Meet the 2023 SUSI on Civic Engagement Participants: Part 1!

The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement includes 20 undergraduates from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

During the 5-week program, the group travels to Washington D.C. and Seattle to study civic engagement and participate in volunteer activities, leadership workshops, and cultural excursions.

Program themes include civil rights, grassroots student activism, volunteerism, political leadership, citizen advocacy, and minority political engagement. Throughout the program, participants take part in intensive project planning seminars to prepare them to develop and lead projects that benefit their home communities.

This is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS. The 2023 program will run from January 10-February 10 in Seattle and from February 11-15 in D.C.

Get to know some of our SUSI participants below! If you’re a university or college student who would like to sign up to be an ambassador, click HERE! If you’re a community member interested in hosting some of our SUSI participants, click HERE or contact Jason at jason@fiuts.org for more information!

My name is Festus Takudzwa Matemera. I'm 22 years old and live in Harare, Zimbabwe but was born in Alaska. I'm a driven social work student who prides myself in utilizing passion and compassion in my engagement as a social science student. I'm interested in psychology and social anthropology. I live in a very diverse community that is characterized by hardworking people who strive to make ends meet despite their academic shortcomings.  I'm an athlete in my spare time and sometimes play basketball with my peers. I'm passionate about becoming a wave of change in my community and bringing desirable change to my community and the communities around me.

My name is Kudzaishe Masendeke and I am from Harare, Zimbabwe. I am a 23 year old student currently in her 3rd year of undergraduate study pursuing a degree in Media and Cultural Studies and Journalism. I’m doing my work-related learning as a media advocate at an organization called Mubatirapamwe Trust which allows me to monitor and educate people around issues of drugs and substance abuse in my community. I occupy myself with researching and volunteering to work with different groups and organizations that aim to improve and bring communities together. My passion is in using my voice and having a positive impact in making my community better for every individual that lives in it. In my free time, I love exploring and trying new things such as canoeing.

My name is Angela Monaheng. I live in Soweto, South Africa. In my free time, I like watching movies or reading books. I am a BCom law student at the University of Pretoria. I am a young politically inclined individual and hold influence in leadership roles. I have a passion for impacting young people within my spaces of influence as well. I believe in being purpose driven and serving others in a way that uplifts everyone.

My name is Dorca Fernanda Chenene, and I'm a Mozambican civil engineering student. I like to learn new things, to face new challenges and believe that we improve when we leave our comfort zone. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and I value and respect these moments very much. I am interested in becoming a motivational speaker because I like to motivate and give moral support to others.

My name is Qasim Osman and I am a medical student from South Africa. I have a keen interest in surgery and healthcare advocacy. I currently rank as number two for debate in Southern Africa and have represented South Africa on debate teams in both high school and at university. I currently serve as the chairperson of the Madibaz Debate Team, which focuses on creating better access to debating resources and training for students in the Eastern Cape. I am also the chairperson of the Muslim Students Association at Nelson Mandela University, an organization that advocates for Muslim students at the institution. I also served as the youngest ever chairperson of the Southern African Universities Debating Council. I just completed my second year of my MBCHB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). I'm particularly interested in surgery and would like to specialize as a trauma surgeon after my basic training.

My name is Lame Makgolodi. I am a Bachelor of Law student at the University of Botswana. My favorite courses this far have been family law, law of persons, negotiable instruments, business associations as well as public international law. I usually spend my free time with my family or friends.

My name is Abi Tadiwa Furayi. I am a 22 year old social work student and Africa University. My favorite subjects are psychology, trauma counseling and mental health. I am culturally curious and I love sharing experiences with people. In my free time, I love to play rugby.

My name is Sibusiso Bokveldt and I grew up in a rural area in Fort Beaufort, South Africa. I am a self motivated, determined and driven final year BA Law student at NMU and penultimate year LLB student at UNISA with an interest in public service. I have a zealous nature to learn and grow, to increase aptitude and to accumulate knowledge, and I love tackling new challenges. I am passionate about serving the community at large and I enjoy interacting with diverse groups of people. I am driven by self development and I am involved in a variety of social entrepreneurship and activism programs. I love serving underprivileged communities and aim to help local communities around me better their livelihoods.

My name is Timóteo Haca Quifica, but I go by Timmy! I am twenty one years old and from Luanda City, Angola. In high school I studied Electronics and Telecommunications. Now, I am in my second year at the Instituto Superior Técnico de Administração e Finanças (ISAF) and I am studying I.T. for Financial Management. My favorite subject is math and I have a special interest in physics and telecommunications.

My name is Clara Bimbi Sessa and I am from Benguela, Angola. I am studying International Affairs at Instituto Superior Universitário Maravilha and I will be graduating in July. Apart from studying, I am a representative of the Stand Bright Foundation In Benguela and from time to time, I do volunteer work at Movijovem Organization. I am interested in music, English language reading, and community service. 

We hope you enjoyed getting to know some of our upcoming SUSI on Civic Engagement participants! Stay tuned for another blog post featuring the rest of the participants coming soon!