Hannington Wako, a longtime volunteer and leader for URI in Africa’s Great Lakes Region, has become the network’s Young Leaders Program Associate for Africa.
Mr. Wako will now be responsible for implementing the program’s flagship project, the Youth Ambassadors Program, in countries of the Great Lakes sub-region – including Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Tanzania – as well as Kenya. He will also train and support a growing network of young leaders across Africa.
Mr. Wako began his duties July 2.
“We are very excited to have him on board,” said Matthew Youde, co-coordinator of URI’s Young Leaders Program. “This really represents the growth of the Young Leaders Program in many ways.”
A Christian, Mr. Wako studied social science at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and has experience in community development and social research. He has worked to support the efforts of sub-regional coordinator Despina Nemwembe at URI’s Great Lakes Office in Kampala, and has already proven himself instrumental in training a rising generation of interfaith leaders.
“I would love to thank Matthew and the others for the good work done so far, and Despina Nemwembe for giving me the opportunity to learn and serve together,” Mr. Wako said. “I am more than energized and ready to serve and work with this excellent team, to grow this program and to work beyond my expected roles and duties.”
