Meet the 2024 kanthari course participants
Blaise Ngwanoh Ngwana (27)
Cameroon
Blaise supports deaf people in conflict affected zones
As a hearing-impaired individual in the war affected northwest region of cameroon, I’ve overcome immense adversity due to my impairedment, learning fashion design to gain financial stability. I advocate for equal access to safety and vocational skills for deaf and hearing-impaired persons in war zones
Enoque de Carvalho (29)
Angola
Enoque wants to solve the problem of lack of accessibility to public transport for people with disabilities.
My country was known for having the highest number of landmines in Africa, and it left several persons with disabilities. I witnessed the horrors of these landmine victims, now I am in Kanthari India to learn skills and share experiences to best fight against social exclusion.
Gloria Anne Achieng (27)
Kenya
As a psychologist, Gloria offers support for children who have been in clnflict with the law
Growing up in a slum, I encountered numerous challenges until a teacher helped me complete my education and pursue a career as a psychologist. Inspired by the Okiri – Luo word for mongoose, which symbolizes courage and resilience, I now work to empower children in conflict with the law to thrive.
Maria Juliet (45)
India
MJ understands the hugely important role of nature, and advocates for a responsible form of living
None of us know how old and how massive Nature is? Though very little compared to the incredible supremacy of nature, yet human beings have control on almost everything on earth. Therefore, it is our sole responsibility to co-exist in a responsible manner and to take care of our ecosystems and environment. Inspired by fascinating facts of nature right from childhood and having concern over decline of our incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna, my husband and I started MEAHLVANAM Voice of Nature. We envisage fertile ecosystems with clean habitats and rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Our mission is to restore our ecosystems to bringback our native flora & fauna biodiversity. To revive future generation’s mindset to rebuild their responsibility and connection towards nature.
Fransisca Christanti Tri Wulandari (35)
Indonasia
Fransisca addresses the challenge of mental health.
During my childhood, I grappled with anxiety and self-harm.
I concealed my inner turmoil behind a “high achiever” mask in my quest for acceptance.
In my youth, strong friendships, mentorship, artistic pursuits, and therapy helped build my resilience.
I also gained a clear sense of direction.
Now, I am determined to inspire and empower others to overcome their mental struggles and discover their own path to personal growth and fulfilment.
Talk Mental Health is an initiative to break the stigma and change perceptions of mental health among young people in Indonesia, where we work with and for youth to foster resilience and self growth and also normalise the conversation about mental health issues.
Timothy Munguci (24)
Uganda
Timothy, being an artist, wants to use music to empower other youth/
Growing up, I struggled to fit in conventional schools as my desire for creativity was not much appreciated. Later in my life, a local music recording studio suddenly felt like home to me. Despite opposition, I pursued a career in audio engineering and later set up a small recording studio. There, I found joy in helping young artists in my community. Young people venturing into creative arts are often sidelined in my community and considered as social misfits. ‘Adiko’ is a word in my local language that means “Story”. We want to change the narrative of young people in my community. From a story of daily struggles and ridicule to a story of hope, resilience, and growth. We want to energize them to develop, regain dignity, and actively contribute to community development.
Gabriela Zambrana Méndez (44)
Bolivia
Gabriela advocates for a violence free environment for children
I am committed to founding ENLA-C, an NGO focused on preventing violence against children. Through the creation of a family empowerment center, we seek to strengthen that space that is so important for every person: the family. The basis of our activities is the intergenerational exchange of knowledge, which translates into activities where we seek to bring parents and children closer together, bridging the gap that often exists between the two. These activities not only promote intergenerational knowledge exchange, but also create a safe and fun space where families can strengthen their bonds while having fun and learning from each other.
Mala Sonawadekar (34)
India
Mala offers support for children who need protection in care homes
As a lawyer working in child protection, I was heartbroken to see how children in care homes—many of them victims of abuse and other crimes—often believe they’ve done something wrong and that’s why they’re there. Cocoon Homes is dedicated to changing that mindset. Our goal is to make sure these children feel safe and protected, but also nurtured. We want them to know they’re in a place of care, not punishment. That’s why we’re focusing on things like counseling, training caregivers to understand trauma, engaging volunteers to play with the kids, and making the spaces more welcoming.
Jestina Gandawa (66)
Zimbabwe
Jestina wants to spread joy for orphans and stimatized women
As a child who grew up as an orphan. I was the head of my two siblings my two brothers carrying water to have little money for us to buy food. I was married very young at 17yrs stayed for 40yrs without a child struggled with stigmatization from both parents and the community. My organization is MUFARO which means BRINGING BACK JOY we support the stigmatized women who had struggled with infertility and vulnerable children in the streets, our aim, to provide counseling and livelihood skills to both groups, preparing the children for integration program, for women to self-integrate and bounce forward in life
Jethro Christopher (24)
Nigeria
Jethro empowers youth using tech securing better livelihoods in future
Due to the oil spills, harvests from farming were hardly enough to feed my family once a day. So at the age of 15, I relocated to the city in search of a job, and my journey into digital marketing began. Now, I empower youths in my region through tech.
Maria Aminat Opolot (28)
Uganda
Maria uses her experience as a lawyer to support children and youth who ended up in detention centers
During my time volunteering, I visited an adult detention facility and met two child offenders awaiting their hearing. Seeing how the lack of legal aid deeply affected them left a mark on me. It fueled my passion to advocate for a more just, child-friendly legal system.
Kenneth Munene Gitari (40)
Kenya
Kenneth works on alternative learning for children in Kenya
Growing up, I experienced the challenges of inadequate government rural schools infrastructure. This fuelled me to establish RIKA,a child-centric organization in Sagana, Kenya, deadicated to improving educational environments, reducing dropout rates, and enhancing academic and social outcomes. Visit our stall at the Spread the Spice to learn more about our initiatives.
Priyanka Shahi (37)
Nepal
Priyanka advocates for the rights of migrant worker
Konnecti Nepal empowers Nepalese migrants through mental health awareness, pre-departure training, and ongoing psychosocial support. As a migrant myself who faced significant challenges, I’m passionate about helping others navigate their journey with resilience, ensuring they receive the support I wish I had, so they can thrive abroad and at home when they return home.
Solange Ndip Tanyi (37)
Camaroon
Solange fights injustice and supports rape survivors
Solange Rising Stars (SRS), a non-profit empowering rape and abuse survivors through education, support, and holistic healing. Founded by survivor-turned-advocate Solange, who boldly uses her name to inspire others to stand tall without shame or fear, SRS provides a safe space for survivors to share their stories, access resources, and heal.
Tudu Prashant (26)
India
Tudu advocates for the rights of tribal children
Sido Kanhu Murmu Society is committed to providing quality education to tribal children in Jharkhand. We believe in a hands-on, practical approach to learning, ensuring that every child gains not just theoretical knowledge but also practical skills. By focusing on holistic education, we aim to empower tribal youth and help them build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Susanna Tiwonge Simango (36)
Malawi
Susanna works on bringing light to children and women on rural Malawi
At 16, my life took an unexpected turn, from living in the city, to a house that had no running water or electricity. After working in rural areas of Malawi, where a majority of people live in darkness, I co-founded Village Solar. My name is Susanna Simango, my venture supports marginalized women in becoming solar entrepreneurs, addressing the energy crisis that deeply affects them.
Teopista Nyachwo (44)
Uganda
Teopista works on empowering women so they become less financially dependent
KilimoFem an outstanding organisation dedicated to liberate marginalised women from finanacial dependency through smart farming techniques. My personal journey is at the heart of this project. As a founder of this organisation, I have faced hardships accessing basic needs due to exclusion which many single mothers and widows face. My personal exprience drives my passion to ensuring that marginalised women are financially indepedence. Join in the vision to create change!
Caren Anyango Jobita (27)
Kenya
Caren works on food security and environmental protection
My journey began in the Nyalenda Slum, Kenya, where rotting waste and polluted rivers were our daily companions. Sickened by the filth and ashamed of my home’s reputation, I sought change. I got inspired by the use of Black soldier flies to reduce waste, I became interested in incubating insects to create a healthier environment. This gave hope for a future in which insects could solve unemployment, food insecurity, and pollution.
Eric Mwenge (51)
DRC
Eric focuses on peace building activities.
My name is Eric Mwenge. I am the co- founder of CEEDECO. CEEDECO is a peace-building CBO which is headquartered in Uvira, in the South Kivu Province, in the DRCongo. My interest in peace-building was inspired by my father who lost my elder brother (Abas), his wife and 6 kids in an attack between two ethnic groups in the Kivu in 1996 when the war of Congo erupted . Instead of a revenge on what happened to my brother, my father strongly advised us as siblings to restore the spirit of Ubuntu as the wisest way to respond to cruelty that occured to our family. Doing that would hinder the cycle of violence from happening. By being a peace activist and mediator between communities my government became spicious of my peace-building activism. On Chrismass 2012, I was Kidnapped, tortured, imprisoned and forced to exile to Sweden. But despite what happened to myand to my family nothing will stop me from advocating for the restoration of a peaceful world that I want to live in and leave to generations to come.
David Wayi (36)
Uganda
David focus is on empowerment of deaf people
I am Wayi David, the founder of Light for Disability Transformation (LIDIT). My organization is a Community Based Organization founded in 2021, based in Uganda-East Africa, envisions inclusive society where deafness is embraced, deaf persons empowered, integrated and are active contributors in their communities. We have spent the last two years (2021 – 2022) piloting a Deaf safe space in Koboko district, west Nile, where we largely trained sign language, organized life skills training and conducted deaf culture awareness & dialogued with rural communities to address negative cultural norms about persons with Disabilities. We are working in three disability unit schools where we conduct capacity building for Special Needs Education Teachers on sign language, etc., conduct school based deaf awareness, organize disability events such as white canes days, international Disability Days, ICT skills for training for the Deaf; Home based disability awareness and outreach program; Deaf profiling (data collection), etc. Through our initiative, we have already mobilized over 1,000 deaf/hearing impaired individuals who are linked to our community integration Center.
Prakash Chandra Dangi (36)
India
Prakash works on alternative learning spaces for children from disadvantaged communities
Growing up in rural Rajasthan, child marriages were very common. The elders in my community did not prioritize education for children. Instead, their focus was on children’s marriages and following social traditions. I had many friends from Dalit and Adivasi communities. I saw their living conditions, and they struggled with necessities like food, water, and permanent shelter. Education was not a priority for their parents. All my friends from these marginalized communities left school after 10th standard. Most of them married before the age of 15 and had children. Now, they are being exploited in the labor market, with a few involved in liquor smuggling, and most struggling to find respectful jobs. So, I will build Swapnisthan, the “Place of Dreams,” an alternative school in Kanpur, Rajasthan catering to children aged 5-16 from socially disadvantaged communities, including ST, SC, and OBC groups. The school offers an open learning environment where education extends beyond the classroom, integrating the natural surroundings and local community into the learning process.
Sijo Varghese (35)
India
Sijo, being a wheelchair user himself, focuses on a holistic rehabiliation process for people who have spinal cord injuries.
After an accident that injured my spinal cord, I had to wait 10 years for rehabilitation. This prevented me from continuing my education and led to numerous secondary issues, such as pressure sores, urinary tract infections, muscle spasticity, and significant psychological impacts like depression and anxiety due to the loss of mobility.
I envision a society that provides spinal cord injured patients with proper rehabilitation, inspires hope, and transforms lives through holistic care and strong support, enabling every individual to achieve their best and live as independently as possible.
Shrishail Birajdar (35)
India
Shrishail understands the importance of being able to read and wants to make books accessible for disadvantaged children and youth
Readers Sanctuary is a social venture that uses book reading as catalyst for social chhange. We create vibrant reading spaces in the slums community for the children and youth, where they can access diverse geners of books of their interest to help them to start their reading journey. Along with access to books the Reader’s sanctuary organise various activities, sessions, and workshops for engaging children and youth in reading, listening and creative writing focusing their overall development.