Vanessa Ellena Phekani

Vanessa is a Malawian activist who believes in the untapped resource of the youth and her integral role in developing it. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts majoring in public administration and sociology and has used this qualification to pursue her humanitarian passions. Vanessa’s three years experience includes working with local and international organizations, coordinating youth activities both local and international and educating and advocating for adolescents. She has helped campaign against child trafficking, worked to promote gender equality, created career development initiatives, and is involved with counseling and mentoring youth. Most recently she has hosted leadership training courses for rural and urban youth. Currently, Vanessa is running an organization called ‘Youth with Purpose’; a social enterprise with the goal of inspiring the next generation to “Step Up, Lead and Fulfill its Purpose”. She also is involved with the Network for Youth Development, a non-profit organization that works with youth in entrepreneurship, education, sustainable agriculture and youth participation. As the national coordinator for a program called ‘My Life My Choice’, implemented in both Malawi and Ethiopia, she is expected to coordinate the approval process of new interventions, identify and help address issues and problems that may jeopardize outputs, including risk management analysis. She also helps organize and participates in project mobilization and planning meetings to ensure internal and external reporting as required by the donor. Upon her return, Vanessa intends on propelling the ‘Youth with Purpose’ Leadership center initiative where her hopes are that young people will be encouraged and groomed to discover their strengths and purpose towards the fulfillment of their goals and become great leaders.