Dr. Eleleta Surafel is an inspiring individual driving youth-led health initiatives to new heights! Her mission is to uplift underserved communities in East Africa, taking inspiration from a young physician’s dedication in Kismayo, Somalia. Eleleta’s focus is on nutritional screening and cleft surgical outreach, and she has made a significant impact in the region. She has empowered over 100 young professionals and seamlessly integrated youth-centred health programs into 20 facilities across the region. Eleleta believes in the power of youth and has spearheaded initiatives such as the Junior Doctors Network and the Global Health Next Generation Network. She understands the importance of involving young voices in decision-making when crafting comprehensive healthcare solutions. As a valued member of our Youth Steering Committee, Eleleta is poised to amplify her influence further and is committed to spearheading innovative programs and collaborating on solutions that tackle even the most complex community health challenges head-on.
Tarek Ezzine is a passionate medical student from Tunis, Tunisia. He is deeply committed to global health, with a special focus on environmental issues. Tarek’s journey as a climate advocate has seen him take on significant roles, showcasing his dedication to tackling climate challenges and promoting sustainability. Currently, he leads Climate Resources for Health Education Partnerships and works tirelessly to bridge the gap between climate action and healthcare. His involvement as a junior climate negotiator for the Tunisian Party at the UNFCCC underscores his impact on shaping international climate policies. Since 2019, Tarek has served as an ambassador for the African Youth Climate Hub, amplifying youth voices and driving climate action across the continent. With a rich background in global health advocacy and youth leadership, including roles as a Global Health Focal Point for the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, Tarek brings a wealth of experience to the Y-ACT Youth Steering Committee. His unique perspective and dedication to addressing pressing issues facing African youth will be invaluable in driving positive change and empowering the next generation.
Cinamon is an enthusiastic advocate for youth empowerment and global health. She is eager to contribute her expertise to shaping the future of youth development in Africa. Inspired by the movement’s dedication to empowering communities and building the capacity of young people to tackle local challenges, she brings a wealth of experience in policy advocacy and youth-led organizations. She focuses on sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and universal health coverage. She deeply understands the hurdles faced by youth, especially in marginalized communities. She is confident in her ability to provide valuable insights to the committee, utilizing her skills in program design, monitoring, and evaluation to create sustainable initiatives that prioritize meaningful youth engagement. Cinamon excels at leveraging social media and digital outreach strategies to amplify youth voices. She ensures their active involvement in shaping policies and programs. She looks forward to collaborating with fellow committee members on innovative approaches to address the unique health needs of African youth. Her ultimate goal is to strive for equal access to healthcare and opportunities for personal growth for all.
Verite is a youth advocate and medical student with a remarkable passion for global youth engagement, and expertise in youth engagement, global health advocacy, and areas such as capacity building and humanitarian aid. As a committee member, Verite aims to provide strategic input, develop new youth initiatives, and collaborate on events. He brings with him a wealth of experience in policy advocacy, gender equality, and youth empowerment, which will undoubtedly help shape Y-ACT’s future endeavours. With Verite’s involvement, Y-ACT can ensure inclusivity, diversity, and a strong focus on achieving its objectives. Verite sees his involvement with Y-ACT as an opportunity for personal growth, mentorship, and networking. He looks forward to collaborating with passionate youth and dedicating his energy to achieving Y-ACT’s objectives.
Emmanuel Cosmas is an outstanding advocate for the development of Africa’s youth and health. His remarkable experience at the United Nations General Assembly has enabled him to join Y-ACT’s Regional Youth Steering Committee. His dedication to promoting innovation, youth inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation approaches is truly inspiring. Emmanuel is also committed to leveraging technology for urban development and sustainable growth. As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Emmanuel is a passionate champion of youth involvement in decision-making. He strongly believes in equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need for sustainable development. Emmanuel’s dedication to transparency and accountability, along with his diverse stakeholder collaborations, make him a valuable asset to the committee.
Doreen is an experienced advocate with a wealth of knowledge in policy influencing and community engagement. She has been involved in shaping policies at the European Union, as well as advocating for COVID-19 vaccinations with the AU-Bingwa Initiative by the Africa CDC. Through her journey, she has acquired invaluable skills in effective communication, adaptability, and collaboration. With a keen eye for strategic input and a passion for youth empowerment, Doreen envisions incorporating young people’s interests into Y-Act’s programming. Drawing from her extensive involvement in youth-led organizations and deep knowledge of global development issues, particularly health and wellbeing, she’s poised to drive impactful change in the YSC. With her dedication, skills, and passion, she’s ready to wholeheartedly contribute to our advocacy mission for Africa’s youth.
Deborah Chumbu, a 20-year-old advocate from Malawi, is an inspiration to many. She is a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as girls’ education. In her work, Deborah empowers adolescent girls from rural communities by advocating for their inclusion in decision-making spaces. She works closely with organizations like Girl Up UNF and founded SPACE MW, a community resource centre that provides a safe space for young girls to learn and grow. Her belief in the collective power of youth to overcome barriers is truly remarkable. Deborah sees the Y-ACT platform as an ideal opportunity to advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Her dedication and passion for her work make her poised to contribute to positive change in her community and beyond. Deborah is a true inspiration and a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.
Lorna Enow is an exceptional individual who is deeply passionate about humanitarian aid, human and child rights, quality education, and gender equality. She has dedicated over four years of her life to championing these causes and driving positive change in her community and beyond. Lorna’s impressive journey includes serving on the EU Youth Sounding Board and excelling as Programs Coordinator at Afritech Hub Cameroon, where she adeptly led diverse projects. Her volunteer efforts with organizations such as the Cameroon National Youth Council and the NGOre Africa Foundation underscore her unwavering commitment to gender equality and community empowerment. Lorna is a gifted advocate with a talent for program coordination and partnership building, making her perfectly positioned to make a significant impact with Y-ACT. Her robust skill set and unbreakable determination will undoubtedly drive her success in all of her future endeavours.
Munachimso Njasi is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and sustainable development in Africa. With a diverse background in international projects and a dynamic skill set encompassing research, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and communication, Munachimso is dedicated to shaping Africa’s future through cooperation and active participation. As a young professional in public health and founder of Smart4Africa and African Fotography, Munachimso has led initiatives focused on youth empowerment, eco-friendly practices, and raising awareness for climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a deep understanding of the continent’s challenges and dynamics, Munachimso is prepared to broaden Y-ACT’s scope, engage stakeholders, and contribute to initiatives aimed at addressing African development challenges.
Zeituna is an activist and youth advocate who holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Egerton University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi and is a 2020 YALI Fellow. She envisions creating effective safe spaces for young people and women and is the founder of Dress for Change Initiative, a youth and women-led initiative that started in Isiolo County, Kenya in 2019. The initiative came to be as a result of Zeituna’s passion and mission to contribute to the existing community outreach initiatives that seek to address challenges relating to Menstrual Hygiene Management, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights & Female Genital Mutilation. Dress for Change addresses these challenges by holding outreaches to in-school adolescents in primary schools, providing young girls with information on MHM and the negative effects of FGM/C alongside donating sanitary towels to vulnerable young girls.
Zeituna is also focused on amplifying the voices of women and girls by equipping them with knowledge on their sexual reproductive health and rights, to have agency over and make informed decisions on their bodies and for them also to resist negative cultural practices that are harmful to their well-being and personal development. She continues to advocate for safe spaces for women and girls, free from violence and retrogressive cultural practices.
Jackline Waweru Wanjiru, is a 26-year-old global youth advocate and changemaker on Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights and Gender Equality. She is passionate about policy and budget advocacy and has been able to influence governments at local, national and international platforms to address youth policy issues. Ms Waweru was recently awarded at the IYD 2020 celebrations for being an outstanding youth champion in Kilifi South Sub-county, contributing towards youth development.
She is a Young African Leader Initiative (YALI) Cohort 11 Alumni and also took part in the first season of the MS PRESIDENT reality show and was among the top 12 contestants among 71 from all over Kenya. In 2018 she was the first youth representative in a health sectorial meeting at the fifth annual national devolution conference. In 2016, she represented African Girls and young people at the European Union Parliament to advocate for youth prioritization in national commitments that African countries make with the EU.
Felix Lekurchalan is a Bachelor’s degree holder in Sustainable Human Development from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He has more than 5 years’ experience in Peace Education and Conflict resolution in Pastoralist Communities in Northern Kenya, research issues on corruption and the challenges facing service delivery and devolved governance in Kenya. Further, he is proficient in budget advocacy, sexual and reproductive health rights and policy advocacy, not forgetting project management and fundraising in Network Empowering Samburu Transformation (NEST). While serving as the NEST project manager, he has facilitated project implementation and support services, including fundraising, preparation of reports and briefs, coordinating resources, and monitoring and evaluation of project plans. He currently serves as the Peace Coordinator for the Social Ministry Research Network Centre (SOMIRENEC) in Isiolo County and as the secretary for the Samburu Youth Advocacy Network (SYAN), a consortium of different youth-led organizations in Samburu County. Felix is also a Siasa Place Youth Volunteer representative for Samburu County.
Martha Lusweti is a social development practitioner with over six years’ experience in social programs that promote the sustainable development of women and youth. She is also the co-founder of SADEN, a community-based organization that focuses on the socio-economic empowerment of teenage mothers to be skilled, informed and confident; through vocational and life skills training. Previously, she worked at Sabon Africa Development Network, a Pan-African youth-led organization that promotes meaningful youth participation in Africa’s development. Currently, she runs a consultancy firm that aims to improve youth earning capacity through entrepreneurial and vocational skills training. Martha has been engaged in various projects strengthening SRH systems across communities in Kenya and East Africa. She is also a Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) 2018 fellow.
Alfred Sigo is a youth leader and community health volunteer working with the Pwani Youth Network, of which he is also the founder and CEO. For the past 7 years, he has been working in the health sector, contributing to improved service delivery, community health advocacy and most recently, social accountability and social audits in health facilities. His work mainly entails championing for better health among adolescents, youth and women in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale, as well as advancing the youth agenda for better policy change and implementation to improve their health and socioeconomic status. He is also a member of the Kenya Red Cross, the Global Opportunity Youth Network, Amnesty Kenya and the Change-maker Agenda by the United Nations.
Faith Opiyo is a youth advocate on issues of sexual reproductive health and rights, with a special focus on sexual and gender-based violence. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Gender and Development Studies having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science. She is the founder of the Centre for Young Women Empowerment (CYWE) a registered community-based organization in Kenya Soweto slums that deals with empowerment of youth and adolescent girls with keen inclusion of boys on matters of sexual and reproductive health, gender and life skills. Further, she is a proud holder of the global Velji Young African Award for the work she has done with young women. She is the current Chairperson of the Youth Advisory Panel to UNFPA (YAP-UNFPA) and is a member of the Youth Steering Committee at UN Women ESARO
Noel Museshi Murunga, fondly referred to as Seshi, is a 22-year old global health enthusiast, known for her happy go lucky, bubbly, and energetic nature that is second to none! When she is not in class in pursuit of becoming a Public Health practitioner, she is either nurturing herself and/or others through various self-development activities or trying hard to make the most out of her life by having numerous adventures. She is passionate about health, specifically sexual and reproductive health and access to health for all, and believes that she can shine a light, in a society with retrogressive beliefs on matters Sexual and Reproductive Health. Being a UN Academic Impact Millennium Fellow, and a YALI alumni, she is a leader who strongly believes in upsetting the status quo, as a catalyst for change in society. Currently, she is the Project Coordinator of a dynamic team of young SRHR advocates under Project RESPEKT, a youth-led collaboration between Medical Students in Kenya and IMCC Global(Denmark), that trains teenagers on Comprehensive Sexual Education, with the aim of developing a cohort of teenagers that will act as catalysts in developing a palatable, adaptable and sustainable curriculum on Adolescent Reproductive Health.
Innocent Indeje is an empowered leader motivated by his career objective of creating a safe space for the youth. This is with the aim of building a better tomorrow by empowering today’s youth, socially, culturally and economically with specific respect to matters of their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. Innocent is a professional teacher who earned his Bachelor of Education Arts degree and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Education Arts at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Through volunteering, Innocent has over the past four years earned significant experience in the facilitation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in and out of schools, championing for Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, policy and budget advocacy, and socio-economic empowerment of the youth both in and out of school. He also works closely with teen mothers on economic empowerment, training them on how to start small businesses for financial self-sustenance. Innocent is motivated by the fact that everyone has the ability to positively impact their own future irrespective of their current situation.
Sheenan is a seasoned expert in advocacy for sexual reproductive health rights of adolescents and young people. With over 5 years’ experience in SRHR advocacy program design, coordination and implementation, training and oversight. She is a believer in the power of young people, their ability to discern right and impact on changing the world. Over the years she has represented the country with government delegations in international advocacy platforms such as the African commission, the CSW, ICPD ,Africa sustainable development goals forum among others, she has represented the voices of young women, adolescents girls and marginalized groups.
She holds a bachelor of science psychology degree and is currently pursuing a masters in public policy and administration.
She has a girl mentorship program for girls in rural and marginalized communities , to empower and mentor them while providing basic menstrual hygiene materials. She enjoys in her free time African literature ,photography and use of social media for change.
Santa Kagendo Sebastian is a youth leader from Meru County, passionate about youth empowerment and women’s rights, evident through her advocacy work both at local and national level. She is a firm believer in the inclusion of all minority groups in decision-making to promote equality for all. Santa is currently a Youth Programs Coordinator with Family Health Options Kenya in Meru County. In addition, she is the founder and director of the Youth and Women Advocacy Network, a local CBO that gives young people a platform to develop their leadership and programming skills. Her roles include working closely with stakeholders to ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health information and services by young people with a special focus on young girls and women.
Ms. Kagendo believes that her training in community development and social work is the foundation of what she does. Further, she is a trainer on advocacy, sexual reproductive health and is a leadership coach. She has also sat in the Youth Action Movement (YAM) national board, under Family Health Options Kenya as the national youth representative for 5 years, advancing meaningful youth engagement and representing the voices of young people nationally on rights based advocacy in SRHR. When not doing her community work, Santa loves travelling, socializing with friends and photography. She uses her love for acting to do “artism” aside from activism. She identifies herself with the lioness for its bravery, strength and loyalty. Her peers call her “boss lady” because she always gets things done!