Progress Agboola is a medical doctor and global health advocate with over six years of experience in HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy. As a Program Officer at Sage and Enamel Foundation (SANDEF), he has implemented impactful community-based projects, significantly reducing the burden of HIV and other infectious diseases in Nigeria.
His commitment to HIV prevention is further demonstrated through his role as a Youth Advocate at Africa Free of New HIV Infections (AfNHi) and his current position as Programs Intern at WACI Health, where he contributes to developing program initiatives for African-led advocacy in biomedical HIV prevention research.
Through his various roles and achievements, Progress continues to drive meaningful change in global health, focusing on HIV prevention and improved health outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Brenda Bonareri, from Kenya is currently an intern at WACI Health. She is interested in data analysis, policy research, and analytical writing. She specializes in health policy research, diligently identifying gaps to inform strategic improvements. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Nairobi, underscoring her commitment to advancing healthcare solutions with a strong analytical foundation.
Brenda has been in the Health advocacy space for the past 5 months where she was involved in the Bridge for better health program; a program under WACI Health and several partners that seeks to bridge the gap between SRHR/HIV Prevention within the UHC context.
She would like to gain a better understanding of what it takes to be a good advocate and also gain insights on the issues of policy and resource mobilization. Her interests in research and policy will be a great addition to the mentorship program.
Mariah Akinyi is a Sexual and Reproductive Health advocate who works in the rural and urban community of Kenya. She is passionate about gender justice and holistically advocates for an intersectional and inclusive approach to the realization of these rights.
She believes everyone has a right to their reproductive freedom thus wanting online space where adolescents’ reproductive rights are respected and protected while allowing them to interact freely from stigma, bullying and discrimination.
She managed to run a successful campaign that promoted safe sex, HIV awareness, testing and counselling and VCAT training that involved using communication to influence and achieve Behaviour Change and Communication techniques (BCC) in her community. She believes in changing one life at a time.
Nigel Nzalla is a passionate communications professional with a growing interest in the field of HIV prevention. As a recent Kenyan intern at WACI Health, he has gained valuable experience in crafting clear and engaging health communications materials, particularly for audiences in Africa.
Nigel is particularly motivated by understanding the persistent challenges surrounding HIV prevention on the continent, despite the efforts of major organizations. He believes that effective communication strategies are key to overcoming these challenges and empowering communities to adopt healthy behaviors.
Leveraging his background in communication and his current role at WACI Health, Nigel strives to simplify complex health topics, specifically those related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). His goal is to create informative and engaging content that resonates with the public and promotes positive health outcomes.
Enock Lupikisha, a dedicated volunteer from Zambia, is actively engaged with The Youth Platform Zambia (TYP). With four years of experience in the field of HIV prevention, Enock has primarily focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). He collaborates with organizations like Marie Stopes Zambia and TYP to advocate for comprehensive SRHR services and champion HIV prevention efforts.
Enock’s expertise includes advocacy, policy, and community mobilization. He serves as a youth representative in the Ministry of Health’s Technical Working Group (TWG) for adolescent health, contributing to policy and program development aimed at improving health outcomes for young people. These roles have solidified his commitment to driving positive change in the health sector.
Enock is motivated by a desire to learn, grow, and gain a broader perspective on health. His interest in the AfNHi Mentorship Program centers on deepening his understanding of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and exploring its intersection with HIV prevention. He brings valuable skills to the mentorship program, such as leadership, mentoring, and capacity building. Enock is also proficient in program design and adept at using social media for advocacy.
Tsholofelo Luza is an experienced professional with a background in economics and psychology, with an interest in gender and international development issues. Over the past 4 years, Tsholofelo has dedicated her career to empowering adolescent girls and marginalized communities.
Her commitment to social justice drives her to develop and implement effective programs addressing gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights. With innovative strategies and unwavering dedication, She strives to create lasting impact, making a difference in the lives of those often overlooked by society.
Miranda Ziba, from Zambia, serves as a Project officer at The Youth Platform Zambia (TYP) and is currently a Youth Constituency Alternate member for the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) for the Global Fund in Zambia. With over seven years of experience in HIV prevention, Miranda has been a dedicated advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in Zambia, focusing on community mobilization, advocacy,and policy development.
Notable achievements include mentoring over 206 AGYW, mobilizing diverse peer groups to advocate for comprehensive SRHR services, and contributing to national documents like the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan and the National AIDS Strategic Framework.
Miranda’s motivation for joining the AfNHi Mentorship Program is to leverage innovative approaches to address pressing HIV prevention issues, particularly seeking insights into sustainable strategies for HIV prevention and SRHR advocacy. She aims to collaborate with seasoned mentors to develop effective and inclusive projects that drive tangible impact within communities. Miranda brings strong leadership and mentoring skills, demonstrated by her role as chair of the District HIV/AIDS Task Force and her involvement in various technical working groups.
Faith Ebere Onuh, a 24-year-old resilient youth advocate from Nigeria, is an undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Science and Resource Management. She is the founder of the Young Persons Network for Sustainable Lifestyle and Health (Youpen4slah) and a Global Alliance Champion to End AIDS in Children. Faith has dedicated the past decade to working in HIV prevention, starting from her childhood.
Her leadership in advocacy extends both within Nigeria and on a global scale, as she serves as a UNAIDS Youth Advocate for West and Central Africa. By joining the AfHNi mentorship program, Faith aims to deepen her understanding of HIV prevention through the expertise of seasoned professionals. She is committed to contributing to the organization’s goals by supporting the team and sharing best practices.
Olushina O. Oladeji is a final-year medical student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria, and a certified mentee of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR). With a keen interest in SDG 3, he is passionate about implementing practical solutions to community issues. His goals and vision align with policymaking, research, analysis, and public health.
Olushina has six years of hands-on leadership experience through training, professional fellowships, and a substantial amount of work experience. This includes significant experience in disease prevention in Nigerian communities, particularly HIV. In 2019, 2021, and 2022, he coordinated medical outreaches for over three thousand people annually in selected communities in Oyo State, which involved HIV testing, advocacy, and research.
Serving as the Vice Regional Coordinator for the Federation of African Medical Students’ Associations, West Africa, and the Editor-In-Chief of the National Association of University Students (NAUS) are testaments to his leadership skills. He has benefited from prestigious opportunities such as The Bridge Program (2019), LEAP Africa (2022), the Harvard University Aspire Leaders Program (2023), and the Theirworld Global Youth Ambassador program (2024).
Unami Kgalemeng, from Botswana, is a versatile and results-oriented administration professional with vast experience in providing executive and administrative support. A Social Worker by profession, with 4 years’ experience of working with Marginalized and Vulnerable Communities on Human Rights spaces and Community awareness dialogues.
She advocates for Inclusive access to SRH services for all key populations, Elimination of stigma and discrimination and intensified awareness raising/public education on the available services.
Tjedu Moyo is a young leader passionate about empowering underserved populations with vital health information. Over the past five years, she has been a fervent advocate for young people’s access to health services, serving as a peer educator and mentor. Moyo plays a significant national role as the Youth Representative for the Global Financing Facility (GFF) in Zimbabwe, where she works to reduce new HIV infections by increasing access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for young people.
With a strong academic background in Geography, Moyo is deeply interested in the intersection of climate change and public health. She recognizes that climate change profoundly affects the foundations of human health and poses a significant threat to global efforts to eradicate TB, malaria, and HIV.
This understanding drives her current pursuit of a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, where she aims to further explore and address these critical issues. In 2020, Moyo founded the Lunia Centre for Youths, an organization dedicated to promoting climate justice, gender equality, and equitable health service delivery across Zimbabwe.
Panashe Rusike is a Zimbabwean national pursuing a degree in Social Work at Africa University. Currently, he is working with the Center for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) as an intern, where he conducts research on the impact of high heat exposure on healthcare workers, pregnant women, and postpartum women, among other studies.
His journey in social work and advocacy began when he volunteered at the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), an organization that nominated him for a mentorship program. During his time there, he actively participated in various initiatives, such as the Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum (BHPF) and advancing reproductive justice through accelerated litigation for access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). He also engaged in projects related to RMNACH (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent, and Child Health).