Melvine Wajiri, the founder of People Empowering People (PEP) Africa, has a remarkable 24-year active dedication to community service and social development. His journey has taken him from Cameroon to across the globe, where he has spearheaded many research initiatives and crafted many innovative youth models (MENSTRUAL, SAWA, Little-Drop, LEAF, GHoA, FREEDOM, No Palava, RESPECT, KIDSPLAY, dance4life initiative, to name a few). These initiatives have not only transformed the lives of over 126,000 individuals in Africa but also set a new standard for social development on a global scale.
At the heart of Melvine’s work is his unstoppable commitment to amplifying young people’s and youth’s voices and engaging them in the United Nations flagship initiatives. His dedication to inspiring, educating, activating, and celebrating their achievement as driving forces behind positive social change for a brighter future is a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for all who believe in the power of youth. His exceptional skill set, including his ability to navigate social challenges and diverse cultural settings and fluently communicate in 5 languages, underscores his leadership and influence in community and social development.
Melvine’s impressive track record extends to advocacy for youth inclusion and meaningful engagement in global social and development policy formulation to enhance development effectiveness. He has provided exemplary leadership that can be felt in numerous networks and professional work services, including St Faustina Catholic Church, Restless Peace Coalition, All-Southwest NGOs, Ocean Echos, NOHRA, UNSAG, Shelter Cluster, Global WASH, Africa54, CHS Alliance, Climate Justice, Coalition, America Red Cross, Plasticnothanks, YDP-Network, Boys-Scout, etc. and fostering collaborations with multilateral organizations. His visionary footprint has left an indelible mark, and Melvine’s contributions extend beyond borders. He has actively participated in international conferences alongside NGOCSocD, CSW, ECOSOC, UNAIDS, UNFCCC, IAS, UNEP, etc.
Melvine actively seeks new partnerships and opportunities with development stakeholders to expand his initiative (PEP Africa’s reach) to all 54 African countries. His vision for this expansion demonstrates his unwavering commitment to driving positive change and impacting the social development ecosystem. This exciting opportunity for collaboration to inspire potential partners.