ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.

UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT ALLIE UMWALI, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
University of Rwanda Huye | Butare, Rwanda | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 4 & UNAI 3

" "I am excited to be a Millennium Fellow because it provides a unique platform to amplify the voice of youth and drive meaningful change. Through the Heza Initiative, I am committed to empowering teenagers with vital knowledge about reproductive health, enabling them to make informed decisions and build brighter futures. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience." "
Millennium Fellowship Project: HEZA Initiative
Unplanned pregnancies pose significant challenges for teenagers in Rwanda, often hindering their education and future prospects. Many affected girls face dire consequences, including abortion or severe emotional distress. The Heza Initiative aims to address these issues by providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education to secondary school girls, particularly in the Rwanda's 12-year basic education schools. Heza initiative will conduct awareness campaigns to re-establish the importance of girls' rooms in schools, which are often neglected and stigmatized. The initiative will educate both boys and girls about respect for each other's uniqueness and provide essential hygiene supplies like pads and soaps. Sessions will be split into two parts: one for all students, and another exclusively for girls. The foundation will also distribute informative posters and cards with resources for further inquiries. Inspired by personal stories, such as that of Clarisse who is like my own sister, she faced early pregnancies due to lack of knowledge ,guidance and support. Menya seeks to tackle all of that struggles and create a safe environment for future generations. By starting in districts with high teenage pregnancy rates, the initiative aims for over 95% participation and will use feedback questionnaires to assess knowledge and improve outcomes.
About the Millennium Fellow
Allie Umwali is a second-year medical student at the University of Rwanda, driven by a passion for creating social impact. Her commitment to improving the lives of young people stems from her experiences in Rwanda's twelve-year education system, where she witnessed many of her female classmates drop out due to unplanned pregnancies, often resulting from a lack of information about sexual and reproductive health. In response to this pressing issue, Allie founded the Heza Initiative, which aims to equip teenagers with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions and prevent unplanned pregnancies.












