Princeton in Africa
Princeton in Africa (PiAf) is a nonprofit organization that selects recent college graduates to work as Princeton in Africa Fellows at a variety of organizations in Africa. Princeton in Africa Fellows accept yearlong service fellowships in numerous fields, including humanitarian aid, public health, education, conservation, social entrepreneurship, and microfinance.
Princeton in Africa CREATES an excellent opportunity for both partner organizations and Fellows, where organizations enjoy access to an exceptionally motivated and talented group of young people, and Fellows gain a unique experience in Africa that translates into a lifelong commitment to African affairs and service.
While it is an affiliate of Princeton University, PiAf is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is not funded by Princeton University; rather, it relies on the continued generosity of corporations, foundations, and individuals to make its fellowship opportunities possible.
History
PiAf was founded in 1999 by a group of Princeton alumni, faculty, and staff. Inspired by Princeton University’s informal motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations,” PiAf selects highly qualified and motivated graduating seniors and young alumni to carry out its mission. That mission is “to develop young leaders committed to Africa’s advancement.”
Countries
To date, Princeton in Africa (PiAf) has placed over 200 fellows in 28 countries across the African continent, including:
• Angola
• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• DR Congo
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia
Partner Organizations
PiAf Fellows have worked with over 40 organizations in the past. This year, 25 recent graduates were selected to work with the following organizations in 16 countries:
• 2iE (International Institute for Water & Environment Engineering)
• African Impact
• African Leadership Academy
• Africare
• Bristol-Myers Squibb/Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative
• International Rescue Committee
• Invisible Children Inc.
• KOMAZA
• Kucetekela Foundation
• Lutheran World Federation
• mothers2mothers
• Mpala Wildlife Federation
• Plan International
• U.N. World Food Program
Accomplishments
PiAf Fellows act as everyday ambassadors in a time when building bridges between cultures is critical. They also inform, inspire, and engage a wide network of friends, family, and interested individuals about Africa today. PiAf Fellows are dedicated to the advancement of Africa and have made numerous accomplishments during their fellowships. Recently, Princeton in Africa Fellows have:
• Led an Africa-wide conference on women’s issues and coordinated political party and legislative trainings in Sudan
• Run cultural orientation programs to prepare Eritrean and Somali refugees for re-settlement in the US
• Provided microloans to help farmers in Kenya increase their production and profits
• Taught primary and secondary school students English, math, science, computer literacy, and basic health
• Conceived and implemented a community outreach program for health clinics in Lesotho
• Founded a library and solicited donations of about 5,000 books for primary schools across Tanzania