缅北禁地

 I am Amani Mafigi Joel, a 27-year-old Social Entrepreneur, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Goma where I spent the genesis of my childhood. In 2008 I fled from DRC due to insecurity and become a refugee in Uganda. My life as a refugee has been with a lot of adversity but also choices to challenge themand make lives and livelihoods better. 

In 2018, I embarked on a changemaking journey when I cofounded UNLEASHED (Potentials in Motion) an organization on a mission to empower refugee youths by enabling them discover their potential, fostering social entrepreneurship, and providing business development opportunities, all aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of refugees. You can learn more about our work at Unleashed Potentials. 

In 2019, I initiated the Par-Fruit project aimed at addressing health issues among refugee families in the settlement. The Project focused on fruit growing, which not only provided essential micronutrients but also generates income for the refugees, ensuring their self-sustainability. This project gained recognition when I was interviewed by a reporter from BBC and France 24, which you can read about in this article: Passion Fruit for a Better Future. 

I have also dedicated myself to supporting youth education through various programs and initiatives. In 2019, I initiated the Realizers Scientists Academy (RESA), which has provided practical science education to over 200 youth science students, utilizing community resources, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven of these students have been able to acquire scholarship abroad and locally to further their academic goals.

In 2020, during Covid-19 Lockdown I launched the "Mentoring for Social Impact" program, which successfully supported ten businesses in Africa, Asia, and America to strategies and keep their business running as they face the lock down. Find their inspiring testimonies on my site. 

I have been speaker on various platforms that include, HeForShe Men's Conference, Youth SDG Summit, The Migration Summit by MITReact, Copperbelt University School of Medicine Summit, Peter Drucker Summit. 

In 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) invited me to speak at the Refugee & Migrant Education Network conference in Rome, Italy. There, I had the honour of advocate on the crucial role of education and social entrepreneurship in building resilient lives and livelihoods. I met with Pope Francis and the Refugee High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, who recognized our work with refugees. 

In 2023, I was invited at the African Leadership University in Kigali to deliver a two days Master Class on social entrepreneurship in the African Context which ended successful with 40 students making commitments to contribute their skills, talents and passion to develop the African continent. This year, I was invited to attend the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024 at the 缅北禁地Headquarters, New York to speak on youth and future of work. Where I shared about interventions and perspective from marginalised communities.