2025-26 PiAf Fellows (Left to Right): Leena, Marie, and Wedad

Dear Friends of PiAf,

Thank you to everyone who has supported our 2025 Board Matching Campaign. Your support allows Princeton in Africa to answer the call from young leaders and host organizations committed to transformational work across Africa. If you have not donated yet, there is still time to have your gift matched by our Board of Directors. Click below to make your impact go even further.

Your support is needed more than ever to help Princeton in Africa meet the increased interest from potential Fellows and host organizations.

Below, we bring you reflections from three current Fellows, Leena Gurung, Marie Jambawai, and Wedad Osman. They are learning new skills, building community, and making a difference in global health, sustainable agriculture, and humanitarian aid in Kenya and Ghana.

Sincerely,

Princeton in Africa Team

Letters from the Field

Leena Gurung (Lwala, Kenya)

Living and working in Lwala, a rural community in southwestern Kenya, has taught me the importance of being present in the community. Evening walks mean greeting nearly everyone you pass, often stopping to exchange a few words before continuing on. Having also worked in New York City for a year, where people tend to look everywhere but at each other, this daily rhythm has been a grounding and refreshing shift.

My name is Leena Gurung, and I am the Communications and Learning Fellow at Lwala Community Alliance. Founded by a group of committed Kenyans, Lwala unlocks the potential of communities to advance their own comprehensive well-being. In my role, I support communications and documentation across the organization, working closely with nearly every department.

The most meaningful part of my work has been spending time with local health champions such as community health workers and youth peer providers, whose commitment and closeness to their communities make Lwala’s work possible. Whether I’m photographing them in the field, interviewing them about their day-to-day realities, or brainstorming with youth leaders on how to reach their peers with SRHR information, I’m constantly reminded of the power of storytelling and the responsibility that comes with it. Living where I work means these are not one-off interactions; I see people across seasons, and stories unfold over time.

This fellowship has shown me what community-led work truly looks like. As we say at Lwala,

“When communities lead, change is lasting.”

I knew this in theory before, but seeing it—and living it—has been different. As I continue the fellowship, I hope to remain deeply present and carry this value with me wherever I go next.

Marie Jambawai (Warc Africa, Ghana)

Akwaaba from Accra, Ghana!

My name is Marie Jambawai, and I currently serve as a Data Analyst at WARC Africa under the Princeton in Africa 2025–2026 Nexus Fellowship. WARC Africa is an agricultural organization dedicated to uplifting farmers out of poverty through regenerative farming practices.

In my role, I support the team by developing Power BI dashboards and leveraging python along with other programming languages to enhance database management and strengthen IT infrastructure. One of my key projects involved creating a user-support integration system that centralized ticketing requests and facilitated the successful adoption of various software solutions through user training.

I am fortunate to work with supportive colleagues who encourage me to take ownership and excel. A professional highlight was representing WARC Africa at the AmCham Google AI Business Dialogue 2025 and the Odoo Business Show Accra, where I gained valuable insights into how technology can drive efficiency within the agricultural sector.

Beyond work, I have embraced Ghana’s vibrant lifestyle, enjoying hiking, the beach,
restaurants, and road trips. I also attended my first live football match, the Ghana vs. Mali
FIFA World Cup Qualifier, which Ghana won. Exploring Accra’s welcoming community,
scenic beauty, and lively atmosphere alongside friends, co-Fellows, and colleagues has
made this experience truly unforgettable.

This fellowship has been both professionally rewarding and personally transformative. Contributing to agricultural innovation in Ghana has deepened my commitment to data-driven development and reaffirmed my belief in the power of technology to advance inclusive growth.

Wedad Osman (IRC, Kenya)

My name is Wedad, and I am a Grants and Communications Fellow with IRC Kenya. I moved to Nairobi in August and have been enjoying every moment so far. During my first few months, I focused on business development and planning a major event for 115 participants titled “New Aid Era: Locally Led, Globally Connected,” which IRC hosted at the end of September. It was a significant undertaking and a tremendous success—I am proud of the effort that went into making it happen.

After the event, I transitioned into managing a grant portfolio, which I have been handling ever since. My responsibilities include coordinating reports, ensuring timely submissions, hosting project cycle meetings, and managing donor communications and relationships. The work can be demanding at times, but it has been an incredible learning experience.

Outside of work, I am grateful to be in Nairobi and to spend time with the other Fellows. We meet often for brunches, hikes, and trips. So far, we have planned trips to Nanyuki and Watamu, and I am sure there will be many more to come.  This December, I am excited to host friends and family and explore more of Kenya. Every opportunity to travel within the country has been amazing, and I cannot wait to see more of the coast and the national parks. I am thrilled to be here and looking forward to what’s ahead.