UN Women Singapore and MasterCard Unveil Ghanaian among 10 Finalists for Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World

The Singapore National Committee for UN Women (UN Women Singapore) and MasterCard have unveiled the top 10 finalists for Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World. Launched in commemoration of the 100th year of International Women’s Day, Project Inspire is a worldwide platform for socially-inspired 18-35 year-olds. This initiative gives youth from around the world the chance to empower disadvantaged women or girls in Asia/Pacific, Middle East or Africa.Youth representing 50 countries from around the world submitted hundreds of life-changing ideas as 5-minute pitch videos (or written proposals) for a chance to win a US$25,000 grant. The grant will be used to bring to life the winning idea through education, skills training, financial inclusion or social entrepreneurship.

Odelia Ofori, a Ghanaian and an Associate of the Green Ghana Volunteers program of Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa has been selected among the top ten finalists invited to Singapore to pitch the inspired ideas in front of a judging panel, including today’s top global development and social entrepreneurial experts, and social advocates in Singapore on 24 August 2011. Her project is the only African originated and tackles problem of Malnutrition, Poverty and Climate Change.

In a brief interview with an elated Odelia, she expressed gratitude to the UN Women Singapore and MasterCard for believing in the project to transform lives of disadvantaged women and girls in Ghana. In an answer to a question on what makes her project unique, she stated, the project works directly to achieve five core aspects of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These include: Ending Poverty and Hunger, Gender Equality, Child Health, Maternal Health and Environmental Sustainability.

Readers can cast their vote for Odelia Ofori by clicking here http://5minutestochangetheworld.org/finalist/4

By Portia Adwoa Siaw/ngonewsafrica.org