Every year, the EDU Africa team collaborates to produce our Academic Reflection Report. This report provides an opportunity for us to reflect, both as individuals and as a team, on various facets of our partnerships and work; it also invites us to consider our impact and ensure that our work remains aligned with our purpose of transformation. Importantly, it allows us to share a unique perspective on the realities and rewards of study abroad across sub-Saharan Africa.The following feature is a specific article drawn from this year’s report. Written by Nicole Mostert, our South Africa Team Leader & Community Partnerships Specialist, this piece explores the synergy that happens when global learners and local leaders work side-by-side. These stories of mutual contribution serve as a reminder that the most significant lessons often emerge from shared effort and a common vision.
Just as a tapestry is woven together by an array of multicolored strands, a community engagement is the weaving together of different people for one beautiful cause. EDU Africa’s community partners invite students into their spaces, leading them through their rich work and mission. Students follow along, ready to learn and use their skills where needed. Faculty members, who steward and prepare their students to thrive, join in and impart their wisdom along the way. EDU Africa facilitators also support this collaborative process by offering their insights throughout the engagements. The weaving becomes rhythmic as each participant enjoys the space, their role, and the beauty of what is created through unity and understanding. Finally, everyone stands back to admire the rich tapestry created by the separate strands intentionally woven together in a mutually beneficial learning experience.
Throughout 2025, a significant number of our faculty-led higher education and school programs actively participated in community engagement initiatives. These programs encompassed various forms, including service learning, internships, and cultural interactions. Each year, we conduct a comprehensive process of collating feedback from all our partners. This is to ensure alignment, genuine support, and measurable impact for every participant. Our community partners shared the effect of these experiences in 2025:
Calton Marks, YMCA Athlone, South Africa:
“Community engagement with EDU Africa students this year was incredibly meaningful for both YMCA Athlone and the community, as the students brought fresh energy, valuable skills, and innovative ideas that supported and strengthened our programs. Through their involvement, they not only helped improve service delivery and develop new concepts but also gained first-hand exposure to grassroots community work and real-life challenges. […] What I loved most was their openness and willingness to learn, and I personally learned how powerful mutual learning and cross-cultural collaboration can be.”
Lizzie Adams, Antelope Park, Zimbabwe:
“One of the biggest things for Antelope Park is giving back to the community and realizing that we work/thrive in a community. […] Community engagement with EDU Africa this year has helped to enhance and enrich the various outreach projects that we are involved in. […] EDU Africa students were such a pleasure to host as they were so keen to learn and try out a lot of new things. It ignited the passion of why one chooses the tourism industry, as you see Zimbabwe through their eyes, and the excitement and wonder make you appreciate your work and country even more.”
Annabella Achitsa, Centre for Ecosystem Restoration - Kenya (CERK), Kenya:
“Hosting EDU Africa students has been a delight, as they consistently show great kindness and appreciation for our team, often leaving behind heartfelt notes of thanks. […] The partnership has bolstered our conservation efforts through the students’ active involvement in restoration tasks, ranging from seed cleaning to physical forest work. […] It was rewarding to witness their growing ecological awareness as they grasped how specific plant species enable our habitats to operate and thrive. Ultimately, their curiosity and diverse backgrounds enriched our scientific community, reinforcing the importance of our shared environmental goals.”
This article was written by Nicole Mostert. Nicole serves as our South African Team Leader, and our Community Partnerships specialist. Nicole has been involved in international education for as long as she can remember and has witnessed first-hand the mutual learning that is possible through intercultural experiences. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Social Work, and has a strong interest in ethical community development. She is passionate about social justice, supporting youth, and using stewardship as a vehicle for positive social and environmental change. She has a wealth of experience in international programming and provides valuable service learning and internship expertise to our wider team.
