The word “mentoring” is a dream.
We imagine deep conversations, advice that changes everything, someone who shows us the way.

But in reality, mentoring — the one that really transforms — It's not magic.
It is a substructure. And above all, It is a relationship of trust.

At Passerelle Africa, we have seen it for ourselves: mentoring works when both parties understand what it is... and what it's not.

Mentoring is not coaching. And it's not therapy either.

A mentor is not not your career coach, not your therapist, not your recruiter.
He is not there to rewrite your resume, make decisions for you, or find you a job.

It's there for something much more powerful: help you think more clearly and act with intention.

A mentor listens. Challenge. Share what he went through.
It doesn't work for you — he walks by your side.

What makes mentoring work?

It's not about chemistry. It is a question of clearness.

The most effective mentorships we've seen have three things in common:

• A clear framework : defined objectives, a realistic duration (for us, 3 months), and an agreement on the frequency of exchanges
• A mutual commitment : both parties make themselves available, prepare, and respect the process
• Confidence : the mentee delivers honestly, and the mentor shares without judgment
  
  

When these ingredients are combined, The impact is profound.
We've seen mentees go from uncertainty to clarity.
From hesitation to action. From doubt to real momentum.

Mentors get just as much

You'd be surprised how many mentors tell us:
“I thought I was giving... but I learned a lot too.”

Mentoring isn't just about sharing an experience — it's reconnect with your own journey.
It is To give meaning to what we went through.
And it is building the Africa we want to see emerge.

In a world where too many people succeed alone, being a mentor means:
“You don't have to do it alone.”

What makes mentoring at Passerelle different?

We don't make vague promises.
We are doing intentional matchings.

• Each mentor is based in Africa, and knows what it's like to build here
• Each mentee is selected for clarity and preparation
• The course is structured: 1 to 2 sessions per month for 3 months
• The relationship is human, Not transactional
• It is gratuitous, willing, and based on the belief that the Knowledge is multiplied by sharing

Want to become a mentor?

If you've already returned home, grown through this experience, and want to help someone else do the same — It's your chance to give back in a meaningful and profound way.