INSPIRE has concluded its inaugural Appreciative Inquiry-Based D&I Course! Twenty early and mid-career researchers, implementers, and practitioners from the eight clinical research centers that make up PATC³H-IN celebrated their graduation from the course on 9 May 2025. 

Participants explored the critical processes of adaptation, scalability, and sustainability, all of which are essential to optimizing the HIV prevention and treatment continuum for adolescents and young adults in low-to-middle-income countries. Grounded in the principles of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science and guided by appreciative inquiry, the course curriculum featured lessons on the foundations of D&I science for youth, implementation strategies for youth-centered initiatives, methodological resources for youth-centered D&I, co-creation of D&I course content for youth initiatives, and delivering D&I science for youth. 

The 2025 cohort will continue to receive instruction and mentoring through April 2026. 

Ojore Aghedo, BSc,PGD,MSc

RISE | Nigeria

Ojore Godday Aghedo is a public health professional with over twelve years of experience in research, project monitoring and evaluation, and public health program management. He has special interests in infectious diseases epidemiology and health system strengthening in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa.

Over the past decade, Aghedo’s foundation in health research and data management has been strengthened with experience in the implementation of HIV and tuberculosis programs, as well as surveillance and monitoring of various health initiatives. Most recently, he served as the Research and Data Coordinator at the Centre for Population Health Initiative for the RISE center.

Tajudeen Bamidele, BSc,MSc,PhD

S-ITEST | Nigeria

Tajudeen Bamidele presently works as a chief research fellow at Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), where he conceives, designs and conducts health research of national priorities. His focus in basic research has been in exploring the biotechnological potentials of local microorganisms with a view to exploiting them as probiotics and drug (antimicrobial) candidates. He does this with a One Health approach. Bamidele participates in the maternal reproductive and child health, HIV/TB research groups of NIMR and served as a supervisor of youth facilitators in the just-concluded Innovative Tools to Expand Youth Friendly HIV Self-Testing (4 Youth By Youth). Additionally, He is engaged as a senior adjunct lecturer by the Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lagos, Nigeria to teach Medical students different aspects of infectious diseases/Medical Microbiology.

Julia Brasileiro, BA,MPH,PhD

RISE | USA

Julia Brasileiro is a behavioral health researcher with training in public health and community psychology. Her work integrates behavioral and implementation science methods to develop and implement strengths-based, tailored digital health interventions (DHIs) to promote health. She takes a holistic approach to promoting the health of youth, with a focus on sexual health, relationship health, and mental health. Her career goal is to collaborate with communities to co-create, implement, and evaluate strengths-based DHIs to promote the health of marginalized youth. As a postdoctoral scholar at the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation at Florida State University, she supports type 2 hybrid-effectiveness-implementation study to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the HealthMpowerment mobile app in four Sub-Saharan African countries.

Nok Chhun, BA,MSc,MPH,PhD

ZAIMARA | USA

Nok Chhun is currently a postdoctoral research associate with the Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She is a global health professional with 10+ years of experience across academic settings as a scientist and research manager. Prior to starting her PhD program at the University of Washington, she was the project director for an NIH funded research project, High-yield HIV testing, facilitated linkage to care, and prevention for female youth in Kenya (R01AI122797, PIs: Kurth, Inwani, Agot, 8/2015–7/2020) based in Homabay County in western Kenya. Through her work experiences, Chhun witnessed how critical implementation science is for Kenya and became interested in how implementation science approaches could be used to influence adoption and scale-up of effective interventions. Understanding the contextual factors that hinder the delivery of evidence-based interventions can inform targeted strategies to overcome those barriers.

Jeanne Coetzee, MBChB

ATTUNE | South Africa

Jeanne Coetzee is a medical doctor working as a principal and sub-investigator at Wits RHI Shandukani CRS in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her role has allowed her to work on more than 30 clinical trials as an investigator, with a research focus on the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in maternal, child, and adolescent populations in South Africa, specifically HIV and TB. Coetzee is a dedicated medical professional with a strong pediatrics and public health background and extensive experience in clinical research in infectious diseases. Her enthusiasm for education has led her to become an honorary staff member and lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Witwatersrand. Her journey in medicine has shaped her into a compassionate healthcare provider committed to improving patient outcomes.

Mrinmayee Dhar, MD

ATTUNE | South Africa

Mrinmayee Dhar joined the Wits RHI team in October 2020, and adapted well into her role as sub-investigator. She quickly transitioned into the role of Principal Investigator in 2022, including pharmaceutical and IMPAACT network studies, as well as investigator-driven projects. She has worked as principal investigator on pharmaceutical trials, specifically in COVID-19 vaccine studies, including GO-012 (Gritstone) and C4591048 (Pfizer). Dhar is national principal investigator for the planned IMPAACT 2040 network study, focusing on optimizing HIV treatment through long-acting injectable anti-retroviral treatment in pregnant and post-partum women. Additionally, she is co-principal investigator on the Optimizing Maternal Vaccinations in South Africa project, an implementation sciences project focused on maternal immunization in South Africa. Dhar has expertise in clinical care, research and project management.

Sabdat Ekama, BSc, MSc,PhD, FPCPharm

S-ITEST | Nigeria

Sabdat Ozichu Ekama is a research fellow and pharmacist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) with over 15 years’ experience in HIV/AIDS clinical management. She has conducted several research projects in HIV/AIDS management and HIV prevention. Her recent research work focused on developing a HIV prevention microbicide for use among women. Ekama Sabdat has been involved in research on gender-based violence among adolescents in schools and the outcome of this research was published (DOI: 10.15761/MCA.1000135). She also has experience in the conduct of clinical trials and is currently the study coordinator of a clinical trial conducted by VERTEX Pharmaceuticals on the safety and efficacy of VX-147 on individual with APOL-1 mediated proteinuric kidney disease at the NIMR site in Nigeria.

Paschal Ezeobi, MSc, MB, BS

S-ITEST | Nigeria

Paschal Ezeobi is a clinician and research fellow working at the Clinical Sciences Department of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) He is a medical doctor with a background in Public Health and presently engaged in the PhD Program in public health. He has worked in the HIV Programme of NIMR since 2002, when the National HIV Programme came into existence and became the coordinator; PEPFAR supported NIMR HIV Treatment Program in 2013. Currently, he is head of the Hepatitis Clinic of the Institute. He has engaged in activities involving clinical research, patient clinical evaluation, management and the coordination of components of the HIV Programme at the Clinical Sciences Department of the Institute. He is presently the NIMR Study Coordinator for the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored Predictors of Antiretroviral Immune-reconstitution Bone Loss – the Gut and the Microbiome and the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS.

Babuu Joseph, PGD

MWOTAJI | Tanzania

Babuu Joseph is the Acting Research Director at Health for a Prosperous Nation (H-PON), a Tanzanian research NGO and partner in the MWOTAJI project. With over a decade of experience in public health—particularly in HIV & AIDS interventions—he has led donor-funded programs for both local and international organizations. His expertise spans program management, stakeholder engagement, training, and research coordination. At H-PON, he oversees collaborative studies with institutions such as UC Berkeley, UCSF, and Mzumbe University. Notable achievements include leading the MWOTAJI project across three regions and contributing to digital innovations in ART patient management. His earlier roles include Regional Team Lead, Research Assistant, and Communications Manager. He also brings consultancy experience on USAID, PEPFAR, and CUSO International-funded projects in HIV, maternal health, and education.

Enid Kabugho, MBChB,MSc

MU-JHU | Uganda

Enid Kabugho is the clinical research coordinator for the HIP-CY Implementation Science study at MU-JHU, where she oversees the day-to-day activities of the project, ensuring regulatory compliance, participant recruitment, data collection, and coordination of study visits. With over a decade of experience in HIV prevention and treatment research, she has played a key role in studies that have informed public health policy. She has collaborated closely with investigators, sponsors, and regulatory bodies to uphold Good Clinical Practice standards. Her work focuses on adapting and scaling evidence-based interventions to improve HIV prevention and care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) in Uganda. Her passion lies in translating research into sustainable, youth-friendly programs that address the unique needs of AYA in resource-limited settings.

Caroline Kongola, MD

MWOTAJI | Tanzania

Caroline Lister Kongola is an associate project director at Health for a Prosperous Nation, where she provides technical oversight for the MWOTAJI study focused on HIV prevention among adolescent and young women in Tanzania. She oversees operations across five Clinical Research Performance Sites, ensuring protocol compliance, accurate data collection, and smooth study implementation. A trained medical doctor with a Bachelor’s degree from the Catholic University of Allied and Health Sciences, she has extensive clinical experience in HIV care and infectious diseases. Her transition into research and healthcare management reflects a deep commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved populations. Dr. Kongola’s expertise includes HIV prevention, program management, and implementation science, with a passion for creating sustainable, evidence-based health interventions.

Marie-Claude Lavoie, MSc,PhD

RISE | USA

Marie-Claude Lavoie is an assistant professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and serves as the Strategic Information and Evaluation Director at the Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity. In this role, she leads and supports evaluations of large-scale HIV programs and policies across PEPFAR/CDC-funded projects. Her research focuses on implementation science, including serving as MPI on NIH-funded studies involving long-acting injectable HIV treatment among adolescent girls and HIV care among people who inject drugs in Zambia. A former Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Public Health Law Research Fellow, she has received fellowships from the HIV, Infectious Disease and Global Health Implementation Research Institute and the CFAR HIV Implementation Science program.

Maria Lupogo, MPH

MWOTAJI | Tanzania

Maria Felix Lupogo is a dedicated public health specialist with over four years of experience in donor-funded programs, with a focus on HIV/AIDS, health system strengthening, and monitoring and evaluation. Maria has worked in various roles including data clerk for the USAID-funded SAUTI Project, research assistant at NIMR, health information system officer at Marie Stopes Tanzania, and project officer at Digital Divide Data Tanzania. She currently serves as a research assistant for the Afya III project at Health for a Prosperous Nation, overseeing study quality and staff management. Skilled in data analysis and reporting tools, Maria is known for her leadership, integrity, and dedication to improving public health outcomes for vulnerable communities in Tanzania.

Idda Lyatonga, MSc,PhD

MWOTAJI | Tanzania

Idda Lyatonga Swai is a senior lecturer and dean at Mzumbe University’s School of Public Administration and Management. She is the co-principal investigator of the MWOTAJI project, supporting HIV prevention and implementation science capacity building in Tanzania. Her current work focuses on developing and delivering an Implementation Science certificate program, coordinating research activities across Kagera, Shinyanga, and Geita regions through the Health for a Prosperous Nation. With over 17 years of academic and project leadership experience, she specializes in governance, gender, and public health research. She also co-leads the NISHATI project under the European Commission’s Erasmus+ Programme, partnering with institutions across Africa and Europe. Her current interests include implementation science, health systems strengthening, and building sustainable research capacity in low-resource settings.

Matilda Mlowe, MD

MWOTAJI | Tanzania

Matilda Mlowe is a medical doctor and clinical researcher committed to improving public health through research. Her interest in research began during medical school while investigating pneumonia prevalence in children under five in Arusha, Tanzania. She has since built a career focused on HIV and TB care, serving as an HIV care provider and coordinating pediatric TB/HIV detection at Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital. Currently, she coordinates a randomized controlled trial (R01MH125746) assessing cash incentives to re-engage people living with HIV in care and contributes to the NIH-funded MWOTAJI project (UG1HD113163), which aims to expand HIV prevention access for adolescent girls and young women via community pharmacies. Her research interests include implementation science, health systems strengthening, and vulnerable populations’ access to care. Her work centers on advancing healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.

Lawrencia Mushi, BSc,MSc,PhD

MWOTAJI | Tanzania

Lawrencia Mushi is a senior lecturer and researcher at Mzumbe University and serves as an implementation science (IS) course developer and instructor with the MWOTAJI project in Tanzania. She leads the design, quality assurance, and accreditation processes of short and long IS training programs. Her current research focuses on monitoring and evaluation of health policies and programs, health system strengthening, and the impact of health supply chains and immunization strategies in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Mushi also contributes to the MWOTAJI study, which enhances HIV prevention access for adolescent girls and young women. As head of the Quality Assurance Unit at Mzumbe University, she ensures high standards in academic and training programs. Her ongoing work integrates academic expertise with practical implementation research, supporting evidence-based improvements in healthcare delivery across Tanzania. 

Zainab Oyeniyi, BSc,BEd

RISE | Nigeria

Zainab Okikiola Oyeniyi is a public health researcher passionate about healthcare reform and infectious disease prevention, especially in resource-limited settings. Currently, she works as a research assistant at the Center for Population Health Initiatives, contributing to projects on HIV prevention, youth health interventions, and implementation science. Zainab’s expertise includes qualitative research, community-based interventions, and public health advocacy. She actively supports participant recruitment, data collection, and qualitative analysis, and has helped develop youth-focused content for the Health MPowerment app to improve sexual health education. A dedicated health advocate and writer, Zainab uses digital platforms to engage communities on health issues. Her career goal is to advance HIV prevention and treatment through evidence-based interventions and policy advocacy in Nigeria and other resource-constrained areas.

Charne Petinger, BA,MA, BA Honors (Psychology)

ATTUNE| South Africa

Charne Petinger is pursuing her third year of a PhD in Public Health at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, focusing on improving health outcomes and care engagement for adolescents living with HIV. She has additional training in qualitative research, photovoice methodology, qualitative evidence synthesis, health data analytics, adolescent health, and implementation science. Her experience includes tutoring and lecturing at the undergraduate level, working as a research assistant in adolescent HIV, and managing a digital health intervention project (S-SMART) to enhance self-management skills and health outcomes among adolescents with HIV. Currently, she serves as project manager, administrator, and researcher for the ATTUNE project within the Western Cape CRPS.

Fyness Sakala Jere, BSc

RISE | Malawi

Fyness Sakala Jere is an experienced public health professional and nurse with over a decade of service in Malawi’s health sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, a Nursing & Midwifery Technician Diploma, and is pursuing an MSc in One Health. Since 2016, she has been a district coordinator at the Center for the Development of People under the USAID/PEPFAR-funded PROTECT Project, leading HIV services for key populations like MSM, transgender individuals, and male sex workers. Fyness played a key role in establishing a Drop-in Center to reduce HIV infections and earned the Best District Coordinator award. She also contributes to research and policy advocacy, serving on boards and advisory committees. Skilled in project management and community-driven program design, Fyness is committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Tapiwa Tembo, BSc, MSc

VS4A | Malawi

Tapiwa Tembo is co-investigator for the VS4A study, leading study implementation and providing scientific design support, and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town. Since 2016, she has been a scientific investigator at Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi, where she completed a three-year Implementation Science Fellowship. She specializes in HIV intervention development and evaluation, notably contributing to the VITAL Start project aimed at improving ART adherence among pregnant and breastfeeding women. She led the design and evaluation of training interventions for healthcare workers to enhance HIV case finding in Malawi, authoring several publications. Her work includes piloting a blended learning approach funded by the Malawi HIV Implementation Research Scientist Training program. 

During the sprint, teams heard from speakers with research and lived experience, received coaching on their ideas, and were given guidance on pitching, developing their prototype, and writing an executive summary. The sprint culminated with the teams pitching their ideas to a panel of expert judges. Judges deliberated over the pitches and chose three top teams to be awarded additional funding. Our winning team was awarded $10,000 USD, second place was awarded $7,000 USD, third place was awarded $5,000 USD, and the seven remaining teams received $2,000 USD.

Our first place winner is the South African-based team BeYOUtiful Mindz. The team’s focus is on scaling up an evidence-based, community-driven model that embeds mental health screening, peer-led support, digital tools, and psychosocial care within existing HIV services. Team Tugambe, based in Uganda, came in second place for their idea to address delays in depression diagnoses using interactive voice response technology to ease depression screening for adolescents and young adults living with HIV using the PHQ-2 screening tool. In third place is Project Step-4-YP, whose aim is to expand access to HIV self-testing for rural-based young people in Rivers State, Nigeria by leveraging trusted community providers—Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors.

With INSPIRE’s guidance, all ten teams will implement their winning ideas over the course of the next year. We look forward to many successful outcomes. 

BeYOUtiful Mindz | First Place

Kamva Charlie | Ernesha Mazinyo | Zinathi Dingo | Mihle Qwesha

BeYOUtiful Mindz is a dynamic team of youth advocates, mental health practitioners, public health professionals, and implementation scientists committed to transforming HIV care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) by integrating mental health support. Drawing from lived experience and professional expertise, they recognize that untreated mental health challenges—like depression, anxiety, and stigma—hinder HIV treatment success. The team’s focus is to scale up an evidence-based, community-driven model that embeds mental health screening, peer-led support, digital tools, and psychosocial care within existing HIV services. Through the INSPIRE Designathon, they aim to refine and scale this model, co-design solutions with youth, and drive sustainable impact in high-HIV-burden communities. Their mission is to ensure that young people living with HIV don’t just survive—but thrive.

EqualCare

Gbuchie Monica Anurika | Akande Ah’mad Akinkunbi | Fana-Granville Ibituobelem Loizy

Team EqualCare is a passionate group of public health experts, digital innovators, and social inclusion advocates united by a common goal: to make HIV care accessible for every young person, including those with disabilities. They are focused on improving access to antiretroviral therapy for adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV, who often face barriers that others do not.

EqualCare is a mobile-first solution that empowers AYA with disabilities through tailored support, AI-powered accessibility features, and peer-led services. Their mission is to remove stigma, ensure consistent care, and provide mental health support by bridging gaps in HIV services. With a youth-driven, community- based approach, they are piloting this solution in southern Nigeria to improve adherence, retention, and overall health outcomes for a group that has been historically overlooked. EqualCare isn’t just a project, it’s a movement for inclusive healthcare.

Gamba-Link

Florence Mwangwa | Collins Ampaire | Natukwatsa Nomujuni

This multidisciplinary team—a youth advocate with limited research experience, a public health researcher, and a computer scientist—has collaboratively developed a low-cost information toolkit to support pharmacy-based PrEP referrals from community pharmacies and drug shops, aiming to expand access to HIV prevention for youth, particularly in rural areas.

The INSPIRE Designathon aligns closely with the team’s personal and professional goals—to improve their expertise in adolescent and young adult health and strengthen their skills in implementation science. The team is especially excited about the opportunity to receive structured mentorship from seasoned INSPIRE mentors to refine and adapt their tool for real-world implementation. The Designathon also offers an inspiring platform to showcase their work, gain practical knowledge, and potentially earn recognition for ideas that can contribute to innovation and scale in HIV prevention.

HUSH BUDDY

Fanney Chirwa | Aness Susana Simon |Tamanda Esaya-Chingoli | Thokozani Jane Kasiya

HUSH BUDDY is a group of young professionals and passionate advocates focused on improving HIV care and support for adolescents and young adults in Malawi. The team brings together nurses, educators, and program coordinators who have hands-on experience in HIV work, youth mental health, and grassroots outreach. They run programs that help young people and adolescents adhere to their treatment, access mental health support, and build economic skills for a better future. Their goal is to close the care for those living in remote areas or dealing with stigma. By creating youth-friendly approaches, they are reaching more young people, supporting their treatment journeys, and helping them build healthy and sustainable livelihoods.

IMPACT Team

Julianah Adebisi | Divine Oladele | Miracle Adesina | Toluwase Olufadewa

The IMPACT team is made up of public health professionals across different fields who have experienced firsthand the effect inadequate knowledge about HIV, its prevention, testing, and treatment can have on individuals, especially those in underserved communities. They are committed to scaling community-led HIV interventions by expanding a peer-driven model that empowers adolescents and young adults in Internally Displaced Person camps and rural villages. They will train and deploy HIV Champions across four key Nigerian zones to lead outreach, prevention, testing, and care. By scaling this approach, they aim to increase HIV awareness, reduce stigma, and expand access to life-saving services in hard-to-reach communities.

Participating in this Designathon will equip the team with the tools, mentorship, and collaborative environment to refine their scale-up strategy, enhance their skills in human-centered design, implementation science, and digital health, and build sustainable frameworks for training and supporting HIV Champions to ensure long-term impact.

PROJECT STEP-4-YP | Third Place

Melody Okereke | Chidera Godfrey | Nwankwo Francis Casmir

PROJECT STEP-4-YP (Self-Testing Expansion via PPMVs for Young People) is a team of pharmacists, HIV advocates, and youth leaders with a shared commitment to advancing HIV prevention and youth-friendly healthcare in Nigeria. With strong backgrounds in clinical pharmacy, community-based HIV programming, and health policy advocacy, they bring both professional expertise and lived experience to our work. Their focus is on expanding access to HIV self-testing for young people in Rivers State by leveraging trusted community providers—Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs)—to bring HIV services closer to those who need them most. Through PROJECT STEP-4-YP, they aim to bridge the gap between young people and healthcare systems by promoting stigma-free, accessible, and sustainable HIV prevention solutions. The team is driven by a belief that no young person should be left behind due to geography, language barriers, or fear of stigma. They are committed to creating a future where every young person has the power to know their status and protect their health.

Project Youth Link

Precious Kaniki | Natasha Seketa | Joshua K. Kasuba | Stella Mubanga

The Project Youth team is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds in public health, community mobilization, research, and advocacy. This team is passionate about creating innovative, community-driven solutions that address health and social challenges. Their focus is on designing interventions that are inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in the real needs of the communities they serve. They are committed to using evidence- based approaches, amplifying community voices, and fostering partnerships that drive lasting impact. Through the INSPIRE Designathon, they aim to co-create solutions that empower individuals, strengthen systems, and promote health equity.

Team Abeokuta

Damilola Ayowole | Temitope Oluwadare | Islamiat Soneye | Ayotunde Azees

Team Abeokuta is a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, public health practitioners, and community advocates dedicated to transforming HIV care for adolescents and young people in Nigeria.

Their focus is on integrating clinical treatment with art-based psychosocial support to address the complex mental health and social challenges marginalized youth face. Through an innovative, community-driven model, they aim to develop scalable interventions for key populations, pilot-tested in Ogun State and subsequently expanded nationwide.

By engaging thought leaders, peers, and stakeholders, Team Abeokuta seeks to refine their strategy, influence health policy, and secure partnerships and resources. Ultimately, their goal is to establish a sustainable framework that bridges clinical and psychosocial care, empowering vulnerable youth and enhancing HIV outcomes across Nigeria.

Team Tugambe | Second Place

Kihumuro Bernard Raymond | Ochen Eric | Nabifo Patricia Manana | Kintu Timothy

Team Tugambe is a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, researchers, and engineers passionate about transforming HIV care through innovation. Led by Dr. Raymond Bernard Kihumuro, an early-career researcher and implementation science fellow, the team brings together deep clinical expertise, human- centered design skills, and technical innovation. Dr. Eric Ochen contributes real-world clinical insights from frontline HIV care; Ms. Patricia Manana leads the engineering design of user- friendly solutions; and Dr. Timothy Kintu applies biodesign principles to drive impactful, scalable interventions. Focused on improving patient engagement through voice-based technologies, Team Tugambe is committed to creating sustainable, context-specific tools that bridge communication gaps and enhance health outcomes. Through this Designathon, the team seeks to refine their rapid prototyping abilities, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and develop a prototype that can advance equitable healthcare delivery in East Africa.

Youth Against HIV

Favour Christiana Ogbuagu | Abubakar Ismail Muhammad | Makiyyah Sulaiman Muhammad | Abdulmalik Ya’u

Youth Against HIV is a passionate team of young public health professionals, medical advocates, and youth development specialists committed to advancing adolescent and young adult (AYA) health in Nigeria. Affiliated with Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) —a nonprofit organization dedicated to women’s rights, adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health, and girl-child education, their collective focus is on bridging gaps in HIV prevention, awareness, and access to youth-friendly health services. The team combines peer-led education, community- driven advocacy, and digital innovation to deliver impactful, culturally sensitive interventions. Through their participation in the INSPIRE Designathon, they aim to scale a localized, sustainable HIV awareness model that empowers AYAs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to protect their health. They are committed to building healthier, more informed youth communities, starting in Northern Nigeria and expanding across Africa.