Idah Nambeya

Country: Zambia

Organization at the time you received Katie Fleming Award from Coady: The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)

Organization you are currently with: The Stephen Lewis Foundation, Toronto, Canada

How did receiving the Katie Fleming award inspire you?

The award inspired me in many ways and made me feel that I needed to do more in giving back to my community especially after learning what Katie’s passion was.

How did your studies at Coady improve your ability to be a change leader?

Coady is a place that brings the world together, people from different countries – who are champions of different development projects and/or organizations – come together not only to learn but to share and exchange knowledge that enhances the learning. My ability as a change leader was at a different level. I came back home to Zambia as a true community leader and created systems that still works today. Even after I left the organization, I feel honored for that and will forever appreciate the Coady and the award that made it possible for me to have an opportunity and gain the knowledge I gained.

What does your organization do, how does it help develop your community?

The Stephen Lewis Foundation supports grassroots organizations in different countries, including Zambia, which try to address the challenges communities face due to HIV/AIDS. They support grandmothers taking care of orphans and other vulnerable children. I believe its contributions to developing communities are great.

What do you do for your organization?

I have worked in different roles and currently work as a senior advisor to the grandmother-to-grandmother campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

What are your goals/vision for the future?

My goal for the future is to continue to be a pillar in many different areas. I just believe that I am making a small contribution to help make a world a better place were even vulnerable communities can enjoy.

Anything else you would like to add?

I just want to say that the opportunity Coady provides is really a good one and I encourage all those who have been there to continue to do something to give back to their communities.