Segbedji Foli Emerson is the vice president of RIPNA (Regroupement inter professionnel des non-voyants artisans). Based in the east of Lomé, Togo's capital, RIPNA has for the past six years worked to promote independence in everyday life. Knowing the importance of finance, Segbedji mentors people in local neighborhoods towards financial independence. As most members of the community didn't attend school, they work mostly in crafts. Apart from mentoring, Segbedji manages all of the organization's projects. After the completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Segbedji will apply what he has learned in the US so that the organization can keep on with its work.