{"id":1000955,"date":"2026-02-05T17:09:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/?p=1000955"},"modified":"2026-02-05T17:12:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:12:14","slug":"hanna-nyamal-yohanis-finding-purpose-through-education-and-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/hanna-nyamal-yohanis-finding-purpose-through-education-and-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"Hanna Nyamal Yohanis: Finding purpose through education and opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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By Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Before becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, many opportunities felt distant for Hanna Nyamal Yohanis, a Class of 2024 Bachelor of Arts in International Relations alumna. According to her, there were doors she could see, but never imagined knocking on. Today, those same doors are open. This transition did not happen by chance but was shaped by education, mentorship, and real-world exposure that transformed uncertainty into purpose.<\/p>

As a refugee, her journey has been shaped by displacement, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to education. Before joining the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa, her refugee status significantly limited her access to higher education, professional networks, and career opportunities. Like many refugees, she navigated financial hardship, interrupted learning, and the constant pressure to support her family while striving to build a future.<\/p>

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program became a turning point. It offered not only academic support but also a safe space to grow personally and professionally. Through the Program, Hanna pursued her degree with confidence, knowing she had mentors, peers, and institutional backing that believed in her potential.<\/p>

Before graduating, she had already secured an internship that aligned closely with her field of study and lived experience. Working with World University Service of Canada was a win, and it opened many opportunities for Hanna. This opportunity allowed her to work directly with communities affected by displacement, applying classroom knowledge to real-life challenges in the field. Interacting with the refugee communities felt like she was giving back in the best way possible.<\/p>

Accessing this opportunity was made possible through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program\u2019s career guidance, professional development sessions, and strong referral networks. Resume writing workshops, interview preparation, leadership training, and exposure to practical fieldwork played a critical role in preparing her for the workplace.<\/p>

\u201cI entered the professional space feeling prepared and confident,\u201d said Hanna. \u201cBeyond technical skills, the program strengthened my communication abilities, teamwork, adaptability, and ethical leadership skills through the mandatory Transformative Leadership Training (TLT). This proved essential in a fast-paced and often challenging work environment,\u201d she added.<\/p>

She admitted that as a refugee graduate, the transition into employment was not without challenges. Limited professional networks, documentation constraints, and the pressure to prove her competence in competitive spaces were constant realities. In the field, she also encountered emotionally demanding situations that required resilience and professionalism.<\/p>

What made the difference was the support she received. Mentorship from Program staff, encouragement from peers, and a strong sense of purpose helped her navigate these obstacles. Hanna learned to advocate for herself, seek guidance when needed, and remain grounded in her goals. These experiences significantly transformed her professional confidence and outlook. Even before graduating, she secured a position with the International Rescue Committee, an organization she had long admired for its values and principles, which closely align with her own. Shortly thereafter, she joined Coalition for Humanity, a national organization that entrusted her with a managerial role, which has allowed Hanna to see herself as a capable professional, bringing both valuable skills and lived experience to her work.<\/p>

Hannah\u2019s journey has also had a ripple effect within her community. It has inspired other young refugees, especially women and girls, to believe that higher education and meaningful employment are attainable. Representation matters, and my progress has become a source of hope.<\/p>

Looking ahead, she is committed to deepening her impact in the humanitarian and development sector. Her goal is to continue building expertise, grow professionally, and contribute to programs that protect, empower, and uplift displaced and vulnerable communities. She aspires to take on leadership roles where she can influence policy, design inclusive programs, and mentor other young refugees. Hanna\u2019s advice to the current refugee scholars preparing for internships or employment is to believe in their value. Use every opportunity the program offers, be it training, mentorship, or internships, to build their confidence. \u201cDo not underestimate the power of your lived experience; it is a strength, not a limitation,\u201d she stated.<\/p>

Her message to employers, partners, and funders is that investing in refugee talent is not charity; it is smart, sustainable development. Refugees bring resilience, innovation, and deep community insight to the workplace. With the right support, they do not just succeed individually; they uplift families, strengthen communities, and contribute meaningfully to societies that give them a chance.<\/h3>

\u201cFor me, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa was the key that unlocked doors I once believed were forever closed. Walking through those doors has changed my life, and I am just getting started,\u201d Hanna concluded.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Before becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, many opportunities felt distant for Hanna Nyamal Yohanis, a Class of 2024 Bachelor of Arts in International Relations alumna. According to her, there were doors she could see, but never imagined knocking on. Today, those same doors are open. This transition did not happen…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1000966,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1000955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mastercard-foundation-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1000955"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1000974,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000955\/revisions\/1000974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1000966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1000955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1000955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/197.137.64.198\/mainsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1000955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}