Women-led · Youth-driven
Girls in Science. Women in Leadership. Communities in Action.
WAVENA Initiative helps girls in rural and underserved schools learn science by doing it, work with women mentors, and build practical solutions to problems in their own communities.
Our guiding principle
Nothing about girls without girls.
Girls help shape activities, choose project challenges, give feedback and take leadership roles. They take part as co-designers, peer educators, innovators and advocates, never only as beneficiaries.
From classroom to innovation and leadership
- School outreach
- Science clubs
- Mentorship
- Project development
- Showcase
- Recognition
- Opportunity
About WAVENA
A women-led initiative for girls' science, health and leadership
WAVENA Initiative works to expand girls' access to practical science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning, mentorship and leadership. Its wider mission connects education with women's health, gender equality, environmental action, inclusion and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
Our vision
A world where every girl and woman can access education, health information, science, technology and opportunities to help build an inclusive, safe and climate-resilient future.
Our mission
To equip girls and women with knowledge, practical skills, technology, mentorship and opportunities to become confident leaders and changemakers in their communities.
The need we address
Girls in rural and underserved communities may have fewer chances to use science equipment, practise digital skills, meet women working in STEM or learn about STEM careers.
Few resources
Limited equipment, learning materials and digital access make hands-on science hard to practise.
Few role models
Girls may rarely meet women in STEM or hear about careers they could follow.
Social barriers
Gender stereotypes, disability-related access barriers and safety concerns can reduce confidence and continued participation.
WAVENA's response is to bring regular, practical STEM learning closer to girls through school clubs, accessible materials, mentors and community-linked projects, and to invite girls to choose issues they care about and explore age-appropriate solutions.
What WAVENA stands for
Women-led, with women STEM mentors at the centre.
Low-cost materials and school-based delivery for under-resourced settings.
Girls choose challenges, give feedback and present their work.
Projects can tackle water, waste and climate challenges.
Mentors, peers and partners who stay connected.
Practical solutions tested and shared in real communities.
Flagship programme
WAVENA Girls Science & Innovation Challenge
A practical, school-based STEM education and mentorship programme that helps girls learn by doing, solve local problems, and see themselves as future scientists, technologists and innovators. It is planned as a 24-month programme; final school numbers and targets will be confirmed with partners.
What girls take part in
Hands-on science, technology, teamwork and problem-solving sessions on a schedule agreed with each school.
Reusable kits and locally available materials make experiments possible where specialist equipment is scarce.
Women studying or working in STEM share career journeys, answer questions and support project teams.
Teams pick a local challenge, research it, design a simple solution or prototype, test it safely and document what they learn.
Girls present projects at a school or joint showcase and receive constructive feedback.
Rotating roles such as team lead, recorder, presenter or peer supporter; returning participants encourage new members.
Project themes girls can choose
Water and hygiene
Reduce water waste, improve awareness of safe storage or communicate hygiene information.
Environment and climate
School waste audits, reuse and recycling ideas, tree-care monitoring or local climate-awareness tools.
Health information
Age-appropriate, evidence-based awareness tools developed with suitable adult guidance and referrals where needed.
Digital problem-solving
Digital stories, presentations, data collection or offline-friendly learning resources.
Projects are educational prototypes, not a substitute for professional medical, engineering or environmental services. Activities involving tools, experiments, personal data or community testing have adult supervision and safety procedures.
The 24-month plan
- Months 1–3
Prepare
Confirm schools and focal teachers, consult girls, and finalise session plans, safeguarding procedures and baseline tools.
- Months 4–9
Start clubs
Launch clubs, deliver regular practical STEM sessions, introduce mentors and track participation.
- Months 10–15
Develop projects
Teams select community challenges, research options, build prototypes and practise presenting.
- Months 16–21
Test and improve
Teams refine ideas, test them safely where appropriate and build communication and leadership skills.
- Months 22–24
Showcase and learn
Hold a showcase if feasible, collect feedback, compare results with the baseline and document lessons and next steps.
Inclusion and safeguarding
Every girl belongs in the science room
WAVENA starts with the girls most often left behind and works to make every session safe, respectful and accessible.
Who we prioritise
- Girls in rural communities and underserved schools
- Girls from low-income households
- Girls with disabilities
- Girls facing digital exclusion
- Girls experiencing discrimination or violence
- Transgender girls and women, who are included in our programmes, mentorship and safe spaces
Participant ages and eligibility are set to match each programme's rules and the needs of participating schools.
How we keep sessions safe
- Consult girls and teachers before finalising schedules and project themes
- Choose venues and materials with accessibility and safe participation in mind
- Set adult supervision, consent, privacy and photography rules before activities begin
- Explain how girls can raise a concern and how WAVENA responds or refers it to appropriate services
- Obtain parental or guardian consent where required and protect personal information
- Use respectful, non-discriminatory facilitation adapted to ages and learning needs
Impact
What we will measure
WAVENA will set numerical targets once schools, mentors, session frequency and budget are confirmed. We track the following from the start and report them as results only after they happen.
| Result area | Indicator | How we check |
|---|---|---|
| Access and participation | Girls enrolled; attendance and retention; sessions delivered | Registration and attendance records; session logs |
| STEM learning | Change in knowledge, confidence and interest from start to end | Short age-appropriate pre and post questionnaires or reflection activities |
| Practical innovation | Teams completing and presenting a project or prototype | Project briefs, rubrics and showcase records |
| Mentorship | Mentors engaged and sessions delivered; how useful girls found them | Mentor log, session records and feedback forms |
| Leadership and voice | Girls taking team roles, presenting work or giving feedback | Role rotation sheets, presentation records and feedback notes |
| Inclusion and safety | Accessibility measures used; whether sessions felt safe and respectful | Checklist, safeguarding briefing record and anonymous feedback |
The change we want
Girls who have limited access to STEM resources gain regular hands-on learning, supportive role models, the confidence to take part, and experience designing and presenting a solution to a real-world problem.
Partner with WAVENA
Help a girl see that science belongs to her
Schools, universities, women STEM professionals, science and technology organisations, community groups and funders can all help. Partners can host a club, mentor a team, lend reusable materials, give technical advice or support a showcase.
Participating schools
Permission to run clubs, a teacher focal person, a safe venue and help with communication to participants.
Universities and STEM institutions
Volunteer mentors, demonstrations, career talks, project feedback or judges.
Women in STEM
Mentoring, career stories and periodic support for project teams.
Science and technology organisations
Reusable learning materials, equipment loans, technical advice or digital skills sessions.
Community and environmental groups
Help identify locally relevant challenges and advise on safe project testing.
Funders and foundations
Support clubs, kits, mentoring and showcases. Contributions are described as confirmed only after written agreement.
Get in touch
Tell us how you would like to help and we will reply with next steps.
- wavenango@gmail.com
- Telephone
- +250 783 713 781
- Location
- Bugesera District, Rwanda