Our Impact

At Ashinaga USA, we measure impact two ways:

  • Access to higher education for high-achieving, low-income students;

  • Our Graduates’ contribution to social change and development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“As a digital animator and advocate, I am helping to grow Botswana’s creative industry and support social development. At Voodoo Advertising, I create high-quality 2D and 3D animations for top local brands, improving how they tell their stories and connect with audiences. As the President of the Care Leavers Association, I work to support vulnerable youth by creating systems that help them integrate into society. Through my work in animation and advocacy, I am combining creativity and leadership to make a positive impact in Botswana.” -Molefi, Ashinaga Graduate, Class of 2022

Impact by the Numbers

15 Scholars

currently studying in US universities and colleges

28 Graduates

have completed undergraduate degrees since 2018

19 Countries

across the African continent represented

3.6/4.0

average GPA of current Scholars

$8.7 million

in university scholarships awarded

90%

find full-time employment within
1 year of graduation

45%

of Graduates attend graduate school

Defining Impact in Sub-Saharan Africa: In Our Scholars’ Words

  • "Impact is not about being physically present; it’s about creating opportunities, sparking ideas, and building systems that empower others to thrive long after you’ve played your part. Whether remotely or on the ground, my goal has been to bridge gaps in education and entrepreneurship, enabling young Africans to envision and pursue futures beyond their immediate horizons. My work therefore ensures resources and knowledge translate into real opportunities on the ground."

    Lineo

  • "Through the development of ጉድ.ai, I am contributing to the technological and cultural transformation of the African continent by addressing the underrepresentation of African languages in AI. By creating a large language model specifically tailored to Amharic, I aim to empower Ethiopia’s Amharic-speaking communities both locally and in the diaspora. This project fosters cultural preservation, promotes inclusivity in digital tools, and enhances access to information for over 32 million Amharic speakers. It has far-reaching applications—supporting students with advanced language learning tools, enabling businesses to offer better customer service in local languages, and assisting governments in creating accessible platforms for public services."

    Endalk

  • "My most significant accomplishment during the internship was leading the economic impact analysis for the Kipevu substation project. The Kipevu substation project was an important endeavor to improve energy distribution and stability in Kenya, particularly helping the coastal region."

    Arok

  • "Through the LIDDO Initiative Africa and LIDDO Leadership Camp, I’ve empowered young Africans to lead change in their communities by fostering leadership and problem-solving skills. As the steering committee member of and one of the designers of the African Union Child Participation Platform, I’ve helped create a space for children across the continent to have their voices heard in policymaking. My contributions have had a tangible impact, enabling children and young people to influence decisions that shape their future."

    Monwabisi

  • "I embrace the motto of Ubuntu: "I am because we are," and I believe fulfillment comes from having a goal that goes beyond oneself. I am currently working with Open Dreams, an organization that aims to equalize educational opportunities for high-achieving, low-income students in Cameroon. Through mentorship and counseling on major and career choices, I take delight in seeing students leverage their potential in unique ways. Each year, I mentor at least five students by reviewing their college applications, providing advice, and writing compelling counselor recommendation letters."

    Serena

  • "Back home I am a peer educator; what we do is to enlighten girls about reproductive health. In the near future I want to do a small project of addressing reproductive health issues in remote areas of Rwanda because I noticed the increment of school dropouts which is sometimes due to early pregnancy or simply not being able to afford sanitary items since they are expensive in the country."

    Agahozo

  • "To me, impact is making an actual difference that eases lives of people in a community. When my mother suffered from cervical cancer, I truly wished someone could have made an impact for her that could have probably saved her. Now, as an aspiring biomedical scientist, I want to use the knowledge, skills, and strength that I will gain during my journey to help the countless people in Africa who are hoping for a better tomorrow. I seek to indulge in cancer research and biomedical applications so that communities can have a better quality of life and live to see what’s beyond."

    Lakshanah

  • “'At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.' This quote reminds me that my impact is not going to be measured by the things I have achieved but rather the people I have helped and what I have done to help my community. This quote reminds or inspires me to think of ways I can give back to my community using the skills and knowledge I have. I believe that even if it’s something small, the impact could be significant.”

    Faith

  • "I have been working with middle and high school student from my town, Anyinasuso-Offinso, to encourage them to pursue educational opportunities. Introduced some of them to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Ashinaga Africa Initiative."

    Salifu

  • "I’ve collaborated with local organizations, such as the Ethiopian Space Science Society, to run immersive VR STEM workshops, reaching students in Ethiopia. These initiatives have improved student engagement, understanding, and curiosity in Astronomy, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing access to quality education across the continent."

    Arsema

  • "As an academic intern with Elimisha Kakuma, I have been actively contributing in the improvement of refugee access to higher education in the camps in Kenya."

    Nyuon

  • "I have been educating myself by focusing on the encouragement of small, meaningful changes every day. For example, I ask my mom to inspire girls in our neighborhood, whether they know me or not, to keep striving in their education and aim for global opportunities like scholarships. These actions foster motivation and serve as a reminder that, as women, we have a responsibility to uplift and support one another. I have seen firsthand how my journey has inspired others—when people learned about how far I’ve come in accessing higher education, they chose to enroll their daughters in the same high school I graduated from, hoping to provide them with similar opportunities."

    Sabrin

  • "I mentor students in their academic challenges and availability of resources to grow and prosper."

    Darina

  • "My impact on the continent has been twofold. First, during my internship at VestedWorld, I contributed to empowering early-stage entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana by helping them secure funding for innovative businesses that drive economic growth and create local opportunities. Second, I have supported top-performing students from marginalized backgrounds by mentoring them through the process of applying for international scholarships, enabling them to access transformative education opportunities and become future changemakers in their communities."

    Festus