Growing up in the suburbs of Montreal, Mélina Nantel’s passion for social justice began at a young age and has guided her life ever since.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in international development from McGill University and a master’s in development, education and international cooperation from the University of Jyväskylä, Mélina has spent the last eight years working in global development and journalism. She’s gained hands-on experience with what she studied at school and has lived and worked in countries including Benin, Guatemala, Peru – and now Tanzania through AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship. Mélina is now in Dar es Salaam, working at the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania (AKES, T).
“I had the privilege of attending an International Baccalaureate school during high school,” says Mélina. “That experience planted the seeds for my lifelong commitment to social justice and equity. Now, working in IB schools with AKES, T feels like coming full circle—it’s an opportunity to contribute to the same values that initially shaped my worldview.”
As a Partnerships Fellow, Mélina promotes collaboration between AKES, T and other organizations, embassies, and communities that share similar values. She also works on enhancing student experiences and events and contributes to the Aga Khan Schools’ communications efforts – many of which are student-led. “The school isn’t just about academics; it’s about shaping young leaders who are prepared to tackle the pressing challenges in Tanzania and the world,” says Mélina.
While Mélina brings a depth of knowledge and experience to her work in Dar es Salaam, she continues to learn and reflect on her journey.
“[Living and working in Tanzania has helped me] question, adapt, and deepen my understanding of what it truly means to ‘improve quality of life,’ says Mélina. “It’s not about sweeping, dramatic change overnight. It’s about small, meaningful steps, a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and constantly adapting to the needs of the communities… I’m learning every day—not just about development but about myself, the cultures here in Tanzania, and how we can build partnerships that truly make a difference.”
“My experiences have deeply shaped my approach to community-driven development—an approach that puts the needs and voices of the community at the forefront.”
Maya Crawford grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, and is a member of an Algonquin community. She is a policy advocate, community engagement professional, and now an Engagement Fellow in Mombasa, Kenya. In her role, she supports civil society leaders to advance gender equality. The belief that community lies at the heart of collective and individual success has always been a guiding force throughout her career.
With a background in conflict studies, human rights, and Indigenous studies from the University of Ottawa, Maya applied to the International Youth Fellowship to explore how community-led approaches play out in a global context. “Too often, development work is top-down, with decisions made by organizations and funders who are not directly impacted… I wanted to learn how local leaders in other countries build and sustain their own initiatives.”
Currently, Maya works with local organizations focused on empowering women and girls in the coastal region of Kenya. Through workshops, resources, and tools, she helps support these organizations to strengthen their capacities and impact. “What I’ve really appreciated about this Fellowship is the balance it’s given me between supporting community initiatives and working on the logistics and coordination side of things… Every day is an opportunity to learn.”
While Maya is enjoying her time on the Swahili coast and learning about the rich history of Mombasa, the sense of community has become her favourite part.
“The kindness I’ve encountered here has really reminded me of my own communities back home in Canada. Whether it’s sharing a cup of tea or being greeted with a smile each day, it’s clear that community and connection are central to life here.”
After completing a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a triple concentration in strategy, sustainability, and international business at McGill University, Sarosha Chagani worked as a consultant and business analyst before applying to AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship.
“Poverty is something that has always baffled me,” says Sarosha. “On the one hand, we have everything we could ever want, to the point of it going to waste, and on the other hand, people do not have enough food to eat and clean water to drink.” Passionate about helping others, Sarosha has always immersed herself in her community in Mississauga, such as volunteering with children and youth, organizing food drives and park clean-ups, and supporting migrant communities. Her commitment to helping others locally laid the foundation for her work abroad.
Through AKFC’s Fellowship, Sarosha is melding her commitment to helping others and her academic and professional experiences to improve quality of life through entrepreneurship. As a Business Development and Programs Fellow at Accelerate Prosperity in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, Sarosha supports international outreach and local programming for entrepreneurs in Central Asia. She recently coordinated a regional initiative focused on female entrepreneurs and is developing educational tools on the topics of energy efficiency and climate finance for startups in South and Central Asia.
“[Through my work], I’ve realized that business is a vital aspect of development. It’s been amazing to witness the work being done to empower entrepreneurs to address social issues, while concurrently creating income and jobs for themselves and their communities.”
Sarosha is now settled in Bishkek and has even found a surprising connection to home.
“It was definitely tough at first as everything is in Kyrgyz and Russian,” says Sarosha. “What’s really interesting is the diverse international community—there is a huge diaspora of Indian and Pakistani students who have come for medical school. I find it comforting because if I am ever stuck and my limited Russian/Kyrgyz and Google Translate fails me, I can always find someone who speaks English or Urdu/Hindi.”
For those thinking of applying to AKFC’s Fellowship Program, Sarosha offered a few words of wisdom:
“Don’t worry about whether you have international development experience or not. The Fellowship will match you to what suits your personality and interests best. There is a need for all backgrounds and expertise in development.”
Since 1989, over 550 young people like Mélina, Maya, and Sarosha have participated in the International Youth Fellowship program. Applications for the International Youth Fellowship are open from December 9, 2024 to January 31, 2025! Learn more and apply.
