Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Lives
Our 20th anniversary is a time to celebrate the impact we’ve built together over two decades. To mark this milestone, we are introducing our 20 for 20 Planned Giving Initiative, inviting supporters to consider how their values can create opportunity for generations to come.
Together, we can ensure that future scholars continue to experience the life-changing power of education.
Join the 20 for 20 InitiativeWhat's Happening at WMI?
Today, we want to highlight WMI Alum Jennifer Orlu-orlu, a nursing graduate from the University of Port Harcourt, and her incredible impact on youth development in Nigeria.
Through her organization, Lively Youth Health and Empowerment Initiative, Jennifer recently completed her WMI-funded project; Project 50-25 (1.0) — a Youth Skill Acquisition Program that trained 50 young people in practical, income-generating skills.
Her team also:
✅ Organized community rallies to raise awareness
✅ Led health outreaches in secondary schools and orphanages
✅ Hosted mentorship sessions for participants
✅ Secured apprenticeship and internship placements so beneficiaries can continue building their skills
✅ Partnered with local groups, including churches and orphanages
In total, the project directly trained 50 youth and reached over 500 others through community outreach and health education initiatives.
From meeting with community leaders to secure sustainable support, to organizing rallies and youth-friendly health services, Jennifer continues to demonstrate what it means to be a WMI changemaker.
#GlobalLeadership #seedfunding #communitydevelopment #LocalChangemakers #africa
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⭐ We are proud to continue our #20for20 storytelling series with Dr. Melisa Bhebe, WMI Alum from Zimbabwe.
As a child, Dr. Bhebe dreamed of becoming a doctor to help others. 🩺
That dream began to take shape in 2013, when she became a WMI Scholar and pursued a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the National University of Science and Technology.
After graduating, Dr. Bhebe chose to "pay it forward" by founding the Lwisani Uplifting Women In Education-LUWIE Foundation, which supports adolescent girls in her hometown of Hwange with the resources they need to stay in school and grow into community leaders. 👩🏾🎓
She has since completed a Master’s in Public Health at the
University of Cape Town as a prestigious The Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholar, focusing on policy-making and research in African populations.
Through her work and research, Dr. Bhebe champions equitable health care for underserved communities while continuing to mentor and support young women in Zimbabwe. Her leadership has also been recognized within the WMI community, where she received the Founder’s Award and presented at the Dream Big Conference in Nairobi.
Today, Dr. Bhebe’s journey is a beautiful reflection of the long-term impact of education—not only transforming her own life, but the lives of many more along the way.
#20for20 #GlobalLeadership #equitablehealthcare #Zimbabwe #highereducation
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🌟 When women are allowed to learn and lead, everyone benefits.
This International Women’s Day, WMI joins the call to Give to Gain by supporting women scholars who are shaping the future of their communities.🌸
#IWD2026 #GiveToGain #womenleaders #GlobalLeaders
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