The Christopher Brodigan Fund was established in memory of Christopher Brodigan, a Wesleyan student who died in an accident in his frosh year. The Fund pays tribute to Christopher’s deep interest in Africa and to the public service he provided through teaching in Botswana prior to entering Wesleyan. Awards will be made to graduating Wesleyan seniors (first priority) and recent Wesleyan graduates who plan to pursue public service or research (in that order of preference) on the African continent.
Students from any discipline are encouraged to submit applications proposing a public service or research project. Service projects should be carefully designed to provide some form of valuable assistance to people in Africa. Students may propose to provide service in educational institutions, development organizations, grassroots groups, or non-governmental organizations pursuing service work. Research projects will be supported especially if it is likely to provide concrete benefits to African society or to contribute to the student’s ability to serve African interests in some capacity.
Several awards averaging $3,000 each will be offered. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with a member of the African Studies faculty (see Faculty listing on this website) while formulating their proposals. Recipients are required to submit reports on their projects once they are completed.
Applications should include:
- a proposal explaining the project and how it will be carried out, including a description of the sponsoring organization (maximum of 2 pages). If appropriate, proposals should address any concerns regarding safety or political sensitivity.
- a budget, including airfare and room and board costs (1 page)
- a resume, including a listing and description of relevant Wesleyan coursework or other experiences
- the name of one faculty member who can serve as a reference for you and for your project
Applications (paper copies only) should be submitted to the Head of the African Studies Committee, Assistant Professor Lorelle Semley, History Department, Public Affairs Center, Room 113, by 4pm Friday, April 2, 2010. Awards will be announced prior to graduation.
Previous Recipients
2009
- Sarah Bell, Southern Africa, “Grassroots Soccer, Inc.”
- Portia Chipenda, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, “The Bursary for Economically Challenged Kids (BECK)”
- Jessica Posner, Nairobi, Kenya, “The Kibera School for Girls Community Project”
2008
- Nate Ash-Morgan, Cape Coast, Ghana, “Development of the Sankofa Center for African Arts”
- Devon Golaszewski, Bamako, Mali, “Community-Based Health Financing with Mali Health Organizing Project (MHOP)”
- Jettie Word, Yaounde, Cameroon, “Combatting Education Deficiencies at the Center for Communal Skill Building”
2007
- Heather Craig, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, “Video Education with the Dogodogo Centre for Children’s Rights“
- Gabrielle Fondiller, Likoni, Kenya, “Research of Micro-enterprises, and Expansion of Likoni Scholarship Fund”
- Peter Glidden, Beposo Village, Ghana, “Building a School in Beposo“
2006
- Andrew Aprile, Madagascar, “Valiha High Scheme”
- Genevieve Edens, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, “Affordable, and Sustainable, Housing in dar es Salaam” (Women’s Advancement Trust)
- Una Osato, Durban, South Africa, DramAidE
2005
- Lindsay Clarke, Cameroon, English Language Instruction in Francophone Cameroon, Dschang (Breaking Ground)
- Lee Grodin, Nigeria, Addressing HIV/AIDS through Educating the Community, Abjua
- Ana Weibgen, South Africa, We Help Our Children, Wentworth
2004
- Samuel Bathrick, Ghana, The Gina International School Photo Project, Medina (Deviwo Projects)
- Carl Cervone, Tanzania, Expanding Agro-Forestry and Soil Conservation in collaboration with The Multi-Environmental Society (MESO), Kambi ya Simba
- Lindsay Reynolds, South Africa, HIV/AIDS Prevention with Project Empower, Durban
2003
- Lee Coryell, Nigeria, Positive Living Program, Abuja
- Coleen Galbraith, Kenya, AIDS relief work with the International Community for the Relief of Starvation and Suffering, Nakuru
- Katie Glick, Ghana, Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment and the Ark Foundation, Accra
- Piper Sledge, Tanzania, Emosui Project, Arusha region
2002
- Josh Dankoff, Nigeria, “Young Men’s AIDS Education Program,” Abuja
- Danielle Heard, Tanzania, Tanzania Gender Networking Program, Dar es Salaam
2001
- Nicole Stremlau, Ethiopia, Tigray Development Association/Writer with “The Reporter” (newspaper), Addis Ababa
- Monique Coquoz, Burkina Faso, Comunita’ Impegno Servizio Volontariato
- Christopher Jeffries, South Africa, Joint Centre for Political and Economic Studies, Johannesburg
- Myra Sessions, Botswana, Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust
2000
- Malaika Syphertt, Ghana, “Combating Child Labor Through Education”
- Sarah Wilcox, South Africa, Centre for Conflict Resolution, Cape Town
1999
- Daniela Lewy, Tanzania, “Beyond the Limits: From the Tanzanian Streets to the Tanzanian Trails”
- Rachel A. Quinn, Ghana, “Human Resource Development: Teaching in a Primary School in a Rural Ewe Community”
- Johanne Severin, Mozambique, Mozambican Association for the Development of the Family (member of the umbrella group Pathfinder’s Program)
1998
- Sarah Bowers, Zimbabwe, Mbuya Nehanda Training Centre (home for former street children and AIDS orphans)
- Rachel Wellborn, Zimbabwe, Harare Children’s Home (Steve Katz Foundation)
