United Women for Change Mentee Stories United Women for Change is a mentorship and scholarship programme created for young women from underrepresented, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected communities. At UWC Atlantic, we believe that empowering one young woman can transform her future—and the world around her. Through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a powerful support network, we help students thrive during their time at UWC and beyond. In the following mentee stories, our students share their experiences from the United Women for Change programme and how working with and being supported by a mentor has helped them develop. From being seen and valued and developing selfconfidence through to guidance on their personal and career growth, the success and benefits of a mentor are invaluable.
Katrina - Hong Kong Mentor: Priscilla (AC ‘74) The programme was attractive to me because it meant I could connect with generations of AC students beyond just my co-years and second years. It would also mean that I could receive guidance from a woman who graduated like I will next year, who left the tight-knit AC community into the wider world, and established herself in the field of her choice. My mentor, Priscilla, is an accomplished photographer and writer, and we clicked instantly, discussing everything from differences in AC life over the years, to our respective creative practices. She stressed to me the importance of finding time and space to keep nurturing my creative spirit at AC, and the eternal importance of the arts in a world that is continuously sprinting forward.
Denise - Namibia Mentor: Jolande (AC ‘94) I joined the United Women for Change mentoring programme because I knew it was an opportunity to learn from someone who truly cared. Not just anyone, but an AC alum willing to devote their time to helping a young woman become something great. That alone made me feel seen and valued. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve changed. When I first started, I was so shy, but now I’ve grown into a confident young woman willing to challenge herself in ways I never thought possible. I’ve gone from being quiet to writing a letter home about improving education, speaking up during council meetings, and having as many conversations as possible. Would the old me have done any of this? I don’t think so. My mentor has been such a kind and supportive person, and I’m really grateful for her. One takeaway that will always stay with me is the way my mentor taught me to reflect. To ask myself, Am I the only person feeling like this? Why do I feel this way? And what is really stopping me? Those questions have helped me push past self-doubt and will continue to guide me in the future. As for what’s next—it feels like a superstition to say too much! But I do hope that one day, I can return the favor by becoming a mentor to another young woman, helping her in the same way I’ve been helped.