Four young professionals from Africa who spent six weeks at Drake University on fellowships this summer have each won a federal grant of up to $25,000 to support social enterprises in their home countries.

The winners are participants in the U.S. State Department’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a program featured in this week’s Business Record. The online story includes a video featuring two of the winners, Peter Nyamai of Kenya and Landy Tafangy of Madagascar. Nyamai’s venture collects and stores fresh rainwater for use in rural homes and schools in Kenya. Tafangy runs a medical facility offering consultations and screenings to poor people in Madagascar at a heavy discount or free.

Nearly 300 fellows applied for the business plan competition hosted by the U.S. African Development Foundation, and 50 won. Drake professors Tom Swartwood, Debra Bishop and Lance Noe mentored the fellows, who got assistance from other Drake faculty in their presentations, too.

The other two winners who visited Drake are Tidiane Ball of Mali and Khady Nakoulima of Senegal. Ball is a doctor and medical IT professional who founded a website that provides medical information and physician directories. Nakoulima founded a network of clinics offering affordable rates.