Cottey Student Named Oxfam Change Leader

Cottey College student Yustinah Ndambakuwa was selected to the 2018 Oxfam CHANGE Initiative by Oxfam America. Ndambakuwa is one of only 30 students selected nationally this year after completing a competitive application review and selection process.

Ndambakuwa learned of the program through Oxfam’s newsletter. She applied for the initiative and had Cottey professor of mathematics Dr. Wei Cui write her letter of recommendation. Ndambakuwa had phone interviews on January 8 and March 16 where she and the Oxfam representative discussed her passion for social justice. In April she was officially announced as a CHANGE Leader.

“I am excited to be among other young leaders learning about social justice and working together to make the world a better place,” said Ndambakuwa. “I will be able to bring back to campus and share what I have learned.”

The year-long program kicks off with a weeklong training in Boston this summer, where CHANGE Leaders get the chance to hear from Oxfam staff, CHANGE alumni and one another, as well as participate in workshops on leadership and advocacy training. CHANGE Leaders then take these skills back to campus, where they bring Oxfam’s mission to life through teach-ins, panels, research projects, class curriculum, special events, campus clubs and more. Oxfam will support students with advice, materials, and information throughout the year.

Founded in 2000, CHANGE has trained over 870 student leaders from more than 350 colleges and universities. Together they learn how to transform their passion for the issue into meaningful action on campus and in their communities. Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty.

Elise Omaits, Class of 2010, has been the only other Cottey student to be selected for this honor.