Sydney Franklin, a 3rd year occupational therapy doctoral student, was recently awarded the Reciprocal Exchange Award from the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. This award allows Americans the opportunity to travel to Africa to build on strategic partnerships with their counters from Africa. Franklin and Lady Modise, a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow from Botswana, will be facilitating events for the disabled population of Gaborone and surrounding areas.

Soon after arriving in-country, Franklin and Modise had plenary session to discuss plans with the U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Earl R. Miller, including upcoming wheelchair basketball events.

During her three months in Botswana, Franklin will also be implementing her capstone, a guideline to wheelchair selection for those who have experienced spinal cord injury from motor vehicle accidents in partnership with the Spinalis Rehabilitation Unit and Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. She will also be teaming up with the Nayang Association for community hikes and more.