Njamba Koffi
, 26 years old, is an award winning community leader, author, poet, public speaker and (amateur) musician. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has lived and traveled in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa, Western Europe and North America . In May 2022, he graduated from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Creative Writing. He is now pursuing a Masters in Business Administration at UBC Sauder School of Business.
Koffi currently works as a Grants and Community Initiatives Manager at Vancouver Foundation. While at UBC, he worked as a Co-Representative of African Studies Minor Program and as President of UBC Africa Awareness Initiative. He also volunteered as a Wellness Peer, among many things. He serves as a member of the advisory board for LEVEL Youth Granting, an initiative by the Vancouver Foundation focused on uplifting Indigenous and racialized immigrant and refugee young people. He sits on the Board of Directors for The Inclusion Project, a social innovation and resource hub working with organizations to develop knowledge and practices that advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI). He also serves as an advisor for Amala, a charity organization which provides education to displaced youth globally. Inspired by his lived experiences, he taught seminars focused on the refugee experience during the 2019 Yale Young Global Scholars program at Yale University.
Koffi reaches communities through speaking engagements, performances in music, poetry and storytelling. The events he participates in are mostly organized by charities, university clubs, schools or other public institutions. He has also given multiple media interviews.
“I am Hope, So is Every Young Refugee” by Videographer Andy Tseng
What will a book reading with the Author be like?
Fun and Insightful. At the host’s request, a live performance featuring one or two of his songs or poems or both can be expected. Many scenes from his book were inspired by the songs and poetry he wrote while living in the refugee camp(s), and connect to larger thematic contexts of the book like struggles of young people in refugee camps. Be prepared to be moved and inspired, to learn and to be encouraged to strive for the best in you and the community of your choice.
Favorite quote from the book:
I knew every story has an ending: tragic for the unfortunate characters and joyous for those who adhere to the will of the writer. I was the protagonist in my own story, just like in this one.