Yuhana Luka Nabashti Tutu

Runner Up Rising Leader of the Year

My name is Yuhana Luka Nabashti, and I come from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. As someone who has grown up in a context shaped by displacement and resilience, I’ve come to see leadership not just as a title, but as a daily commitment to serve, uplift, and advocate for my community.

I believe I am a strong candidate for the VDP Rising Leader Award 2025 because I have consistently taken initiative to lead sustainable and inclusive change, even with limited resources. I founded Eco-Energy Voice to raise awareness and push for clean, affordable, and community-driven energy solutions in refugee and underserved areas. One of my key projects, Eco-Stove Innovations, is tackling harmful cooking practices by promoting safer, eco-friendly alternatives. This work is rooted in research, collaboration, and the lived realities of the people around me.

Beyond energy, I’ve been actively involved in education and youth empowerment through organizations like Amala and Jesuit Worldwide Learning, where I also study sustainable development. I’ve led focus group discussions, trained community members, and partnered with refugee-led and international initiatives to bring local voices into global spaces. I believe in the power of storytelling, community-building, and practical innovation as tools for transformation.