Savela Jacques Berenji, Haiti
Savela, alumna of Future Generations University, examines whether Future Generations Haiti could use sports to encourage a gradual change in the trends and evolution of prejudices between residents of the community of Cité Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Historically, sports games have been used as a method of social integration and unification between people from different cultures and walks of life, as well as a way to instill national pride among citizens. Savela bases her theory that sports can help in unifying the slums in Cité Soleil on the thoughts of M. Ban Ki-Moon, who is the Secretariat General of the United Nations.
She claims that sports are an essential factor in social change and peace, and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development goals set by the United Nations. In Savela’s research, questionnaires, interviews, and documentaries were used to assess whether the relations between citizens living inside and outside of Cité Soleil could improve due to unification through sports.
Sports events between communities can foster psychological comfort needed to boost morale, unify citizens, and break down socio-cultural and economic borders- all circumstances required to pave the way for peace.
Besmillah Sakhizada, Afghanistan
Mr. Sakhizada is an alumnus of Future Generations University with a focus on Peacebuilding. Besmillah Sakhizada is a highly accomplished professional with a proven track record in community development and peacebuilding. He has also completed a specialization in computer science at the bachelor’s level.Ç
Previously, Mr. Sakhizada served as a researcher and data analyst on a significant primary health care research project conducted by Future Generations Afghanistan in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University. With over 17 years of experience in NGO, he has excelled in his roles as Admin Manager and Program Director, and currently serves as the Office in Charge for FGA since July 2022.
Mr. Sakhizada also contributes his expertise to the board of Future Generations Empowerment (NGO) as Secretary in Afghanistan. He has extensive knowledge
and experience in community development and organizational behavior..
Nawang Sing Gurung, Nepal
Nawang S. Gurung studied to be a Civil Overseer in Butwal, Nepal, and earned his Master of Science in Community Economic Development in Boston.
Back home in the Himalaya, his 45 years of community-building have included health care centers and bridge construction, off-grid hydropower, and multi-use water systems. Under the United Mission of Nepal and Future Generations, Nawang has directed integrated community health and development programs in Nepal, India, and Tibet, China.
Most recently, Nawang serves as the Chairperson of the Barun Bachaon Task Force, responsible for implementing Biomeridian monitoring of climate impacts in Nepal’s Barun Valley.
Firew Kefyalew, Ethiopia
Firew Kefyalew is an Ethiopian with over 30 years of experience in program/project development/management, capacity building, teaching, research & documentation, counseling, and leadership in multicultural environments.
He received a B.A. degree in Educational Psychology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, in 1985, and a M.A. in Educational Psychology from the same university in 1994.
He also holds a diploma in Organization Development Consulting (2000). Earlier in his career, Firew has served as a secondary school Guidance and Counseling Officer in Asmara, Eritrea (1987-1990) and in Addis Ababa (1991-1993).
He has also worked with the Department of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Ireland, in the Ethiopia and Rwanda field offices, assuming progressive roles where he finally became the Director of the Ethiopia Field Office (1998). For six years (1998-2004), he was the Program Development Officer of Rädda Barnen (Save the Children Sweden) in the Southern Sudan Program.
Stephanie Hartman, United States
Stephanie Hartman left her position of WV State Tax Department Director of Information Technology to join the Future Generations University team as the Chief Operating Officer until September 2025.
While at the WV State Tax Department, she worked as a programmer, a database administrator, and oversaw all aspects of its Information Technology Department.
Her responsibilities at Future Generations University included human relations, finance office management, grant management, facilities management, and board relations. She was a member of the University’s Class of 2017 and earned her MA in Applied Community Development.
Stephanie is a native of Pendleton County, WV. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Pendleton Manor.Stephanie is a Nationally Certified Emergency Technician and volunteers with the Pendleton County Emergency Rescue Association.