Who are we?

WAAW (Working to Advance African Women) Foundation is a 501(c) non-profit social enterprise whose mission is to increase the pipeline of African women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields, and work to ensure that this talent is engaged in African innovation. We do this through Girls STEM camps (11 - 15years); Scholarships and mentoring(College girls); and African Women in Technology Conferences(Professional Women).

Our Vision

To train and engage African women thought leaders in Science and Technology, who contribute to innovation, economic growth and poverty eradication in Africa.

To empower African women with a strong voice by building STEM communities that strengthen her impact by:

• Exposing, motivating and mentoring girls in their pursuit of rewarding careers in science, engineering and technology related fields
• Providing opportunities for education and promoting sustainable technology research and innovation activities for African Women.
• Building vibrant communities that engage girls with role models and mentors to ensure an ever increasing pipeline.
• Promoting communities that bring African women thought leaders and organizations from private industry, academia and governments to share ideas, collaborate build and retain technology capacity in Africa.

Our People

WAAW Foundation is currently run by a group of women who have these in common:

• A passion for education.
• A passion for the advancement of women in STEM fields

All the executives work on a voluntary basis, contributing their time and money to the WAAW cause. They are all either women in STEM fields or women in education who see the shortage of women in STEM fields, the need to empower and encourage girls/women to remain or join in STEM innovations in Africa and who are eager to give back to the continent (Africa) they grew up in.

What our Scholarship program has achieved so far?

Since 2008, we have awarded five scholarships to African girls to enable them continue to go to school and get an education.

1. Lillian Kong'ani from Kenya
2. Chinenye Ezeakor from Nigeria
3. Celestin Tchande from Cameroun
4. Ashabe Katushabe from Uganda
5. Lorrine Maleya from Kenya

Why we need your help?

WAAW Foundation needs to continue this noble effort because most African girls do not have many opportunities to pursue their dream or have avenues to help them expand their horizons. Scholarship funds to support the education of college girls in Africa are practically nonexistent!

We are about to launch our 2012 scholarship program on August 1, 2012 but we need to raise $5,000 to ensure that the scholarship initiative can continue. 100% of all funds raised will go towards the scholarship funds. All donations are tax deductible. WAAW executives and scholarship facilitators work on a volunteer basis, many times donating their time and resources as well.

We can no longer sustain this initiative alone. The stakes are high and the demands enormous, so we are asking you for help.

Our scholarship program is aimed at providing timely financial support to academically promising female African Students who are currently in STEM related undergraduate disciplines in an African College or University. Awardees must demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to participating in building Africa. The initiative also promotes peers networks that provide support and mentoring to ensure completion in their chosen STEM fields. Preference is given to girls impacted by HIV and in their early years of study.

We can no longer sit back and watch dreams crushed! Girls like Chinenye and Ashabe need help to ensure their education continues and is not stalled due to financial reasons. They want to graduate and get out of the poverty that plagues Africa, they want to be able to make a difference in the world. Education is the key that can make it happen for them.

How can you help?

To help us and these African girls, we need your help in various ways such as:

• Making a donation to our campaign now.
• Encouraging your friends and/or family to make a contribution.
• Spreading the word by using the Indiegogo share tools.

Even the smallest donation will go a long way to help WAAW Foundation continue with its efforts to keep the dream alive in these girls one girl at a time. So even if we don’t reach our goal, what will be contributed will help in giving a girl a scholarship, if we exceed our goal, more girls will benefit from your generous contributions.

Prizes

Your donations will enable WAAW Foundation Scholarship to continue and earn you

1. A Facebook/twitter shout out from us and promotion in our newsletter. 
2. WAAW Foundation T-Shirt (100% Organic)
3. Custom Handmade African print Wine Bag

4. A commemorative bracelet with your initials engraved (maynot be as pictured)
   

5. Hand woven Banana Leaf iPad Case

6. Beautiful Turquoise Hand woven plateau basket

7. Recognition as a WAAW Foundation Supporter.Three categories of WAAW Foundation Supporter:
   1. $100+ basic WAAW Supporter
   2. $500+ Gold WAAW Supporter
   3. $1000+ Platinum WAAW Supporter
8. Automatic entry into the WAAW Foundation raffle tickets in which prizes currently include:
   1. A three day/four night free stay in any Golden Tulip Hotel in West Africa (Accra or Kumasi in Ghana or Lagos, Enugu or Port Harcourt in Nigeria)

   2. A two night/three day free stay in any Best Western Hotel in North America.

       

   3. A spa/salon and facial treatment: $50 SpaFinder gift card to spend in over 7000 spas in the USA along with a hand woven unique bracelet made by Rwandan Women.
   4. A $50 gift card to Target along with a hand woven unique bracelet made by Rwandan Women.
   5. Four Free Movie Tickets to any AMC Theater.

Should you have any questions about our campaign or if you would like to find out more about our work, please do not hesitate to email us at editor@waawfoundation.org

Thank you so much from all of us at WAAW Foundation.

Ebele Agu, Media Director/CIO.