Initiatives of Change - Action for Life: People

AfL4 Participants

Africa

Ann Njeri Ndiangui
Country: Kenya
Education/Profession: Diploma of Information Technology/ IofC volunteer

I am currently working full-time with IofC Kenya and helping to run a few programs i.e. ‘Kenya I Care’, schools programme, Women’s ‘Peace Circles’ as well as ‘Sustainable Peace and Reconciliation’ for youth. My vision is to have a hate-free Kenya, where people understand, respect and appreciate our diverse cultures and traditions. While I don’t know my next step and I eagerly await guidance, Action for Life will help to broaden my perspective in life and equip me with the right tools to strengthen and enhance my leadership ability which will help me in realizing my vision.

Carolyn Khakula
Country: Kenya
Education/Profession: Bachelor of Education in Fine Art/ College Art Teacher, Editor, Radio Producer.

In Kenya, I have seen the issues facing women; education, female genital mutilation, sexual offences, early marriages, gender segregation and the role of the media in feminism. I also feel it is my responsibility to work in the area of conflict resolution. This comes from seeing the recent political skirmishes stemming from ethnic conflict and in reducing the tension between Asian communities and native Kenyans. Action for Life will prepare me to answer these needs and imbalances.

Joanita Grace Nabbanja
Country: Uganda
Education/Profession: Administrator for an international non-profit organization

My vision is to work towards improving the plight of vulnerable groups, especially women and children affected by HIV and AIDS, poverty, and war. This vision has seen me go beyond the confines of Administration, embracing counselling, and specifically training as a facilitator in Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Groups to ensure that I am thoroughly equipped to reach the oppressed. I am looking forward to a transformative experience on AfL, as I use the opportunity to serve others within the program. I believe the knowledge, skills and experience that I will gain will see me fulfil my life’s passion: reaching out to the vulnerable.

Americas

Nejla Azima
Country: Canada
Education/Profession: Student doing Bachelor of Science in Biology

I live a very typical student life and I battle a hectic and inconsistent schedule. Through these challenges I have developed a vision to discover my personal path to peace. I am convinced to come for AfL4 because among all alternatives, I trust this decision. After AfL4 I will either apply to graduate school or continue my education through subsequent non-academic means.

Asia

Yue Zhang
Country: People’s Republic of China
Education/Profession: Bachelor of Management in Financial Management/ Auditor and Social Work

I am convinced to come for AfL4 because currently the most important thing for me is to find out what am I standing up for in my life, and for what reason God will use me. I believe that the experience of AfL4 will give me an answer. My vision is my wish: I wish my heart to be as wide as the seas and as firm as the mountains; I wish my wisdom is like the water, watering blossoming flowers; I wish my love is like the sun, warming up every piece of land; I wish I could be used as God plans, and I will follow.

Biplab Kumar Mahato
Country: India
Education/Profession: B.A in Economics, Diploma in Indian Classical Music/Student, Farmer, Musician

I am very interested in music and I want to form a band that fuses Indian, Western and folk music and which performs all around the world. On AfL, I can learn about different cultures and their local music so that when I complete the program, I can finish school and share the message of IofC with the help of music.

Priya Sharma
Country: India
Education/Profession: Masters in English Literature/ Teacher and Trainer

My vision is a world where there is health, happiness and prosperity for all. And I am thoroughly convinced that AfL4 would give me an opportunity to strengthen myself and contribute towards such a world. Currently I am at Asia Plateau, Panchgani, helping out with various programs that are conducted here. After AfL4 I plan to apply all that I learn there to whatever I choose to do in life and also to be an active member of this vast network of people who are working towards a better world.

Ambreen Bashir Kanroo
Country: India (Kashmir)
Education/Profession: Masters in Social Work, B. Education, B. Science/ Social Worker

I am working with CRY (Child Rights and You). My area of intervention is five remote villages in Kashmir where I act as a bridge between the community and the Government so that they can fight for their rights. My first expectation for AfL4 is to develop leadership qualities and to increase my confidence to stand up for what is right. I also hope to be able to explore different cultures and meet people of other religions to be able to work as a team with such diversity.

Mushtaq Ahmad Malla
Country: India (Kashmir)
Education/Profession: Masters in Social Work and Rural Development/ Project Supervisor

I am working for the psychosocial and economic development of marginalized earthquake victims of Jammu and Kashmir. During my stay at Asia Plateau I was exposed to many things including the discipline of inner listening and putting these truths into practice. The practical application came when I made an apology to my father for the money that I had stolen from him. If I am able to change myself, only then I can hope to make this world a better place to live in.

Miftahul Huda
Country: Indonesia
Education/Profession: Teacher Training/ IofC volunteer, Teacher, Program Officer

I am currently working for the Sampoerna Foundation to implement the Madrasah Quality Improvement Program in East and Central Java. I am now preparing a further event in partnership with a range of youth organizations to invite people from different countries for an International Youth Forum in June 2008. The aim of this is to define, and begin to implement, the role of youth in responding to global issues such as taking action on the millennium development goals. My vision is to build a network of people who are committed, united, have strong faith, morality and can offer competent leadership for Indonesia.

Ng Chui Cheng
Country: Malaysia
Education/Profession: Accounting/Primary School Teacher

Meeting the ideas of IofC three years ago was a turning point in my life, I feel that I have a responsibility to pass the message of personal change in my country. AfL will be an extension of my personal and spiritual growth. The trainings and practices in discerning moral clarity and taking action, space for reflection in the daily practice of quiet time, will be practical help for my inner development. I do believe the program which tries to develop leaders with interactive training and fieldwork will expand my capacity and develop my leadership skills. I believe with the experiences I acquired from AfL, I would be helpful in promoting idea of IofC in Malaysia and to the world, and training those who are interested in becoming IofC volunteers.

Tay San San
Country: Malaysia
Education/Profession: Bachelor of Counselling/Admin and Account, IofC volunteer

I am currently working in an event company as an Area Supervisor. I want to be part of the IofC network and learn to live with the ideas of IofC. I wish I can help to create a better atmosphere among the community and my friends. I do hope this can also benefit not just the community I am living in, but my country and the world. I deeply believe that by joining AfL4, I can improve my inner strength in order to support myself to be a better human. This program will be a starting point for me to step towards my vision. I hope after AfL4, I will have clearer direction for my life and be actively involve in IofC networking.

Chae Nam Kim
Country : South Korea
Education/Profession: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering/ IofC volunteer

I am working with IofC in Korea. For me I want to do something for others, but I do not know what to do. This thought let me to make the decision to join AfL4. I think AfL is helpful to find my next step. In Asia Plateau located in India I found out many things about myself. For example, I figured out the reason I got angry and I am trying to control my anger. However, after coming back to Korea I found it difficult. Sometimes I feel discouraged to living a change life. I would like to get more courage to do whatever I want to do or I have to do.

Song-Hee. Lee
Country: South Korea
Education/Profession: Accounting/Student/ Office Worker

I applied to AfL because I live in a society with a lot of opportunities, but one that also has a lot of problems. In particular: selfishness. I think this 7-month program will give me the time to look at my life and the lives of others and learn about what is right and important in my life. My hope is that after AfL I will be more determined to do the right thing without worry and to be satisfied with my healthy spirit.

Ching-Che Liu
Country: Taiwan
Education/Profession: Computer Science / IofC Volunteer.

I graduated from the Information Management Department in June 2007. I’m now serving in the military which is compulsory for a year. Because of my parents, I’ve known IofC since birth, I didn’t feel like I knew the spirit of IofC. Slowly I can feel the power in my life and the value of searching for myself. Now I start to search for the purpose of my life. I hope I can be a wheel to bring change for the world. In changing myself, I can bring goodness and beauty in the world.

Phan Thanh Tam
Country: Vietnam
Education/Profession: Studying B.A. Economics/ Business Development Associate

Being with IofC Vietnam for 3 years, the idea of “change begins with me” appeared in my mind and has been clearer over time. My vision is of a world in which people can realize their true values and live their best for what they believe; where each individual can become a change-maker for a better life, starting with themselves. With AfL4, I hope to step further to reach my personal goal: understanding more about the world and myself and following the call for taking action in what I believe is good for me and can make me happy. I also hope to gain a new perspective of what is going on around me and what I can contribute to make life more meaningful to live.

Thi Tra Ngan Do
Country: Vietnam
Education/Profession: B.A. in Accounting and Auditing/ Auditing Assistant

What convinced me for AfL is my belief that Action for Life 4 will give me the willingness to step out of my frame and be more open in life. I hope I could create a freelance ego and take full responsibility for my decisions in future. AfL is the first action to take to be better than myself yesterday. I desire to learn from the hardships and to have a positive personal change. From that I would have the ability to inspire others to do the same like me. After AfL, I hope to have the clear ideas and the right direction for my life

Australia and Pacific

Deborah Sullivan
Country: Australia
Education/Profession: Diploma in Design (Gold and Silver smithing)

I have worked as a jeweller/silversmith, designing and creating over many years for a diverse array of clients. But no matter how rewarding and fascinating this work has been, I now have a burning desire to work for the restoration of dignity and respect for those who have suffered from sexual assault or abuse.

I dream of a world where true compassion, safety and understanding is possible for victims of sexual abuse. I look forward to Action for Life 4, I believe I will learn a lot that will help this cause and look forward to all challenges, growth, knowledge, adventures and development.

Aashil Prakash
Country: Fiji
Education/Profession: Student of Economics.

My vision is to make my family proud of me and to become a good role model for my younger brother and elder sister, to all my other cousins, friends, colleagues and all the youths of Fiji. I am moved to be with AfL because of my relationship with IofC and past participants of AfL and the experience they shared with me. After AfL4 I want to finish my studies and at the same time share my experiences of AfL4 with my family members, IofC group and the society at large. Also I would like to be more active in encouraging others to become good role models.

Metuisela Vosayaco Tuivavalagi
Country: Fiji
Education/Profession: Diploma in Business Management /Advert Officer, Library Builder

I want to see change in everyone, especially in the youth of Fiji so that they can be better leaders of tomorrow and a living example for Fiji and the world. I believe AfL will help me to grow personally and in understanding the world around me. I’ll develop ideas in ways to help others, to inspire people and to remind them that building a better world is a role that needs to be played by everyone. I then hope to follow God’s plan, which may be to return to Fiji and coach the Fiji IofC youth leaders.

Martin Moali
Country: Solomon Islands
Education/Profession: IofC volunteer

Europe

Hardip Ghattaora
Country: England
Education/Profession: BA (Hons) Graphic Design/Museum and Heritage Assistant

My personal vision is to change; change what I have believed about myself; to be a light for people in any dark situation; to change their negative beliefs by coaching them; maybe by changing a simple thought, one thought can change the world. After AfL4 I plan to train as a Facilitator, maybe for an NGO. I would also like to come home to study and work for IofC if the opportunity arises in the near future!

Julia Kutsmida
Country: Ukraine
Education/Profession: Student of Lviv National Academy of Arts.

I'm currently studying, making creative works and building a relationship with God. I want every person in this world to feel love and have the energy to give love and light to others. I decided to go for AfL4 because I want to start with myself to see a better world. I want to learn how I can help people to be creators of inner and outer beauty.

Kseniya Firstova
Country: Ukraine
Education/Profession: Student second-year in Foreign Languages/ Trainee teacher

Currently I’m studying foreign languages and literature and working as a teacher in the Language training center dealing with students from 5 to 30! I’m also involved in activities of F4F, Ukraine. I enjoy my life which is bright, colorful, full of miracles and wonderful people! I believe in fairy-tales and I’m sure my life is a beautiful fairy-tale. I’m not afraid of difficulties and often choose the hard but bright way in life! I’m interested in working with people and helping them. I’d like to help them to develop spiritually, to support them, to serve and to inspire. I see AfL as a great tool which will help me to understand myself, my role and destination. After AfL I hope to become an active change maker and make this network stronger and more effective!