Our Mission
Ashinaga USA represents the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) in the US. We support high-achieving, low-income students from Sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both parents.
Our mission focuses on our Scholars' personal, academic and professional development:
We strive to instill in them the values of ethical and innovative leadership.
We aim to equip them with tools to succeed academically in US universities.
We seek to foster their desire to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and to make significant contribution to social change and development in their communities across the continent.
“Education was never just a personal milestone for me—it was a tool to effect change in my community. Returning home wasn’t without challenges, but it was never a question. This is where I’m meant to build, grow, and serve.”
After completing her undergraduate and master’s studies at the University of Notre Dame in the United States, Gorata Baitlotli returned to Botswana, driven by a deep desire to contribute meaningfully to her community. She now serves as the Project Manager at the Lady Khama Charitable Trust, where she leads youth empowerment and wellbeing initiatives, including the Lady K. For Her Wellbeing Project—a program addressing period poverty and holistic health education in public schools. Gorata is also pursuing a master’s degree in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Botswana, continuing her commitment to sustainable development and social impact.
Agahozo is studying Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami to address the issues of delayed healthcare delivery in Rwanda through biomedicine and entrepreneurship.
Watch the video to hear more from Agahozo
Festus is studying Economics and African Studies, with a minor in Business, at Northwestern University to harness entrepreneurship to uplift communities in rural Namibia.
Watch the video to hear more from Festus