Josiane Fofana
Founder
Josiane is a passionate of science and education as well as a strong advocate for women and children’s rights. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Brandeis University and currently works as a Research Associate at Sanofi Genzyme. Prior to Sunu Askan, she was the Public relations officer of Afreek’Ed an NGO that promotes education in Africa. Josiane also currently serves as the International Relations chairwoman of Help The Street Children, a nonprofit that fights for the wellbeing of homeless children in Senegal.
“Every child deserves a quality education that will allow him to build a future for himself. In Africa, the high youth unemployment rate testifies that a degree does not guarantee a way out of poverty. We need to design an educational system that is adapted to our environment, one that will favor creativity over non-directional memorization.”
Nelson Kiggundu
Vice President
Nelson is a strong believer in personal growth and striving to achieve what one believes in. He currently holds a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and works with Fluor on the MBTA Green Line Extension Project as a Building Systems Engineer. Prior to beginning his work with Sunu Askan, Nelson was heavily involved in youth group activities at not only his local church but other churches in the Ugandan Community. Seeing the progressive development of the youth he worked with instilled a deep belief that truly anyone with the right assistance can become whomever they choose to be.
“With the right direction, insight into the consequences of our choices and belief in not just others but ourselves as well, we can lift Africa as a whole to the top tier of the world.”
Ndeye Fall
Secretary
Ndeye is a social activist fighting for the rights of children and women. She is passionate about sustainable development with a focus on the development of agriculture in Senegal. A current undergrad student at Brandeis University, Ndeye pursues a degree in Economics, Social Inequalities and Global Development with a minor in Business. She has always been passionate in helping the child beggars in Senegal known as talibes. Indeed, she has conducted a project to collect clothes and provide financial assistance to a non-profit organization, Empire des Enfants, which is dedicated to helping homeless children. Her passion for children has also allowed her to mentor children by helping them excel in S.T.E.M curriculums.
“The only thing that makes us different is opportunity and that’s what every child needs. By giving Africa and its youth the resources and opportunities, the rate of dependency on other countries will decrease while improving the economy and financial status of the developing countries”
Phares Wabo
Founder & Treasurer
A native of Cameroon, Phares fell in love with charitable work when he was only a teenager. Inspired by seeing most of his smartest friends in elementary school not getting a chance at furthering their education, Phares quickly developed a passion for educating underprivileged youth. This resolve struck with him through college, leading him to be the president of CAMLEAD (an association aimed at helping kids from Cameroon to get admission to colleges in the US and guide them when they make it here) from October 2011 to October 2013. Phares provides Accounting support to Sunu Askan, with his experience derived from being an Accountant for Sonesta International Hotel Corporation. One program at a time.
Virginia Lima
Director Of Operations
Virginia is a fervent defender of children’s rights. She strongly believes that every child deserves to have a good education and to live in good conditions. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Applied Linguistics from the Georgia State University in Atlanta and currently works in Senegal as a translator, interpreter and English teacher. While working with Sunu Askan, Virginia also serves as the General Secretary of Help the Street Children, a non-profit that helps underprivileged and street children in Senegal. She is also involved in a lot of other humanitarian work in her hometown. One of her favorite quotes is “Save the children of today and raise the leaders of tomorrow” because we sometimes fail to realize that our children are the future and the legacy of any nation, we have to show them that we believe in them so they can believe in themselves and change the world.
Mariama Dalanda Diallo
Assistant Treasurer
Mariama is a strong advocate for basic human rights. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in international management from BEM (Bordeaux Ecole de Management) and is currently working on her master’s degree in Audit/management Control while working for RIA Money Transfer. She is a member of the “Servir le Senegal” foundation which ensures food distribution in prisons, hospitals and to homeless people. On her spare time, she partners with a group of people to visit children who have been diagnosed with cancer and take care of their medical bill, as well as provide them food and emotional support.
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom” - George Washington
Ndeye Dieynaba Drame
Public Relations
Dieyna is a pan africanist passionate about social justice and health equity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she served on the executive boards or the African Student Association and the Black Student Union. Currently, she is pursuing a master degree in public health epidemiology and biostatistics at Boston University and serves on the board of Students of Color for Public Health. She believes that access to adequate education and healthcare are basic human rights for all.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela
Seydi Sy
Director Of Public Outreach
Seydi Sy and is a Senegalese Web Developer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Masters Degree in Technological Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University. After working in the US for two years, he decided to move back to Senegal to start a freelance career. He now build websites for companies and individuals alike all around the world. From an early age, Seydi was troubled by the poverty of the senegalese people. He has always had a soft spot for wandering kids on the streets of Senegal called “talibe” and has a goal to put an end to the unacceptable conditions they live in. He is also very fond of kids in general and has always dreamed of creating a soccer academy to recruit kids from all around Senegal and give them the training that would enable them to engage in careers as professional athletes.