“In the beginning, they didn’t know what the metaverse was all about,” says XR Girls Africa Founder Diana Njeri.

But to say that the young women whom she mentors learned quickly, would be an understatement.

Diana, who is an Associate Director of Africa VR Campus and Center, says she was introduced to VR by Africa VR Campus and Center Founder/CEO Paul Simon Waiyaki. Fascinated by the new technology, she began exploring its possibilities.

Diana quickly realized VR’s potential for educating girls and young women in underserved areas. An invitation from a STEAM organization, led her to invite some local girls to learn how to use the metaverse to build their futures.

Her young students became the first African girls in the metaverse. Ultimately, as you’ll see on their YouTube channel, they also won a top honor!

And today, as they continue their education through virtual reality, XR Girls Africa also host their own virtual events -and are teaching others how to use the metaverse for social good.

Diana discussed her own first experience with virtual reality, shared the story of her creative journey with Africa VR Campus and Center and XR Girls Africa, and talked about her vision for the future.

On this edition of Over Coffee®we cover:

• How Diana’s background led her to become a leader and an educator;

• How her interest in VR led her to become an Associate Director at Africa VR Campus and Center;

• What she remembers best, about her own first experience with virtual reality;

• What led her to begin using virtual reality to support girls in building their futures through education and entrepreneurship;

• The story of XR Girls Africa;

• Diana’s recollections of their first meeting;

• How a desire to solve a problem facing many young African girls led XR Girls Africa to an exciting triumph;

• What’s next for this particular project;

• Tech skills which the girls are learning;

• Some of their current additional business ventures;

• Additional areas in which XR Girls Africa needs support as the organization grows;

• Specific types of mentors they especially need; ;

• Diana’s vision for the future.