By CTW Team
At USIU-Africa, students experience education beyond the classroom, encompassing leadership development, student life, and personal growth. When Clara Bernard Mushi, a fourth-year Bachelor of Pharmacy student and Mastercard Foundation Scholar, first stepped onto campus, she imagined her journey would be defined mainly by lectures, exams, and textbooks. Little did she know, the real lessons awaited beyond the classroom-in teamwork, challenges, and daring to step outside my comfort zone.
In 2025, she applied for the 2025 SDG Summer School, for which she was accepted, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for her. According to Clara, she encountered remarkable individuals, enhanced her confidence, and substantially developed her communication skills. She notes that although teamwork can pose challenges, this program imparted essential qualities of patience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning.
According to Clara, her inspiration to participate was influenced by Joyce Shabene, a close associate and fellow volunteer at DiceTheLifeCoach, where they mentor students and remind them, “You’re only a failure if you stop trying, but until then, you’re still a winner. Roll your dice.”
During the summer of 2025, Clara and her team took part in the SDG Summer School, through their Wetlands for Wellness project, for which they won first place. Their project focused on restoring Ondiri Wetland by combining Indigenous Knowledge with nature-based solutions to improve climate resilience and public health. Currently, they are expanding the project through citizen science, mentorship, and community training, with support from DiceTheLifeCoach, to develop life skills and create income opportunities for local youth. They are also conducting research aimed at publication, hoping to influence policies that protect the Ondiri Wetland. The team proceeded to present at the 2025 SDG Olympiad held on October 10-13 in Geneva, where they won a silver medal.
“This journey has taught me that true success is not measured solely by awards or accolades but by growth, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward despite obstacles,” Clara said. “Together with my team, we transformed a vision into action and turned challenges into opportunities,” she concluded.
