Meet the Corps

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MEET THE CORPS

Or-Tal Be'eri (Jerusalem, Israel)

The Work that Reconnects

Or-Tal Be’eri is from a Kibbutz settlement in the Upper Galilee in Northern Israel. After joining RTD’s youth Corps program in Israel last June, her IYC project strives to empower Israeli and Palestinian woman to engage in resolution of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict.

Niambi Brown (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

“Because I Did” College Mentoring Project

Currently serving as the Director of Education for Junior Achievement of Georgia, Niambi is dedicated to quality education for all. Her IYC project is a collaboration with Corps member LaNovia Meuse on the “Because I Did” project, a mentorship program aimed at increasing college enrollment amongst minorities.

Borislav is 18 years old and a recent graduate of the International Baccalaurate School in Banja Luka. He has been actively involved in volunteerism since age 14, and is the co-founder of a humanitarian youth organization called ''Benevolentia."

Shivani Chopra (New Delhi, India)

Street People Resource Center

A resident of New Delhi, India, Shivani is a lawyer by profession but in the future is interested in pursuing politics like her father, who is a local politician. Having accompanied RTD on its last three IYC trips, her personal project proposes the creation of resource center in Delhi, India for homeless adults and children, commonly known in India as “street people.”

Mahar Cooke (Atlanta, Georgia)

Ghana-US Child Ambassadors Project

A resident of Atlanta, Mahar is a dedicated supporter of the Diaspora African Forum, which works to encourage people in the Diaspora to invest in and/or relocate to Africa. His IYC project involves creating a Child Ambassadors program to empower children from deprived rural communities in Ghana, where he is a youth chief, to champion issues affecting their communities.

Maja describes herself as someone who believes that you have only what you give. She joined the IYC Program because she is eager to become involved in a two-way process of building self-sustainable peace and stability.

Mike Dean (Columbus, Ohio, USA)

The RS Dean Project

Mike is a native of Columbus, Ohio and is the Program Manager of his local Youthbuild Program. Having founded the RS Dean Foundation in honor of his slain brother, Mike’s project focuses on reaching juveniles either prior to their first offence or immediately after a repeat offense. 

Candice Dixon (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA)

At age 28, Candice Dixon has already built her own competitive consulting company – Dixon Solutions, LLC – a thriving website development, graphic design and information technology consulting company, which Candice manages as President and CEO. Active in numerous community activities, Candice is currently using her company to help strengthen the technology component of her state’s K-12 math and science education.

Aleksandar will soon graduate high school and plans to study International Politics and Diplomacy. He stays very busy with extracurricular activities including volunteerism, graphic design projects and studying architecture.

Rhonda Everdyke (Washington, D.C., USA)

Young Elected Officials Survey Report

Having worked in DC for five years, Rhonda has significant experience in the fields of policy, advocacy and communication.  Her project is aimed at empowering young people wishing to pursue public office by developing a survey describing the challenges and opportunities of youthful elected officials.

Ely Flores (Los Angeles, CA)

Ely Flores has come a long way since his difficult upbringing in Los Angeles, California. Faced at an early age with the reality of social injustice, he originally turned to violence and gangs. Beginning at the age of 17 though, he’s embraced a lifestyle devoted to justice, equality and nonviolent change, becoming one of the most recognized young leaders of his community.

Jenn is currently pursuing a degree at the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. She is interested in working in international development through social enterprise projects to develop economies abroad. In the near future, Jenn hopes to be involved with projects that foster sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world. 

Lindsey Holmes (Newark, New Jersey)

Youth Entrepreneurship Series (Y.E.S!)

Lindsey C. Holmes, a native Washingtonian, has already founded two organizations aimed at financial literacy and social empowerment. Having joined RTD in Kenya in March 2009, her IYC project seeks to promote entrepreneurship to youth under the age of 21 by facilitating a series of interactive workshops.

Amina is originally from the city of Tesnja, but currently lives in Sarajevo while attending school. She is a journalism major who enjoys studying and discussing political science. She has some volunteer experience and has also assisted her local TV station with public service announcements.  

Nitasha Kapahi (New Delhi, India)

India-Pakistan Documentary

A native of India, Nitasha’s is a dedicated cinematographer and social activist. Her project involves the creation of a documentary depicting the similar culture and challenges of the people of India and Pakistan, aimed at fostering common understanding and shared solutions amongst both peoples.

Sonja Kesic’s, also 18 years old, primary aims and life interests include education, charity work, and youth activism. As a new IYC member, she looks forward to establishing a project that supports youth through engagement.

Amila was born and raised in Sarajevo. She is in her first year of Law School and hopes to get a chance to study abroad. She is fluent in English, German and Spanish and enjoys reading, traveling, and discussing international politics.

The Selma Youth Conference

A proud native of Selma, Alabama, Chancee` Lundy is a successful environmental professional and community focused leader. Having once been named one of Ebony Magazine’s “30 Leaders of the Future,” her IYC project provides young adults with self development, as well as social and technical skills to impact their community. 

La Novia Meuse (Atlanta, Georgia)

“Because I Did” College Mentoring Program

La Novia is the Director of the I Have a Dream Foundation's Gideons Project, which provides long term tutoring, mentoring, enrichment, and college prep for low income students. Aptly titled the “Because I Did” Program, La Novia's current project involves pairing 50 high school students who are interested in attending college with 25 minority professionals who successfully did so.

Robert currently attends the University of Nairobi’s College of Agriculture where he studies Veterinary Medicine. Having been nicknamed “activist” by his friends because of his engagement and local activism on campus, Robert brings to the program his passion for freedom, justice, equality and dignified life. His ambition is to influence positively the lives of those living in his community and those he interacts with through bright leadership.

Peter is a self motivated team player with a passion for service to the community. He graduated from Egerton University where he studied Economics and History. He currently works with a consortium on HIV/AIDS prevention within Rift Valley, Nairobi-Central Province and Nyanza provinces.

Having joined IYC after its 2009 trip to South Africa, Morapedi works at Sonke Gender Justice Network, an organization which promotes gender equality, the prevention of domestic and sexual violence, and the reduction and spread of HIV and AIDS in South Africa. He previously attended Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where he volunteered as a HIV&AIDS and Gender Based Violence Peer Educator.

Yohan lived in Australia as a young child before returning to his native country of Sri Lanka. An avid country music fan, Yohan spends much of his time listening to music and dedicating himself to the IT field. In this capacity he has volunteered for the international NGO Global Action assisting them with website development/design and videography.

Kinya Mururu (Washington, D.C., USA)

Young Elected Officials Survey Report

A native of Kenya, Kinya is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Administration from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Her IYC project is a collaborative effort with two other Corps members that seeks to provide young leaders with dreams of elected office the tools they need to succeed in achieving their goal.

Enos is currently in his fourth year at the University of Nairobi studying Journalism and Media Studies. He is also the lead coordinator for the Healers Youth Program of the PLO Lumumba Foundation Initiative, which seeks to build a peaceful and cohesive society after the post-election violence that rocked Kenya in late 2007. He hopes to break the country’s negative ethnic stereotyping, which has resulted in animosity and violence over the years.

Born in Soviet Moldova, Lony Natanzon currently resides in northern Israel and is passionate about spreading the message of nonviolence through alternative education. Having traveled to over a dozen countries around the world, Lony believes that the key to building a world at peace with itself is to work with people on an individual level, helping them to embrace a humble and nonviolent lifestyle.

James was born and raised in Kenya and currently works for ‘I Choose Life’ – Africa, an organization that works towards HIV and AIDS prevention in the Kajiado district. He recently joined the IYC with a lot of enthusiasm to travel and looks forward to empowering young people all over the world. He has a passion to eradicate poverty in Africa, through empowering the youth to become better leaders and more resourceful people in society.

Alfred joined IYC to improve his knowledge of youth development issues relating to social justice, empowerment and advocacy. He is interested in human rights abuses at the global level and hopes to participate in more international programs that focus on empowering youths to be elements of change. He currently works as a volunteer community organizer at the Center for Environmental & Agricultural Development in his hometown of Kumba.

Ruth is currently studying Mass Communication specializing in electronic media at Daystar University in Kenya. She is passionate about issues involving both Kenya and the continent of Africa and is considered a leader in her community, often telling peers that, “tomorrow for me started a long time ago.” Ruth is committed to reviving social activism in her community and believes knowledge and education are power.

Jasmin has participated in many civic engagement projects in his community such as CIVITAS` project “Citizen”. He is currently the president of Interact Club of Tuzla, a local chapter of Rotary International, and is responsible for organizing various community projects such as collecting school books and other donations for local orphans.

One of the IYC’s newest members, Mak was born in Sarajevo in 1984, where he lived through the Bosnian War from 1992-1995. A dedicated activist for peace and understanding in his home country, as well as for disadvantaged youth, his goal in the IYC is to gain the tangible skills in nonviolence and youth leadership he needs to improve quality of life for all Bosnians. 

Julian is the co-founder of YouthBuiltMedia and founding member of Men and Women of Great Spirit, both of which address the lack of awareness and action among young people. Along with extensive youth experience as a mentor, tutor, and peer counselor, Julian has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bryan College and is currently pursuing a Master in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.

Aia Safadi (Majdal Shams, Golan Heights)

Originally from the Golan Heights – an area still disputed by Syria and Israel – Aia is currently a student of democracy and peace at Tel Hai College in northern Israel. Describing Dr. King as one of her lifelong heroes, she is passionate about continuing her nonviolence training with the Corps and developing a personal project that furthers his humanitarian work. 

Katra Sambili (Nairobi, Kenya)

Mogotio Community Cultural Centre

Hailing from a remote area of Kenya's Rift Valley Province, Katra is passionate about rural development in Kenya. Inspired by the dialogue-based programs she witnessed with the IYC in Israel, her project seeks to foster reconciliation amongst Kenya’s main ethnic groups by appealing to their shared culture and history. 

Before Kolja participated in an earlier youth leadership program, he considered himself very shy. Since then, he has taken the lead on most projects he involves himself with such as running for president of the student council and developing youth conferences along with some of his peers. Although still quiet compared to some of his fellow BiH members, Kolja brings much excitement to the IYC and hopes to utilize the IYC network to convene a larger scale international youth conference.

Grace is a student at Daystar University majoring in Public Relations. She is interested in community growth and has a passion to become a quality leader in Africa. She is currently working with children living with Cerebral Palsy in her hometown and advocates on their behalf so that they receive ‘normal’ treatment when entering into higher education, and for fair societal treatment so that they may also have a chance to enjoy life like any other Kenyan.

Hend was part of the youth delegation during Realizing the Dream’s trip to Israel in 2008, along with then partner YFWP. The following year, Hend joined in on part of the IYC’s 2009 Program in Israel and expressed interest in reconnecting with the IYC Program. This is Hend’s first overseas trip with the IYC.