Ashinaga Foundation

Dream of making a difference? Intern with Ashinaga Japan! Applications for Ashinaga Japan's Fall-Winter 2024 internships are now open. Whether you're passionate about research, writing, or content creation, we have the perfect role for you. Work with us remotely from wherever you are, or in a hybrid setup if you're based in Japan. This is your chance to gain invaluable experience in the non-profit sector and contribute to impactful projects that change lives. Application Deadline: 28 July, 2024. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gpyv659b Don’t miss out on this opportunity to start your journey with Ashinaga Japan!

We are excited to announce four new trustees have joined the board of Ashinaga UK: • Kimeshan Naidoo, Chief Technical Officer at BX and Co-Founder of Unibuddy • Pablo Pérez Abella, a Managing Director at Karson Management Bermuda Ltd • Nashina Asaria, Chief Product & Marketing Officer for Nanthealth • Jordan McFarlane, Managing Director of Ashinaga UK Each brings valuable new perspectives and knowledge, adding to the expertise already in the Ashinaga UK Board of Trustees, which includes British academics, members of Ashinaga Foundation in Japan, and an Ashinaga Africa Initiative graduate. Read more about the new trustees, and how they will benefit the work of Ashinaga UK, on our website: https://lnkd.in/eT9iZika

Applications are now open for the 2024 Uganda Study Camp Internships! Are you passionate about education and ready to make a difference? Join us at Ashinaga's office in Kampala from July 1st to October 18th to guide African scholars on their academic journey. As an intern, you'll be vital in supporting scholars during the Study Camp, offering invaluable assistance in exam preparation, essay writing, and subject-specific studies.     Take advantage of this opportunity to gain hands-on experience in education and leadership while leaving a lasting impact! We look forward to receiving your applications by May 1st. More details can be found on the application form: https://lnkd.in/gQWJFzVR 

Ashinaga is proud to recognize International Women’s Day, dedicated to acknowledging women’s accomplishments and resilience globally. At the heart of our mission lies the commitment to utilizing education to empower and uplift individuals. On this International Women’s Day, we emphasize our dedication to supporting and cultivating female leaders through the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI). Our focus on the AAI underscores our commitment to providing educational opportunities for young women across Africa. Through this initiative, we support and mentor exceptional female students who are breaking barriers and shaping the future of the African continent. Investing in the education and empowerment of women extends beyond gender equality. It is about unlocking societies’ full potential, fostering stronger communities, and contributing to vibrant economies. This International Women’s Day, let us pledge to continue supporting and uplifting our female students. Together, we can contribute to a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and lead.

As part of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative's (AAI) commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and driving positive change in Africa, AAI Scholars recently participated in a dynamic pitching competition during the AAI 2024 Tsudoi. This event, organized in collaboration with Social Impact Lab Japan, aimed to equip AAI Scholars with essential entrepreneurial skills crucial for addressing unemployment and social challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduation. The workshop emphasized the importance of starting with a personal and significant "Why" (purpose) before delving into the "What" (aim) and "How." Scholars learned to craft concise mission and vision statements, ensuring clarity and understanding for their audience. Seven fundamental elements of a comprehensive pitch were outlined, focusing on researching target audiences, maintaining conciseness, and having a clear call to action.  Scholars collaborated in groups to develop project ideas and prepare pitches, receiving valuable feedback from esteemed guests, including Joseph Rutakangwa, the founder of Rwazi. This practical exercise allowed scholars to apply their newly acquired knowledge and refine their entrepreneurial skills. A winner was announced during the pitching competition, receiving a monetary gift. This generous award is designated for entrepreneurial upskilling and resources, further empowering AAI Scholars to make a meaningful impact.  Thank you to Social Impact Lab Japan for your invaluable collaboration and unwavering support. You can learn more about the session in the full article using this link: https://lnkd.in/gKsNP5Jm

On the third day of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Tsudoi, a gathering that brings together Scholars, mentors, and facilitators for diverse activities, workshops, and sessions, the "Setting Up a Business" workshop marked a significant moment during the 2024 AAI Tsudoi. This workshop exemplifies the collaborative efforts between the AAI and Japan Venture Academy. Guided by Kento Akiyama, Founder of Japan Venture Capital, the session delved into practical aspects of business planning, focusing on the Lean Canvas method. Participants explored team formation, budgeting, market analysis, and solution identification, gaining valuable insights into high-risk startup endeavors.   The workshop was relevant to AAI Scholars developing their Ashinaga Proposal, which is dedicated to identifying solutions for issues in sub-Saharan Africa. It deepened their understanding of business planning, emphasizing the importance of crafting a clear problem statement and a meticulously thought-out solution. Thank you to Japan's Venture Academy (JVA) for your expertise and guidance throughout the session. Ashinaga is grateful for the collaborative effort that enriched the AAI Scholars' insights into entrepreneurship. To learn more about the workshop, you can read the full article on the Ashinaga website through this link.: https://lnkd.in/gGV-tmVs 

Meet Joseph Rutakangwa, the founder of Rwazi, a hyper-local market intelligence platform that provides companies with actionable data on who is buying what, for how much, from where, when, and why to help them drive revenue and expand.  Joseph was the keynote speaker of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Tsudoi, a 5-day training for the Scholars to connect, learn, and focus on their professional and leadership development. During his speech, Joseph took AAI Scholars on a journey through the highs and lows of his entrepreneurship journey.  Joseph's lessons from setbacks are profound. He advocates for strategic partnerships, embracing failures, and leveraging every opportunity. His journey emphasizes that entrepreneurship isn't just a career choice but a mindset that requires grit, adaptability, and a burning desire for change. Joseph invited the AAI Scholars to pursue a life of purpose and impact facilitated by resilience and hard work. He emphasizes, "Failure is not the end but a steppingstone to growth." Key takeaways: Prioritize revenue, find strategic partners, address market gaps, and embrace a community-centric mindset. Joseph urges, "Recognize the responsibility that comes with privilege." In Africa, he sees opportunities multiplying as populations double. In essence, his journey offers a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs.      Please read the full article to glean insights from Joseph's entrepreneurial journey and discover how he turned challenges into stepping stones for success! https://lnkd.in/g9nTDk2s

To support the entrepreneurship development of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Scholars, the Professional and Network Development Team has collaborated with various organizations. Among them will be Social Impact Lab Japan, which will run a workshop and a pitch competition on pitching ideas during the Tsudoi, a 5-day AAI leadership training. This session will help scholars develop skills related to entrepreneurship and address unemployment and other social issues they might face in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduation. Social Impact Lab Japan was established as an incubator to ensure that impact entrepreneurs thrive locally and globally. They incubate, accelerate, and provide investment to impact entrepreneurs - driven by purpose - and catalyze them with support through training and mentorship. In Japan, they have partnered with more than 60 universities and educational institutions around the country, hosted 500 events focusing on social entrepreneurship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and inspired people to change the world into a better place. We thank Social Impact Lab Japan for collaborating with us to run a “How to Pitch” workshop in the upcoming AAI Tsudoi in March 2024 and for supporting the scholars’ entrepreneurship development.

We thank Japan's Venture Academy (JVA) for collaborating on the upcoming Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Tsudoi in March 2024. As we prepare for Tsudoi, we anticipate the positive impact JVA will have by training AAI Scholars in crucial entrepreneurial skills.    JVA, a student-run initiative sponsored by Shibuya City, offers university students opportunities to build entrepreneurial self-efficacy. We are thrilled to share their renowned 3-month fellowship, where students delve into a structured curriculum guided by dedicated coaches alongside motivated peers and insights from venture experts. This unique experience allows them to work on startup ideas, fostering hands-on entrepreneurial development.    If you are or know anyone interested in the JVA fellowship, check the details on how to apply in the document below or visit JVC's website: https://lnkd.in/gs8jDAtT

Internship applications for Spring-Summer 2024 are open! Considering a career in the non-profit sector? Gain experience by interning with Ashinaga! Various positions are available - get involved in research, writing, content-creation and much more. Work can be done fully remotely for interns outside Japan, while a hybrid arrangement is available for interns residing in Japan. More details can be found on the application form: https://lnkd.in/g_xcJwgb Apply now!