Our History.
Follow Our Journey
From 1999 until now, we have been privileged to work with communities and leaders from all over the world whose commitment to building a better world has always kept us going. Follow the progression of our journey from year to year.
2023
For the first time since the pandemic, the Fellowship Program and Africa Programs Seminar returned to being completely in-person. The Alumni Ventures Fund 2023 offered grant opportunities to Young Leaders Program alumni. The Community Health Fellowship program graduated its first cohort of Dental Therapists after a 6-month in-field deployment.
In January, MCW announced its partnership with affiliate MC-Zambia to co-host a Young Leaders Conference for ICT professionals from East and Southern Africa scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 24- 26, 2023. The conference brought together young leaders from Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
In February, an article by NYU’s independent student-led newspaper, Washington Square News, was published in which they interviewed Eddie Bergman (MCW Global Co-founder and President of the Board) and Khalid Elachi (MCW Global Executive Director) – both NYU Alumni – about MCW’s work in economic security, education, and health.
Also, in February, MCW selected 35 fellows for the Young Leaders Fellowship from a total of 2,075 competitive applications. After three years, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Fellowship was held in person again in New York and Vermont with a diverse group of young leaders from over 34 countries.
In March, all three MCW Affiliates, MC-Rwanda, MC-Tanzania, and MC-Zambia, participated in major World Oral Health Day (WOHD) activities in their respective countries.
MC-Rwanda, in collaboration with the District Hospital, provided oral health awareness on local TV and radio stations. The team partnered with other organizations to educate, screen, and donate toothpaste and toothbrushes to thousands in Kigali and Bugesera.
MC-Tanzania joined hundreds of community members in the Kigoma region to commemorate the WOHD event through a peaceful demonstration and dissemination of brochures and in the Mbeya and Tanga regions through oral health screening, treatment, and a radio interview.
MC-Zambia, in collaboration with Chemicotex, conducted outreach sensitization activities in the remote village of Chanyanya. The team provided screening and raised community awareness of oral health for 85 community members (57 adults and 28 children).
In the same month, MCW conducted its 9th Africa Programs seminar, which took place in person in Kigali, Rwanda, after being held virtually for the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The seminar brought together 23 leadership members from MCW Global and the Affiliates in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. It was a platform for teams to share organizational and strategic updates in addition to learning opportunities across the organizations.
MC-Zambia joined thousands of community members in a peaceful march to commemorate International Youth Day at the district level.
Also in March, MC-Tanzania successfully completed its first-ever Community Health Fellowship program in partnership with SKYGEN Foundation and Foundation for Preventive Health. 10 Community Health fellows who received intensive leadership training, mentorship, and webinars in October 2022 were deployed to rural field placements for six months to complete community oral health care focusing on education and prevention.
The fellows had a collective goal of reaching 30,000 people with preventative oral health care, and they surpassed that goal by reaching nearly 50,000 people.
MCW also welcomed Anne Lise Uwingabiye as the Program Manager of MC-Rwanda as of March. Anne Lise will oversee MC-Rwanda’s programs in her role, working closely with the team to implement their recently approved strategic plan.
In April, MCW Global, in collaboration with MC-Zambia, held the Young Leaders Conference – Zambia 2023.
This Conference, held in Lusaka, brought together 25 young ICT professionals from Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to learn about Leadership in ICT Integration in Primary and Secondary Education.
In May, MC-Zambia conducted a major ICT Training event in the Kafue District of Zambia in collaboration with Computers for Zambian Schools. Together, they conducted a two-day ICT Training program at a local rural school in Zambia. This training helped to build, strengthen, and enhance the capacity of 20 teachers from 10 schools to better deliver ICT as a subject to their students. MC- Zambia also donated 16 desktop computers to five schools.
Also in May, MCW announced the 2023 Alumni Ventures Fund recipients. MCW awarded ten young leaders small-size grants of $500 each by The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation and Hyman R. and Ruth Shapiro Foundation, Inc.
In the same month, MCW Global welcomed Dr. Katanta Simwanza as the new MC-Tanzania Country Manager. This addition made Dr. Katanta the first dentist to join MCW’s team.
In June, MCW’s Young Leaders Program alumna, Veronica Silas from Nigeria, was selected for the Kofi Annan Changemakers Initiative hosted by the Geneva-based Kofi Annan Foundation.
She is an inspiring advocate for mental health and empowerment and is an alumna of MCW’s 2021 Young Leaders Fellowship.
Also, in June, the Community Leaders in Africa Internship welcomed three interns for the year’s in-person internship program running from June to the end of August with MCW’s affiliates. Gabriel Chanda, from Zambia, joined MC-Rwanda as a Communications Intern and is mentored by Sylvia Chemweno from Kenya. Michael Leo, from Tanzania, joined MC-Tanzania as a Communications Intern and is mentored by Eleni Nanaj from Albania. Veronica Silas, from Nigeria, joined MC-Zambia as a Communications Intern and is mentored by Anuli Anochirionye from Nigeria. In the same month, MC-Rwanda hired Jean Bosco Uwitije as their new Operations Director.
In July, MCW hosted the 2023 Young Leaders Fellowship, gathering 37 participants (mentors and mentees) coming to the United States from across the world to carve out solutions to their communities’ challenges in the areas of education, health, and economic security. The participants discussed topics such as introspective thinking and reflective dialogue, modern leadership, innovation, leadership and self-awareness, global citizenship, and cultural exchange. Community projects were an essential part of the Fellowship experience.
The Open Doors event concluded the Fellowship at the New York University.
In September, the Fellowship’s 2022-2023 cohort of mentors and mentees graduated virtually and celebrated their accomplishments. They shared and reflected upon the shared lessons and how they implemented the skills gained during the Fellowship to improve their communities.
In October, MCW celebrated its 19th annual gala at New York University’s Rosenthal Pavilion. The event brought together over 250 guests, including supporters, board members, and young leaders. It raised over $940,000 to support MCW Global’s vital programs in the United States, Africa, and worldwide. The evening included the presentation of the following awards to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact:
- The MCW Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sharon & Steve Kess, Founders of MCW’s Alumni Ventures Fund, by Stanley Bergman, Chairman & CEO of Henry Schein, Inc., and Dr. Marion Bergman, Director of Healthcare Projects (Volunteer) at MCW.
- The MCW Community Partnership Award was presented to J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. The award was accepted by Glenn DiVincenzo, Managing Director, JPMorgan Private Bank; Vania Freund, Executive Director, JPMorgan Private Bank; and Stephen Zajac, Managing Director, JPMorgan Commercial Bank.
In November 2023 Alumni Ventures Fund Recipients Diana Mandewo, from Zimbabwe, and Dr. Winfred Mgaya, from Tanzania, started implementing their initiatives, “HPV Access,” respectively, “Plastic-Free Smiles.” Supported by the Alumni Ventures Fund, they will work on these initiatives for around a year to improve people’s well-being by promoting healthcare access and tackling plastic pollution. Both initiatives touch upon the awareness-raising component, too.
In December, MCW Global partnered with MC-Rwanda to co-host the Young Leaders Conference in Nyamata, Rwanda, scheduled for March 2024. The conference will bring together young leaders from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia to find solutions to challenges in school-to-work transition, ultimately contributing to community economic development.
2022
For the first time, the Community Leaders in Africa Internship program had three interns working with MCW Global’s affiliates. The Alumni Ventures Fund 2022 opened up, offering 12 grants (two midsize and ten small-size grants) to alumni of the Young Leaders Program. Also exciting was the Young Leaders Conference – Tanzania 2022 which was the first conference co-hosted by MCW Global and an affiliate (MC-Tanzania).
In January, applications for the Community Leaders in Africa Internship program opened. For the first time, alumni from the Young Leaders Conference were eligible to apply, in addition to Young Leaders Access Program alumni candidates. Three internship roles were open: Curriculum Development Intern for MC-Rwanda; Resource Mobilization Intern for MC-Rwanda; and Resource Mobilization Intern for MC-Zambia.
Still in January, MCW welcomed Jack Bbabbi as the Country Manager of MC-Zambia. In his role, Jack leads the MC-Zambia team’s efforts in advancing their literacy and skills development programs. He has over two decades of experience in working for local and international NGOs in management, programs, and funding roles.
In the same month, MCW officially changed the name of the “Young Leaders Access Program” to “Young Leaders Fellowship.”
That same month, the three-day Young Leaders Conference North America Edition II took place virtually. The conference welcomed 21 young people between the ages of 18-30 from North America to expand their leadership knowledge and engage in meaningful discussions that advance their community’s well-being.
In February, applications for the Young Leaders Fellowship (virtual edition) 2022 opened.
Still in February, MCW announced the continued growth of the Alumni Ventures Fund (AVF) program. With the generous support of The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation and Hyman R. and Ruth Shapiro Foundation, Inc., MCW committed to award two mid-sized grants (up to $5,000 each) and ten seed grants (up to $500) per year, in the next three years. These awards will allow more alumni to further expand their vision plans and implement projects focusing in the areas of education, health, and economic security in their communities.
In March, MCW Insights hosted a webinar on “Community Development.” The guest speakers were Kabinga Pande (Founder of MC-Zambia & Board Member of MCW Global) and Dr. James Kengia (Coordinator for Regional Health Management Teams (RHMTs), Oral Health and Research at President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government (Po-RALG)).
Still in March, MCW welcomed Ndita Mulimbeni on board as Program Officer of MC-Zambia. She brings to the team her expertise in supporting vulnerable children, youth and women focusing on health, skills development, sexual reproductive health education, relief and agriculture.
In April, Leon Gojani (MCW Global’s Director for Young Leaders Program) and Sharon Matongo (MCW Global’s Media and Communications Coordinator) attended the first World Youth Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, where they spoke to participants about youth participation.
In May, MCW Insights hosted a webinar on “Youth Leadership in Action.” The guest speakers were Samson Itodo (Nigerian lawyer and Executive Director of Yiaga Africa), Shrouk Hussien (Young Leaders Fellowship alumna and founder of Yellow vs Blue), and Adrien Bizimana (MC-Rwanda Program Officer).
In the same month, MCW’s affiliate, MC-Zambia, gathered for a two-day strategic planning meeting led by MC-Zambia’s Country Manager, Jack Bbabbi, and attended by the entire team and the Board of Directors.
Later that month, MC-Zambia conducted a 2-day training for 14 ICT teachers from 9 schools in the Chukupi Zone, in order to enhance the ICT literacy that their students gain under their tutelage.
Also in May, the vocational training students in Tailoring and ICT at MC-Rwanda successfully graduated after completing practical internships in their fields.
In June, the Community Leaders in Africa Internship welcomed three interns for this year’s hybrid internship program with our affiliates, MC-Rwanda and MC-Zambia.
Anuli Anochirionye (who will start in July) joined MC-Rwanda as a Curriculum Development Intern under MCW’s Community Leaders in Africa Internship Program. Anuli first joined MCW as a mentee in the Young Leaders Fellowship Program 2020.
Sylvia Chemweno also joined the MC-Rwanda team as a Resource Mobilization Intern under MCW’s Community Leaders in Africa Internship Program. Sylvia joined MCW as a mentee in the Young Leaders Fellowship Program in 2015 and returned as a mentor in 2020.
Also under the same Internship Program, Timothy Tung joined MC-Zambia as a Resource Mobilization Intern. Tim first joined MCW as a mentee in the Young Leaders Fellowship Program in 2018, and returned to serve as a mentor in 2020.
In the same month, Sylvia Chemweno, travelled to Rwanda to complete the in-person segment of her internship with MC-Rwanda, under the Community Leaders in Africa Internship Program.
In the same month, Timothy Tung travelled to Zambia to complete the in-person segment of his internship with MC-Zambia, under the Community Leaders in Africa Internship Program.
In July, MCW opened applications for the Alumni Ventures Fund 2022, which offers 12 grants – two midsize grants of up to $5,000 each and ten small-size grants of up to $500 each, supported by the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation and Hyman R. and Ruth Shapiro Foundation, Inc..
In the same month, the Young Leaders Fellowship 2021 cohort graduated.
Still in July, MC-Zambia’s new strategic plan was approved for 2022-2026.
Also in July, MC-Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SKYGEN Foundation and Foundation for Preventative Health to implement a Community Health Fellowship Program in Tanzania over the next 3 years.
In August, the Young Leaders Fellowship 2022 kicked off its virtual sessions, running for two weeks and being successfully completed by 48 participants (two lead mentors, 14 mentors, and 32 mentees) from 34 countries.
In September, MCW Global in collaboration with MC-Tanzania held its first in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Young Leaders Conference – Tanzania 2022 was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with 26 participants from Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia focusing on Leadership in Oral Health.
In the same month, MCW welcomed Dorine Focus as a Program Officer at MC-Tanzania, stationed in Arusha. Dorine is an expert in community development with six years’ experience in maternal health issues and community engagement, coordinating and facilitating trainings and workshops.
Still in September, MCW welcomed Kambarage Kinemo Nyamahanga as a Program Coordinator at MC-Tanzania. Kambarage has over four years’ experience working under the field of project management, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning in thematic areas of health, education, and result-based management.
Still in September, MCW welcomed Kenneth Sichalwe as the Finance and Administrative Officer of MC-Zambia. Kenneth has over eight years’ experience in accounting and finance and worked in the private sector, quasi-government institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
Finally, the Community Leaders in Africa Internship Program 2022 was successfully completed with three interns ending their four-month tenures with MC-Rwanda and MC-Zambia.
In November, MCW held its 18th Annual Gala in-person at New York University and for the first time, live streamed for viewers to watch virtually. The gala celebrated empowering leaders from around the world and the communities MCW serves. MCW’s 2022 Community Partnership Award was awarded to Cleary Gottlieb (accepted by Paul Shim, Partner).
At the Gala, MCW also launched is redesigned website, in collaboration with Achraf Tasfaout, a Young Leaders Fellowship Alumnus from Algeria. In addition to the new look, the website also made improvements to streamline information on programs and impact.
2021
This year MCW Global’s Community Leaders in Africa Internship program partnered with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). And for the first time, MCW Global conducted its Africa Programs Seminar virtually. An MCW Insights webinar on “Oral Health – Why It Matters” was hosted and a three-day Young Leaders Conference North America Edition took place online.
In January, MCW Global’s Community Leaders in Africa (CLA) program partnered with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). Through this collaboration, both organizations will work together to develop volunteer opportunities that will extend the program’s reach to additional countries in Africa where CHAI is operating.
In the same month, MCW Global conducted its first virtual Africa Programs Seminar to support its affiliate organizations to operate high-impact, independent and sustainable programs in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Also in January, the application window opened for the Young Leaders Access Program 2021.
Later that month, Dhurata Berisha joined the MCW Team as the then Young Leaders Access Program Coordinator. Dhurata is an MCW Global alumna and first attended the Young Leaders Access Program in 2017. After more than three years after her YLA graduation, Dhurata returned as an MCW team member..
In February, the Young Leaders Access Program online modules resumed from the 2020 break. The 2020 cohort of mentees returned for the second part of the program. Besides sharing their progress on their vision plans, mentees had the chance to participate in team-building activities. Throughout the following eight weeks, participants underwent Self-Awareness and Global Citizenship sessions to fully equip them to start changing their communities.
That same month, Dieudonne Rwaburindi joined the MC-Rwanda Team as the Finance and Administration Officer, where he will work closely with MC-Rwanda’s Country Manager and Board, overseeing the organization’s finances. Dieudonne brings over a decade of experience working in the NGO and private sector in various Finance and Administration Roles.
Also in February, Noor Imran joined the team as MCW’s Young Leaders Conference Coordinator. Noor is an MCW Global alumna and first attended the Young Leaders Access Program in 2016. In 2017, Noor returned as a mentor and then as the Co-Lead Mentor in 2018 and 2019. In 2020 she was the Lead Mentor for the Young Leaders Access Program. Noor returned as Young Leaders Conference Coordinator.
At the end of February, Robert Mukwiza Sakutaha joined MC-Zambia as a Program Officer. With over 30 years of experience working both in the government and international organizations, Robert worked closely with MC-Zambia’s Country Manager and board, supporting the organization’s programs.
In March, Maybin Loloma joined MC-Zambia as a Project Officer. Maybin had been working in various communities for almost a decade prior to joining MC-Zambia, bringing to the team experience in child sponsorship, child protection, youth and women development. Maybin will work closely with the team to help implement the Women and Youth Empowerment project as well as promote the improved Computer Literacy Project in schools.
Applications for the Alumni Ventures Fund 2021 opened that same month.
Later in March, Bernard Konkola Bwalya joined MC-Zambia as a Literacy Officer. Before then, he had worked as a primary school teacher as well as a literacy teacher. Bernard works closely with the team to continue to grow MC-Zambia’s Literacy Program.
In April, applications for the Young Leaders Conference North America Edition opened.
In the same month, Eleni Nanaj joined the MC-Tanzania team as a Monitoring and Evaluation Intern under MCW’s Community Leaders in Africa program. Eleni joined MCW in 2017 as a mentee in the Young Leaders Conference in Kosovo, and two years later joined the Young Leaders Access Program as a mentee in 2019.
Sharon Matongo also joined the MC-Rwanda team as a Communications and Resource Mobilization Intern under MCW’s Community Leaders in Africa Internship program. Sharon joined MCW in 2018 when she participated as a mentee at the Young Leaders Access Program and returned as a mentor in 2019.
Also in April, MCW Insights launched and hosted its first webinar on “The World of Non-Profits.” The conversation was held with Eddie Bergman (Co-Founder and President, MCW Global) and Rwagaju Louis (Former Mayor of Bugesera and Board Member, MC-Rwanda).
In May, we launched a new oral health initiative, “Tamani,” along with our affiliate, MC-Tanzania. With in-kind support from PVI Media (Peripheral Vision International an award-winning media NGO), this fun and creative cartoon was created to encourage young children to take care of their oral health.
In June, the Young Leaders Access Program 2021 cohort officially started, with over 49 participants (two co-lead mentors, 14 mentors, and 33 mentees) with 32 countries represented, MCW Global’s Young Leaders Fellowship kicked off its virtual sessions.
That same month, MCW’s Africa Programs Seminar 2021 kicked off virtually with its first core session on “Data Visualization.” Team members from our affiliate organizations in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia came together to learn about how best to present data. Africa Programs team members also received hands-on tutorials on Canva, an online graphic design platform.
Also in June, MCW began its internal Strategic Planning process.
In July, MCW learned of the sudden passing of Dr. Ruben Cohen, longtime friend and supporter of MCW and our Oral Healthcare Program. Dr. Ruben first connected in 2001, when he was MCW’s Co-founder’s (Eddie) Residential Advisor at NYU. Ruben helped initiate MCW’s work in oral health care, after introducing Eddie to the NYU School of Dentistry, where Dr. Ruben was studying. The first MCW dental outreach took place at the Arusha Community Center, where MCW and Ruben organized a group of NYU Dental Students who spent two weeks providing dental services to more than 200 patients.
Also in July, MCW Insights hosted a webinar on “Oral Health–Why it Matters.” An engaging discussion was held with Dr. Marion Bergman (MCW’s Director of Healthcare Projects (Volunteer)), Dr. Hery Mawakayoka (Dental Specialist and Head of Dental Department at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital), Fredrick Meena (Dental Therapist and Program Officer, MC-Tanzania), and Dr. Edsel Bodden (Dentist and Young Leaders Access Program ’20 Mentee).
That same month, the Young Leaders Access Program 2020 cohort graduated from the program.
Still in July, the three-day Young Leaders Conference North America Edition took place online with a diverse group of participants from all over North America.
Lastly, the Tamani cartoon series on dental hygiene aired on Akili Kids TV in Kenya. The episodes began airing on Saturday, July 17th with two episodes playing per day for kids to enjoy. Akili Kids TV is also the most-watched kids’ channel in Kenya and the second most-watched channel for the adult Kenyan audience.
In September, mentor training in preparation for and launch of the Young Leaders Access Program took place for the 2021 cohort. Held virtually, this Young Leaders Fellowship program ran from September 15th to December 16th.
That same month, MCW Insights hosted a webinar on “Volunteerism: Becoming Community Changemakers.” The guest speakers were Mathews Mhuru (MC-Zambia’s Board Member (Volunteer)), Liz Fanning (Founder and Executive Director at Corps Africa), and Ifreet Taheea (YLA Alumna).
In October, the Tamani cartoon series on dental hygiene was shared in various hospitals and NGOs in Tanzania. One such NGO Baobab is a registered non-profit based in the United States and currently runs foreign-based programs. At Baobab home in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, nearly 200 children ages three to thirteen were able to listen to the story of Tamani and gain insight into dental hygiene practices.
Also in October, MCW’s 17th Annual Gala took place virtually, where we celebrated leaders and communities around the world. This was followed by a Silent Auction.
In November, applications opened for the Young Leaders Conference North America Edition II.
In December, MCW’s 5-year Strategic Plan was approved by the Board.
2020
1,000
sponsored children and elders
The first Community Leaders in Africa Program intern was chosen this year, and was based in Dar es Salaam. The MCW Africa Programs developed a COVID-19 Response Plan to help communities impacted by the pandemic. The Young Leaders Program kicked off its 23rd edition of the program and it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January, Leon Gojani joined the MCW team as the Young Leaders Access Program Manager. Leon’s journey with MCW Global began when he joined as a Young Leaders Access Program mentee in 2015. Since then, he has returned to the program as a mentor, lead mentor, and facilitator. Leon has been heavily involved in the Young Leaders Program, including facilitating MCW’s first Young Leaders Conference in Kosovo in 2017.
In February, Gamuchirai Mazingi became the first intern for MCW Global’s Community Leaders in Africa Program (CLA), an internship based in Dar es Salaam. Gamu joined MCW in 2016 when she participated as a mentee at the Young Leaders Access Program (YLA) and came back as a mentor in 2019.
In April, the Young Leaders Access Program hosted several webinars to support young leaders around the world to continue to develop skills during the shelter-in-place period due to the coronavirus.
In May, MCW learned of the sudden passing of Ambassador Augustine Mahiga. Ambassador Mahiga helped MCW’s Tanzania programs – specifically in oral health care work. With his help, MCW partnered with Henry Schein Cares to organize an event where connections were made, leading to projects that have improved access to oral health in Tanzania.
Also in May, the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) School of Dentistry received donated dental equipment for a new Faculty and Graduate Clinic, allowing the school to treat more patients and provide more specialized treatment. This new equipment supports a more effective structure to provide dental services at the school.
In June, MCW Africa Programs developed a COVID-19 Response Plan to help communities impacted by the pandemic.
Also in June, MCW Global awarded two Alumni Ventures Fund (AVF) grants to Made Sunaya from Indonesia and Anmol Zehra from Pakistan. Each recipient will receive a year of professional mentorship to help make their ideas for change in their communities a reality and to help make their ideas for change in their communities to real projects. The grant will help Made’s mission of helping Indonesian youth stay active, be involved, and become environmental leaders. For Anmol, the grant will help her mission of providing the opportunity for doctors to reach out to their patients who live far away from them through a digital platform.
In July, MC-Zambia collaborated with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). MC-Zambia and AHF produced over 3,000 masks for those in need.
Also in July, Mentor training for the Young Leaders Access Program began in preparation for the launch of the program in August.
At the end of July, a graduation ceremony was held to honor the accomplishments of the Young Leaders Access Program’s 2019 cohort.
In August, the Young Leaders Access Program kicked off its 23rd edition of the program. This year young leaders will gather virtually due to the coronavirus.
In September, Anusha Somani was named as the organization’s Africa Programs Program Associate. Anusha joined the team this past November as the Community Leaders in Africa Coordinator. Since 2017, Anusha has been involved with MCW when she first attended the 2017 Young Leaders Access Program.
Also in September, MCW’s Africa Programs Seminar launched and took place virtually due to the pandemic. The seminar began in September and ran through December. The seminar brings together MCW’s Africa Programs affiliate organizations and acts as a way to share organizational and strategic updates in addition to learning opportunities across the organizations.
In October, the Young Leaders Conference Peru virtual edition is kicked off. In collaboration with the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, the Young Leaders Conference focused on addressing issues concerning gender equality and mental health for young leaders in South America.
Also in October, MCW Global held its 16th annual gala on October 14, 2020. The gala took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MCW’s Leadership Award was presented to Eduardo Martinez, President of The UPS Foundation, UPS Chief Diversity &Inclusion Officer. MCW’s Community Partnership Award was presented to BDO. During the program, inspirational stories about community leaders were shared by alumni of the Young Leaders Program. Young Leaders from Zimbabwe, Peru, Panama, Egypt, Pakistan, and Kosovo reflected on how the Young Leaders Access Program has changed their lives and helped them support their local community. MCW’s Africa Programs’ greeted us via videoconferencing to share some on the ground updates on their COVID-19 Response Plan.
2019
The Alumni Ventures Fund awarded four alumni with grants to support their community projects totaling $15,000. On the other hand, MCW held its fifth Africa Programs Seminar and its third Young Leaders Conference in Albania. MC-Tanzania awarded two students to acknowledge educational excellence in the dentistry field.
In January, Venance Ngungo joined MC-Tanzania’s team as the Finance and Administration Officer and Thompson Mubahga joined MC-Zambia as the Operations Officer.
In February, Khalid Elachi was named as the organization’s new Executive Director. Sharon Roling wrapped up her contract with MCW Global and Naadhira Ali joined the MCW Global team in New York as the Director of Resource Development and Communications.
In February, the Alumni Ventures Fund (AVF) awarded four alumni with grants to support their community projects totaling $15,000. Recipients of the award comprised of young leaders from Egypt, India, Nigeria, and Vietnam.
In March, MC-Tanzania commemorated World Oral Health Day in Tanga and Mbeya regions. The activities on World Oral Health Day included oral health education, screening, oral health care instruction, and fluoride vanish application for primary school children. In total, 1,472 people received oral health education and screening in Mbeya and Tanga regions combined.
In April, MCW Global held its fifth Africa Programs Seminar. The seminar took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and functioned as a nexus point for newly appointed Country Managers and Operations Officers to discuss change management, strategic planning, and organizational best practices.
In May, MCW Global held its third Young Leaders Conference in Krujë, Albania. The three -day conference was hosted in partnership with ACT for Society, an organization focused on gender equality and the prevention against youth extremism and violence. In attendance were 25 participants dedicated and motivated by concerns they face in their communities in the Balkan region of Europe. The conference was divided into three sections: Leadership, Global Citizenship, and Vision Planning.
In July, MCW Global held its 15th annual gala on July 16th which celebrated the organization’s 20 years of impact. The event was attended by over 400 guests and raised more than $970,000. The MCW Community Partnership Award was awarded to Ernst & Young (EY), a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services whose aim is to have a positive impact on businesses and markets.
Also in July, the Young Leaders Access Program launched the 22nd edition of the summer program. Participants entered the program with the intent to make a change in their communities, focusing on topics that include mental health, environmental education, gender equality, and youth civic engagement. A total of 27 participants and 14 mentors, and 2 co-lead mentors came from 30 countries. Together they developed their ideas through vision planning (a project management method that incorporates strategy, vision and mission, understanding and defining the problem), resource development, time management, and elevator pitching.
In August, MCW Global held Open Doors at the Edwin Gould Foundation. The event functioned as the closing ceremony for the Young Leaders Access Program and an opportunity for participants to network. During the ceremony, the Roberta Richin Memorial Vision Plan Award, now in its third year selected Nam Nguyen from Vietnam to receive $500 to help develop an online app to connect LGBTQ+ couples with LGBTQ+ friendly businesses. Nam’s project is an innovative solution for reducing discrimination in Vietnam.
Also in August, Sharon Roling conducted an internal evaluation for Oral Health Program in Tanzania. She identified preliminary performances metrics for data collection process.
In November, MCW Global developed a brand new program within the Young Leaders Program entitled Community Leaders in Africa Internship Program. The Community Leaders in Africa Program (CLA) is a 3 to 6-month community-based internship, which will provide YLA alumni the opportunity to work on projects aimed at building skills in resource development, project management, monitoring & evaluation, and communications in an international context.
Anusha Somani joined MCW Global as the Community Leaders in Africa Program Coordinator in November. She has been associated with MCW Global since 2017 when she first attended MCW’s YLA as a mentee. The following year, Anusha had the opportunity to intern with Miracle Corners Tanzania (MCT) for three months over the summer of 2018, where she conducted a community needs assessment in Arusha and also assisted the Country Manager in developing the organization’s 3-year strategic plan. Anusha returned to YLA in 2019 as a mentor.
Mohamed Ahmed Ghanem joined the MCW Global team as the Young Leader’s Conference Coordinator in November. He is an alumnus of MCW’s YLA Program where he has served as a mentor. Mohamed also coordinated MCW’s Young Leaders Conference in Cairo, Egypt, in 2018 and recipient of MCW’s 2019 Alumni Ventures Fund grant.
Also in November, MC-Zambia began a partnership with Tevel b’ Tzedek, an Israeli organization focused on livelihood improvement through agriculture. The collaboration will support the implementation of an agriculture project for two years and is focused on providing better opportunities to achieve economic security through improved agricultural management.
In December, MC-Tanzania awarded two students to acknowledge educational excellence in the dentistry field. The awards were given to the highest performing 4th-year male and female students pursuing a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). The DDS Award included a monetary prize of TZS. 100,000 for each selected student and was presented during the university award ceremony on December 6th 2019.
2018
This year, MC-Tanzania welcomed two new board members and MC-Rwanda received a generous donation of ICT Equipment from the District of Bugesera to support the use of technology among people living with disabilities. MCW, in partnership with MC-Tanzania, announced the transfer of its community center to the Municipal Council of Songea.
In January, team members from NY visited the Mbeya Dental Therapy School in Tanzania and met with members from the Ministry of Health, faculty from the Mbeya Dental Therapy School, and other educators to discuss next steps for the school and the dental therapy students.
In February, MC-Tanzania welcomed two new board members: Dr. Deo Mtasiwa, retired Chief Medical Officer at Tanzania’s Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and Laurean Rugambwa Bwanakunu, Director General of Tanzania’s Medical Stores Department. Long time MCT Board member, Halima Mohamed, retired from the board.
In March, MC-Rwanda received a generous donation of ICT Equipment from the District of Bugesera to support the use of technology among people living with disabilities.
Plus, MCW’s Director of Oral Health Care Projects, Dr. Marion Bergman, spoke at the Global Child Dental Fund’s Senior Dental Leaders annual conference in London about “Sustainable Model for Improving Oral Health in Tanzania – Based on Public-Private Engagement.”
The MC-Tanzania Oral Health Care program dedicated a week of activity to World Oral Health Day, which aimed to raise community awareness on oral health care and practice under the banner of “Say Ahhh! Think Mouth Think Health.”
With operations in Mbeya and Tanga, March saw the MC-Tanzania team set off to educate, reinforce, and provide oral health care education, with support from longtime partner Colgate.
In Tanga, Sara, along with 3rd year dental therapy students, engaged in community oral health education through a presentation on a radio show, as well as visits to 4 primary schools. 1,885 primary school students, including disabled and special needs students, received oral health care education. All screened students received fluoride vanish treatments with free tooth paste and tooth brushes.
In Mbeya, Fredrick and the team reached 1,230 students. Also, 320 community members from Mbeya visited the Tanzania Institute of Accounting to receive screening and a total 269 dental problems were treated.
In April, in partnership with Think Tank Development Solutions, MCW hosted a 3-day Young Leaders Conference in Cairo, Egypt, which was open to participants, 18-26, from across Africa. MCW was introduced to the Egypt-based organization thanks to a Young Leaders Access Program alum. The conference focused on environmental issues and soft skills development related to employment.
From April 9-20, MC-Tanzania Oral Health Care organized a dental outreach with the Dental Therapy Training Schools in Mbeya and Tanga. The outreach was spearheaded by third year dental therapist students, supervisors, and two UIC students, alongside supporting staff, drivers and representatives from MCT. 1472(in Mbeya) 890 (in Tanga) primary students and received dental education, screening and fluoride vanish application and out of that 243(in Mbeya) and 428 (in Tanga) were referred for treatment. All students received free tooth brushes and toothpaste.
In May, JC Soto joined the MCW New York team as the Young Leaders Program Director.
In June, the MC-Tanzania OHC team embarked on a dental education initiative at a local orphanage in Tanga. The children were educated on oral health and provided with free toothbrushes and toothpaste. In addition, children were screened and out of 85, 26 were referred to the dental clinic in the dental therapy school for treatment.
On June 28, MCW celebrated its 14th Annual Gala with more than 400 guests at NYU. The MCW Leadership Award was presented to Leonard Chacha Kitoka, Managing Director and Founding Partner of INNOVEX, and MC-Tanzania board member. The MCW Community Partnership Award was presented to Proskauer Rose LLP, a New York-based international law firm, for its continuous support of the organization and its pro bono work on behalf of a range of clients, schools, and nonprofits. MCW raised over $930,000 at the gala, which was hosted by Ali Velshi and Liz Claman.
From July 24 to August 2, MCW brought together 27 participants and 16 mentors from around the world to participate in the 21st annual Young Leaders Access Program Retreat (YLA) at Champlain College in Vermont and NYU in New York.
On the last day of the retreat, at the Open Doors Ceremony held at the Edwin Gould Foundation, the 2018 Roberta Richin Vision Plan Memorial Award, now in its second year, was awarded to Sharon Matongo of Zimbabwe. Sharon plans to use the $500 grant to organize a program advocating for the protection of children’s right through human rights education and youth development.
In August, Sharon Roling joined the MCW team in New York again to focus on communications and resource development.
In November, MCW Global, in partnership with its local partner organization, MC-Tanzania, announced the transfer of its community center, which includes a community hall, library, dental clinic, and housing units, to the Municipal Council of Songea. The center covers approximately 50 acres and is valued at more than $500,000 USD (Tsh 1.2 billion).
2017
At the beginning of the year, MCW piloted its first Young Leaders Workshop in partnership with We Are DREAM at Google’s Chelsea Market office. Three alumni of the Young Leaders Program received the Alumni Ventures Fund grants, and MCW celebrated the Young Leaders Program’s 20th anniversary in New York, NY.
In January, MCW piloted its first Young Leaders Workshop in partnership with the NY-based non-profit We Are DREAM at Google’s Chelsea Market office. The day-long workshop was dedicated to vision planning.
In March, MCW Young Leaders Program alumni Cody Jacobs, Frederick Meena, and Timurlan Alagushov received the 2017 Alumni Venutres Fund grants.
Also, Fredrick Meena, Sara Mtagwa and their colleagues visited 8 schools in Mbeya, treating more than 1,900 kindergarten and primary school students.
In Tanga, Sara and her colleagues visited 4 primary schools and treated more than 640 students. The students received oral health education, instruction, and fluoride varnish. Students who needed additional treatment were referred to the dental therapy school where they will receive treatment at the school’s clinic.
Plus, Eddie Bergman, participated in a panel at the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women. Along with representatives of international hotel and cruise companies, Eddie shared ideas on how to achieve gender equality by empowering girls and young women through education.
In April, MCW extended its reach to Peja, Kosovo, whee it held its first Young Leaders Conference for participants from Europe and the Middle East.
In July, 14 students of MC-Rwanda’s Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) program graduate. All the students received accreditation from the Workforce Development Authority for tailoring and computer courses. In addition, 10 young women were certified in tailoring, one in computer technician program and three young men in computer technician program.
From July 25 to August 3, 37 participants and 15 mentors came together to participate in MCW’s 20th Young Leaders Access Program Retreat held at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont and New York University in NYC. Participants represented 26 countries and territories.
At the Open Doors ceremony, the first Roberta Richin Vision Plan Award was presented by Laurette Richin, the late Roberta’s sister, to Lourence Balatbat from the Philippines for his vision plan to open a library in his local community. Honorary mentions went to Mohammad Towhidul Aziz from Bangladesh for his vision plan of creating opportunities for lower income families to have access to education and Camille Clayton from USA for her vision to change the standard of beauty around the world.
In September, Guido Gatera joined the team as MC-Rwanda’s ICT Instructor.
In October, George Sideris Scholarship recipient, Mary Nsunga received her diploma in Human Resource Management from the National Institute of Public Administration in Zambia.
Plus, MCW held an Oral Health Education forum in Tanga and the Muheza district in collaboration with Colgate. Coordinated by MCW’s Oral Health Care Fellow, Sara Mtagwa, primary school teachers received free dental cleaning in addition to learning more about healthy dental habits – including how and when to brush teeth.
In November, MCW’s Young Leaders Program visited Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY to talk about the Young Leaders Access Program and Modern Leadership in a global society.
In December, the MC-Zambia team came together with the Chanyanya Primary School and St Anna Community School to host a debate on the Importance of Literacy in Community Development.
To celebrate the Young Leaders Program 20th anniversary, a celebration took place in New York, NY.
2016
This year the Youth Leadership Retreat was renamed the Young Leaders Program. MCW’s mission and vision were updated and the first class of students graduated from MC-Rwanda and MC-Zambia’s government accredited vocational training programs.
In January, MCW announced a reorganization of its youth-focused programming. The Youth Leadership Retreat (YLR) was renamed the Young Leaders Program (YLP) in order to reflect its growth into a yearlong program. Key changes to the program include formalized, yearlong guidance from mentors, who will help advise the Young Leaders (formerly called “mentees’) as they create and implement their plans for change, as well as additional resources provided throughout the year to Young Leaders by MCW through an online workshop series and an online platform available to alumni. Mentors will also receive more in-depth training prior to the retreat in the US.
In February, after a six-month strategic planning engagement with Wellspring Consulting, MCW updated its mission: “To address communities’ pressing needs by empowering current leaders and readying leaders of tomorrow” and vision: “Communities throughout the world achieve greater levels of education, improved health and increased economic security.”
Also in February, MCW awarded Alumni Ventures Fund grants to Hennie Kongsøre, 23, from Oslo, Norway, and Xolani Makhebe, 25, of Cape Town, South Africa. Along with a year of mentorship, Hennie and Xolani received grants to help turn their ideas for change in their communities into concrete projects. Hennie’s project will use the award to continue her work with Rafiki NGO, an organization she started in 2014 to help build a community center in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, where youth will be empowered through dance and the arts, as well as provided classes in English, math, and health. Xolani’s project is The Unlimited Movement Organization (TUMO), which he founded in 2012 to empower communities through career guidance, education, and tutoring. With the grant, TUMO will be able to cover the cost of university registration fees for top-performing students participating in its tutoring program.
In February, the first class of students graduated from MC-Zambia’s government-accredited vocational training programs. The 21 graduates completed either the Design Cutting and Tailoring course or the IT course. MC-Zambia’s Chanyanya Community Center is accredited by TEVETA, the authority in Zambia in charge of certifying vocational skills.
Also, over 250 lbs (113kg) of dental supplies, including toothbrushes, toothpastes, gloves and dental gowns, were donated by Henry Schein through their Henry Schein Cares Foundation, to support MCW’s Oral Healthcare Initiative at Mbeya Dental School in Mbeya, Tanzania.
In March, the MCW Oral Health Care team visited the Tanzanian Ministry of Health where they updated Dr. Senkoro (Chief Dental Officer, Ministry of Health) on current and future projects in Tanzania, including the dental outreach taking place in Mbeya.
Plus, Oral Health Care Senior Fellow Fredrick Meena, along with Mbeya Dental Therapy School faculty and students, participated in World Oral Health Day. Over the course of three days, they visited a nearby college for Disabled Youth, schools, and an orphans center. The dental therapists provided free screening and preventative oral health education such as the proper way to use toothpaste and a toothbrush. Fredrick coordinated the program in collaboration with Colgate, TDA (Tanzania Dental Association), and MCW.
MC-Rwanda’s first class of students at its community center graduated from the two government-accredited vocational training programs, which providing students with courses in either tailoring or IT/computer technology. With these new skills, the 20 graduates (13 in the tailoring program and 7 students in the IT course) will be able to better compete in the Rwandan labor market.
In April, Regina Leichner took on the new role of Director of Africa Programs.
Nitya Ramanathan took on the role of Coordinator of the Young Leaders Program, after completing a six-month internship with MCW.
Brian Cosmas of Arusha, Tanzania received the first Mary Ellen Shultz Tourism Scholarship Award. MCW established this fund to honor the memory of the late Mary Ellen Shultz, who believed in the power and importance of tourism. This fund commemorates her commitment to tourism education, specifically in Tanzania. This award will help support Brian’s education towards earning a Certificate in Tour Guiding and Wildlife Studies at the Tropical Centre Institute.
Also, Frederick, Mbeya Dental Therapy School faculty and students visited the orphans center in Mbeya, and provided provide free screenings and preventative oral health education.
Plus, MCW’ sent a two-week Dental Outreach to Mbeya to provide oral health education, preventative fluoride varnish treatments, and screenings to primary school youth. Dr. Peter Loomer, Clinical Professor and Chairman of NYU’s Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry joined the outreach.
Final-year dental students from the University of Illinois at Chicago participated in a rotation at MUHAS Dental School in Dar es Salaam.
In June, MCW held its 12th Gala at NYU, raising over $900,000 to support our work. The 2015 Community Partnership Award was presented to both Locke Lord, LLP and Moneris Solutions, and the MCW Leadership Award was presented to Sharon Katz and the Peace Train. Roberta Richin, member of MCW’s Board of Directors Emeritus, was presented with the MCW Lifetime Achievement Award. Xolani Makhebe, a 2016 recipient of MCW’s Alumni Ventures Fund, was also a guest speaker.
From July 27 to August 4, we held our annual summer retreat, now under the umbrella of the Young Leaders Access Program, at NYU in New York City and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. The 39 participants represented 18 countries and territories.
Also in July, MCW friend Niklas biked 1,000 kilometers through Germany to help raise over $10,000 in funds for MCW.
In September, Roberta Richin, MCW Board Member and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, passed away.
In October, Kenneth Sibande joined the team as MCW’s Regional Finance and Administration Officer for Africa Programs.
From October 19-21, MCW hosted a Community Leaders Seminar in Lusaka. While in Zambia, board and team members from MC-Rwanda, MC-Tanzania, MC-Zambia and MCW Global focused on ways to improve the Community Development Program.
In November, Sara Mtagwa became the second Oral Health Care fellow in Tanzania.
In December, MCW included its African handicrafts at a “Holiday Pop-Up Sale” at Hill & Bay restaurant in New York City.
2015
MC-Zambia’s Center in Chanyanya launched a literacy program, and MC-Tanzania founded a Village Community Bank to help alleviate poverty. MCW supported MC-Sierra Leone’s team on the ground during the Ebola Crisis.
In February, the MC-Zambia Center in Chanyanya launched a literacy program with 12 adults and 40 students (7-12). In February, MCW began a 5-month a strategic planning process with Wellspring Consulting to establish plans for the future of the organization.
In March, MCW convened an organizational-wide meeting in Kigali, Rwanda as part of the strategic planning process. The MCW Board of Directors, MCW Country Board Members, Africa and U.S.-based staff participated in the strategic planning process facilitated by Wellspring Consulting. During the meeting, MCW team members visited the MC-Rwanda Center in Bugesera where they had the opportunity to see cultural performances by the center dance troupe, take a tour of the center, and have discussions with the center staff and participants. MCW was honored to welcome Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles, the US Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, at the center.
In March, Innocent Nizeyimana received his Master’s in Environmental Science at the Open University of Tanzania. Innocent is the recipient of the Dr. George Sideris Memorial Scholarship Fund. He serves on MC-Rwanda’s Board of Directors as the Secretary of the board and also on the Human Resources Committee. Innocent first joined MCW in 2008 and oversaw the planning and construction of the MC-Rwanda Community Center in Kayenzi as head engineer.
In April , MCW awarded Abdu Mwimi an Alumni Ventures Fund grant. Abdu will use the award to continue his work with “The Way Forward Foundation,” a registered non-profit he founded in Tanzania with a mission “to educate communities in Tanzania by empowering youth through life skills training and education on the UN Millennium Development Goals.”
In April, MCW facilitated a partnership to provide interdisciplinary healthcare training in Tanzania. Through the partnership, an MOU was signed between the Government of Tanzania through its Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, MUHAS, NYU College of Nursing and MCW, to provide an innovative solution to address the inadequate access to oral health care in Tanzania through NYU’s Global Nurse Scholars Program.
In April, MCW collaborated with Henry Schein Cares to provide dental supplies for the training of Tanzanian dental therapy students in a preventive school-based outreach. Materials such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and toothbrushes valued at more than $20,000 were provided to support the program.
In April, MCW collaborated with the MCT-Arusha team to renovate the center as it was the first of the community centers nearly 15 years ago. They fixed damages from rain, re-painted the walls, and most importantly, upgraded the computer lab for the most successful program at the center, IT. 20 new HP computers were provided to replace the old ones that will still be used for the staff and in the library.
In June , MCW held its 11th Gala at NYU. The gala raised $920,000 to support MCW’s work. The 2015 MCW Community Partnership Award was presented to Bank of America and the 2015 MCW Leadership Awards were presented to Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, and the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation.
In June, MC-Tanzania founded a Vicoba group (Village Community Bank) as a means to harness the collective power and resources of the community to help alleviate poverty and encourage entrepreneurship. Members in the group are able to contribute and buy shares, contribute funds, and obtain microcredit. Additionally, the group offers training in business skills and leadership.
In July, MC-Tanzania renovated its library at its center in Arusha, providing a valuable resource and study space for the youth at the center and community members. The center also started a youth group with a vision of eliminating youth violence and neighborhood crime, by encouraging youth to focus on positive activities and taking pride in their communities. By pursuing interests such as art, music, drama, dance, and athletics, the MCT Youth Group hopes to empower its members to develop their problem-solving skills and take initiative in their communities.
In July/August, MCW held its 18th Youth Leadership Retreat at Stony Brook University and New York University with participants from more than 20 different countries and territories.
In August, MCW led a dental outreach team in Mbeya, Tanzania of 12 dental therapy school students from the Mbeya Dental Therapy Training School. The outreach provided students a key training opportunity in community oral health and included visits to three primary schools to provide oral health education and screenings to more than 1,000 children, with follow-up treatments to more than 300 of those screened. The outreach was supervised by four local Tanzanian dentists, including Dr. Ibrahim Kasambala, Principal of the Mbeya Dental School.
In October, Ed Roatché began a part-time position as MCW’s Communications Coordinator. He had first connected with MCW in May as in intern, assisting the team with the Youth Leadership Retreat.
Also in October, Nitya Ramanathan joined the MCW Team as an intern, helping to coordinate and plan the 2016 Youth Leadership Retreat.
For over a year, MCW continued to support MC-Sierra Leone’s team on the ground during the Ebola Crisis with limited programs due to a mandatory restriction on congregating in public spaces. As a result of continued travel barriers to Sierra Leone, MCW concluded its programmatic services, transferring local programs to the community. Concurrently, a strategic decision was taken to focus MCW’s Community Development Programs to East Africa.
Also, in October, MCW welcomed a second Oral Health Care fellow, Fredrick Meena, to the organization.
In December, MCW hosted its first pop-up sale, hosted by Hill and Bay Restaurant in NYC. The event provided an opportunity to sell African handicrafts made in MCW’s community centers in Zambia and Rwanda, as well as allow guests to interact with MCW team members, friends, and alumni of the Young Leaders Program and learn about our programs. Profits from the handicraft sales were used to support the community centers where the products were made.
In December, MCW awarded two fourth-year dental students, Don Chiwaya and Fatema Alimohamed, scholarships for their excellent performance at the MUHAS School of Dentistry. The scholarship, which goes towards tuition costs, is awarded annually to the top fourth-year male and female dental students entering their fifth and final year of dental school.
2014
This year MCW and MUHAS sign an MoU to upgrade the equipment at the Dental School in Tanzania. Another Africa Community Leaders Seminar was held in Arusha and MCW’s 10th Dental Outreach took place in Songea. That year MCW’s first Oral Health Care fellow joined the dental therapy initiatives in Mbeya and Tanga.
In January, Regina Leichner became the manager of our Oral Health Care Program and coordinator of the Youth Leadership Retreat.
Also in January, MCW and MUHAS signed a third MoU dedicated to upgrading equipment at the Dental School, including re-wiring to allow for Internet connectivity and installing Dexis Digital X-ray machines and 56 Computers with Dentrix Enterprise Practice Management Software, in addition to training staff to use the new tools.
In February, and after 13 years of operations, renovations to the Liana Cohen Dental Clinic in the Community Center in Kipera, Songea began. Renovations included painting and tiling the floors. A dental outreach group was scheduled to arrive at the clinic in August, to deliver oral healthcare treatment to the local community.
From February 6-9, MCW held its third Africa Community Leaders Seminar in Arusha. MCW traces its roots in Africa back to Arusha, where it opened the first MCW youth center in Majengo Juu in 2000. The goal was to give the participants the tools, confidence and networks to design and run government-accredited vocational and IT courses at the centers and to share business and innovation strategies necessary to making the centers sustainable. Participants included representatives from the local boards, country directors and center coordinators, from the four countries where MCW works in Africa, including Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia. Members of the MCW Board of Directors and staff from the New York office also attended.
On April 5, a shipping container filled with boxes of donated dental equipment and supplies arrived in Dar es Salaam port to support the third phase of infrastructure upgrade at the MUHAS Dental School.
On April 7, MCW held its 10th Annual Gala at New York University, celebrating 10 years of galas and 15 years of work and impact. Nasdaq, Citi and FlyRunWalk are honored. 2014 AVF recipients are announced at the gala.
In May, Anna Condoulis rejoined the MCW Board of Directors.
On May 30, MCW announced the completion of an infrastructure upgrade that will enable the dental school to digitize all record keeping, facilitate patient workflow and monitor procedures and revenue intake. The upgrade included the installation of practice management software at MUHAS. During the ten-day training and installation program, team members from Henry Schein, Inc., the primary donor of the computers, practice management software, Dentrix®Enterprise, and the digital X-ray equipment, trained over one hundred oral health care professionals and clerical support staff to customize, utilize and maintain the software, the first of its kind in Africa.
In June, Andrea Papitto joined the MCW team as the Director of Communications and Resource Development. Andrea will work closely with the MCW board and team members to continue the development of MCW programs and projects.
From July 10-17, MCW held the 17th Annual Youth Leadership Retreat at Champlain College in Burlington, VT and NYU . The thirty-seven participants represented seventeen different countries and territories, including Armenia, Austria, Botswana, Ethiopia, India, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Norway, Palestinian Territories, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, United States of America and Zimbabwe, fostering a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and dialogue.
After the retreat, then MCW intern, Alex Nordquist, passed away suddenly during the summer. In his memory, a fund was set up. During his internship, Alex attended our 17th summer retreat and along with co-intern Jake Richman, supported the team. In all his interactions with the team, speakers, and young leaders from around the world, he left a lasting and powerful impression on everyone. He is deeply missed. Below is a message from Alex’s family: “Alex passed away from complications related to lung infection and multiple organ failure. One of the highlights of his life was working for MCW this summer. The experiences he had and the people he met had great effect on him. He has said many times that his future was in Africa or the Middle East. Unfortunately, he will never get to act on his passions. In lieu of flowers we would like to have people make a donation to MCW to carry on your work, work that Alex felt so passionate about.”
In August, we organized an MCW Journey to Rwanda, which included visiting our community center, meeting the leadership teams, connecting with local communities, and touring the country.
From August 19-28, MCW’s 10th Dental Outreach took place in Songea, where 463 people received free emergency care. At 3 local primary schools, 1,127 students were given oral health education, screened and referred to the clinic for free treatment as needed. 774 students received fluoride varnish. In addition to providing much-needed care to the Songea community, six students from the Dental Therapy Training School in Mbeya joined the dynamic team to receive supplemental oral health training and hands-on experience.
On September 1, the MC-Rwanda team received official approval from the Workforce Development Authority (WDA) to provide Computer Technician and Tailoring courses at the MC-Rwanda Center. With this accreditation, MCW-Rwanda will operate as a Vocational Training Center and all program graduates will receive official government certificates that can be used to obtain a job or to start a business.
In September, MCW welcomed Britany Ferrell and Mayela Calderon to the MCW team as Community Development Initiative Fellows.
In October, MC-Zambia received a certificate of accreditation by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) for tailoring and computer courses. The accreditation will allow community members to receive official government certificates that can be used to obtain a job or start their own business following the training at the MCZ Chanyanya Center.
Also, Fredrick Meena became MCW’s first Oral Health Care fellow. His fellowship focused on the Mbeya and Tanga dental therapy initiatives.
In November, MCW Tanzania Country Director Abdu Mohamed graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from The University of Arusha. Abdu was the first recipient of the Dr. George Sideris Memorial Scholarship Fund and is the first MCW community leaders to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree.
In November, the MC-Tanzania team received accreditation by the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) to offer IT/computer courses at the Songea Center. MC-Tanzania’s accreditation will allow students in Songea the opportunity to receive government official certificates which may be used to learn and increase new skills, obtain a job or start their own business.
In response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, MCW team members reopened the “Kono Soap Shed” to produce soap to distribute to community members. As of December 2014, 1,445 bars of soap have been produced to fight the spread of Ebola. It is their hope that the soap distribution campaign will also spread awareness of the importance of hand-washing as a method of prevention.
2013
In the beginning of the year, MCW wrapped up its internal evaluation of the MCW Oral Health Care Program, the first evaluation of any type undertaken both for this or any other MCW Program. KPMG’s Zambia office visited MC-Zambia’s Chanyanya center to distribute holiday cards and books to students. MCW held its seventh annual commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda at New York University’s Law School.
In the beginning of the year, MCW wrapped up its internal evaluation of the MCW Oral Health Care Program, the first evaluation of any type undertaken both for this or any other MCW Program. The goal behind the evaluation was to enhance MCW’s ability to further develop, design and implement the Program so that it may determine the feasibility of moving to the next stage of proposed growth and expansion.
On March 4, MCW held its second quarterly social networking event at the Rwandan Coffee shop, Bourbon Coffee, in New York City. The event focused on how to get involved with MCW. It attracted students and young professionals who are interested in youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, oral healthcare and economic development projects in Africa.
On April 4, KPMG’s Zambia office visited MC-Zambia’s Chanyanya center to distribute holiday cards and books to students from the Chanyanya basic and community schools.
On April 9, MCW held its ninth annual gala celebration, raising almost $900,000, a record amount that will directly support MCW’s work worldwide. The MCW Community Partnership Award was presented to AON. Broadway’s Carol Woods accepts the MCW Leadership Award. The MCW Appreciation Award was presented to the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation. Finally, the MCW Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Dr. Mitchell Pines, his children accepted the award on his behalf. For the first time, MCW auctioned handicrafts from its community centers in Rwanda and Zambia.
On April 14, MCW held its seventh annual commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda at New York University’s Law School. To remember the lives of more than one million people who were killed during the genocide and to highlight the challenges facing survivors, almost one hundred people gathered to learn about the importance of “prevention,” not only in Rwanda but also in other areas of the world, where mass atrocities are taking place and not receiving the attention from the international community and/or media that is needed.
In April, MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner supported the Abatzia family in Rwanda in organizing an annual commemoration.
Also in April, MCW hosted one of Sierra Leone’s International Film Festival (SLIFF) film screenings at the Miracle Corners Sierra Leone (MCLR) Sukudu center in Koidu Town. The SLIFF mobile unit tours Sierra Leone sharing vital information and entertainment films with rural communities.
In April, Anna Condoulis stepped down from her position on the Board of Directors to become a member of the Board of Emeritus
In the first half of 2013, MCW registered over 300 youth in programming at its five community centers in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia.
During the same period, a new MC-Rwanda Country Director, Solange Uwimbabazi, was appointed to oversee the center’s current roster of programs, including the tailoring, handicrafts, soccer and modern dance classes, as well as three new courses: sewing, information technology/computer skills and karate. During the year, course enrollment more than doubled. The center’s youth group received a $3,000 grant from MCW to purchase new traditional dance costumes and materials. The group went on to win the regional dance competition, earning a $500 prize;
In May, former intern Regina Leichner, who joined MCW to assist with grant writing and development, became an MCW Program Officer / Fellow with MCW’s Oral Healthcare program.
On May 12, the MC-Zambia team purchased two high-quality used Singer sewing machines for the Chanyanya center with funds raised through the sale of crafts made at the center during MCW’s annual gala in April.
In June, MCW released a press release about cooperation between American and Tanzanian dental schools, noting how it provided three fourth-year dental students from the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) Dental School with partial funding to participate in UIC’s first-ever service rotation program to Africa. The rotation, which took place in March and April, involved clinical experience at the MUHAS dental clinic in Dar es Salaam, visiting primary schools in the region, and service-learning experiences at a rural location.
In June, MCW welcomed a new intern, Claire Babala, to the team in June to continue the work of former intern, Maya Brooks, who ended her internship with MCW in May. Maya’s work focused on MCW’s new social networking initiative, MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, the 2013 gala and social media.
On June 27, MCW held its third social networking event, this time focusing on Sierra Leone, the event takes place Bourbon Coffee.
On July 8, MC-Zambia recruited 37 students to its IT class and 26 to its tailoring class. A large number of students from Kafue are attracted to the courses because of the low course fees. To attend, many find temporary lodging in Chanyanya.
From July 11-18, MCW brought 30 youth together for its 16th youth leadership retreat in New York and Burlington. This is the seventh retreat at Champlain College with Dr. David Finney as President of the College. Hannah Lee coordinates the event for the second year in a row. Participants included Americans, Armenians, Hungarians, Indians, Israelis, Kosovars, Kyrgyzs, Palestinians, Tanzanians, and Zambians. The retreat wrapped up with MCW’s annual Open Doors Ceremony at New York University, where MCW officially announced the opening of the MCW Alumni Ventures Fund application process. 2013 sponsors include Ben and Jerry’s, Chipotle,Green Mountain Coffee, Grey Dog, Domino’s Pizza, Staples, and Trader Joe’s.
By August, MCW’s bakery in Sierra Leone continued to increase its production, from producing 4,000 loaves a month in June to a goal of 20,000 in August. The bakery started a marketing campaign, placing retail bread boxes at strategic locations within Kono, the location of the center. The bakery employed a staff of five, and the profits from the business will flow into the MCSL-Kono community center, supporting MCSL’s low-cost social and vocational program.
From November 11-14, MCW provided funding for two treatment teams from Kenya and Tanzania to participate in the Pediatric & Adolescent AIDS Treatment Program (PATA) 2013 East Africa Regional Forum in Tanzania from November 11-14. Under the banner “2014 and Beyond: Barriers, Bottlenecks and Solutions,” the event dealt with child malnutrition, maternal health, and managing HIV, TB and malaria. The teams included a doctor, nurse, counselor and pharmacist from paediatric clinics in Kenya and Tanzania.
On December 10, MCW held a Winter Quarterly Social with Andrea Papitto, a producer of “The Last Song Before the War” and a 2013 youth leadership retreat presenter.
2012
MCW starts to invest in monitoring and evaluation tools for its Community Development Initiative program in Africa, and also ships a container of donated equipment to support Mnazi Mmoja hospital dental clinic in Tanzania. MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner held its sixth annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda at NYU Law School with almost 100 participants while the Youth Leadership Retreat continues to run at NYU.
With the new year, MCW made a significant investment in developing, monitoring and evaluating tools for our Community Development Initiative program in Africa by creating MCW Capture. Designed by Nona Creative, a South African company, the desktop-based program was tailored to MCW’s specific needs and capacities, locally and globally.
MCW started the new year in a new office on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
In February, MCW, in cooperation with its partners, shipped a container of donated equipment, supplies and textbooks to Tanzania to support the Mnazi Mmoja hospital dental clinic in Zanzibar, as well as MUHAS dental school and New Hope school and dispensary in Dar es Salaam.
MCW Fellow, Jacqueline Murekatete, received the NYU Distinguished Young Alumna Award in April.
On April 3, MCW held its eighth annual gala celebration, raising $800,000. Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel received the MCW Lifetime Achievement Award; the UPS Foundation received the Community Partnership Award and Obiageli Ezekwesili of the World Bank’s Africa Region received the MCW Leadership Award.
On April 9, MC-Rwanda held a commemoration, organized in collaboration with MCR’s survivor’s group, the Abatazima family. The event ws held with financial support from MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner.
On April 12, MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, held its sixth annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda at NYU Law School with almost 100 participants. Earlier that day, MCW holds its first Educators’ Forum on Genocide Prevention at NYU. Fourteen educators, genocide experts and MCW team members convened to discuss how to develop a genocide prevention education curriculum to teach high school students about the crime of genocide and the importance of being agents of positive change in the world.
On May 18, Dr. Marion Bergman, Director of Healthcare Projects, delivered a graduating address at the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University.
In May, Jacqueline Murekatete ends her fellowship with MCW, after completing her third year of studies at Cardozo School of Law.
In June, Dr. Charles Robbins, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the Undergraduate Colleges at Stony Brook University, joined the MCW Board of Directors. Roberta Richin, an educator and founder and CEO of Council Against Prejudice, joins the MCW Board Emeritus
Also in June, Robyn Deutsch, a former MCW intern and coordinator of MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, wraps up her time with MCW, alongside interns Dominique Tolbert and Julissa Soriano, who were with MCW for the academic year.
MCW held 15th Youth Leadership Retreat at New York University on July 19, with more than 30 teens from 10 countries participating in the annual week-long event.
MCW launched a new website in August, with the support of summer intern Madison Liddle. That same month, Madison and Lulu Mero wrapped up their summer internships with MCW.
On September 29, MCW Board Advisor, Victor Gruber hosted a fifth gala dinner in Cost Mesa, California, raising support for MCW’s Rwanda-focused projects, including MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner and the MC-Rwanda Community Center. Over forty friends and supporters gathered at Mastro’s Steakhouse for an evening of good food, socializing and learning about MCW’s work in Rwanda and the impact of their contributions. The tables featured hand-woven baskets made at the MC-R Community Center.
On October 4, the MCW team organized the first networking event at the Rwandan coffee shop, Bourbon Coffee, in New York City. The event focused on our work in Rwanda, and attracted students and young professional who are interested in youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, oral healthcare and economic development projects
From October 23-24, Pediatric & Adolescent AIDS Treatment Program (PATA) hosted a local training and learning forum in Songea, Tanzania. Sponsored by MCW, the two-day event focused on pediatric palliative care and aimed to strengthen relationships and develop “communities of practice” through pediatric palliative HIV care.
2011
The year begins with MCW starting construction on a center in Chanyanya, Zambia, under the supervision of Andrew K Chilufya, a member of the MC-Zambia Board. This same year, plans for opening the New Sierra Leone center begin, and an African Leadership Seminar is held in Zambia. Eddie Bergman steps down as Executive Director and becomes board president.
In January, MCW began construction on a center in Chanyanya, Zambia, under the supervision of Andrew K. Chilufya, at the center of a fishing village nestled on a lagoon off the Kafue River, approximately 22 miles from the town of Kafue. Construction finished later in the year.
In February, a team from the U.S. traveled to Dar es Salaam to oversee the week-long installation of dental laboratory equipment at MUHAS (as part of a second MoU between MCW and MUHAS).
In March, plans for opening the new Sierra Leone center began.
In April, MCW brought on a new Oral Healthcare Tanzania-based team member, Phil Mogendi, to focus on IT training in Zanzibar. Phil replaced Yvonne Noel, who had designed a sustainability plan for MUHAS.
On April 7, MCW held its 7th gala at NYU with more than 400 guests. MCW Leadership Awards were presented to renowned African Soukous musician, Kanda Bongo Man, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ishmael Beah, New York Times best-selling author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. The MCW Community Partnership Award was presented to Colgate-Palmolive, Inc.; and the MCW Appreciation Award was given to the Supporters and Project Leaders of the MCW Oral Healthcare Dental Lab Program at MUHAS. The MCW Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Heyward B. Davenport, Northeast Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency. MCW’s gala raised more than $700,000.
From April 6-12, over 100 community members attended a series of events at the community center in Rwanda to commemorate the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
Also in April, on the 10th, MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, in partnership with the NY-NJ Rwandan community, held a commemorative event at Cardozo Law School. The event, attended by 120 participants, included a moment of silence, remarks from the Rwandan Ambassador to the U.N., a screening of a short video about the genocide, and a panel discussion with four genocide survivors.
In May, two dental school technicians from MUHAS, completed six weeks of training on dental laboratory procedures in Huntsville, Alabama. The training was sponsored by leading US dental lab, Oral Arts Dental Laboratories, Henry Schein, Inc. and MCW.
From May 23-27, MCW organized the second Africa Leadership Seminar in Zambia. The event brought together the leadership of MCW’s network in Africa to learn about MCW’s mission and operational approach and to develop workable solutions to some of the centers’ most pressing challenges.
In June, Khalid Elachi became MCW’s Director of Operations in parallel to Eddie Bergman stepping down as Executive Director and becoming board president. In addition, Dr. Anthony Vernillo transitioned from the MCW Board of Directors to the new MCW Board Emeritus.
In June, MCW welcomed new intern Zoi Calomiris.
On the last day of June, MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner organized an awareness raising event in partnership with the Museum of Tolerance in New York. After a screening of The Last Survivor, Jacqueline gave an overview of MCW’s work in Rwanda to an audience of 70 guests.
That same month, on June 27 Jacqueline spoke at the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) at the Sheraton National in Arlington, Virginia in June with 400 youth.
In July, following a partnership between MC-Rwanda and the national electrical company, the community center is “electrified,” allowing for the beginning of IT classes, alongside 267 homes in Kayenzi.
In July, MC-Sierra Leone announced the acquisition of a 90 X 60 ft piece of land across from the Kono-Sukudu Center.
From July 7-14, MCW held its 14th Annual Youth Leadership Retreat with 50 participants at Champlain College in Vermont. The Retreat concluded with MCW’s 11th Open Doors program at NYU with over 100 attendees on July 14. At Open Doors, Brooklyn-born Chris Bashinelli, 24, received the MCW Alumni Venture Fund award to support a project titled Pine Ridge Launch, a series of community engagement events.
MCW partnered with long-time supporter KPMG on its “Family for Literacy” program in Chanyanya, Zambia, the site of the MC-Zambia community center. The firm established the Family for Literacy pro-gram in 2007 to support and expand upon its philanthropic focus on youth and education. The program provided children from low-income families with their own new books — and in many cases, their very first book.
From August 15-21, Jacqueline, Nate and Jackson lead the first Learning Journey to Africa with 13 participants, including MCW Board Advisor Victor Gruber and MCW Coordinator Robyn Deutsch. The journey included a reception at the center with 600 people. Right after, on August 19, Jacqueline received the Imbuto Foundation Young Women Achievers’ Award in Kigali from First Lady, Jeannette Kagame.
In September, Hannah Lee, a former MCW intern, became MCW’s new MCW Youth Leadership Retreat Coordinator, replacing Yasmin Elachi, who coordinated the retreat for three years.
On September 11, the Government of Tanzania, with support from MCW, led by Dr. Marion Bergman, organized a side event titled “Putting Teeth into Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)” at the New York University College of Dentistry. President, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (above), delivered the keynote address on the importance of linking NCDs to primary healthcare strategies and plans.
On October 1, Victor Gruber hosted his 4th Annual MCW West Coast fundraiser at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Costa Mesa California, where 40 friends gathered to learn about the Miracle Corners Rwanda (MCR) community center progress.
In November, MCW supported the 7th Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS Treatment for Africa program by sending two teams to attend the PATA conference in Gaborone, Botswana.
In November, MCW launched the Dr. George Sideris Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships and educational stipends to our community leaders who want to pursue or advance their education. Recipients include MCW community leaders from Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zambia.
On November 30, MCW and MMNH signed an MoU dedicated to advancing Zanzibar’s oral healthcare system. To achieve this goal, MCW agree to facilitate the donation of dental equipment and supplies, including sterilization equipment, digital x‐ray units, computer hardware, and practice management software (“Easy Dental”), and to train personnel to manage and repair the donations and use the software.
From November 14-18, MCW sent two teams, one from Songea, Tanzania (where MCW has a community center) and one from Transmara, Kenya, to participate in the Paediatric and Adolescent AIDS Treatment for Africa program. The event was held in Gaborone, Botswana from November 14–18. PATA is a network of treatment teams from more than 170 clinics in 24 African countries, united by the common goal of expanding access to quality care for children and their families affected by HIV.
From December 19-21, MCW sent an IT specialist from Tanzania to attend a two-day training program at the Henry Schein Inc. facility in Utah. The goal of the training program was to provide the specialist with the basic knowledge and skills to manage the newly installed software systems at the Mnazi Mmoja Dental Clinic in Zanzibar.
2010
This year, MCW opened the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Time Square on the morning of its gala. A dinner fundraiser for MCW’s community center in Rwanda is held in Costa Mesa, California, and two young dental school technicians from MUHAS complete three weeks of technical training in three US cities.
On February 25, MCW’s beloved mentor, advisor and friend Ambassador Daudi Mwakawago, 71, passed away in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
In April, Alfred Hanssen stepped down as MCW’s Chief of Operations.
On April 13, MCW opened the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Time Square on the morning of its Gala. Later that day, MCW held its sixth annual fundraiser at NYU. NYU president John Sexton presented the MCW Lifetime Achievement award to Dr. John Brademas, NYU president emeritus, former politician, and longtime MCW supporter. Dikembe Motumbo, Chair and President of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation and retired player for the Houston Rockets, received MCW’s Leadership Award. Tanzanian Ambassador to the US Ombeni Sefue also received MCW’s Leadership Award. Tanzanian President Kikwete delivered a keynote address. Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson also participated in the event. CNN Chief Business Correspondent Ali Velshi was the emcee for the event.
In April, to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide Jacqueline Murekatete addressed the UN General Assembly on Genocide Prevention Day. She participated in a commemoration planned by MCW Advisor Eugenie Mukeshimana and supported by MCW.
In May, former MCW intern and then fellow, Nate Crossley became the Director of MCW’s Community Center Program.
On June 22, Mimi Saltzman and Trond Myhr held a garden party for MCW on June 22 with approximately 30 guests for MCW’s Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner and MCW.
On June 24, Victor Gruber held a third dinner fundraiser in Costa Mesa, California for MCW, raising funds for the MCW community center in Rwanda. The event was attended by over 30 guests and members of the MCW team, including Nate Crossley, Jacqueline Murekatete, and Yvonne Noel.
From July 15-22, MCW held its 13th Youth Leadership Retreat at Champlain College with more than 40 youth from around the world. Open Doors was held again at NYU.
On July 20, MCW was granted Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
On July 22, at the Open Doors Ceremony, MCW announced that Felix Nyakatale, 30, Bagamoyo, Tanzania will receive the 2010 Alumni Ventures Fund award.
In July, MCW fellow Jacqueline Murekatete won a Do Something! Award, leading to a $10,000 donation to MCW to support the new center in Rwanda. She was selected as 1 of 5 winners from more than 600 applicants worldwide. On July 19, Jacqueline was honored for her work at the 2010 Do Something Award Show on VH1.
Also in July, MCW engaged business consultant Yvonne Noel to develop a sustainability plan for MUHAS Dental clinics and Dental Laboratory in Dar es Salaam.
Earlier in the month, two young dental school technicians, William Mihayo and Haruna Matwili, from MUHAS completed three weeks of technical training in three US cities. The training was sponsored by Dental Components International (DCI), Midmark, Sirona and Henry Schein, Inc.
In the fall, MCW sent the Songea CTC clinic of Tanzania and Transmara clinic of Kenya, each comprised of four team members, to participate in the 6th Annual Pediatric Aids Treatment for Africa (PATA) conference hosted in Kampala, Uganda.
In September, renovations began at the MCW center in Arusha, Tanzania.
On October 6, MC-Rwanda began its first program with 46 students registering for a six-month English course, led by MCR leadership team member Steven Shyaka. A week later, an English class for 25 students from Kayenzi began. A tailoring course and culture troupe were added at the end of the month.
In November, construction began on a new MCW community center in Kono, Sierra Leone. [Vice President, H.E. Samuel Sam-Sumana invited MCW to build a center in his hometown at the 2009 Gala.
2009
Under the leadership of Andrew K Chilufya, Kabinga Pande, Jr., Mindenda Pande, and Yvonne Pande, founding Board members of MC-Zambia, MCW files paperwork to register as a local organization in Zambia and land for construction of the center is obtained in Chanyanya.. Microsoft Africa executives climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for MCW and other NGO’s to help build learning centers in African countries. At the conclusion of Open Doors, Sharon Kess announced the first recipients of the MCW Alumni Venture Fund.
In January, a team of companies, educational institutions, and individuals joined together to begin the capital upgrade of the dental school at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
In March, under the leadership Andrew K Chilufya, Kabinga Pande, Jr., Mindenda Pande, and Yvonne Pande, founding Board members of MCZ, MCW files paperwork to register as a local organization in Zambia. A stretch of land about thirty miles south of the capital Lusaka has been pledged to the organization. Center programs will focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
In the winter, responding to the high demand of the surrounding community, MCW breaks ground on new IT facilities for future computer-based programs in Downtown Songea as an extension of the community center in neighboring Kipera.
In March, Microsoft Africa executives climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for MCW and other NGO’s “to help build learning centers in African countries. This formed part of Microsoft Africa’s broader initiative to support educational development across Africa, giving back to the communities within which it operates.
On April 1, MCW held its fifth gala dinner at NYU, where MCW honored the People of Rwanda, Ali Velshi, Anne Eiting Klamar, John Spencer, Jacqueline Murekatete, and MCW Field Interns. Michelle Makori, Bloomberg TV News Anchor, emcees the celebration and Liz Claman, Fox-News correspondent, and Charles Payne, Fox News contributor also participated. The gala also raised more than half a million dollars. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, MCW launched the MCW Alumni Ventures Fund at the gala, thanks to AVF founders and chairs Steve Kess and Sharon Kess.
On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, MCW’s Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner organized two educational events on April 20—one at the UN Church Center and another at NYU. More than 200 people attended the programs and Jacqueline and the program received significant attention in a variety of media outlets.
In early June, Victor Gruber hosted the second MCW fundraising dinner in Cosa Mesa, California.
That same month, MCW intern Nathaniel Crossley graduated NYU and moved to Lusaka, Zambia, to help MCW establish a new community center.
Also in June, Ranika Cohen joined MCW Board of Directors.
In July, 35 youth delegates and 23 mentors attended the 12th Youth Leadership Retreat program at Champlain College in Vermont and NYU in New York. The retreat concludes with MCW’s Ninth Annual Open Doors Ceremony at NYU’s Law School. Tanzanian Ambassador Augustine Mahiga delivered the keynote address stressing the importance of thinking and acting locally with a view to the larger global context.
At the conclusion of Open Doors, Sharon Kess announced the first recipients of the MCW Alumni Venture Fund: Amma Agaypon and Shawn Crosby.
In July, Jacqueline Murekatete continued her fellowship with MCW as she began her first year of studies at Cardozo School of Law.
In 2009, NYUCD decided to no longer send outreach teams to Songea under its banner due to challenges regarding duration and conditions of travel between Dar es Salaam and Songea and the significant financial investment on NYU’s part.
Still, in August, several NYUCD faculty and students continued to volunteer their time to the Songea clinic with a small team arriving for a seventh outreach.
In the fall, PATA Pediatric teams from the Songea clinic in Tanzania and Kilgoris, Trans Mara district of Kenya participated in the annual PATA forum on the challenges of HIV treatment in rural areas across Africa in Rwanda.
In November, a private practice dentist from the USA worked out of the clinic for eight days.
In November, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete inaugurated the newly renovated dental school at the Muhilimbi University and hosts a dinner at the State House for MCW and its friends, supporters, and leaders in the country.
2008
A container filled with donations arrives in Sierra Leone to support projects at the new community center in Kissy, East Freetown. MCW organizes an educational forum in New York and also hold its first Community Development Leadership Seminar in Tanzania in partnership with EDUCO Africa.
Yasmin Elachi becomes the Coordinator of the MCW Youth Leadership Retreat.
In February, a container filled with donations arrives in Sierra Leone to support projects at the new community center in Kissy, East Freetown.
On April 7, MCW holds its fourth Annual Gala Dinner at NYU’s Kimmel Center, paying tribute to the People of Sierra Leone with Honorable Vice President Sam Sumana accepting the award on their behalf. MCW also honors Donald and Shelly Rubin, founders of the Rubin Museum of Art, with the MCW Leadership Award. The late Professor Dr. George Sideris receives the MCW Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. Liz Claman, Fox-News correspondent and Ali Velshi, CNN Senior Business Correspondent, also participate. MCW raises more than $475,000 to support its projects worldwide.
In the same month, MCW organizes an educational forum in New York for the diplomatic, academic and non-profit communities, as well as for media covering African diaspora affairs, on socio-economic and political developments in Sierra Leone.
Also in April, MCW and MCW’s Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, organize two public forums—one at NYU and another at the Jewish Heritage Museum—on genocide prevention. More than 300 people attend the awareness raising events.
In May, MCW holds its first Community Development Leadership Seminar in Tanzania in partnership with EDUCO Africa, an organization specializing in leadership training. MCW’s entire Community Development Program Team, including leadership teams and local advisory boards in Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda, participate in a variety of dynamic team-building and communication-focused activities.
In May, the leaders of the MCT Information Technology (IT) education project in Downtown Songea visited Nairobi, Kenya to learn firsthand about the geographic scope, managerial professionalism and socioeconomic impact of the world’s most influential IT company, Microsoft.
In June, Eugenie Mukeshimana, a Rwanda genocide survivor and educational consultant, also joins MCW’s Board of Advisors.
In June, July and August, Arcadia University, based in Pennsylvania, sent graduate students and faculty to visit the MCT-Arusha (MCT-A) community center three times. The aims of these visits were cultural exchange and knowledge sharing in the education field between the MCT-A teachers and Arcadia students and professors.
MCW holds its eleventh Youth Leadership Retreat at both NYU and Champlain College from July 12-July 18 with over 55 youth from around the world. The retreat concludes with MCW’s Open Doors ceremony at NYU.
For the third year in a row, MCW sponsored a team from Songea to attend the Pediatric AIDS Treatment in Africa (PATA) conference on the continent. Benedicto Ngaiza and Frank Silayo of Songea in the fall.
In September, MCW signs an MOU with MUHAS to improve oral healthcare across Tanzania. As part of the agreement, and based on a needs assessment, MUHAS receives four 40-foot containers packed with new state-of-the-art equipment. Content of these containers, along with the professional and technical expertise of the U.S. team, is valued at nearly two million dollars, one of the largest donations to the country to date from MCW donors. Major supporters include Dental Components International (DCI), Henry Schein Inc., and Midmark Corporation, as well as Attiteh Medico and Everlast Logistics.
In November, Victor Gruber, a new MCW Board advisor, holds its first fundraising event for MCW on the west coast (in Cosa Mesa, California) of the USA. The event is dedicated to raising awareness and support for MCW Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, particularly the building of a new center for survivors outside the Rwandan capital city of Kigali.
On November 15, construction of a new community center in the town of Kayenzi, approximately 30 km outside the Rwandan capital of Kigali begins.
In December, NYUCD faculty and alumni brought treatment and community‐based preventive oral hygiene education to hundreds of patients for MCW’s eleventh outreach. An additional goal was to train the newly assigned dental therapist on the latest techniques in restorative procedures for both pediatric and adult dentistry.
MCW Project Director Khalid Elachi becomes an MCW fellow. [Khalid first became involved with MCW when he participated in the 2003 Youth Leadership Retreat. He then began volunteering actively with the organization in 2004-5 on a number of different projects, including organizing youth leadership retreats, traveling to Tanzania with the dental team and managing the MCW Partner Initiative program, the Container Project. As part of his fellowship, Khalid focuses on the MUHAS dental project and the new MCW Alumni Ventures Fund.]
After spending about two years traveling between the U.S. and Sierra Leone, helping to establish and grow the first community center in Sierra Leone, Amanda decides to return to Sierra Leone for one year as an MCW Fellow in May 2008 to continue to work with the MCSL-Freetown team.
2007
In this year, Marion Bergman is appointed MCW Healthcare Projects Director, and President Kikwete asks MCW to help equip the region’s only dental school in the city of Dar es Salaam. MCW’s third Annual Gala Is held and MCW establishes a new partner program called Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner and a new center in Rwanda.
In January, Dr. Marion Bergman is appointed MCW Healthcare Projects Director and facilitates an MOU with the local government officials in Songea to provide a full-time technician at the MCW clinic.
Also in January, Tanzanian President Kikwete asks MCW to help equip the region’s only dental school in the city of Dar es Salaam.
On March 13, MCW organizes its third gala at NYU’s Kimmel Center, honoring tennis legend Billie Jean King, World Team Tennis CEO and Commissioner Ilana Kloss, Cal Ramsey of the New York Knicks, Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, and the NFL for using sports as a tool to empower youth worldwide. Special recognition is also given to Microsoft’s Community Affairs Program for supporting MCW’s IT project in Tanzania. Michelle Makori, Bloomberg TV News Anchor, emcees the celebration, and Liz Claman, Fox-News correspondent, and Ali Velshi, CNN Senior Business Correspondent, also participate. MCW raises almost $400,000 from its growing community of friends and supporters for its programs.
In April, MCW establishes a new partner program called MCW’s Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, as a permanent initiative of the organization. Jacqueline Murekatete launches the program with MCW’s First Annual Commemorative Event on Rwandan Genocide at NYU. The new genocide prevention program aims to raise awareness of the crime of genocide in a wide-range of educational forums; and to help survivors rebuild their lives and their country by establishing an MCW center in Rwanda.
In the spring and for the second year in a row, MCW sponsors a team from Songea to attend the Pediatric AIDS Treatment in Africa (PATA) conference in Africa.
Alfred Hanssen joins the MCW team in New York as the new Associate Executive Director. [This position is later renamed “Chief Operating Officer.” Alfie stays in this position until April 2010.]
In July, MCW holds its tenth Youth Leadership Retreat at NYU in New York and Champlain College in Vermont with fifty youth delegates and mentors from around the world. For the first time, retreat participants visit the prestigious Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in New York for a private tour and presentation on art, culture and entrepreneurship. Open Doors Ceremony is held at NYU.’
In August, the sixth dental outreach group treats hundreds of patients in Songea out of the MCW dental clinic. The program expands to include preventive oral hygiene education in the community
Plus, MCW provides a one-time start-up grant to Broad Street Beatz, an independent after-school program devoted to teaching children in North Philadelphia digital music production and leadership skills.
Another summer event: after three months of construction—led by Amanda Blount with support from Nicholas Orso and Harry Gbetuwa, MCW establishes the Mwakawago Youth Empowerment Community Center in the community of Kissy in East Freetown, Sierra Leone in August.
In September, MCW once again organizes a special event for Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. This time, business leaders and non profit representatives convene for a roundtable discussion on investment in Tanzania in New York City. Fox News correspondent Liz Claman facilities the discussion. In the summer, MCW facilitates the shipment of two forty-foot containers filled with supplies to help upgrade women’s health and obstetrical services at Iringa Hospital in Tanzania. The container is co-sponsored by MedShare International and private donor Linda Schejola, thanks to the coordination and initiative of Dr. Bergman.
In October, Jacqueline Murekatete is awarded a two-year MCW fellowship, tasked with founding MCW’s Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner. Sharon Roling serves as advisor to the program.
In November, MCW is granted permission by the Rwandan government to work in Rwanda. On the basis of this success, MCW anticipates opening the fourth MCW community center for survivors of the 1994 genocide and other Rwandans living in the Bugesera district.
In December, a container of donations is unloaded in Iringa, Tanzania. The donations are allocated to MCW projects in Arusha, Songea and Iringa.
2006
The second Annual Gala Dinner is held at NYU and MCW celebrates President, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete’s new appointment as President. MCW ships a freight container of donations to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and a group of Long Island University students visits Arusha.
On February 21, MCW holds its second Annual Gala Dinner at NYU, where it presents the first MCW Media Advocacy Award to CNN. Special recognition is given to Christiane Amanopur, CNN Chief International Correspondent; Jeff Kepnes, Senior Producer; and Mark Nelson, Senior Executive Producer for their documentary, Can We Save Them?. Michelle Makori, Bloomberg TV News Anchor, and Liz Claman, CNBC Anchor, also participate. MCW raises approximately $250,000 for its programs.
In May, business leaders, investors, representatives of non-profit groups, media and friends of Tanzania gather at the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square for a luncheon in honor of the newly elected Tanzanian President, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. MCW introduces President Kikwete to the finance and business communities, providing him with an opportunity to share his vision for the country under his leader
In June, under Project Coordinator Khalid Elachi’s leadership, MCW ships a second ocean freight container of donations, including books, dental and medical supplies, shoes, computers, sporting equipment, toys and clothing, from Sayreville, New Jersey to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
In July, MCW holds its ninth Youth Leadership Retreat at NYU and Champlain College, thanks to support from Dr. David Finney, who moved to Burlington to serve as Champlain’s new president. This year’s retreat includes forty delegates and ten mentors. Open Doors is held again at NYU.
Also that month, MCW wraps up the summer by moving into a shared office space in midtown Manhattan.
In August, Arusha, under the leadership of Prof. George Sideris, another group of Long Island University students visits the center to participate in a week of educational activities on the environment and challenges facing young people with the Perfect Youth Group (PYG), an independent youth organization that is born out of the center.
In August, the fifth dental outreach group delivers treatment to over 400 patients in Songea.
In the summer, MCW forms new partnership with the Philadelphia-based Institute for the Development of African- American Youth, Inc. (IDAAY), by co-sponsoring a new entrepreneurial program for youth. The program teaches students ‘business basics’ in an empowering environment at Temple University.
In the fall, MCW sponsors a team from Songea to attend the Pediatric AIDS Treatment in Africa (PATA) conference in Africa.
2005
MCW hold its first Gala at NYU’s Kimmel Center and organizes its eighth Youth Leadership Retreat. In August of this year, a new youth center and health/dental clinic is established in Songea. A fourth dental outreach group travels to Songea to treat patients, a four-day workshop is held at the center in Arusha and new team members join MCW.
MCW holds its first Gala in March at NYU’s Kimmel Center, raising more than $100,000 for MCW programs. Former New York Mayor, David Dinkins, delivered the evening’s keynote address. MCW’s fourth Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dr. David F. Finney, [former] NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) dean.
In July, MCW organizes its eighth Youth Leadership Retreat at NYU, with more than fifty delegates and mentors. A highlight includes a visit to MTV’s “Total Request Live” (TRL) to learn about the role the media plays in shaping cultural attitudes. Open Doors takes place at the Simon Wiesenthal Tolerance Center in New York, where MCW presents its third Lifetime Achievement Award to Bunny Grossinger.
In August, MCW establishes a new youth center and health/dental clinic in Kipera village, a forty-minute walk from downtown Songea. The center, which sits on 53 acres of land donated by the government, offers English classes, IT training, a preschool, a library, and oralcare treatment to the community. The center includes a community hall, and housing units, which are used as classrooms and homes for team leaders, who run the center’s programs.
Felix Nyakatele, an artist and teacher who was active in the MCW center Arusha in Tanzania, leaves Arusha to move to Songea to help set up the new center’s programs. He becomes an MCW project coordinator. MCW first met Felix when he was a painter working on murals at the MCW Arusha Center.
In August, MCW sends a fourth dental outreach group to Songea to provide services to the community for a week. This time, the team works out of the newly oppened Liana Cohen Health/Dental Clinic, which is named after Ruben Cohen’s late sister. Ruben is Eddie Bergaman’s former residential advisor (RA) from NYU and was a participant in MCW’s first dental outreach group. The dental unit is equipped with four dental units donated by Sirona Dental Systems, a manufacturer of dental equipment, and product donations from Henry Schein Inc. Discussions begin on keeping the clinic open year-round and making it sustainable by opening a small pharmacy.
Also, in August, MCW hosts a four-day training workshop for youth on HIV/AIDS education, entrepreneurship and art production at the Arusha center. The workshop is organized in partnership with the US-based group TechnoServe, an organization that provides business solutions to rural poverty in the developing world.
That same month, under the umbrella of the MCW Partner Initiative program, the Arusha center hosts a group of students from NYU and Long Island University in a week-long community service project on healthcare and the environment. The trip, organized by Professor George Sideris in partnership with Anna Condoulis, marks the beginning of exchange programs between US colleges and universities and the youth group at the center.
In addition, in response to a request from Dr. Augustine Mahiga, Ambassador to the Tanzanian Permanent Mission to the U.N., MCW facilitates the donation of 20,000 books to a new library at St. Augustine University in the city of Iringa, Tanzania. The donations are from McGraw Hill Companies, New Jersey Islamic Interfaith Dialogue Center, the American Jewish Committee, and Lyndon State College (LSC). Khalid Elachi, a former MCW youth leadership retreat delegate, organizes the shipment.
Also that month, Sharon Roling joins the MCW team in New York to help “grow” the infrastructure of the organization.
In December, under the leadership of Dr. Cathy DeLeo, LSC faculty, alumni and friends participate in Project Kili, an MCW Partner Initiative. The collaborative project provides the students and members of the MCW center in Arusha with the opportunity to learn, serve and summit Mount Kilimanjaro together. The program was developed with EDUCO Africa, a South African non-profit that had recruited South African youth to participate in MCW’s earlier youth leadership retreats.
Also in December, MCW organizes a foundation laying ceremony for the new youth center in Sierra Leone. The center comprises of a multi-purpose hall, a computer room with internet facilitates, a dining room and office space. It will provide skill training opportunities for over 700 unemployed youth in the east end of Freetown. Sierra Leone police donated land for the center and UNDP contributed funds for furniture and equipment.
2004
Co-founder Eddie Bergman traveled to Sierra Leone to assess the country’s readiness for an MCW youth center after it was suggested by Tanzania’s Ambassador Mwakawago. That year, the third dental outreach group returns to Songea to treat nearly 650 patients, another Youth Leadership Retreat is held at NYU and Alfred quits his job as an engineer to volunteer with MCW in Songea.
Tanzania’s Ambassador Mwakawago, was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary General to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sierra Leone. Based on MCW’s success in Tanzania, he suggested that MCW brings its grassroots approach to the West African country to help create opportunities for youth in the post-civil war reconstruction process. To assess the country’s readiness for an MCW youth center, Eddie Bergman traveled to Sierra Leone several times during the year.
In August, the third dental outreach group, with dentists and dental students from the U.S. and South Africa, returned once again to the Songea Regional Hospital to treat nearly 650 patients Henry Schein Cares, again, provides dental supplies equipment in-kind to the project.
In July, MCW brougth fifty youth from the Middle East, Africa and the Americas together for its seventh Youth Leadership Retreat at NYU. Open Doors was held at NYU’s Kimmel Center. Bunny Grossinger presented the third MCW Lifetime Achievement Award to Mira Berman, Executive Director Emeritus of the Africa Travel Association (ATA).
Alfred, an engineer and friend of Paul Bergman’s from the University of Pennsylvania, traveled to Sonega, Tanzania for a few weeks to give advice on the construction of the new center. When he returned to his job in Philadelphia, he realized that his work as an engineer did not provide him with the same growth opportunities, so he quit and moved to Songea to volunteer with MCW. Over the next six months, he managed construction and built a team of young leaders to manage the new 53 acre center.
2003
In this year, the sixth Youth Leadership Retreat was held with Israeli and Palestinian participants. Later that year, the Tswaragano Initiative to Songea helped create a youth initiative, especially in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Another dental outreach program was implemented, followed by another Youth Leadership Retreat in which Roberta Richin makes her first attendance.
In December, MCW held its sixth Youth Leadership Retreat with twenty-five Israeli and Palestinian participants at the Ramat Rachel Hotel in Jerusalem. Harvard conflict resolution expert, Dr. John Woodall, facilitated the event and became an MCW Advisor.
In August, MCW extended the Tshwaragano Initiative to Songea and helped create Youth Empowerment for Tanzania United (YETU). Like TAAB, YETU empowers Songea’s youth to become agents of change in their communities, specifically in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
At the same time, MCW and YETU shared the initiative with youth from China, who established the third international partnership for the Tshwaragano Initiative, called Health and AIDS Initiative for Knowledge and Education on Youth Involvement (HAI KEYI), with support from Shanghai’s Jiaotong University. HAI KEYI [meaning “okay/can do” in Chinese] focuses on increasing sexual health awareness and decreasing social stigma against those infected with HIV/AIDS.
Also in August, MCW organized its second dental outreach program in Songea, in partnership with NYU. MCW worked out of a clinic in a local hospital. Over 500 patients received treatment in the community, that has a dentist to patient ratio of 2 to 1.2 million. Henry Schein Cares continues to provide dental supplies and equipment in-kind.
In July, MCW held its fifth Youth Leadership Retreat at NYU and Lyndon State College in Vermont. Dr. Cathy DeLeo, a professor of recreation and ski management at the school, helped organize the retreat. She joined MCW’s Board of Advisors after meeting Eddie Bergman at a conference in Jordan. Jacqueline Murekatete, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, participated in the week-long event, sharing her personal story with the youth delegates. Khalid Elachi participated in his first Youth Leadership Retreat.
Thanks to an introduction by MCW Board Advisor Monica Willard, an NGO Representative to the United Nations for the United Religions Initiative, Roberta Richin, attended the Youth Leadership Retreat for the first time. Roberta, an educational consultant and author, introduced a new educational tool to the retreat program, the vision plan, which enabled each delegate to envision his/her dream and to map out a concrete course of action. After the retreat, Roberta joined MCW’s Board of Directors. Open Doors was held at the South African Counsel in New York with Bunny Grossinger receiving the 2003 MCW Lifetime Achievement Award.
District Commissioner Mende transferred from Arusha to the rural district of Songea in the southwest quadrant of Tanzania, near the Mozambique border. She inviteed MCW to expand its programs and helped secure land for a future youth center. DC Mende later introduced MCW to her successor, Abeid Mwinyimsa.
In February, MCW organized its fourth Youth Leadership Retreat at Washington State University’s Swiss Center in Brig, Switzerland. Over fifty youth from twenty countries participated. Dr. Nancy Scanlon, a lecturer in NYU’s hospitality program and [former] professor of Eddie’s, helps MCW coordinate the event. [Nancy had left NYU to take an adjunct position in Switzerland for a few semesters.] Nancy joins MCW’s Board of Advisors.
2002
The first MCW Youth Leadership Retreat (now Young Leaders Fellowship) was held in January of this year, with 25 participants in attendance. This was followed by two more Youth Leadership Retreats held in the same year with participants from countries such as China, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan and Zambia. A youth workshop was also held in Botswana with a group called Tshwaragano Against AIDS Botswana.
Rob and Eddie are determined to provide youth with the kind of encouragement and support they received when they shared their vision with their friends, family and mentors in 1999. They are inspired to organize MCW’s first Youth Leadership Retreat in January, during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, when MCW held a full day seminar at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with 25 participants.
The second Youth Leadership Retreat is held in April at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. MCW presents its second Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Dr. Edward B. Shils, Founder, Center of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania at its Open Doors Ceremony.
In July, MCW held its third Youth Leadership Retreat at NYU, bringing together fifty-five students.
These first three retreats involved youth from a wide range of socio-economic, geographic and cultural backgrounds, from China, Israel, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, the U.S., the West Bank, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The week-long program centers on interactive group activities, as well as presentations from a variety of social entrepreneurs, many of whom are active in the MCW community. After the first retreat, past participants begin to return to future retreats as mentors to help guide new youth leadership participants.
Under Board of Director Paul Bergman’s leadership, MCW co-sponsored a youth workshop in Mahalapye, Botswana with a youth group called Tshwarangano (“unity” in Setswana) Against AIDS in Botswana (TAAB). TAAB is a student-led organization that empowers youth to become “agents of change” by confronting the challenges of HIV/AIDS with interactive education and leadership training. In addition to the workshop, the two organizations developed a common goal and supportive structure for TAAB to use to help continue to build on the workshop’s energy. MCW and TAAB again met and joined hands in August 2003, to establish TAAB’s second national chapter in Maun, Botswana.
Ron Uba joined the Board of Directors.
2001
This year marked the beginning of a long-term relationship with New York University from which many faculty members and students MCW has greatly benefited. In the same year, a peer education crisis intervention training program was held by MCW, followed by a dental outreach program carried out in collaboration with NYU students.
As a first-year student at New York University (NYU), Eddie Bergman explored ways to partner with NYU on service projects. He first reached out to Lavern McDonald, [former] Assistant Director of NYU’s African American, Latino, and Asian Services. He then met Gloria Cahill, [former] Director of NYU’s Office of Community Service.
Through Gloria, Eddie met Anna Condoulis, Executive Director at NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). Anna helped MCW organize a youth leadership training retreat event at NYU with support from Lavern and Gloria. She also helped MCW develop new strategic partnerships with different NYU departments. This marked the beginning of MCW’s long-term relationship with NYU and Anna Condoulis, who joined MCW’s Board of Directors. Shortly afterward, Anna traveled to Tanzania with Professor George Sideris for the first (and of what would become) of many volunteer trips.
In the summer, MCW co-sponsored a peer education and crisis-intervention training program [a precursor to MCW’s Youth Leadership Retreat program] in New York for forty students from the South African township of Soweto. Thanks to an introduction made by Dr. Shils between Eddie and Dr. Margo Marshak, [former] Vice President of NYU Student Affairs, MCW organized part of the program at NYU. MCW also partnered with NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development (Youthline) on the program. This connection was made by Charmaine Peart, who joined MCW’s Board of Advisors.
MCW presented its first Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Dr. Herman Wrice posthumously at the 2001 Open Doors Ceremony, at which the young program participants shared their experiences with the MCW community of friends and supporters. Mrs. Jean Wrice accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.
In Arusha, Tanzania, MCW opened the Dr. Herman Wrice Youth Empowerment Community Center, named in honor of the founding mentor shortly after his passing. The center includes an information technology (IT) program, named in honor of mentor Dr. Edward Shils, and was set up by University of Pennsylvania students. The center also offers English classes, entrepreneurship training, performing arts activities, and preschool education. At the opening ceremony, the Wrice family presented the community with a liberty bell from John Street, the 97th Mayor of Philadelphia.
With the opening of the Arusha center, MCW laid down the foundations for the emergence of a sustainable center model that would be utilized in other locations in the years to come.
Responding to the needs of the Arusha community, MCW organized a dental outreach project, in which NYU students and faculty visited the MCW youth center for two weeks and provided free dental services to more than 200 patients. The program was initiated by Ruben Cohen, Eddie’s residential advisor (RA) at NYU, who was looking for a way to get involved with MCW. Ruben introduced MCW to NYU School of Dentistry professor and future Board of Directors member, Dr. Anthony Vernillo, who participated in the outreach project. Henry Schein Cares, the corporate responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc., the world’s leading dental and medical supplies provider, contributed dental supplies and equipment in-kind to the project.
During the year, MCW tutored students attending the Grace United Methodist Church’s Youth Academy in Harlem, New York.
2000
Co-founders Eddie Berman and Rob Alsbrooks began reaching out to people with the aim of collaborating on a joint venture that would provide opportunities for young people in Africa. To this end, MCW purchased land in Arusha, Tanzania to build a youth center for the community.
Co-founders, Eddie Bergman and Rob Alsbrooks wrote to dozens of people across Africa, asking if they wanted to collaborate on a joint venture. Dr. Peter White, a mentor, encouraged Eddie to write to the Maryknoll Sisters in Tanzania, and Sister Sue, an American nun living and working in Arusha, responded positively.
Eddie and Rob, traveled to Arusha, where they met youth living in the densely populated Majengo Juu and learned about the lack of entrepreneurial opportunities for youth in the area. MCW purchased land to construct a youth center for the community, while working with the youth to help establish small businesses. Experiencing challenges along the way, the co-founders were persistent and built strong relationships with the local community and government officials.
During construction, Eddie visitsed Tanzania’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and met with Ambassador Daudi Mwakawago. Ambassador Mwakawago encouraged MCW to expand its work in the East African country and offered his support. He also encouraged a meeting with the Regional Commissioner Arusha, who then introduced MCW to [former] District Commissioner Bertha Mende. DC Mende expressed a strong interest in MCW and its youth empowerment model.
MCW launched a website, thanks to the initiative of MCW Project Coordinator Brian Brady. MCW Coordinator Heather Moore took the lead with other MCW marketing materials, helping shape MCW’s evolving brand and image.
1999
In 1999, MCW Global is founded by Eddie Bergman and Rob Alsbrooks. With the guidance of trusted mentors and family members who had a passion for helping vulnerable communities, both Eddie and Rob began to build an organization that centered around making a difference in the lives of young people around the world.
Eddie Bergman, 19, of Long Island, New York and Rob Alsbrooks, 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania meet and discover that even though their own experiences are different, they share a common purpose: to make a difference in the lives of young people around the world.
They turn to mentors for guidance in this common pursuit, drawing inspiration from Dr. Edward B. Shils, founding Director of the Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School, and Dr. Herman Wrice, a Philadelphia-based community activist and organizer who created Turnaround America, an anti-drug campaign, in the early 1990’s.
Paul Bergman, Eddie’s brother and Wharton student, and Dr. Peter White, Eddie’s Northport high school social studies teacher and founder of Students for 60,000 (a student club that pursues humanitarian projects in vulnerable communities around the world), helped co-founders Eddie, and Robert Alsbrooks crystallize ideas and develop concrete plans of action. [Dr. White retired in 2008 and currently serves as an advisor to Students for 60,000. He is also an MCW advisor.]
In the summer, Rob joined Eddie on a trip to the Ivory Coast, where they helped build a three-room schoolhouse and launch a women’s agricultural initiative. [Eddie began this project in high school with Students for 60,000 working in partnership with a senior UN Employee who had a personal passion for community development in the Ivory Coast.] Inspired by their experience in the country, they decide to continue to empower youth to be “agents of change.”
With input from Dr. Wrice, Dr. Shils, Dr. White, and Paul among others, Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) was created. The name of the non-profit was inspired by the work of Dr. Wrice, who had encouraged the transformation of a drug haven street corner into a safe, drug-free social corner in the West Philadelphia community of Mantua. Dr. Wrice had initially mobilized Rob and a team to help clean up an abandoned lot on 34th Street, which became a space for small business development. The transformation was called a “Miracle on 34th Street” by the Philadelphia Inquirer in October 1999.