The Global Governing Council of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network has appointed seasoned educationist, Katie Kaonga as the National Coordinator for its Malawi Chapter.

Her appointment, which is for a period of two years and renewable upon the completion of a tenure, comes on the back of similar appointments by the Council across its Chapters globally.

She is expected to among other things, lead the Network at the national level and serve as the organization’s main representative in the country.

As part of her key responsibilities, she is expected to steer the affairs of the Network with supervision from the Global Secretariat; serve as the link between the Global Secretariat and Chapter members; and liaise with research officers at the secretariat to supervise individual members’ projects.

She will also act as chairperson at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at all other meetings of the Chapter; lead recruitment of new members for the Network in the country; and shall be responsible for the coordination of delegates to the Annual Convocation of the Young African Women Congress and other sub-regional congresses.

Additionally, she will be expected to prepare and present solidarity message on behalf of the chapter at convocations; be responsible for the implementation of the Network’s programmes and projects in the country and lead sponsorship at the Chapter level.

Profile

Katie Kaonga is a dedicated social worker with a strong passion for education and social-emotional interventions for children facing various challenges. 

As a demonstration of her commitment to inclusive education, she founded the Joyful Journeys Academy, a montessori school for the deaf that provides a nurturing learning environment for children with hearing impairments.

Through this initiative, she has worked to bridge the gap in accessible education and ensured that every child, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive.

Her experience spans across multiple organizations, including Molo Mhlaba School, where she contributed to a mental wellness project by providing social-emotional support to children, conducting parental training in behaviourmanagement, and identifying barriers to learning.

Additionally, she has interned with various NGOs, including Jacaranda School for Orphans, where she worked as a school counsellor; and also, at Destiny Mission Organization in Zimbabwe, where she served as Communications Officer, Resource Mobilizer, and Assistant Programs Officer.

Katie has also been involved in fundraising initiativeswith Global Leadership Adventures, where she supported efforts to raise funds for an Indian organization that cares for children living with HIV.

She also participated in the UNESCO and Women@DiorMentorship and Education Program, a prestigious women’s empowerment initiative, through which she enhanced her skills in project management, teamwork, and communication, while gaining valuable insights into leadership and social impact.

With a strong background in youth leadership, Katie served as Youth Coordinator at her church between 2018 and 2020, leading Asisi Anga, a girls' group that focuses on spiritual and holistic growth through lessons on hygiene, entrepreneurship, career choices, and Bible studies.

Katie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Africa University in Zimbabwe, where she also studied Social Policy. She has participated in networking workshops and conferences, engaging with educators and professionals from across Africa and is currently focused on developing a business model for Joyful Journeys Academy, aiming to expand its impact and sustainability.