Antoinette Zoumanigui, C’17, and Selamawit Bekele, C’17, have won a Presiden't Engagement Prize for Project Y.V.E.T.A.   
Antoinette and Selamawit are spearheading Project Y.V.E.T.A. (Youth for Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture), a school that will empower the marginalized youth of Senegal called Talibés.  In partnership with the Senegalese Ministry of Agriculture, Project Y.V.E.T.A. will provide Talibés with an education focused on improving numeracy and literacy skills while also providing technical training in agriculture and agri-entrepreneurship.  Project Y.V.E.T.A.’s integration of traditional education with vocational skills is the first of its kind in Senegal.  Antoinette and Selamawit are being mentored by Cheikh Babou, Associate Professor of History.

President’s Engagement Prizes are competitively awarded annually to Penn seniors to design and undertake post-graduation projects that make a positive, lasting difference in the world. Each recipient is awarded a $50,000 living stipend, as well as up to $100,000 in project implementation funds.

Congratulations!