In an era where education remains out of reach for many in sub-Saharan Africa due to the digital divide, a team of innovative students from Africa University’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, with special support from the i5Hub, has developed a ground-breaking solution: FUNDISA, an SMS-based educational chatbot.
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Computer Science students Vimbai Majaha, Natalie Masvikeni, and Olivia Watungwa won the top prize at the recent prestigious UbuntuNet Alliance Women’s Hackathon in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, earning a cash award of US$2,500. FUNDISA aims to deliver instant, curriculum-aligned explanations to students who lack internet access, but have feature phones with SMS functionality. The chatbot enables students to simply send a text to a short code to receive educational support in both English and Shona, a feature that highlights the project’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
The trio envisions FUNDISA as a scalable solution for education across the continent, starting with primary education and gradually expanding to secondary levels. To broaden FUNDISA’s impact, the team aspires to collaborate with government, local mobile service providers, and international agencies.
“At i5Hub, our mission is to nurture talent and foster a spirit of innovation that prepares our students to become problem-solvers for Africa’s unique challenges,” says Ms. Yolanda Washaya, Innovation Manager at Africa University. The student’s success in creating FUNDISA speaks volumes about the supportive, creative environment at i5Hub, which encourages empowers innovators to tackle real-world issues through cutting-edge solutions. This achievement is more than a competition victory; it signifies Africa University’s dedication to cultivating young leaders equipped to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.
“This win not only celebrates our students’ ingenuity, but it also sends a powerful message to Africa, showcasing the future leaders and innovators that we are nurturing here,” Ms Washaya said.
Natalie Masvikeni recalls her disbelief and joy when Team Zimbabwe was announced as the first-place winner. “It was one of the best moments of my life,” she says.
“The competition was fierce, and I felt honoured to compete with such talented women from different countries. Winning wasn’t just for Team Zimbabwe; it was a win for all the communities that will benefit from FUNDISA’s impact on education.”
Natalie’s excitement is shared by her teammate Vimbai Majaha, who describes the experience as transformative. “When we started, we barely knew each other. Now, we’re like family. Sitting in conference rooms with industry leaders, learning about advancements in Africa’s tech world, and building friendships with fellow contestants was humbling and inspiring,” she said.
Olivia Watungwa, reflected on the journey with similar enthusiasm. “The UbuntuNet Women’s Hackathon was an incredible experience I didn’t foresee at the beginning of the year. Competing with such a talented group and winning first place was exhilarating. Beyond the intense coding and problem-solving, the networking opportunities and exposure to industry leaders were invaluable. This experience wasn’t just about winning—it was about the knowledge gained, the skills developed and the connections made along the way. Representing Zimbabwe and Africa University in such a prestigious setting is a memory I’ll always cherish,” she said.
With its unique blend of accessibility, cultural relevance and educational value, FUNDISA is well-positioned to change the landscape of education for rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
Story by Juliet Sithole, Africa University website, Zimbabwe, Africa
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Africa University Fund transforms Africa by educating and empowering students from across the continent through Africa University, the first fully accredited, United Methodist-related educational institution on the continent. The Africa University Fund supports the general operating expenses of Africa University including faculty and staff salaries and vital infrastructure. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Africa University Fund at 100 percent.
