Meet our Mastercard Foundation Scholars!
From the Class of 2017 through the Class of 2023, Wellesley will provide a total of 23 African women with comprehensive support that includes scholarships, mentoring, and internship opportunities. Scholars represent the following10 countries: Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
Class of 2023
Annelle A. Kayisire '23 (Rwanda), Major: Biological Sciences and Media Arts & Sciences
Annelle Abatoni Kayisire grew up in Kigali with her parents and four siblings. Her earliest memories include being a sister for the first time, where she witnessed, through her mother, the mundane but indispensable strength of women. Her biggest ambitions include improving sexual and reproductive health of women, and designing creative technology and media projects for social impact. She is passionate about thoughtful action towards social justice. Annelle plans to major in Media Arts and Sciences, fulfilling her desire to explore both scientific and design thinking. When she's not frantically trying to finish homework, she will be reading brain pickings newsletters or listening to obscure soul music.
Bilqis Omoyeni Ayeni '23 (Nigeria), Major: Neuroscience
Bilqis Ayeni was the Valedictorian at her High School and graduated summa cum laude from a Sixth Form School she attended thereafter. Bilqis is passionate about children's studies and has completed various community projects in that regard in her neighborhood. Her hobbies are sewing and reading Marvel comics.
Ropafadzo Shava '23 (Zimbabwe), Major: Computer Science and Economics
Ropafadzo Beverly Shava is interested in the applications of computer science in medicine. As a Makomborero Zimbabwe (http://www.makomborero.info/) alumni, the act of giving back to the community has been imprinted in her DNA as such she has been involved in several voluntary activities such as being a Girl Child (https://www.globalgiving.org/pfil/32723/projdoc.pdf) mentor, STEM subjects tutor and advisor. During her gap year, she ventured into entrepreneurship when she established her first Oyster mushroom farming project along with her parents.