DW: Well, I think that you are right. I always say that before change can happen, there has to be change in the mind first because that’s the origin of our thoughts and the things that we eventually do...and so that’s the first step, we want to change people’s mindsets and also change the way they perceive education. Our summer programme is actually one step in that direction...we will like all NGOs to adopt this human centred design approach...getting to hear from the benefactors of their projects first before attempting to solve any of their problems....immersing themselves in the communities before attempting to solve their problems. We did the summer programme realising that we need to change people’s minds. I saw a video on tumblr today on critical thinking and it said: “give a man fish and he is full for a moment, teach him how to fish and he will never go hungry”. It’s that kind of approach that we want to pursue in this programme. Through this programme, we hope to equip the up and coming generation with this way of thinking.....that, regardless of what you are learning at school, you can apply it in a certain way or you are well rounded enough to consider different sides to a problem before you attempt to tackle it and ermm...allow for some empathy, relating with whoever you are working for or serving....and so that’s what we are doing, we are starting with the younger generation but definitely we hope to continue with talks and more programmes and workshops for companies and their employees or let’s say N.G.Os’ employees and their volunteers as well...yeah....but it’s really a problem in the mind and I think that if we are able to solve that, it will be the beginning of change for the continent.
BA: From a little bit of research, I see that both Andrea and yourself do have similar educational interests, in terms of the Art and Psychology aspects. Did your educational choices have any part to play in this project?
AH: I think Psychology ties in with the new learning and teaching techniques we want to introduce in our programme but I would say Art has been more influential in the programme because the programme wants to harness the creativity of the children.
DW: Ermm...definitely...to be honest with you, I have only taken one Art course in my college career, Andrea has had a lot more experience when it comes to Art, because she did Art in high school. In high school, I actually did Physics (Higher level), Math (Higher level) and Economics (Higher level) and in college I actually took two years of Computer Science. It was actually this year that I changed my major to Art...so, even with that I am a walking testimony of what I am now advocating for because it took me this long to realize that this is what I was really passionate about because on the side, in high school, I learnt Photoshop and graphic designing, all by myself. It was self-taught. I realized that I had to punish myself by dragging myself through those courses and always trying to steal time outside class to follow my passion when there was actually a way that I could pursue them in my academic career...so, I just decided to change to Art... and Art does not necessarily mean that I want to become an artist or a sculptor. I am doing Art because I believe that in design, whatever you are designing, having that artistic eye helps. These days in branding and what have you, everybody is going to pick one thing over the other and I realized that aesthetics play a very big role in that. So I really want to develop my artistic eye...but it has definitely had some influence on our project. Andrea is in charge of the Art section of our programme and so far I have been handling the design thinking and problem solving aspects of our project. We learn from each other and we are really excited about the way that we have been able to integrate our interests. From one side, it seems like we have the same interests but on the contrary, we are actually quite opposite and we’ve learnt a lot from each other. I have learnt from all those articles that if you are going for a co- founder, the person should be very different from you. I think we make a good team and we are excited about this project and what it turns into.
BA: It is very evident that you are highly intelligent and driven individuals. How did you get that determination, drive and discipline to come up with such a project like this in an environment which looks for the “well-travelled path”?
DW: I have always been thought of not...because my sisters are very “academic”. I have always been artistic and in Ghanaian parents’ terms “less serious child” (laughs). That’s what has really pushed me to study about our educational system and what it is really doing to so many kids that go through the traditional educational system and how they are being left out because they don’t fit into that particular mould that has been developed. I’ve had to forge my own path through a lot of pain and entrepreneurship was just the way for me because I had so many passions and ideas. I had to forge that path for myself. Additionally, I got my drive from God, through God I have been able to find myself and see what I am really capable of. I’m not always 100% driven all the time though...what I do is to remind myself “why I am doing what I do”. I try and focus on the bigger picture and why I started the project. My parents have also been very supportive, some parents are more traditional...my own history, my growing up and my experiences have led me to find my own niche in this huge universe but has also strengthened me to go after for those dreams. When you keep the initial goal in mind, then you are able to keep moving.
BA: There are certain barriers for young Africans who want to move into entrepreneurship. How do you believe that young Africans can overcome these obstacles?
DW: Well, I’ll just talk about how I was able to overcome my challenges. My parents weren’t as supportive as they are now; I’ve had to fight to earn this support. I can’t blame them because it is a risky situation, it’s uncertain, you don’t know whether you are going to become successful or not but there’s nothing like failure once your heart is still beating. You haven’t failed until you are dead. I always say every breath, and every second is a new opportunity. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn anything. Learning is necessary for growth in my opinion. Getting our parents or the generations before us to change their mindset is crucial. For me, I would talk to my parents and sisters and tell them about people who have succeeded pursuing a similar path, letting them know that regardless of how many times I fail, there is always hope. Ideas and businesses fail all the time but if you are strong willed person, a determined person or a passionate person then, investors will be willing to trust regardless of how crazy your ideas are. I’ll say focus on developing yourself and also let them know about other success stories to encourage your parents to support you.
BA: What is your vision for the future of this continent?
DW: A happy people. I remember reading Wangari Mathai’s book; I also learnt this in an Economics class: how cultural identity can affect economic development. Also, an Africa where we can define development for ourselves and not struggle to become developed in someone else’s terms. That’s my vision for the continent and that’s what MindMill is really about: developing an Africa around the people by the people and not imposing our ideas of what a good education is or what a good community is, that’s why our design approach is the way forward for me. I can see a continent where the people can identify their own problems and gather the needed resources to improve their plight.
NE: How can one get involved in the project?
DW: You can send an e-mail to us at [email protected]. They’ll just have to tell us more about themselves and what they hope to achieve from MindMill. Africa.
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