Rutendo Kahari

Age: 17 | Location: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

I am currently in Lower 6 studying Maths, Biology and Chemistry. I am a big fan of STEM especially Science and Technology, I am also an advocate in the making for girls and young women to take up STEM related subjects.  Outside school I enjoy coding, cooking, taking pictures, reading and attending youth summits!

How do you feel to join the Youth STEM Summit Design Team?

I feel very excited and happy to be part of the Youth STEM Summit Design Team.

What are you most looking forward to about the Design Team?

I'm looking forward to: broadening my network by collaborating with young people from different parts of the world, expanding my knowledge around STEM and also designing a successful Youth STEM Summit.

What are you hoping to bring to the Design Team?

I'm hoping to bring in my skills such as problem solving, public speaking, critical thinking, leadership and innovating. I'm also hoping to bring in  bubbly character and energy into the Design Team.

Why did you decide to get involved?

I saw this as an opportunity to inspire girls in my community that if I can do it, they can do it too. I was also attracted by the term STEM, as I am a big fan of it. I also saw this as an opportunity for me to show the world how I can use my skills to make a difference.

Why is young people making a difference through STEM important?

It is important for young people to make a difference through STEM because first of all STEM is the future in terms of everything, it will reshape our lives so the youth might as well get start using STEM to make a difference. STEM is also an essential tool that cuts across all sectors and provides sustainable solutions so this means that young people from different backgrounds can use it to solve a problem in their community.  Lastly, if young people make the difference it is more relatable to them than if the difference was made by older people. So in essence the difference is made by young people for young people.

What are you most excited for at the Summit itself?

I'm very excited to learn more about STEM from various experts in the industry.

What do you hope to achieve through the Summit?

I hope to inspire the girl child in my community and beyond, and I also hope to connect with people from all parts of the world, learn from them and also make an impact.