Several Ashesi alumni have translated their 40-hour service-learning projects into sustainable not-for-profit organizations dedicated to reducing inequalities by educating individuals and nurturing underprivileged communities. Alumni such as Nana Ama Boa Amponsem ‘15 and Nancy Mma-Ngaare Mba ‘23, through their initiatives, Think Education and MSmiles, have establish several low-cost private schools in the northern part of Ghana and supported multiple orphanages, respectively.

In 2021, Nancy Mba, a student at Ashesi University, created the Magnificent Smiles Foundation (MSmiles) out of compassion, empathy, and a deep commitment to addressing the issues of orphans. She discovered that, despite the urbanization of the city, some children, aged 12 to 13, were using computers for the very first time.

MSmiles’ mission includes mentorship support, STEM and robotics education, leisure visits, and artistic exposure. Nancy and her team
of 130 dedicated volunteers receive training that enables them to connect with the children effectively. One particularly exciting project was “Learn Robotics,” in partnership with Innotech STEM Center, a prominent STEM institution in Ghana. It provided free robotics education for association members, who then passed on their knowledge to the children.