Emmanuel, Form 4 graduate from the Class of 2020, is no stranger to innovation. The last time we caught up with him, he had developed his own automatic handwashing system to tackle hygiene challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, he’s taken his vision even further, turning local solutions into projects that impact communities across Africa.
On the international stage: Emmanuel received the Davis Peace Prize in early 2024, an award that helped him establish the peace Library in Zanzibar.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, at just 18 years old, he saw the urgent need for clean water and proper hygiene to protect his community's health. Driven by his passion for children’s rights and a safe environment, he created a foot-operated handwashing machine to reduce hand contact and limit germ transmission.
His invention led to the installation of over 400 handwashing machines across northern Tanzania, significantly promoting better hygiene and helping to reduce the spread of the virus. This innovative effort quickly caught UNICEF’s attention, leading to his appointment as a youth ambassador, expanding his mission of improving health access and awareness.
Soon after, he was named one of 9 Young African Activists to Look Out for in 2022 by Global Citizen, furthering his advocacy horizon.
“It was an incredible honour that motivated me to keep pushing for change. This recognition opened doors for partnerships and collaborations, allowing him to scale his impact and inspire more youth to take action,” he says.
With the success of his handwashing machine, he went on to establish a community library under his peace project. The Peace Library in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar was established by Emmanuel, thanks to the Davis Peace Prize that he won in early 2024, and support from the Assalam Foundation.
“The idea for the library was fuelled by my conviction that peace education begins with accessible knowledge. I envisioned a vibrant space where students could explore peace, leadership, and advocacy, equipping them to become peace ambassadors in their communities and fostering long-term social change,” he says.
Emmanuel describes it as more than just a library; it’s a thriving space where children can learn, connect with their cultural roots, and build community. With a theatre hall that accommodates over 400 people, the library hosts gatherings, events, and features screens displaying educational resources, opening doors to knowledge and connections beyond Zanzibar.
His mission? “I want to inspire African youth to create change,” he says.
Through workshops and public speaking, he reaches young people across the continent, rallying them to advocate for climate, education, and peace. His journey is a call to St Jude’s alumni, showing the impact they can have in leading Africa forward.
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