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BETHLEHEM, Pa.
Marvellous Nyongoro, a 26-year-old Zimbabwean, has been traveling extensively over the past three months, building hospitality and tourism businesses. His work has taken him from Zimbabwe to South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Lehigh University played host to 100 young professionals from sub-Saharan Africa on Saturday as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. This fellowship, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, provides networking and professional development opportunities to hundreds of African professionals every year. The 25 fellows who stayed in the Lehigh Valley also visited Philadelphia and New York City, meeting with local entrepreneurs and experts to expand their businesses.
Although Nyongoro put his work on hold, he believes that participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Lehigh University this summer was a worthwhile investment. The program brings 700 professionals aged 25 to 35 from sub-Saharan countries to American universities for coaching, networking, and cultural exchanges.
A Worthwhile Investment
Nyongoro sees the program as a unique opportunity to network with young business-minded Africans from the countries he hopes to attract tourism to. He believes that there is no other opportunity that provides such a platform to connect with people from different counties in one place.
The program at Lehigh University, hosted by the university’s Iacocca Institute, aims to train and prepare the next generation of business leaders in an interconnected world. According to Junior Reina Toc, a program manager at the institute, Lehigh University strives to bring the world to its campus through programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
‘Have to Put in the Seed’
During their time at Lehigh, the fellows have received coaching and guidance, met with local business owners, visited the United Nations and Standard & Poor’s offices in New York City, and toured Philadelphia. They have also had the opportunity to engage with community service groups such as the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley.
Dior Birima, a 29-year-old Senegalese woman who advocates for women’s rights and girls’ education, found the perspective on community service in the United States to be enlightening. She realized that community service can take many forms beyond just infrastructure work, and she hopes to implement similar activities in Senegal.
While the fellows spoke positively about the program, they believe it is too early to measure its success. The program offers networking possibilities, both in the United States and among like-minded professionals back in Africa. Lionel Kabeya, a 29-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships and nurturing connections for long-term success.
