By Joyce Shabene

Joyce Shabene, a third-year Bachelor of Pharmacy student and Mastercard Foundation Scholar put USIU-Africa on the map after leading her team to victory at the 2024 SDG Olympiad in Paris. Competing against 12 universities worldwide, Joyce’s team clinched the award for “Best Contributions to Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience” for their innovative project, Mission Malaria-Free.

The SDG Olympiad is a prestigious global competition that brings together students to tackle pressing environmental and health challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Olympiad Award Event took place in Paris on 25-26 September, where the most promising teams met at the Learning Planning Institute, in the heart of Paris, following the Paris 2024 Olympics. They received expert coaching to move their projects towards the social and environmental impact that they want to achieve.

For Joyce and her team, made up of Lillian Letingiso and Ouko Reagan Jowi, the journey began at the Summer School hosted by Citizen Science Africa at USIU-Africa, where they first showcased their groundbreaking solution to malaria prevention.

Their project, Mission Malaria-Free, caught the attention of the judges for its unique approach. The team utilizes local plant species such as lemongrass and rosemary as natural mosquito repellents. Not only are these plants eco-friendly, but they can also be used to create locally produced larvicides that kill mosquito larvae in breeding sites. The project empowers communities by teaching them how to grow these plants, make larvicides, and protect themselves from malaria in an environmentally sustainable way.

“Zero Malaria, Zero Breeding Sites” is the ambitious slogan driving Joyce and her teammates, Lillian Letingiso and Ouko Reagan Jowi, as they work towards a malaria-free future. At the SDG Olympiad, Joyce had the honor of presenting their project to an international audience, where it garnered global recognition for its practical, nature-driven approach to malaria prevention.

“This award is not just for us but for all the communities who can benefit from simple, sustainable solutions to combat malaria,” said Joyce, reflecting on the project’s potential. “We believe that Mission Malaria-Free can scale up and make an even bigger impact.”

As a passionate advocate for healthcare and sustainable development, Joyce’s commitment to creating lasting change through nature-based solutions shines through in her work. The global recognition from the SDG Olympiad is a testament to her team's dedication and the potential of young innovators to lead the way in addressing critical health challenges.

The team is ready to take the project to the next level and is seeking collaborators, organizations, and institutions that share their vision of a malaria-free world.