Next week I head for Beni, DRC, to work side-by-side with the NYOTA planning team. I’ll also participate in the launch of this unique, six-month leadership development program designed with and for women in the Beni region. I’m excited to be back with people and at a place that has meant so much to me over the years.
The six-person planning team for NYOTA, comprised of talented leaders at the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC), has worked hard to breathe life into something that was just an idea nine months ago.
I’d like to introduce you to four members of the team and hear why they have given their time and energy to this initiative. In the next newsletter you’ll meet the other two members along with two other UCBC staff who are taking responsibility to monitor and evaluate NYOTA and its impact.
Everyone on the team carries a full workload at UCBC. Everyone also has responsibilities in the larger community. And of course, everyone has family responsibilities. The four team members here, for example, are married and have young children.
Adelphine Angemito is Grant Manager and Gender Equality Advocate at the Development Office at UCBC. She is also a 2023-2024 Fellow in The Girl Child Long Walk Fellowship.
During her student years at UCBC, Adelphine co-founded Women’s Voices, a women’s student group for leadership development. It’s not surprising, then, that Adelphine agreed to be part of the NYOTA team. As she says, “It’s a program that aligns with my interests, which is to contribute to the empowerment of women. There is no better life without gender equality between men and women. And I’m ready for a new adventure!”
Sifa Jolie Kpaka is Coordinator of UCBC’s Advanced Studies Program and International Partnerships. She is also a faculty member in the Economics Department. Jolie was one of the first international Fellows with Young Evangelicals for Climate Action during her student years at UCBC. Jolie earned her MBA in Strategic and Project Management from Daystar University (Kenya).
Jolie has given her time and energy to NYOTA because, as she says, “Female leaders … are not given opportunities to participate in decision-making. … Developing women will help them gain self-confidence to speak up and bring the change that is needed to transform the problems we are currently facing into a better future. …It is time to start creating a generation of female leaders who are going to change the history of what our community knows about the role of women.”
Viviane Bibuya Bwirabuli is Data Manager in the Development Office at UCBC and Assistant to the Rector. A UCBC alum, Viviane recently earned her MA in Organizational Leadership from Africa International University (Kenya). Because of her efforts as coordinator of marketing and communications for NYOTA, program enrollment is on target.
Viviane agreed to be on the team because, as she notes, “We live in a man-led community. The development of women is a golden opportunity that the women of the city of Beni and its surroundings will have. I joined NYOTA in order to contribute to this women’s development program to enable women to unleash their potential and put it at the service of the community.”
Marc Asobee, a UCBC alum, is Co-Director of NYOTA. Marc accepted the invitation to assemble a team and develop NYOTA. His UCBC roles include Acting Coordinator of the School of Leadership at UCBC, teacher in the Theology Department and School of Leadership, and a leader in the university-wide mentoring program. Marc earned his MA in Organizational Leadership from the International Leadership University (Kenya), He was a 2023 Fellow of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program.
Marc’s reason for giving his time and energy to NYOTA? “I believe that more than ever, DR Congo needs strong, skilled, and self-confident women leaders to challenge the status quo and change the narrative of the country across sectors.”
These snapshots are a glimpse of the genius behind NYOTA. You’ll meet the rest of the team—Nelly, Rebecca, Alia, and Faden—in the next newsletter.
And before then, please participate in the light that is NYOTA!
- Contribute to our “Launch Campaign.” Help us reach our modest fundraising goal of $500 before June 8. Why June 8? Because that’s the first day when NYOTA participants meet to begin their six-month leadership development journey. Why $500? That’s what the cost is for one woman to participate in NYOTA.
- Follow and share NYOTA news. Follow Impact Now on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and follow the UCBC Facebook page.