Sichasisile Saiziba is an accomplished development practitioner who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has over seven years of experience in women and youth development. Saiziba is the founder and director of Community Youth Development Trust, a community-based organization whose vision is to ensure the viability of effective youth participation in decision making and governance. Since 2018, Saiziba has produced more than eight training resource manuals to assist stakeholders in the field of youth and women empowerment. 

Saiziba worked for three reputable civil society organizations before founding the youth-focused organization where she currently leads community advocacy initiatives. During her spare time, Saiziba writes articles on youth participation and the challenges young women face. She takes pride in assisting others, shaping upcoming community-based organizations and advising those organizations to effectively impact their constituencies.  

IVLP Impact Award Project: Ground Up - Women Taking Action

Through this project, 253 women and 15 men participated in a two-day political leadership training on how to champion women’s rights and involve women in the political process in the Gwanda district of Zimbabwe. The project training empowered participants to become involved in political processes by creating safe meeting spaces to discuss important community issues. Participants engaged with local political leaders to present their concerns and advocated for gender responsive services, in addition to the inclusion of women in political planning and leadership.

"Thank you for the opportunity, I now know my right to participate in political spaces as a leader and I am willing to do so." - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Sichasisile participated in the IVLP Volunteerism and Civic Action, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with Tulsa Global Alliance, Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, WorldBoston, WorldChicago, World Affairs Council of South Texas, WorldDenver, Global Ties Kalamazoo, Global Ties KC, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, Global Ties Miami, WorldOrlando, World Affairs Council of St. Louis, Global Ties Sacramento, and International Institute of Wisconsin.

Sichasisile's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "IVLP was an opportunity to explore, learn and interact with brilliant individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through IVLP, I have learned that it is not our differences that divide us, but it is our inability to recognize the strength in unity and celebrate our diversity."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Sacramento, CA; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Louisville, KY; Boston, MA; Kalamazoo, MI; Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO; Tulsa, OK; Corpus Christi, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Milwaukee, WI

Country: Zimbabwe

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