Opportunity Desk is pleased to announce the 4th class of OD Impact Challenge 30 Under 30 Changemaker list! The Changemaker List recognizes and amplifies the Impact of changemakers from across the world every year through publicity.
The 30 Changemakers were shortlisted during the OD Impact Challenge 2023. They represent leaders and entrepreneurs who are taking great steps to solve real problems and add significant value to the lives of people in their communities. Below are their names and profiles in no particular order.
1. Mehreen Raza (Pakistan)
Mehreen Raza, hailing from Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, emerges as a dynamic force at the intersection of technology, environmental sciences, water, sanitation and health sciences, and women’s empowerment. Her academic accolades, including a gold medal and two silver medals in Computer Systems Engineering and Forestry, underscore her commitment to excellence. As the victor of the 2023 Climate Launchpad Asia Pacific Regional Finals, Mehreen’s passion for positive environmental and societal impact materialized in “She-Guard.” This innovative venture pioneers biodegradable sanitary napkins from agro-waste, combating climate change and addressing the dire need for affordable menstrual hygiene products in Pakistan. Her multifaceted role as a researcher, entrepreneur, and climate activist positions her as a catalyst for change, aiming to create a sustainable and equitable future for women globally. Awards from esteemed organizations like the UNFPA, UNIDO, and The Asia Foundation, The French Embassy, IUCN, Higher education commission, Shell Tameer Pakistan etc affirm Mehreen’s dedication to pioneering solutions for pressing global challenges. Her journey reflects not only academic prowess but also a profound commitment to bridge gaps, empower rural communities, and foster lasting change. Championing change, Mehreen aspires to revolutionize women’s health and environmental well-being with She-Guard, making a lasting global impact.
2. Kakembo Galabuzi Brian (Uganda)
Kakembo Galabuzi Brian is the founder and Executive Director of WEYE Clean Energy Company, a social enterprise, empowering over 800 youth and women in Uganda to create sustainable and affordable clean energy solutions. He was also a UN intern with the World Meteorological Organization. Kakembo Galabuzi Brian has an MBA in Energy and Sustainability awarded by the Catholic University of Murcia in Spain. For his work, he is a recipient of iF Social Impact Prize in 2017 by iF Design Foundation in Germany; Greenpreneurs Achievement Award 2018 by the Global Green Growth Institute in South Korea; the 2020 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year Award for excellence in development work and he was listed in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 class of 2021.
3. Nurul Hasnat Ove (Bangladesh)
Nurul Hasnat Ove is a passionate and dedicated young leader from Bangladesh, with a strong commitment to creating positive change in his community and beyond. He currently serves as the President of QS Impact & World Merit in Bangladesh, where he works to promote sustainable practices and youth empowerment. In addition Nurul is also the President of Leadership Development Association International in Bangladesh, where he focuses on developing the leadership skills of young people and promoting social innovation.Nurul’s commitment to creating a better future extends beyond his work with these organizations. He is also actively involved in promoting sustainable practices and climate action in his community, including through initiatives like beach cleanups, sustainable transportation campaigns, and waste reduction efforts.
Nurul is the Representative of Bangladesh to the UNESCO SDG4Youth & Student Network, where he works to promote youth engagement and action on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.He is currently the Co-Lead of Membership & Engagement of the interim steering committee of the Ocean Youth Working Group under the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network. With his extensive experience in leadership development, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable practices, Nurul Hasnat Ove is committed to use his skills and experiences to make a positive impact on the fight against climate change and to empower young people to become agents of change in their communities.He has worked as a Consultant at the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development ( UNESCO MGIEP) under the Youth Division & under the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh working closely with the Minister of Education of Bangladesh H.E Dr.Dipu Moni M.P.He has been nominated for the prestigious “Commonwealth Youth Award of Excellence 2022” by the Ministry of Youth & Sports of Bangladesh. He is also a member of Members of the UNESCO Global Youth Community as well as The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust & serving as an Ambassador of Global School Program of UN SDSN Youth,World Literacy Foundation,World Summit Award, Theirworld Foundation,2022 Max Thabiso Edkins (MTE) Climate Ambassador, Thought for Food, Founding board Member of Global Youth Alliance for Kindness (GYAK),GCT Member of YOUNGO,etc.
4. Tito Tri Kadafi (Indonesia)
Tito Tri Kadafi is an education activist who strives to improve literacy, critical thinking, and socio-emotional abilities for young Indonesians so that the world is more fair and tolerant through the Bastra ID organization he founded in 2018. This organization has a focus on language and literature, the vehicles for the aforementioned purpose. Due to the fact that his city is the least tolerant in Indonesia and there is a lack of interfaith dialogue there, Tito developed Kartu Berembug with his organization as a learning medium to help students develop negotiation skills in navigating the challenges of diversity.
In 2023, he was given the chance to work in the Indonesian State Palace as a student at the Presidential Staff School. Through his perseverance, he was also awarded by the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sport as a National Youth Pioneer, Young Leaders for Indonesia by McKinsey & Company, won Unilever’s Every U Does Good Heroes for this action, and was one of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows in Nebraska, United States. Tito was a valedictorian at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta with an Indonesian Language and Literature Education major.
5. Pascal Balibanga Mbale (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Pascal Balibanga Mbale is co-founder and coordinator of the BWIJA foundation, a founding member of the NGO “People in action international “, coordinator of NCM (Nazarene compassionate ministries) and a facilitator in leadership and project management. He holds degrees in development management and community development. He is the initiator of several development projects in his community, including projects to support the education of orphans and vulnerable children, a project to facilitate access to education for vulnerable children, a project to support the fight against child malnutrition. He holds a certificate in humanitarian logistics, a certificate in project management, a certificate in the fight against human trafficking, and a certificate in leadership. As a community development consultant, he promotes the empowerment of women in his community, and vocational training for underprivileged young people. He is currently working more on access to education for vulnerable children, because in his country elementary school is free, but many children are unable to access education because they don’t have the means to buy school supplies. He believes that education makes it possible to pass on from one generation to the next the knowledge necessary for each individual’s personality development and social integration. Every child deserves a quality education based on fundamental rights and rooted in the concept of gender equality. “Education is the most powerful weapon for changing this world”, he believes, because if our communities value education, they can experience sustainable development and positive transformation.
6. Bishal Panthi (Nepal)
Bishal Panthi is the founder and President of Tech Education Nepal, a non-profit dedicated to promoting literacy in environmental awareness, research, and entrepreneurship. Bishal is a distinguished individual, securing the winner position in the Asia Pacific Innovation Challenge 2022 for Sustainability in Business and attaining Top 5 Global Finalist recognition in the Business, Innovation, and Technology Challenge. He also achieved Finalist status in the EPIC Youth Well-Being Prize by USAID. Bishal, as an ambassador for the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, registered his NGOs under IN-SPACE as a Space Situational Partner, impacting over 10,000 individuals through various impactful projects.
7. Janu Muhammad (Indonesia)
Janu Muhammad is a Founder and CEO of Sayur Sleman, a platform which offers gardening supplies, regenerative farming programs, urban farming training, agribusiness consultation, and free vegetable donation program starting 2020. Sayur Sleman’s innovations not only provide business but transform and empower the local communities in Indonesia. Through the Sayur Sleman Academy program, more than 2000 young people have become agribusiness training participants. Janu, an inspirational and passionate person, has more than 7 years experience working on project management, community development, and agribusiness sector. He has worked with grassroot communities and multi-stakeholder in combating poverty, ending hunger in rural-urban societies, and young farmers’ regenerations across Indonesia. Prior to developing Sayur Sleman, Janu spent 3 years as a CEO to connect with local, national, and global networks such as Indonesia Millennial Farmer Association, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Youth and Sport, National Food Agency, UNDP Accelerator Lab Indonesia, SDG Academy Indonesia, Ministry of National Development Planning, and Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Global. Janu was also given a mandate to lead Indonesia Delegate for K-Smart Farm Workshop in South Korea 2023 – a fully funded smart farming training for millennial farmers.
Janu has been recognised as Young Ambassador Agriculture 2023 and received SDG Certified Leader Award from SDG Academy Indonesia, Tanoto Foundation, BAPPENAS and the UNDP Indonesia for supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. This year (2023) he also received an award from the Minister of Youth and Sports of Republic Indonesia for his dedication and impact in training new young entrepreneurs. He was also selected as an Atlantic Fellow through the Equity Initiative Fellowship 2024 program to undertake training in several countries. Janu graduated from the Geography Education Department, Yogyakarta State University in 2015 and got a scholarship to pursue a master degree at University of Birmingham, UK. Previously, he had also attended summer courses at Utrecht University, the Netherlands and Arizona State University with full scholarships.
8. Benefice Tuyisenge (Uganda)
Benefice Tuyisenge is an industrious social worker, entrepreneur, and catalyst for community change. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Talented Orphan Healing Aid (TOHA) within the Nakivale Refugee Settlement for eight years, demonstrating unwavering dedication to refugee response efforts. In his capacity at TOHA, Benefice adeptly leads the organization, crafting and implementing high-quality strategic plans aligned with short and long-term objectives. His oversight ensures consistent delivery of impactful results, keeping operations in line with the organization’s mission and overarching strategy. His leadership extends to nurturing employee engagement and fostering a high-performing managerial team, contributing significantly to organizational success.
Benefice holds certifications in state exams for bachelor’s degree admission and a Diploma in Information Technology and Maintenance acquired during secondary school. His skill set encompasses leadership, entrepreneurship, trauma rehabilitation, Microsoft Office proficiency, hardware management, website design, and first aid, showcasing his versatility across various domains. Fluent in English, Kiswahili, Kirundi, and French, Benefice’s multilingual proficiency facilitates effective communication across diverse communities and contexts, enhancing his impact within humanitarian and community-based initiatives. His enduring commitment to serving refugees and leveraging his diverse skill set for community betterment establishes Benefice Tuyisenge as an exemplary force in humanitarian organizational management and community development.
9. Robert Isoke (Uganda)
Robert Isoke graduated with a BSc in Midwifery from Lira University. He acquired training in global health monitoring and evaluation and project management in global health from the University of Washington. He has a special interest in SDG 3 with a focus on improving women’s health through evidence-based social innovations. He is a 2022 D-Prize Challenge winner, a 2021 Clinton Global Initiative University fellow and has participated in the 2021 Social Shifters digital incubator. In 2019, he received a micro research grant from the Health Professional Education Partnership Initiative- Transforming Ugandan Institutions Training against HIV/AIDS (HEPI-TUITAH). Robert is the Co-founder of the Women Self-Inject Initiative an organisation that seeks to empower women to take control of their reproductive health. He also currently works with Seed Global Health as the clinical partnership administrator at Lira University and Lira University Teaching Hospital.
10. Princess Chinelo Noble (Nigeria)
Princess Chinelo Noble shares any ambition that connects to improved health for the public through Communications and Strategic Advocacy. She has initiated health advocacy programs like a Genotype awareness rally along with free genotype tests for over 200 students, organized a Directorate of Health Advocacy in her University community etc. Her current project – ‘Protect The Host’ has reached 100 school children and counting. She is also a fellow of Clinton Global Initiative University, Aspire Leadership Institute (Founded at Harvard University), The Bridge Program, and the Millennium Fellowship. Digital and visual storytelling are some of her top skills.
11. Tola Zulu (Zambia)
Tola Zulu is the founder and CEO of Wilbelt Microfinance, a social enterprise founded in 2018 with a motive of reducing poverty through women empowerment. He holds a diploma in Water Engineering from the Natural Resources Development College and he also holds a certificate in business and entrepreneurship from the University of Southafrica. He focuses on driving global initiatives to overcome the cultures of risk to unlock and mobilize local funding for more investments, technology and entrepreneurship. Having lived, invested and worked side by side with entrepreneurs, Tola brings a unique firsthand experience with the subsequent risk and barriers, and what it takes to survive and thrive in varying economic climates. His success, failures, and detours have provided him a deep understanding of the issues around investing, execution, and entrepreneurship that one faces in countries with different economic environments and legal regimes, developing financial markets and differing cultural attitudes around risk and failure.
Tola has a passion, perseverance spirit and ability to take measured and sometimes reckless risks and has a deep belief in changing human lives. He is also creative; he has the ability to think differently, to find innovative solutions where others do not see any change. He is a servant leader with a convincing power to inspire others to join him in his moves. With his solidarity trait, he collaborates very well with his team. As a mentor, Tola has advised over 20 entrepreneurs around Zambia to cultivate social entrepreneurship to address social global challenges. He has engaged stakeholders for greater innovation, venture capital through scaling up entrepreneurship.
12. Obasanjo Fajemirokun (Nigeria)
Obasanjo Fajemirokun is a leading advocate for quality education in Nigeria who founded Brace-Up The Young. With a visionary approach, he has mentored and educated over 425 individuals, imparting crucial soft and leadership skills. He has also sensitised 6,763 students, mainly focusing on girls, across eight Nigerian states, emphasising the significance of quality education and SDGs through his organisation. Obasanjo’s impact reaches 298 children in slums, providing essential learning materials. Beyond this, his dedication is evident in starting EduGirls Nigeria FC, a transformative project using football to empower 50 schoolgirls in Ota, Ogun State, fostering their academic growth and personal development.
13. Noreen Asekenye (Uganda)
Noreen Asekenye uses humane storytelling as a powerful driver for change. Through her nonprofit organization, Tell a Story Foundation, Noreen nurtures individual and community narratives and shares authentic stories told by real people to contribute to a compassionate world. Tell a Story Foundation has documented stories of over 100 unsung community heroes in Uganda to remind us that ordinary people can do amazing things and that we can all be leaders.
The foundation has connected over 300 people to join fireside storytelling sessions as a tool to share stories and build conversations around social issues that affect the community. A June 2022 fireside session raised $350 to support marginalized children in the Namutumba District of Uganda with school supplies and meals. Tell a Story Foundation has also used storytelling to raise autism awareness. Their autism-focused story sessions culminated in a charity walk that raised $300 to renovate a local school that supports learners with autism. Presently, the foundation is using storytelling to champion a library drive for 10 rural schools in Uganda without access to reading materials, a total of 1500 storybooks have been collected.
14. Kabir Olaosebikan (Nigeria)
Kabir Olaosebikan, a visionary social entrepreneur at the age of 27, is the founder and CEO of Craft Planet. Hailing from a background in Architecture at Kaduna Polytechnic, he has seamlessly transitioned into the realm of environmental science and natural resources, fueled by an unwavering passion for creativity and a relentless commitment to addressing environmental challenges. Kabir is not only a prominent figure in the field of environmental science and natural resources but also a stalwart in education and entrepreneurship. In 2014, straight out of secondary school, Kabir established Crea8ive Planet Academy, a testament to his early commitment to nurturing and grooming young talents. The academy, under his guidance, has not only impacted over 20,000 school students but also instilled in them a passion for creative arts and environmental education. Beyond education, Kabir has served as an entrepreneur and creative arts teacher, bringing his innovative spirit to the classroom. His dedication to fostering creativity and environmental consciousness at an early age reflects his commitment to holistic education.
Currently focused on his mission with Craft Planet, Kabir aims to revolutionize the housing industry by creating modular homes from plastic waste. His vision encompasses sustainability, durability, cost-effectiveness, insulation, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal, reflecting a commitment to addressing environmental challenges through innovative and practical solutions. Kabir’s journey is punctuated by an impressive array of accolades, including the prestigious Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Award, Global Entrepreneurship Awards in both Abuja and Lagos, LeapAfrica Certification, South Africa Idea Festival (SAIF), Brightest Young Mind Certification, Sahara Impact Fund Award, Because Accelerator (USA), World Connect (USA), Kashim Ibrahim Fellow, Young Innovators Challenge, Abuja Enterprise Agency Award, and numerous others.
15. Shivani Dodamani (United States of America)
Shivani Dodamani is a current student at UC Berkeley but a lifelong problem solver. Her first initiatives stemmed from her own experiences, tackling the lack of environmental consciousness in the classroom and anti-bullying themes in her children’s books and hosting the Network Channel podcast bridging youth to unconventional wisdom. With over 100 pages and 300 minutes of impact, Shivani’s drive to improve the status quo has challenged her to build her own skills to better empower others. With patent pending invention Racquet Armor, Shivani developed patent pending invention Racquet Armor alongside her co-founder Sachi Dodamani to give the arm-disabled an opportunity to play racquet sports. She has inspired thousands of high school students in mission oriented entrepreneurship with the Blue Ocean Competition nonprofit and has been honored by the national museum of education for her innovation.
16. Praise Akobo (Nigeria)
Praise Akobo has over 5 years of experience in social services, using education to drive wholesome health. She is a Disability Inclusion Advocate and Co-founder of YieldUp Development Initiative (Y_Dev) formerly called YOWAD, building young leaders especially in PWDs (Persons With Disabilities) living in vulnerable communities and underrepresented societies and has hosted leadership training programs in tertiary institutions. She is also passionate about creating an inclusive society for young persons living with disabilities, hence the Project Lead of Project BALE (Build A Local Eco-friendly Library), which works at closing the gaps in literacy and empowerment as a result of discrimination for young persons with disabilities by constructing sustainable libraries using reused plastic bottles, facilitating reading development in a supportive environment with the assistance of service and therapy dogs. Currently, she is a volunteer at Dogalov Human Support Initiative, the only organization in Nigeria pioneering Human Animal Interactions, where she creates content to raise awareness, and supports visiting Autism and Disabilities centers in Abuja, Nigeria offering Animal Assisted Interventions (Education, Activities, Therapy). Praise is a current Veterinary Medical Graduate from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, and a 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow.
17. Favour Eragbie (Nigeria)
Favour Eragbie is a plant biology and biotechnology student at the University of Benin, Nigeria who took an interest in using education to combat climate change. Her mission is to empower and build capacities among young students across universities to drive climate action in various sectors where they take up careers in the future, thereby turning the tide on nature loss and climate change by building societies living in harmony with nature. She is the founder of Friends of Nature Network, a Student Ambassador Coordinator at Nature Positive Universities and a Global Youth Ambassador with Their World. She is a Sterling Bank HEART fellow and a graduate of the Founders Institute Accelerator Programme. Her passion for youths driving nature-based solutions with technology earned her a place as the only student on the winning team at the World Bank Group Utility of the Future Youth Challenge. Her works and passion have been featured by the World Bank Group, the University of Oxford, the United Nations Environment Programme and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
18. Juan Pablo Alvarado Herrera (Colombia)
Juan Pablo is a Young Colombian leader, lawyer, psychologist and student of social management specialization at Javeriana University. characterized by service vocation, leadership, and strategic group management. Mainly focused on education as a tool for social transformation, gender equality, mental health, and youth empowerment. Juan is volunteer of KAS foundation in the project of Student KAS network to empower colombian youth. Also, he lead Curie Project with Global Shapers and Educreando Foundation in hingh vulnerable area in their city. Alumni of Hansen Leadership Institute, MCW Global and Orygen Global organizations that give strongs skills for grow as a changemaker in their community.
19. Ameerah Muhammad Ashir (Nigeria)
Ameerah Muhammad Ashir, is a Technology Expert & Innovator/Consultant, and a Youth Activist. she received her Diploma and Degree in Computer Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. She has 8 years of experience in the Tech Field (Software and Blockchain Development, Data Science/Analysis, Cybersecurity, UI/UX Design, 3D Animation, and Digital marketing/ PR management). she has 5 years of experience as an Activist working with both international and local NGOs to promote gender equality to play a crucial role in promoting economic growth and the right to a healthy environment in her community and Africa at large through the use of technology. As an activist to explore and develop STEM & tech skills to promote gender equality, a healthy environment, and community development, she established her tech initiative hub (Faidhaa/Digital Generation Innovation Hub) a registered project management solution hub in Lagos, Nigeria. Her initiative was aligned with Sustainable Development Goals, 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
In 2018 she registered her Hub incorporated with CAC Nigeria, to promote gender equality with technology and other SDGs Goals in Nigeria. In 2022, through her organization Faidhaa/Digital Generation (FDG) Innovation Hub, she has develop tech solutions like School Management System, Hospital Management System, Edtech App Animation Version, Gamified Software with Blockchain and Artificial intelligence, eVoting System, FastPay (Fintech) to mention few. She has provided digital skills training for 10,000 girls/ women in Nigeria (age 15 -35 years) to close the digital & employability gaps where 45% have secured jobs, 55% are tech literate. Seeing the catalytic effect of access to digital skills can enhance the economic prospects of the girl’s child in Nigeria, she was inspired to build more capacity in tech development further to make the world a safe place.
20. Onatade Oyinlola Mary (Nigeria)
Onatade Oyinlola Mary, the visionary founder of Changemakers Africa, is dedicated to cultivating the potential of young Africans. Her social enterprise, established in 2021, has impacted over 5000 teenagers across 12 local government areas and 4 states in Nigeria. With a steadfast team and ambitious plans, Changemakers Africa aspires to reach 5 million teenagers throughout Africa by 2030, offering them quality mentorship and digital skills to unlock their potentials for significant income, impact, and influence. Oyinlola firmly believes that sowing seeds of wisdom in today’s teens and youths is an investment in the future. Her commitment to preserving and shaping the future is evident through her endeavors. In 2022, Oyinlola extended her impact by founding Ko Academy, a coaching institution specializing in Communication skills and Book project management. Through Ko Academy, she has empowered over 1500 young professionals, enhancing their communication skills and guiding struggling authors to become best-selling authors. A distinguished graduate from the prestigious Tai Solarin University of Education, Oyinlola emerged as the second-best graduating student in the Department of Educational Technology. As a core leader and dedicated project manager, she takes pleasure in steering projects from conception to launch. Oyinlola’s accolades include recognition from esteemed organizations such as Growth Magnet Hub, a nomination as a 25 under 25 future-forward female by the Immerse Coaching Circle, acknowledgment as the Young Promising Influencer by the Young and Purpose-Driven Influencers Award, and inclusion in the Top 100 Most Inspiring Young Females in Africa by BEST AFRICA, among numerous other outstanding awards.
21. Zakari Emmanuel (Nigeria)
Zakari Emmanuel is a creative youth leader, social justice advocate, spoken word poet, author, and seasoned community organizer with 5+ years of impact and development sector experience in Nigeria. Leveraging his prowess in communication, he drives productivity and efficiency in dynamic environments. As a reliable and ethical support specialist, Zakari exhibits robust leadership, fostering collaboration for operational and service excellence. Zakari serves as the inaugural lead of the ARTvocacy Movement at Street Project Foundation. Here, he employs creative arts to amplify youth participation in civil engagement, leadership, governance, and SDGs. Committed to empowering marginalized communities, he equips them with knowledge and resources for effective engagement with their government and access to vital public services. Zakari’s fervor lies in SDGs 4 and 16, centering on quality education and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, respectively.
22. Percy Darlyn Ansong Reynolds (Ghana)
Percy Darlyn Ansong Reynolds, being a young passionate climate activist, founded the GreenHouse project in 2022 with a clear vision: to help combat climate change and its dire consequences. Through community mobilization, he has successfully planted over 300 trees across 150+ homes, demonstrating a commitment to environmental restoration. In response to climate-induced migration, he has provided refuge to migrants from Niger, offering them a home and opportunities to rebuild their lives in Ghana. He also leads both the Policy and Capacity Building teams at YOUNGO’s Migration and Climate Change Working Group, focusing on empowering youth through high-level capacity building events and fostering a space for knowledge sharing and development of innovative solutions in the context of climate mobility. His immense contribution to the creation of the African Youth Declaration for Climate Mobility (read at COP27 and securing funding from the Bosch Foundation for climate mobility solutions in Africa) showcases his impact from grassroots level to the international front. With proficiency in both English and French, he leverages his bilingualism to engage diverse audiences. Strong work ethic, intelligence, resourcefulness, and problem-solving is the hallmark of this true change maker.
23. Julia Carolina Carvalho (Brazil)
Julia Carolina Carvalho after coming from Salvador, Brazil’s first city and capital, started wondering how Brazil could overcome its structural issues to become a more just and democratic society. As such, Júlia founded the Logos Initiative with the mission to promote a transformative education to Brazilian youth through scientific initiation. She has connected with numerous policymakers and entrepreneurs and leads a vibrant community of students, who transform their local communities through their studies. Her innovative ideas for education led her to joining the Latin American Leadership Academy and Ashoka, the largest global network of social entrepreneurs, as a Young Changemaker.
24. Daniel Femi (Nigeria)
Daniеl Fеmi is a passionatе advocatе for еyе hеalth with ovеr fivе yеars of еxpеriеncе in the fiеld. He has dedicated his carееr to promoting еyе hеalth for undеrsеrvеd communities in Nigeria. Currently, Daniеl sеrvеs as the Media Director II of the RETINA Initiative, a youth- led NGO focused on еyе hеalth promotion and preventable blindness. He also volunteers with Eyеland of Vision Foundation, whеrе he has contributed to awareness campaigns and intervention programs that have rеachеd ovеr 9,000 people in rural communities. As the Team Lead of the School Eye Hеalth Programme, Daniеl is committed to prеvеnting blindness and sight-threatening disеasеs among school children, understanding the correlation bеtwееn good sight and academic performance. His project, supported by the Pollination Grant, has made significant strides in this area. A Millеnnium Fеllow of the United Nations Academic Impact Class of 2021 and an alumni of the Clinton Global Initiative University, Daniеl has undergone extensive training on social impact projects. His dedication to sеrvеs is further demonstrated by his involvement in numerous medical outreach to undеrsеrvеd communities in Nigeria, including the Sustainable Rural Eye Carе Programme organized by St. Tеrеsa Spеcialist Eye and Lasеr Cеntеr. In 2023, Daniеl was sеlеctеd to join thе Carrington Youth Fеllowship Initiativе (CYFI), a dynamic youth-basеd initiativе launchеd by thе U. S. Consulatе Gеnеral, Lagos. As a CYFI fеllow, Daniеl works with othеr еxcеptional Nigеrian youth to dеsign and implеmеnt projеcts that positivеly impact Nigеria. Daniеl also sеrvеs as thе Communications Officеr for thе Wеlls Mountain Initiativе’s Educatе Your Own (EYO) campaign, a fundraising initiativе lеd by currеnt WMI Studеnts and Graduatе Scholars. Hе lеvеragеs his еxpеrtisе in communication and nеtworking to advocatе for a zеro-dropout ratе among studеnts facing financial challеngеs. Daniеl is drivеn by his commitmеnt to rеducing inеquity in accеss to high-quality еyе carе sеrvicеs, еspеcially among vulnеrablе populations. Hе firmly bеliеvеs that by incrеasing accеss to thеsе sеrvicеs, hе can significantly improvе thе livеs of many Nigеrians with vision problеms. His dеdication to this causе continuеs to inspire and makе a diffеrеncе in his community.
25. Prince Nyong (Nigeria)
Prince Nyong is a teacher, social entrepreneur and tech enthusiast with over 3 years experience in classroom management, mobile entrepreneurship and community leadership. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in the Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. In September, 2021, he co-founded Street Mentors Network, a nonprofit that mentors and cares for street children. Street Mentors Network supports SDG 2(Zero hunger) and SDG (4) Quality Education by feeding, clothing and mentoring and training street children in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Prince Nyong is a World Summit Awards Youth Ambassador where he works alongside other Ambassadors to promote the global WSA objectives in Nigeria and supports local digital innovations created by young innovators in his community. He is Alumni of several international Fellowships including The McKinsey Forward Program, GELA PGMP, AIIDEV Africa Sustainable Development Fellowship etc. He is exceptional in team building, digital marketing, networking, servant leadership, conflict resolution and project management.
26. Filbert Minja (Tanzania)
Filbert Minja is an emerging documentary filmmaker, storyteller and communication design working with African School of Storytelling (AFRISOS) an NGO that focuses on preserving and promoting Africa’s rich natural & cultural heritage through the art of storytelling. With a passion for empowering grassroots voices, Filbert utilizes the power of film to give a voice to the voiceless, shining a light on underrepresented communities and their stories. His commitment also to conservation is a testament to his dedication to preserving the environment, seamlessly blending this ethos into his filmmaking career journey. Filbert holds the conviction that the creative industry holds significant potential to effect transformative change in community.
27. Ushindi Dan (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Ushindi Dan from an early age has been deeply involved in community volunteering, and UFUNDILAB is a concrete manifestation of this passion, which has enabled him to make a significant contribution to the development of his community. Recognizing the challenges faced by many young people, he aims to address critical barriers to progress. For numerous aspiring individuals, the absence of conducive working environments, limited access to electricity and internet connectivity, and the absence of necessary technology hinder their endeavors. UFUNDILAB strives to bridge these gaps, providing essential resources and fostering an environment conducive to creativity and development. Driven by a profound belief in the potential of the youth, Dan’s work stands as a beacon of support and opportunity, dedicated to shaping a brighter future for aspiring changemakers.
28. Maureen Mafang (Nigeria)
Maureen Mafang is a citizen of Taraba State, Nigeria. A tech enthusiast full of passion and a commitment to staying abreast of industry trends, she brings a unique blend of technology to solve and sustain the SDGs. Her journey includes active participation in the Alt School Africa School of Engineering, where she is currently enrolled, and valuable contributions to group projects, showcasing her teamwork and collaboration skills. Maureen’s commitment to continuous learning is reflected in her completion of building an E-learning platform together with her team members to foster quality education.
Her engagement extends to community development through the Millennium Fellowship, where she advocated for gender equality and quality education leading impactful projects benefiting local communities. Maureen’s achievements include being recognised as the second place at the tech and SDG innovative hackathon in Taraba State organised by the MODE&I. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at Taraba State University, she balances her legal studies with a growing proficiency in frontend development and humanity, making her a dynamic and versatile professional.
29. Chimfwembe Mutale (Zambia)
Chimfwembe Mutale is a Zambian Founder and Managing Director at Yaaka Investment Limited eco-prenuer start-up company solving community environmental challenges. He is also a qualified global solutions expert in energy and climate change who offers strategic, multi-disciplinary services to public and private sector stakeholders seeking to assess the risks of climate factors and mitigate those risks and their potential consequences. His broad expertise across numerous engineering disciplines, public health, ecological and environmental sciences, hydrology, natural resource damage assessment, and restoration and mitigation analysis gives clients access to an unparalleled wealth of skills and resources that can help any industry build unique solutions to unprecedented challenges. He has received numerous awards on the local and international scene the prominent ones being the Mwape Peer Awards Engineering Excellence Award 2021(USA) and Digital Hub Logistics Top 3 Innovations-waste Management Hamburg(Germany). In 2022 he was recognized in the top 50 African Climate Innovators magazine by UNDP & CTCN.
He has represented Zambia as a delegate at different forums like the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, the 10th Sustainable Energy for All Forum in Kigali, the Youth Sustainability Development Conference 2022 and the Conference of Youth on Environment and Climate 2023 (virtual Nigeria)to just name a few. In addition, he is an alumnus of fellowships focused on environmental and human development like Community of Global Leaders, United People Global, Laudato SI’ Movement, PanAfrican Climate Justice Alliance and Africa for Sustainable Development.
30. Desire Joshua (Nigeria)
Desire Joshua, is the visioner founder of Kiddie Tech Ville, with a mission to take technology to the unreached. Through this STEM startup, Desire is committed to transforming early childhood learning, particularly for those at the bottom of the pyramid. With a passion for leveraging technology, Desire is driving major strides to close the gaps of education technology and ensure accessing innovative learning experiences even at the furthest underserved communities.
Congratulations to the 4th Class of OD Impact Challenge 30 Under 30 Changemakers!
