In this episode of the YALI Voices podcast, we’re talking with Eva Chukwunelo from Nigeria and Richard Siaw from Ghana, both of whom are YALI Network members and 2024 Mandela Washington Fellows. Eva and Richard are creating opportunities for connection among those from marginalized communities, with the goals of improving mental health and increasing self-esteem by allowing people to become their authentic selves.

Eva is a disability rights advocate who is passionate about leading social change for those with limb amputation. She is an amputee peer counselor and volunteer with the YALI chapter office in Abuja. With the Amputee Coalition of Nigeria, she provides resources that help those with limb loss to find jobs and also digital skills that help reintegrate people into the community so they will not feel isolated. With YALI Abuja, Eva acts as a communications manager, designing graphics and creating content for community outreach.

Richard is the founder of Voice Of Inspiring Inclusive Change Equitably or VOIICE, an organization that addresses mental health, abuse, religion and sexuality. VOIICE has given people in need the confidence to face their fears and their abusers and, in many cases, to take the bold step of finding help. The community that Richard has helped build through his organization has helped people cope and find their own voice.

The YALI Network in Nigeria is organized into local state chapters local chapters in each state that meet monthly in person to share knowledge and collaborate on community development projects. If you live in Nigeria, to learn more on how to get involved with the YALI Network chapter in your state please contact [email protected].