Capstone Fellowship Program
The Capstone Fellowship Program is a key initiative of Education Matters, stemming from the USAP Community School's Capstone Projects class. This program empowers the USAP Community School graduating students (U6 students) to turn their well researched project solutions into real-world solutions and actually implement them thus positively impacting their communities in Zimbabwe.

Research Methodology
The Research Methodology course is a foundational component of the Capstone Fellowship Program, equipping students with essential skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This course emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to research, teaching students how to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and utilize various research tools effectively. By the end of the course, students are expected to have a solid understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, preparing them to tackle complex community issues with evidence-based solutions.

Research & Showcase
The Capstone Research and Showcase phase is a pivotal moment in the program where students synthesize their research findings into a compelling narrative. This stage involves not only the completion of their research papers but also the preparation for a public presentation. Students are encouraged to refine their communication skills, ensuring they can effectively convey the significance and potential impact of their projects to a diverse audience. The showcase serves as a platform for students to demonstrate their academic achievements and the practical applications of their work, fostering a sense of accomplishment and readiness for future challenges.

Capstone Fellowship
The Capstone Fellowship is the culmination of the program, offering students the opportunity to implement their research projects in real-world settings. This phase is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and practical application, providing fellows with the resources and support needed to bring their innovative solutions to life. Participants receive mentorship from industry experts, access to a network of professionals, and seed funding to kickstart their initiatives. The fellowship not only enhances their professional skills but also empowers them to make a tangible impact in their communities.
What You Can Expect from the Fellowship
As a participant, you will immerse yourself in a transformative experience that fosters personal and professional growth. Expect to collaborate with peers and mentors while contributing to meaningful projects.
- Participate in weekly virtual meetings to share progress, challenges, and plans.
- Attend speaker sessions by industry experts and alumni to enhance skills and broaden perspectives.
- Drive projects towards sustainability with the goal of long-term impact.
- Participate in an in-person mid-program retreat, collaborating with other fellows and refining their projects.
- Onboard the next generation of leaders, ensuring the continued impact of their work beyond the fellowship.

Featured Capstone Projects
Stay informed with the latest Education Matters News and updates.

Reimagining Rural Education
Jacquelline Nyakunu's initiative tackles educational inequality in Zimbabwe by founding SURG, which mentors and supports rural students, especially girls at risk, to promote equal learning opportunities.
In 2022, Jacquelline Nyakunu set out to confront one of Zimbabwe’s deepest divides: the gap between rural and urban education. Her Capstone Project, Reimagining Rural Education: Building a Bridge Between the Rural-Urban Education Gap in Zimbabwe, began as a research initiative and has grown into a thriving organization called Start-Up for Rural Gen (SURG).
SURG works with students aged 10–19, providing mentorship, academic support, and life skills, with a special focus on girls at risk of child marriage or early pregnancy. The program tackles systemic barriers such as poverty, limited subject offerings, and poor infrastructure, ensuring that rural students have access to the same opportunities as their urban peers.
By 2025, SURG is supporting tuition for 20 students, distributing learning materials and uniforms to more than 50 others, and operating across Zimbabwe and Kenya. From schools like Bumini Primary in Kenya to Mt. Matedze Secondary in Zimbabwe, the impact is tangible.
What started as a student project has evolved into a cross-border movement that challenges cycles of poverty through education. Jacquelline’s vision has inspired communities, showing that when students are equipped with resources and encouragement, they can change the course of their own futures.

Aborting Ignorance
Mitchelle Mamombe's project confronts teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Through UNBOUNDED, she educates and empowers young girls, fostering leadership and self-reliance.
In 2023, Mitchelle Mamombe launched Aborting Ignorance: The Rise in Teenage Pregnancies and Their Termination in Gweru, Zimbabwe, a Capstone Project that took on the urgent issue of unsafe abortions and early pregnancies. Her solution was UNBOUNDED—an educational and skills-based club “for the girl child, by the girl child.”
UNBOUNDED empowers girls aged 10–18 through a combination of sex education, leadership training, and practical skills. At Matinunura High School in Gweru, 35 members are now learning coding, research methods, and even science-based entrepreneurship projects like water purification. By blending learning with empowerment, Mitchelle is reshaping how young women see themselves and their potential.
Her work quickly gained recognition. Now a student at Pomona College, Mitchelle has received both the Projects for Peace and Donald A. Strauss Foundation awards. Local teachers and organizations such as Girls in Tech Zimbabwe have rallied behind UNBOUNDED, helping the club grow into a space where girls develop confidence and resilience.
Mitchelle’s vision is rooted in the belief that scientific knowledge and social change go hand in hand. By giving young women the tools to lead, she is creating a generation of changemakers determined to challenge societal barriers and rewrite their own narratives.

Art, Language, and HIV Awareness
Kudzaishe Chaonwa's project explores the intersection of art, language, and healthcare, focusing on improving antiretroviral therapy adherence among elderly HIV-positive patients in Chipinge.
A graduate of USAP Community School in 2023, Kudzaishe Chaonwa combined his love of photography and film with a passion for healthcare in his Capstone Project: A Study of the Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence for HIV-Positive Geriatric Patients in Chipinge.
Recognizing that misinformation and stigma were preventing elderly patients from following treatment, Kudzaishe partnered with the National AIDS Council and local NGOs to produce telehealth videos in the Ndau language. His creative approach brought accurate, culturally relevant information directly into marginalized communities—through both digital platforms and in-person screenings using his own equipment.
The project’s success led to ongoing collaboration with NAC and earned him a role as a Junior Medical Academy ambassador. Now at Brown University, Kudzaishe continues his mission as a Sprint Fellow, contributing to global research on HIV care delivery in Uganda and among incarcerated populations.
From community screenings in Chipinge to research presentations alongside Johns Hopkins and Brown School of Public Health, his journey shows how creativity and compassion can bridge gaps in public health. Kudzaishe’s work proves that when local voices lead the conversation, even the most entrenched challenges can be met with innovation and hope.
Interested in implementing a capstone program at your school?
The Capstone Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for organizations to engage with talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. By partnering with us, you can access a pool of innovative thinkers ready to tackle real-world challenges and contribute to meaningful projects.
