I created the time to lead a hub in Lusaka.”

She approached the experience with a dual goal: “I was hoping to gain more experience in leading a cohort but also to refresh on the U-theory practices and tools to help me in my journey as founder of an initiative that has been brewing for some time now.”

One of the turning points in her journey came when “the faculty arranged for specific meetings to walk participants through prototyping—the how to and how not to’s.” These sessions gave her the clarity and courage to move forward with her idea.

Being part of the hub community affirmed her direction. “It helped me to see my idea as worth presenting for consideration as a prototype that could be supported in various aspects.” With each conversation and interaction, she found new energy for her mission. “I feel more confident and supported in my plan to implement an initiative that I am convicted will make amazing impacts at various levels.”

The roots of the Unique Abilities Initiative lie in a concern that has long weighed on her heart. “I have been bothered for a very long time, on the youth unemployment levels. Most youth are disadvantaged and unable to find work and I felt strongly that the youth living with disabilities are even worse off than the able-bodied youth.” Maggie saw a gap—and a need for a space “where such youth (differently abled) could be seen [and] supported in becoming more employable and then finding work.”

Her conviction is clear. “I am convicted and always have been that everyone has a unique ‘gift’ and given an opportunity, it will shine through. I am convinced that I can help identify such gifts and support youth that have previously been marginalised.”

So far, she has laid a strong foundation for the work ahead. “I’ve been able to review policies, [hold] meetings with various stakeholders, prepare materials as well as form a team that will help with bringing the initiative to life.” Looking forward, she’s focused on partnerships and outreach. “I plan to start connecting with institutions of employment and the institutions already working with youth so that implementation may commence.”

Her excitement is palpable. “I am excited to start implementation and to have the first placement within the next few months. The response has been overwhelming and I am certain that there will be great impact coming out of the initiative.”

Maggie Kaunda Banda

Rewriting the Narrative for Teen Mothers Through Tech
Agneda Ingutia – Mombasa, Kenya

Agneda Ingutia is a freelancer in website development and graphic design who uses digital tools to support impactful community projects. Her passion lies in empowering young women—especially teen mothers and youth—with the skills and confidence to reimagine their futures. “I was at a point where I needed to pause and reflect on how to align my work with the kind of change I actually want to be part of,” she says of her decision to join the Ubuntu.LabTransformative Programme. “I wanted to explore what leadership could look like beyond titles and responsibilities—leadership that’s people-centered and rooted in real-life experiences.”

For Agneda, this programme wasn’t about chasing success. “I also wanted to be in spaces where the conversation wasn’t just about success, but about purpose and systems.” Her goal was clear: to gain “clarity on how to grow as a leader both in my personal life and in the work I do within my community.” What she received in return exceeded expectations. “The programme gave me more than I expected. It helped me pause, reflect, and reconnect with my values. I began to see leadership not as a title or role, but as a way of being centered on presence, empathy, and co-creation. It transformed how I approach both work and life.”

One defining moment came during a session called The River of Life. “Our facilitator Madam Corazon invited us to reflect deeply on our inner wounds, limiting beliefs, and personal stories,” she recalls. “It was in that moment I understood how much of my leadership had been shaped by survival, not wholeness. That shift helped me begin leading from a more authentic, grounded place—not just from ambition or responsibility. It was uncomfortable, but freeing.”

Her participation in the hub community further deepened her insights. “Being a part of the hub community helped me to understand the true meaning of Ubuntu—I am because you are. It reminded me that I don’t walk this journey alone.” The sense of shared purpose and mutual support left a profound impact. “The hub became a space of belonging, where we lifted each other, challenged each other, and reminded one another of our shared humanity. It taught me that leadership isn’t individualistic—it’s collective, relational, and rooted in community.”

Now, Agneda stands more sure of herself. “I feel more grounded, confident, and connected to my purpose. I’ve gained a deeper sense of who I am and what kind of leader I want to be—not just for myself, but for the people I serve.” She adds, “I feel more courageous to lead with heart, to co-create with others, and to trust the process. Most importantly, I feel part of something bigger—a community that believes in change, in people, and in the power of Ubuntu.”

It was during the final phase of Ubuntu.Lab that her prototype was born. “We were challenged to respond to a need we deeply cared about,” Agneda says. “That moment made me pause and reflect on the people I often see overlooked in society. I began thinking about the silent struggles of teen mothers—how they carry so much potential but often lack support, opportunity, and a second chance.” She envisioned a space where these young women could be “seen, supported, and empowered—especially through something as transformative as tech.”

The result is Teen Mom in Tech—“a safe, empowering space where young mothers gain digital skills, confidence, and community support to rewrite their stories and step into the tech world with boldness.” For Agneda, this prototype “aligns with my values of equity, empathy, and Ubuntu—recognizing that when one of us rises, we all rise.”

So far, she has made impressive strides. “I’ve been able to clarify the problem I want to solve, connect deeply with the people affected, and co-create a solution that is practical and rooted in empathy.” She has also begun organizing logistics. “I have also put my team in order to look for a good area where we will put the cyber and the best quality of desktops to purchase.” Through the Ubuntu.Lab process, Agneda says she moved “from an idea to a well-thought-out prototype, supported by a community that believes in collaboration and impact.” She adds, “I’ve also grown in confidence—trusting my voice and vision more with every step.”

Looking ahead, Agneda is committed to scaling the initiative. “I plan to build on the momentum of this prototype by engaging directly with teen mothers, piloting the program in a community setting, and gathering feedback to improve it further.” She also aims to collaborate with “local organizations, mentors, and tech professionals to create a sustainable, supportive ecosystem.” Above all, she wants to “ensure that the spirit of Ubuntu—lifting as we rise—remains at the center of everything we do.”

Her final reflection captures the heart of the journey: “This journey has been life-changing. It reminded me that leadership is not about having it all figured out, but about showing up with openness, humility, and courage.” Through Ubuntu.Lab, Agneda has learned that “true transformation begins within—and when we lead from that place, we can co-create meaningful change with others.” She concludes, “I’m leaving this experience more grounded in purpose, more connected to community, and more hopeful about the impact we can make together.”

 Farming a Future: Economic Dignity for Single Mothers in Malawi
 Eliza Chatchuka – Nairobi, Kenya

Eliza Chatchuka, a social entrepreneur and community empowerment advocate based in Nairobi, Kenya, stepped into the Ubuntu.Lab Transformative Leadership Programme with a mission rooted in personal history. “I wanted to understand human service better through the program,” she shares. Hoping to gain “knowledge through mentorships, and get motivated by what other Africans are doing,” Eliza brought both humility and determination into the experience.

One of the most profound lessons for her came during a session on active listening. “We had to learn about listening attentively with an open mind. I get to understand that in diverse environments or situations, open-minded listening makes everyone feel valued and included.”

Her participation in the hub community reshaped her worldview. “Being a part of the hub community helped me to understand and value people around me in a different way. I am not as judgemental as I used to be. Luckily enough, I also have a chance to help others through the seed funding that will be given.” As a result, Eliza says she feels “more transformed and empowered through the program.”

Eliza’s prototype—Empowering Women Through Pig Rearing—was inspired by her own upbringing. “I was raised by a single mum who is a primary school teacher, and I grew up seeing how hard-working she was for me and my siblings, yet she still had some limitations in terms of finding school fees and basic necessities,” she recalls. “Reflecting on her experience as a single working mother made me think about other single women in the village who had neither jobs nor businesses.”

This vision evolved into a focused mission. “I will manage to reach single mothers, both divorced and widows. I believe mentorship and a little funds will help them reach their full potential in the short and long term.” Her initiative has already gained momentum. “We have managed to reach out to all stakeholders,” Eliza notes, and she’s now planning to scale. “Make the program big through the pig-sharing model that will help to reach out to more widows and divorced women in Malawi and beyond.”

In her final reflections, Eliza emphasizes that this is “a community-based empowerment project that helps widows and divorced women in Malawi gain financial independence through sustainable farming.” What began as a seed of inspiration from her mother’s story is now blossoming into a livelihood solution with real-world impact—rooted in empathy, resilience, and community-driven change.

This is my favorite image because we spent time reflecting on listening and shared a meal with friends in the hub.

On this day we learnt that leadership is not about authority or control but service, presence and relationship.

This was the last day of our hub meetings. We had fun taking pictures, sharing food and listening summaries from other hubs

Sowing Solutions for a Greener Future
Tabitha Chege – Nairobi, Kenya

For Tabitha Chege, environmental activism isn’t a career—it’s a calling. A passionate youth patron and environmentalist, her journey with Ubuntu Lab was fueled by a desire to find innovative, low-carbon solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. She wanted to drive sustainable development in farming, conservation, and waste management as well as to create real impact through community-driven solutions.

The programme became a pivotal moment for Tabitha when her prototype was selected as a finalist.  Her prototype, Integrated Zero Waste Farming, was born out of the challenges amplified during COVID-19—unemployment, food insecurity, and environmental strain. It’s about, “Lifting them from poverty by organizing them to become stronger obtain more support from the governmental organization and non-governmental organization to start project that will empower them that they need to learn technics to intensify diversify and integrate their farm zero waste and adopt climate change to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions,” she says. So far, Tabitha has attended livestock training with 14 young people under her mentorship and is preparing to launch a scalable rabbit farming initiative.

Through her hub experience, she deepened her leadership and learned how to help others rise alongside her. This has honed her leadership style, which she reflects is driven by ethics, innovation, and purpose.  She has realized how important it is to organize communities so they can access support, learn new farming techniques, and adopt practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the prototype development process has enabled Tabitha to get hands-on experience in volunteering—tree planting, soil health events, and showcasing sustainable waste work. That’s how she continues to build the courage to speak up, take action, and inspire others.

Breaking the Silence for Men’s Mental Health
Sehlile Maphosa – Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

For Sehlile Maphosa, joined the Ubuntu.Lab Transformative Leadership Programme with the intention to “sharpen my leadership skills, enhance personal and professional growth in order to serve better,” she says. She also “had a target of training young people in leadership development…” And ultimately hoped to be able to inspire and motivate others, which she is now doing through the prototype developed.

As the YMCA Bulawayo Branch Coordinator and a hub facilitator, Sehlile had long been attuned to the struggles in her community. But one issue began to weigh more heavily: the rising number of suicides among men. “I have counselled young man who have been in the verge of committing suicide,” she shares.

When her team was asked to design a prototype during the Programme  they didn’t hesitate to design an initiative addressing men’s mental health.

Together, they created Buddy-Up, a supportive system aimed at boosting men’s mental health through awareness, connection, and innovation. “We wanted to design a unique, innovative support system because men play a pivotal role in their families and communities. They need support to achieve their responsibilities, which is lacking [m]ost of the times,” Sehlile explains.

So far, she’s begun developing a chatbot—a tool that can offer information and connection discreetly, especially for those who may not feel comfortable seeking help in person. She’s also working closely with fellow hub members to design the broader programme and is planning a stakeholder meeting to gain community buy-in. For Sehlile, Buddy-Up is more than a project. It’s a lifeline—and a reminder that no one should have to suffer in silence.

“The Transformative Leadership program was not like other programmes. It was and is a journey of commitment to change. It brought out positivity and hope in me, which I try to rub into those I interact with,” is her reflection on the programme.

Sehlile Maphosa

Creating Pathways for Youth in Rhino Camp
Pech Lim Gatluak – Rhino Camp, Uganda

Pech Lim Gatluak entered the Ubuntu.Lab Transformative Leadership Programme with a clear goal: to strengthen his leadership skills and build a solution for his community. He wanted to learn how to design a project that actually works, rooted in community needs. This desire was driven by his lived experience, . “Unemployment among youth in refugee settings like Rhino Camp is very high,” he shares, “…And I understand this reality firsthand.”  One of the most transformative moments for him was learning the art of prototyping. “We explored the process of prototyping and learn how to test and adapt our ideas based on community feedback and real needs. His response to the experience? REACH — the Refugee Employment Accelerator and Career Hub.

The hub community played a key role in this evolution. “It helped me think more clearly, collaborate more openly, and feel supported as I shaped REACH into something tangible,” he says. With renewed focus, he took bold steps: securing an office space from a local organization, registering REACH with the local authorities, developing a digital platform, and engaging five potential partner organizations for sustainability.

“Ubuntu Lab gave me the mindset, tools, and the community I needed to take REACH from idea to reality,” he reflects. “I now see leadership not just as influence, but as service rooted in community.”

Looking ahead, Pech plans to complete the REACH digital platform, scale programming across Rhino Camp, and mobilize even more youth. “I feel empowered, focused, and ready,” he says simply. And that readiness is exactly what he hopes to inspire in the youth around him — a generation of refugees with pathways to purpose.

Pech Lim Gatluak

The programme fueled her confidence, “I feel more confident, I feel happy — like I truly belong. I feel supported, cherished, and loved by a whole community.” She recalls, “One of the most powerful moments for me was our very first one-on-one meeting in my hub in Ghana.”  It was then she felt seen, like this journey was becoming real.

Her prototype, Young Girls Empowerment through Skills Training (YGEST), was born out of that growth and reflecting on the situations many young girls in her community were facing. “I saw the lives of these girls and how disturbing it was,” she says. “I wanted to use this opportunity to make a change, in the young girls lives and the community at large.”

So far, she’s started the process of listening — speaking to girls one-on-one to understand their hopes, their fears, and what they would do with support. She explains that she has been able “to get to know what they want their lives to be like.” Next, she plans “to organize them so I can take the next step when it’s all said and done.”

Her vision is clear: “I want others to know that every girl deserves the opportunity to better their lives and you and i can make that happen. Let’s bring the young girls closer and speak to them. Let them know their worth, and what their lives can actually be if they better it and not ruin it.”