Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI)—a non-profit which provides bright young scholars in developing countries with university scholarships, leadership training, and support for their community projects will host a local presentation on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm at the Ridgewood YMCA, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey. WMI board members from the Ridgewood area will discuss their involvement and special guest speaker, Dr. Catherine Nagadya, a WMI Graduate Scholar from Uganda, will speak about her experiences as a medical doctor and community leader in her country.
After receiving a WMI scholarship that enabled her to complete her undergraduate medical degree, Dr. Nagadya became the Resident MD in charge at a health clinic in her region. She has led numerous service projects to help community members access healthcare and also launched a non-profit organization, “Girls Unstoppable Uganda,” helping girls access education and promoting their health and well-being.
Twenty-seven year old Dr. Nagadya is now pursuing a Master’s degree in surgery in Uganda while working as a medical officer for a hospital, with plans to become a pediatric surgeon.
WMI was founded in 2005 by Thomas Wells, partner at Wells, Jaworski and Liebman LLC in Paramus, with help from family members and major financial support from David Bolger of Ridgewood, who passed away in January 2019. WMI board members organizing the upcoming event include Bob Jones, Rick Claydon and Ernie Lamour of Ridgewood, Phil Wells of Park Ridge, and Bob and Marianne Dill, formerly of Franklin Lakes and, more recently, Spring Lake, NJ.
Bob Jones, CEO Emeritus at Children’s Aid and Family Services, noted “I find WMI’s community building through investments in the higher education of young and emerging leaders enormously compelling and exciting, both in its impact on individuals and communities, and the message it conveys about a United States culture that is compassionate and caring.”
The event, themed Young Leaders- Catalysts for Global Change, will include a brief video about WMI, which has provided 345 scholars from 42 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond with university scholarships in their home countries, leadership training, and fellowship programs. WMI also offers micro-grants for scholar-led community development projects which help many others in these regions.
WMI scholarships are awarded to those with top academic talent, financial need, and commitment to community service. Scholars volunteer 100+ hours annually while enrolled in college. After graduation, they continue to volunteer and become employed in vitally needed fields in their home countries, such as healthcare, education, law, social services, the environment, and more. Many have even launched their own non-profit organizations.
Tom Wells noted, “More than scholarships alone, we support young people along a journey, providing them with opportunities to collaborate, lead, serve, and to dream big as they become change agents in their communities, nations and our world.”
All are welcome to attend WMI’s free event at the Ridgewood YMCA, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey on Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 pm. For more information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities with Wells Mountain Initiative, visit wellsmountaininitiative.org or call 802-453-4065 Ext. 45.
You’ll find more Ridgewood, New Jersey area events information on the mybergen.com Events Calendar!
