Fellows Costa Rica

Do you remember a mentor who made a difference in your professional or personal life? Dale Una Mano, our partners in Bataan, located in Limón Province, Costa Rica, recently hosted a dynamic venture mentor session! Mentors came from diverse fields, including a professor of English and music, a doctor, a representative from the Institute of Water and Sanitation, and a police officer. "The mentors listened to their proposals and project ideas, shared their experiences as adult professionals, and how they got to where they are today.  They advised our young people on how their project ideas could make a significant difference," shared Jessica, a cohort leader with Dale Una Mano.

In December, LearnServe’s CEO Scott visited the inaugural cohort of Fellows Costa Rica. You can read more about Scott’s visit here. Below are some photos from the trip, including a Fellows session on constructivist listening and fun outings with Dale1Mano.

Fellows Zambia

Imagine stepping into a room buzzing with bold ideas and unstoppable energy—that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Innovators’ Café in Zambia! At this event, 40 Zambian Fellows delivered elevator pitches on projects addressing pressing social challenges in their communities. Topics covered included:

• Plastic waste management
• Water purification systems to combat waterborne diseases
• Solutions to load shedding (rolling blackouts)
• Combating food insecurity
• Addressing youth unemployment
• High fuel costs

...and many more! Here are some shots from the day below:

LearnServe Fellow Timothy presents a prototype of a solar-powered car.

Fellows Dorcas and Idah pitch their water purification system, Aqua Redox.

Which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are Fellows Zambia working towards?

Here are the most popular SDGs in the Fellows Zambia cohort:

Fellows DC

Fellows DC launched the year with its own Innovators’ Cafe on January 16th. Here’s a glimpse into some of the innovative projects they’re working on:

• Combatting social media addiction
• Introducing early STEM education for girls
• Creating a student club that promotes diverse learning styles
• Providing emotional support for kids during hospital stays

Sara seeks to reduce the number of unhoused people in DC

Noah is fighting the stigma surrounding young men's mental health

Here are the most popular SDGs in the Fellows DC cohort:

Fellows Paraguay

Fellows Paraguay is off to a bubbling start with 15 young changemakers in the program.

Domingo Alonso, the founder of the Centro Comunitario Cultural in Santa Ana, Asunción, Paraguay, is one of LearnServe's longest program partners.  For almost 20 years, Domingo has hosted dozens of LearnServe travelers to Paraguay and connected his young changemakers with their peers in the United States.  We are excited to work with Domingo, Monse, and Julio in welcoming their second cohort of LearnServe Fellows in Asuncion, Paraguay.

A look back in time at LearnServe trips to Paraguay:

Domingo (back row, burgundy shirt) with LearnServe Paraguay students in 2015

Students learning how to make mud bricks during the 2017 trip

Domingo (front row, far left) and LearnServe students posing with their completed service project, a mural.

LearnServe would like to thank Precise for joining our newly launched Boardroom Champions initiative. This corporate sponsorship program is designed to align with companies’ goals and missions. Zhensen Huang, CEO of Precise, has been an incredible supporter of LearnServe for over 10 years, from being an alumni parent to sponsoring LearnServe Hackathons.

A message from Zhensen: "At Precise, we are proud to support LearnServe's mission to empower the next generation of global leaders. As a corporate sponsor, our employees have greatly enjoyed engaging with LearnServe's social hackathon events, showcasing our collective commitment to community engagement and social impact. On a personal front, I have seen firsthand the incredible impact of LearnServe's programs through my own family. My two sons participated in the LearnServe Fellows Program and have gained invaluable skills and experiences that have shaped their futures. By fostering innovation, social responsibility, and entrepreneurial spirit among young people, LearnServe is creating a brighter, more sustainable future. We believe in the power of education and community engagement to drive positive change, and we are committed to partnering with LearnServe to inspire and equip students to become changemakers in their communities and beyond."

We also extend our gratitude to social impact consulting firm LINK Strategic Partners. LINK President Michael Akin joined LearnServe's board in 2024, after many years of supporting young changemakers through our gala, hosting practice pitch sessions, and offering internships to LearnServe alum. We were thrilled to co-host the launch of Boardroom Champions with LINK in a lively January kickoff event. Michael and LINK convened leaders from government offices, nonprofits, universities, and corporations to discuss how the greater Washington region can nurture emerging changemakers with LearnServe.

Safi (Fellows Zambia '23, Incubator '24, Global Zambia '24) was selected for the Sapporo Science Exchange Program, which invites talented young individuals from around the world to Japan, "giving them the opportunity to experience both Japan's cutting−edge science and technology and culture." 

Safi, pictured on the first row, furthest left

In December, Safi was one of 12 recipients of the Delta Air Lines Girls LEAD Award at the 2024 Junior Achievement Africa Company of the Year Competition in Port Louis, Mauritius. She competed with a team of peers designing a mobile app for farmers and students. The app provides weather-focused farming tips for specific crops and informs farmers and consumers of the market prices for cash crops. On the student side, the app aids with schoolwork through quizzes, tutorials, and recommended study methods. As a result of the award, Safi and her peers have been invited to a leadership boot camp in Ghana in March. 

Safi's team at the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition

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SAVE THE DATE: LearnServe's Interactive Gala 2025

Mark your calendars for May 6, 2025, and join us for LearnServe's Interactive Gala 2025: Celebrating Global Changemakers.  This special event is not a traditional gala, but an immersive, collaborative experience that will take you into the world of young leaders tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.  From interactive storytelling to immersive exhibits, you won’t just hear about change—you’ll be part of it.

📅  Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

📍True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street, NW, Washington, DC  20009

Read LearnServe's Annual Report 2023-24

We are thrilled to release our annual report from the last fiscal year, packed with fast facts, testimonies, and student spotlights about your impact.