Happy International Human Rights Day

10 December is an important day for Watipa – and for the world. It is a mark of remembrance of universal human rights, including the right to education, for everyone, everywhere. It was on this day in 2016 that we announced the very first Watipa scholarships. We have come a long way since then.

Today, 8 years later, we are proud to present the latest in the Watipa podcast series – A Story for Life – with Emmanuel Boateng Duah, one of the original Watipa scholars and graduate of Development Studies, in Ghana. We are proud of all that Boateng continues to achieve. He is a bright shining star for the future of his community.

”No matter what anyone tells you, education has value. It has the ability to improve your life and career, and it gives you the knowledge to become a better, more informed, citizen. Through education, you gain a voice in the world.”

Emmanuel Boateng Duah, Watipa graduate, Ghana

In the podcast, you can Boateng offer a skill to share with other Watipa scholars and alumni – he feels that communications is essential to help all Watipa scholars to achieve their goals. He talks about learning in life always to be humble and truthful. In education, he suggests that we all should not be afraid to unlearn everything we have ever learnt and to forge our own paths. His advice for Watipa scholars is to network with peers to build connections.

You can listen to the podcasts on Spotify or Anchor for free.

We are also delighted to announce today that a new round of Watipa scholarships will be offered in Malawi in 2023. The applications will open shortly, and the programme will be administered in partnership with Mwatipasa. 

Education – a process of empowerment

Listen to the second episode of ‘a story for everything’, the latest Watipa podcast released today.

In this episode, listen to the wise advice from Peter Taylor, one of the founding trustees of Watipa and the Director of Research of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex in Brighton, United Kingdom.

“Education is a process of empowerment through knowledge that leads to growth, change and transformation. It’s not just about receiving knowledges but it’s an enlightening experience.”

Peter Taylor

Skill to share? Participation.

Most important thing ever learned? Importance of relationships. Take care of people and take care of yourself.

Advice for Watipa scholars? Just do it, you always learn something.

Peter, inspired by Maya Angelou, also explains how people do not remember what you say but how you made them feel.

Peter Taylor is a musician, agriculturalist, educationalist and researcher. He has lived and worked in Botswana, Vietnam, Canada and the United Kingdom. Previously Peter was Director, Strategic Development, at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada where he was responsible for leading IDRC’s strategic planning processes.

Listen for free on Anchor or on Spotify.