Mohamed Ali Mwachausa grew up in a countryside village of Msambweni, Kenya. His family had very little and struggled to cover their basic needs. His parents worked tirelessly to ensure that they had enough to send Mohamed to school. With the support of his parents and the late Professor Mohamed Hydar, Mohamed completed primary and secondary school with high marks. He went on to the university where he received an undergraduate degree and a masters of arts in Project Planning and Management.

In the last 12 years, Mohamed has co-founded multiple community based organizations. One of those organizations, KWEA - Kwale Welfare And Education Association, works to influence optimal learning outcomes for underprivileged local children. Another,  SambaSports Youth Agenda, focuses on inspiring and influencing healthier behavior in adolescents and youth in Kenya. Mohamed is an expert in community development and is a mentor with 17 organizations, where he helps guide their program growth to reach more beneficiaries. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: LISK - Lifting Social Enterprises

Grassroots civic organizations dedicated to influencing positive change in health, economic empowerment, agriculture and mental health programming in Kenya received mentoring to enhance and improve their work. Through coaching and mentoring, the organizations improved their organizational skills to better achieve their missions. Training supported a total of 36 representatives from 18 organizations.  They honed their skills in the areas of governance, financial management and media visibility, among others. A staff member from the offices of the President of Kenya asked that similar mentorship be provided to 10 Nubian organizations in the slums of Kibera, Kenya.

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Mohamed participated in the IVLP Project: NGO Management I, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with Global Ties Arkansas, Global Ties Miami, GlobalPittsburgh, Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia, International Institute of Buffalo, WorldDenver, World Affairs Council of St. Louis, and the Georgia Council for International Visitors.

Mohamed's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "My IVLP Experience was exceptional! From gaining critical knowledge on foundational pillars of NGO management, to networking with the most passionate, skilled and transformative young leaders across the world; IVLP is just an exceptional tool for global leadership."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Little Rock, AK; Denver, CO; Washington DC; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; West Reading, PA

Country: Kenya

Click here to go back to the IVLP Impact Awards Main Page