Biography

Eliza Joao is a passionate young woman with a strong interest in youth empowerment, education, community development, and leadership. She holds a Malawi School Certificate of Education, a Certificate in Information and Communication Technology, and a Certificate in Fashion Designing and Garment Sewing. She also has experience in community health work and teaching.

Her journey in youth leadership and community engagement has enabled her to participate in various initiatives focused on leadership, life skills, health awareness, and youth empowerment through organisations such as Project Hope Namibia and MACRO, among others. She has experience working as an HIV self-test distributor, supporting communities with HIV self-testing guidance and health education. She has also been actively involved in mentoring young people, particularly girls and young women, and facilitating activities as a Club Mentor.

In 2025, Eliza participated in the Youth Exchange South to South (YESS) Girls Movement Exchange Programme, representing the Malawi Girl Guides Association in Uganda, where she was hosted by the Uganda Girl Guides Association for six months. During the exchange, she facilitated programmes, mentored girls, and supported initiatives focused on empowering girls and young women and promoting community engagement. These experiences strengthened her communication, leadership, teamwork, and community engagement skills, which she hopes to use to make a positive impact in her community and country as a responsible citizen.

Eliza is passionate about participating in initiatives that empower young people to contribute to positive change in their communities. She enjoys travelling, discovering new places and cultures, playing netball, singing, taking pictures, and engaging with young people.

She is excited to be part of CorpsAfrica/Malawi Cohort 10 because it offers her the opportunity to work with community members to identify and address challenges through sustainable, community-led solutions. She looks forward to learning from the community, building meaningful relationships, experiencing a new environment and culture, and growing both personally and professionally while contributing her skills and experience to community development.