Benjamin Tumwesigye
Student
Benjamin Tumwesigye, born on May 5th, 2005, is currently a student at the International School of Uganda, graduating with the Class of '24. He advocates for the idea that fostering strong communities is the key to addressing the fundamental question of our place and purpose in the world. In his presentation, he offers a roadmap for cultivating inclusive and cohesive communities, drawing inspiration from a proverb in his culture: “Abatiganda Nibatongana tibombeka” – those who are not brothers do not build. Beyond high school, Benjamin aspires to delve deeper into International Relations and Political Science, aiming to enhance his comprehension of social dynamics and contribute to global cohesion.
Chantal Kasekende
Student
Chantal is a 15-year-old black woman passionate about writing and performing spoken word poetry. She uses her spoken words as a medium to speak about the topics she feels strongly about, including racial injustice and gender inequality. She uses her poetry to be the voice for the voiceless. Her goal is to invoke change in those who take the time to listen. She believes in the power of words and influence and looks up to poets like Maya Angelou, Lucille Clifton and Langston Hughes. She hopes to one day make a difference and see a world where everyone is treated equally no matter what colour and gender they are.
Diana Nelson
Humanitarian
Diana Nelson is the Global Advocacy Director at Days for Girls International where she focuses on developing policy environments that support women, girls, and people who menstruate with the knowledge and products they need to manage their periods, including the establishment of washables standards and comprehensive menstrual health education. A leader in menstrual health coalition building, she serves on the leadership team for the African Coalition for Menstrual Health (ACMHM), on the Advocacy and Policy Task Committee for the Global Menstrual Collective, and represents DfG on several other coalitions. She helped launch the South Africa Menstrual Health and Hygiene Coalition and advocated to the Cambodian government to pilot menstrual health education in their national curriculum.
Harper Layng
Student
Harper Layng is a student at ISU, marking the sixth school she has attended, with Uganda being the eighth country she has resided in. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, she has travelled Africa extensively, with a brief stay in Asia. Her family's involvement with the US embassy has facilitated these global relocations. Harper is proficient in three official languages: Portuguese from Mozambique, Kiswahili from Tanzania, and French from Congo. However, she admits to having forgotten two of them over time. Her life as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) has given in her a profound passion for a global perspective and worldview, shaped by her unique experiences.
Nyaliet Riek Gai
Student
Nyaliet Riek Gai, hailing from North and East Africa, resonates deeply with the Swahili saying, "waotaji kusukuma jamii mbele," or "a dreamer pushes society forward." Raised in these regions, she founded the East African Human Rights and Wildlife Youth Project (EAHWYP) to support disabled children, orphans, and animal shelters. Despite her South Sudanese passport, her passion for public speaking and advocacy embodies the African spirit. Grateful for being chosen as a TEDx speaker in grade 11, she emphasizes in her speech that individual dreams can help foster compassion and community involvement.