Biography

Jacinta Kavata Malinda is a passionate community development enthusiast, ethical leadership advocate, and champion of community-led change. With an academic background in Philosophy and Leadership, Jacinta is deeply interested in how ethical leadership, critical thinking, and inclusive approaches can be used to address social challenges and create meaningful, lasting change.

Her journey in community development has been shaped by hands-on experiences with organisations such as the Kenya Red Cross and through collaboration with government initiatives in Kilifi County, Kenya. She recently completed her volunteer service with CorpsAfrica/Kenya, where she gained valuable experience working alongside communities, promoting local ownership, and supporting sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Jacinta is currently serving as a CorpsAfrica Exchange Volunteer in Malawi, an experience that has broadened her perspective on community development and strengthened her passion for learning across cultures. She is excited to be part of the cohort because she sees it as an opportunity to connect with like-minded changemakers, exchange ideas and experiences, learn from diverse perspectives, and build meaningful relationships that can inspire collective action.

Beyond her professional interests, Jacinta enjoys reading, engaging in meaningful conversations, exploring new cultures, learning from people and communities, and reflecting on ideas that challenge her to grow. She is particularly passionate about Human-Centred Design, youth empowerment, ethical leadership, social innovation, and sustainable community development.

Jacinta believes that lasting transformation happens when communities are not simply beneficiaries of development but are at the heart of identifying challenges, designing solutions, and leading their own change. Through her work and continued learning, she hopes to inspire resilience, strengthen community ownership, and contribute to a more inclusive and empowered society.